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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: Work 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

I think I’ve just “jammed” my finger…

Finger injuries are common in sport, especially ball sports. One pattern of injury is the direct blow to the tip of the finger by a ball. As the joint is hyperextended the force goes through the volar plate. This is a thick ligament that prevents further hyperextension at the PIP joint (proximal interphalangeal joint). It is also common for a part of the bone to be torn off by the volar plate. This is called an avulsion fracture. Often these injuries can be managed with a custom made ... Read More
August 14, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , , , ,

What is that lump on my hand?

Finding a lump on your hand can be distressing for obvious reasons. If there is no real injury to the area then it is difficult to understand why the lump could occur. Fortunately the hand is a relatively uncommon area to develop a cancerous lump. The majority of lumps in the hand are benign and can be easily removed. Ganglion cysts are the most common benign lump to find in the hand and wrist. They typically develop around joints or tendons and are filled with a jelly-like fluid. They can ... Read More

What’s new in hand surgery

Looking forward to sharing some exciting developments with our nursing colleagues at the Australian Orthopaedic Nursing Association (AONA) annual conference today. Hand surgery continues to advance and develop, offering better outcomes for patients. For example, we are now able to 3D print titanium mesh models of the scaphoid bone to replace native bone which is either too damaged or diseased, thereby giving patients an alternative to wrist fusion surgery. It is a reminder that we, as ... Read More
May 3, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , , , , ,

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

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