Education · hand
Hand
Last reviewed
Hand conditions covered here range from common tendon and nerve problems (trigger finger, Dupuytren's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve compression) through traumatic injuries (flexor and extensor tendon lacerations, finger fractures, mallet finger, ligament injuries) to chronic disease (thumb base osteoarthritis, finger osteoarthritis, ganglion and mucous cysts, rheumatoid hand). Operations include trigger finger release, Dupuytren's open palmar fasciectomy or needle aponeurotomy, primary tendon repair and tendon transfer, thumb carpometacarpal joint replacement, finger fracture fixation, and ganglion excision. Dr Hirpara holds an MD on flexor tendon repair biomechanics from the University of Galway, completed the orthoplastic hand fellowship at Wythenshawe and Salford in Manchester (the BSSH-recognised ATP), and was the Cutbush hand-surgery fellow at Brisbane Hand & Upper Limb Clinic. The 34 topics below cover hand anatomy, each condition's natural history, the operations available, and what recovery involves.
Conditions
Basal Thumb ArthritisBasal thumb arthritis — causes, symptoms, non-surgical options, and when surgery might help.
Boutonnière DeformityExtensor central-slip injury at the middle finger joint; early splinting prevents the zigzag deformity, established cases need surgery.
Compression NeuropathiesHand numbness, tingling, or weakness – understanding carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and other compression neuropathies.
DIPJ arthritisYou may notice pain and stiffness in the very tip joint of your finger. This is the distal interphalangeal joint, or DIPJ. The discomfort often starts as a dull ache after you use your hand. It can become sharp when you grip objects or press against surfaces. Many people find…
Dupuytren's DiseaseDupuytren’s disease causes palm thickening and finger contracture—options range from observation to needle aponeurotomy or surgical excision.
Finger FracturesPhalangeal and metacarpal fractures of the hand — non-operative care and indications for fixation.
Fingertip InjuriesCrush, laceration, nail-bed and amputation injuries of the fingertip and their management.
Flexor Tendon Sheath GanglionA benign, fluid-filled cyst arising from the flexor tendon sheath – often painless, but can cause clicking or limited finger movement.
Giant Cell Tumour of Tendon Sheath (Lump on a Finger or Thumb)A giant cell tumour of tendon sheath is a common, benign (non-cancerous) lump on a finger or thumb. What causes it, how it is diagnosed and removed, and how often it comes back.
Hand InfectionsParonychia, deep-space and flexor sheath infections — recognition, antibiotics, drainage.
Hand Tendon and Nerve InjuriesHand tendon and nerve injuries – understanding symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Jersey Finger (Flexor Tendon Avulsion)The deep flexor tendon avulses off the fingertip — why it is time-critical, and the surgery to reattach it.
Mallet FingerMallet finger causes fingertip drooping after extensor tendon injury; splinting is key, surgery occasionally needed.
Medical Conditions That Affect the HandHow whole-body conditions — diabetes, thyroid, inflammatory arthritis, kidney disease and more — show up in the hand.
Metacarpal Fractures (including Boxer's Fracture)A broken hand bone in the palm — including the common boxer's fracture — how it is treated, the rotation check that matters most, and recovery.
Mucous CystMucous cysts – common bumps near finger joints, often linked to arthritis, and treatment options.
PIP Joint ArthritisOsteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis of the PIP joint — non-operative and surgical options.
Pregnancy and Hand ConditionsCarpal tunnel in pregnancy and de Quervains "mummy thumb" — why they happen, what is safe, and when they settle.
Raynaud's PhenomenonFingers that go white, blue then red in the cold — primary vs secondary Raynaud's, keeping warm, and when it needs assessment.
Sagittal Band Rupture (Boxer's Knuckle)A knuckle injury where the tendon slips off the top of the joint — the "boxer's knuckle" — and how early splinting or surgery treats it.
Swan-Neck Deformity of the FingerA finger that hyperextends at the middle joint and bends at the tip — why it happens and how splints or surgery can correct it.
Thumb UCL injuryYou will likely feel pain on the inner side of your thumb, right at the base where it meets your hand. This pain often comes from a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, a key stabilizer for your thumb joint. As this ligament tears, the joint becomes progressively unstable…
Trigger FingerTrigger finger causes painful catching or locking of a finger, often treated with splinting or steroid injection.
Operations
DIP Joint FusionDIP joint fusion stabilizes and reduces pain in the fingertip joint, often for arthritis or mallet finger.
Dupuytren's FasciectomyDupuytren’s fasciectomy — correcting hand contractures to improve function and daily activities.
Flexor Tendon Sheath Ganglion ExcisionExcision of a flexor tendon sheath ganglion — when surgery is considered for painful or limiting cysts.
PIP Joint FusionPIP joint fusion stabilizes a severely damaged middle finger joint, relieving pain when other treatments fail.
PIP Joint ReplacementPIP joint replacement addresses painful arthritis in the middle finger joint when non-surgical options fail.
Pyrocarbon interposition arthroplastyThis page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. We usually recommend this surgery after non-operative care has not given enough improvement. You likely reached us via a GP or physiotherapist…
Remplir Nerve WrapA Remplir nerve wrap is a protective sleeve made from natural pig tissue. It is used during nerve surgery to help repair damaged nerves. This device addresses the problem of scar tissue forming at the repair site. Scar tissue can block nerve signals and slow down healing.
Touch thumb arthroplastyThis page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. We suggest this procedure when wear-and-tear arthritis in the base of your thumb causes pain and stiffness that has not improved enough with…
TrapeziectomyThis page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. You reach our clinic by GP or physiotherapist referral. A clinic assessment establishes the diagnosis. For degenerative problems we usually try…
Trigger Finger ReleaseTrigger finger release — understanding the condition, conservative treatments, and surgical options for a stuck or clicking finger.
