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"The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."

–Hippocrates

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Category Archives: Nerve injury

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…

As Surgeons we are trained to "fix" a problem. If a bone is broken we can use plates and screws to realign it and relieve pain. If someone cuts their finger, we can repair their nerves, tendons, and arteries to restore its appearance and function. If you have an arthritic joint, chances are we have a replacement that we can implant to improve your motion. But one of the hardest things to do as a Surgeon, is to tell a patient that you cannot help them with an operation. Just think about ... Read More

What is your motivation to get well?

A chronic injury to your hand can be overwhelming. The immediate pain and disability with the acute injury can be explained, but what if it is ongoing. This is a difficult problem to treat, and even harder to live with. Chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS, RSI, reflex sympathetic dystrophy are all different names for the same problem. There are multiple causes and risk factors for developing chronic pain, and we are becoming better at identifying these early. The adage ... Read More

What type of anaesthetic should I have for my hand surgery?

Anaesthesia was a major advancement for surgery as it conquered the fear of pain during procedures. General anaesthesia was first used successfully in 1846 and has come a long way since. It is a safe and reliable option for many operations. However, there are multiple different options for anaesthesia during surgery including local anaesthesia, regional blocks and conscious sedation. Currently there is even a push in some centres for WALANT or Wide Awake Local Anaesthesia with No Tourniquet ... Read More

When is the right time to have carpal tunnel surgery?

This is a common question I hear from my patients. Surgery is a daunting prospect for anyone, and taking that first step by consulting with a Surgeon can be quite difficult. It may feel like you don't have any other option but to have an operation, but this may not necessarily be the case. Some patients may be better managed with splints, Hand therapy or even targeted cortisone injections. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of compression of the main nerve to the hand (median nerve) that ... Read More
April 17, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , , , ,

How does Private Health Insurance affect your treatment.

There has been renewed interest in Private health insurance due to the upcoming increase in premiums as of April 1. Another reason has also been the much criticised changes by BUPA to it's health cover. But do you actually need to have private health insurance to receive treatment in Australia? The simple answer is, no. And that in itself is something we should all be grateful for. Our Health system has many flaws but the fact that every Australian has access to free health care for ANY ... Read More

Psychological effects of work-related hand trauma

The hand is a commonly injured part of the body, especially in some occupations. It is critical to both accomplishing tasks and interacting socially so the injured hand becomes an issue in many ways. Our hands are almost always in our line of sight and is also highly visible to others. Therefore it is almost impossible to avoid viewing the disfigured hand, which in itself is a traumatic experience. The psychological effect of hand trauma cannot be ignored when dealing with patients who have ... Read More

The funny bone that isn’t so funny

Why do they call it "hitting your funny bone" when you hit the inside of your elbow? After all, anyone who has done this knows it's not funny at all! The area we're talking about is actually not a bone at all, rather it's the ulnar nerve as it passes behind the end of the humerus. The nerve is very superficial through this region and can be easily compressed or irritated by pressure or trauma. In fact, cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve) is the second most common nerve compression ... Read More
April 9, 2017 By Jai Sungaran in , , , ,

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