Queensland hand surgeon
Providing best results for hand surgery in Brisbane.
Minimal waiting times. In-house rehab including 5 dedicated hand therapists.
Queensland hand surgeon
Brisbane & Gold Coast
We are best known for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, Dupuytren’s surgery and complex hand surgery
Carpal tunnel surgery
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common and painful condition. Left untreated, you’re at risk of lasting nerve damage. Carpal tunnel surgery is a quick and simple procedure to reduce or remove your symptoms completely.
Your hand’s function can be affected by inflammation and compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. This may result in tingling and numbness, particularly in the thumb, index, middle and outer aspects of the ring finger. It is common, and anyone can get it, but manual workers, older individuals and females during pregnancy are at higher risk.
If first-line treatment fails, carpal tunnel surgery is recommended. You may have heard of decompression surgery, or carpal tunnel release surgery and all these terms refer to the same type of surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel surgery is performed in a day surgery hospital, and can be performed under local or general anaesthetic.
Your hand surgeon will make an incision from the base of the wrist to the middle of the palm to reveal the carpal ligament. Then they will make a cut in the ligament to open the carpal tunnel and decompress the median nerve. Over time, the ligament will grow back creating more space for the median nerve, resulting in fewer symptoms or complete alleviation of pain over time.
Preparing for hand surgery is crucial. It involves physical and mental preparation, whether you’re addressing a chronic issue or recovering from a new injury. Knowing what lies ahead and how to prepare is key. This guide offers insights into what to expect before, during, and after your hand surgery, helping you get ready for your operation and the recovery that follows.
Carpal tunnel surgery is not painful but expect some swelling and mild discomfort the first days after the procedure.
Two weeks after carpal tunnel surgery, our hand therapist will remove your sutures.
You will wear a supportive compression garment for 4 weeks.
For more information, please visit Dr Hadj’s website and page on carpal tunnel surgery.
Dupuytren’s surgery
Dupuytren’s disease is a benign palmar fascia contracture that most commonly occurs in Anglo-Saxon lineage patients. The disease causes small palmar and digital contractures that lead to clawing of the digits if left untreated over time.
Dupuytren’s disease starts with small and tender nodules (lumps) on your palm, which can cause one or more fingers to bend inward. It makes it difficult to straighten your finger(s).
When first-line treatments fail, Dupuytren’s surgery is typically recommended. Often hand surgeons talk about fasciectomy or fasciotomy, referring to surgery for Dupuytren’s disease.
Dupuytren’s surgery is performed in a day surgery hospital, and can be performed under local or general anaesthetic.
Your hand surgeon will make an incision in the palm, exposing the affected tissue. The thickened cords responsible for finger contracture will be carefully excised or divided. This allows for improved finger extension and hand function. In some cases, skin grafts may be necessary to cover the incision site.
Hand surgery is a big step, requiring readiness of both body and mind. Whether you’re correcting a long-standing condition or a recent injury, understanding the process and preparing for it is essential. This guide will walk you through what to expect and how to best prepare for your hand surgery, ensuring you’re fully equipped for the operation day and the recovery period.
After this type of hand surgery it is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort in your palm and fingers. Our hand therapists will provide instructions, exercises and hand rehabilitation techniques to restore hand function and promote healing.
Approximately two weeks after your hand surgery, the sutures will be removed, and our hand therapist will assess the progress. To support the healing process and minimise postoperative complications, a custom splint or supportive dressing may be provided.
For more information, please visit Dr Hadj’s website on hand surgery.
Trauma hand surgeon Brisbane & Gold Coast
All other types of (complex) hand surgery
The exact cause of ganglion cysts is best explained as joint fluid extrusions from the capsule herniating outwards. This is often due to weakness, capsular tear or trauma or even arthritis in certain circumstances. Certain factors such as repetitive hand or wrist movements, joint or tendon injuries, or underlying joint conditions may increase the risk. Rest assured more often than not this is a fully reversible and treatable condition. If first-line treatments fail, ganglion cyst removal surgery or ganglionectomy may be recommended. It is a simple procedure, performed in day surgery, under local anaesthetics.
Your hand surgeon will make a small incision over the cyst, and carefully remove it along with the stalk or joint capsule from which it originates. After excising the cyst, the incision is closed with stitches or adhesive strips, and a bandage or splint may be applied to support the affected area.
Our hand therapists will provide instructions, exercises and hand rehabilitation techniques to promote healing and restore hand function. Full recovery can take several weeks to a few months and follow-up appointments with our hand therapists may be recommended to monitor your progress.
When first-line treatments fail, tenosynovitis surgery may be recommended. The goal of this type of surgery is to open the protective lining to release the pressure and make more space for the affected tendons. If there is excess tissue around the tendons, your hand surgeon will remove it.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis surgery is a day procedure, typically performed under local anaesthetic. After surgery you will wear a splint to immobilise your thumb and wrist. Our hand therapists will provide instructions, exercises and rehabilitation techniques to promote healing and restore hand function.
Hand and finger fractures are very common. They often occur at work, in the kitchen or during sports activities. Simple fractures can typically be realigned without surgery, but more complex fractures require surgery to realign and stabilise the fractured bones. Your lifestyle, occupation, existing medical conditions and general health are also taken into consideration whether surgery is required or not.
In open reduction and internal fixation surgery (ORIF) your hand surgeon makes incisions to access the fractures bones and realign them. Then they will secure the bones in place using screws, plates, wires or pins.
In some cases, external fixation may be required. This involves placing pins or wires outside the skin and connecting them to an external frame to stabilise the bones.
Rehab is essential for optimal recovery and our in-house hand therapists will help you in restoring stability, alignment and function.
Tennis elbow is a painful condition on the outside of the elbow, caused by overuse of the forearm muscles that you use to straighten and raise your hand and wrist. It’s called tennis elbow because it often occurs in tennis or other racquet sports players, however it can happen to people who are not playing as well.
When first-line treatments fail, surgery for tennis elbow is recommended. During lateral epicondyle release – or tennis elbow surgery – your hand surgeon makes a small incision on the outside of the elbow, right where the bone sticks out a bit. They will remove the damaged portion of the tendon and any scar tissue to alleviate pressure on the affected area. Lateral epicondyle release is open surgery but in some cases arthroscopy or keyhole surgery may be performed for tennis elbow.
Post-surgery you may need to wear a splint or brace to support and protect your elbow. Rehabilitation, including physical therapy, plays a vital role in your healing. Our in-house team of (hand) therapists will assist you and provide exercises and instructions.
Golfer’s elbow or medial epicondylitis is a painful condition on the inside of your elbow. It occurs due to overuse or repetitive stress on the muscles and tendons in the forearm that are responsible for bending the wrist and fingers. Despite its name, it can affect anyone, not just golf players.
When first-line treatments fail, surgery may be recommended. During medial epicondyle release surgery – or golfer’s elbow surgery – an incision is made along the arm over the medial epicondyle. This allows your hand surgeon to access the damaged tendon and remove any scar tissue or other problematic structures. The goal of the surgery is to relieve pressure on the affected area and promote healing.
Post-surgery you will need to wear a cast or splint and limit your movements in the first week of recovery. It’s important to see a hand therapist who will help you with strengthening exercises and instructions for quick rehabilitation.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and can affect many joints, including the thumb. When first-line treatments fail, surgery may be considered to alleviate pain and restore function. There are a few surgical options for osteoarthritis in the thumb and a common one is called basal joint arthroplasty or joint replacement.
During basal joint arthroplasty, your hand surgeon removes the arthritic joint surfaces and replaces them with artificial implants made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both. The implant provides a new smooth surface that allows the thumb to move more easily and with less pain.
Another surgical option is joint fusion, also called arthrodesis. In this procedure, your hand surgeon permanently fuses the bones of the joint together using screws, plates, or other fixation devices. By eliminating the joint movement, fusion reduces pain but limits flexibility.
Post-surgery you will need to wear a cast or splint. You will see our in-house hand therapists for strengthening exercises. They will provide instructions for optimal recovery.
Osteoarthritis can also affect the joints in the fingers, causing pain and stiffness. When first-line treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be considered to alleviate symptoms and improve hand function.
There are different surgical options for finger osteoarthritis, depending on the severity and location of the arthritis within the affected fingers.
One common finger osteoarthritis procedure is joint fusion or arthrodesis. During this procedure, your hand surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and fuses the bones of the affected joint together using pins, plates or screws. Fusion eliminates painful joint movement but may restrict flexibility.
Another surgical option is joint replacement surgery. In this procedure, the damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial implants. However, finger joint replacement is less common than joint fusion and is usually reserved for specific cases.
After finger osteoarthritis surgery you may need to wear a cast or splint. You will see our in-house hand therapists and they will provide exercises and instructions for optimal recovery.
Contact Queensland Hand Surgery
Request an appointment
We promise minimal waiting times.
Consultations available in Brisbane and Burleigh.
Surgery performed at
the Mater Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane
and Pacific Private Hospital on the Gold Coast.