Hand and Wrist Trauma

Trauma to your hand and wrist can happen if you fall directly onto your arm, causing a sprain, strain or fracture. Trauma commonly occurs when playing sports, but it can happen in general day-to-day life too, like falls or car accidents. The symptoms of trauma to the wrist include:

Pain, tenderness and stiffness; difficulty moving your hand or wrist
Swelling and bruising in the affected area
Deformity in the area, for example, if your wrist is bent out of shape

If you think you’ve fractured your hand or wrist, you’ll need to go to A&E in the first instance, where they’ll likely put you in a cast for six to eight weeks. But trauma to the hand or wrist can cause longer-term problems that might need further treatment. This could include chronic pain and stiffness, sometimes known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or nerve damage.

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Diagnosis

If you’re still experiencing problems from previous wrist trauma, you can book an initial consultation with Mr Sarker at his clinics in Essex or central London. Your GP may have also referred you for an initial consultation for a specialist opinion.

During your consultation, Mr Sarker will discuss your symptoms with you and carry out a physical assessment. You might also need some additional tests like X-rays to check the alignment of your bones, a CT scan for fractures or an MRI if there are very small fractures or damage to your ligaments.

Once diagnosed, Mr Sarker will recommend a personalised treatment plan for you based on your individual needs.

Acute hand and wrist injuries

If you have injured your hand or wrist, and are worried you might have broken it, the first port of call is your nearest Accident & Emergency facility for an X-ray. However, if you’d like to get access directly to an expert hand and wrist consultant, Mr Sarker is available for assessment and opinion on acute hand and wrist injuries.

Whilst not an emergency service, Mr Sarker can help with second opinions and additional treatment if required within first week of injury. If you’d like to see Mr Sarker on the day of injury, it may be possible depending on Mr Sarker’s availability. It’s best to contact his PA for the soonest available appointment.

Treatment

Treatment depends on how severe the trauma is and what treatment you may have already had to treat the injury. It could include:

Hand therapy and splinting

Firstly, Mr Sarker may recommend hand therapy to treat the condition. This includes exercises to help increase the range of movement in your hand. This might involve working with a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist. When you’re not doing therapy, you may need to wear a splint to help the bone heal.

Surgery for hand and wrist trauma

If the injury is severe, Mr Sarker may recommend surgery. This is usually carried out under general anaesthetic or a regional anaesthetic and might be needed if you’ve got damage to your surrounding ligaments or nerves, a fracture that extends into a nearby joint or if wearing a cast hasn’t corrected the damage.

Surgery for wrist and hand trauma often includes using pins, plates, screws or wires to hold the bones in place. Mr Sarker can also provide a surgery called fragment-specific fixation for certain types of fractures, and is one of the few surgeons offering this. Whatever surgery you have, Mr Sarker will walk you through the process in detail to make sure you’re fully informed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my private medical insurance?

Yes, Mr Sarker is approved by all major medical insurance providers and these treatments are well recognised. You’ll need to make sure your particular insurer provides you with authorisation at each stage of your journey.

Can I pay for my own treatment?

Yes, Mr Sarker is happy to see patients on a self-pay basis. If you’re looking for prompt treatment from an expert hand and wrist consultant, you can book an appointment with Mr Sarker by getting in touch directly. You’ll be made aware of all of the prices for anything you need well ahead of having them, so you can make the right decision for you.

How much is a consultation with Mr Sarker?

An initial consultation is £250, and a follow up consultation is £175. The price of any scans, tests or treatments will depend on the hospital you visit, but you’ll be made aware of any costs well in advance of any procedure, so that you can make an informed choice.

Do I need a referral letter to see Mr Sarker?

Mr Sarker is happy to see you without a referral letter, but if you’re using your insurance, you should check with them as they may request that you get one.