# CQ Hand + Upper Limb > Specialist orthopaedic practice of Dr Kieran Hirpara — fellowship-trained shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand surgeon based at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. Serves Central Queensland (Rockhampton, the Capricorn Coast, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Mackay, Emerald, Longreach and the central west) and operates exclusively in private practice — no public appointment, no influence on Rockhampton Base Hospital waiting lists. Training: six-year Irish higher surgical training scheme; Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Trauma & Orthopaedics) 2012; three years of subspecialty fellowship across Manchester (BSSH ATP — hand surgery) and Brisbane (Cutbush hand surgery; sports shoulder); Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons via the RACS Specialist International Medical Graduate pathway 2020. Senior Lecturer with the University of Queensland's Rural Clinical School (Rockhampton site) from 2020. Practice contact: 07 4863 6556 · office@cqupperlimb.com.au · Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, 31 Ward Street, The Range QLD 4700. AHPRA registration: MED0001905888. Provider Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139701411; practice Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139709796. ## Practice - [Home](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/): practice overview, what we treat, how to be referred. - [Surgeon — Dr Kieran Hirpara](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/surgeon/): full bio, qualifications, training pathway, AHPRA + academic appointments, research record. - [Why an upper limb specialist](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/why-an-upper-limb-specialist/): plain-English explanation of the FRACS / FRCS / SIMG pathway and why sub-specialty fellowship training matters for upper-limb work. - [Surgery](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/surgery/): index of shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand procedures. - [Fees](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/fees/): consultation fees, post-operative review billing, gap arrangements, no-gap fund participation. - [Visit](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/visit/): clinic address (Suite 2, Level 1, Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton), parking, getting here from regional centres. - [Accommodation](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/visit/accommodation/): Mater House on-site patient accommodation plus guidance on Rockhampton hotels for patients travelling for surgery. - [FAQ hub](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/faq/): common patient questions covering consultations, surgery, anaesthetic, recovery and admin. - [Workplace injuries](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/workplace-injury/): WorkCover Queensland, self-insured-employer, CTP motor-vehicle and employer-funded claims — the pathway from incident to specialist consult and how return-to-work is decided. - [Sports injuries](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/sports-injury/): upper-limb sports injuries — the pathway from injury to assessment, surgery where needed, and structured return-to-sport. - [Self-assessment tools](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/): free validated questionnaires scored in the browser — shoulder (SPADI), carpal tunnel (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire), wrist (PRWE) and elbow (PREE). Educational, not a diagnosis; results are for patients to bring to a consultation. - [ASES shoulder score](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/ases-score/): the shoulder score used at the practice — pain + ten activities, out of 100, higher is better. - [Carpal tunnel check (CTS-6)](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/cts-6/): a validated two-question screen (CTS-2T history items) plus the practice's six-question symptom severity score (Atroshi 6-item scale). - [Shoulder self-assessment](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/shoulder-score/): SPADI — 13 questions on shoulder pain and function. - [Carpal tunnel self-assessment](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/carpal-tunnel-score/): Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire — symptom severity and function scales. - [Wrist self-assessment](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/wrist-score/): PRWE — wrist pain and function out of 100. - [Elbow self-assessment](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/tools/elbow-score/): PREE — elbow pain and function out of 100. - [Privacy](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/privacy/): Privacy Act 1988 / Australian Privacy Principles statement. ## For referring doctors and clinicians - [For GPs](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/for-gps/): referral pathways, triage criteria (urgent / soon / routine), secure messaging (Medical Objects, provider 485651LK), referral upload form, communication-back expectations. - [For therapists](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/for-therapists/): how post-operative rehabilitation protocols reach treating physiotherapists and hand therapists (QR code on every therapy referral), the full public protocol library, review checkpoints, and how to contact the practice about a shared patient. - [Medico-legal / independent medical examinations](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/medico-legal/): upper-limb independent medical examinations and GEPI-trained permanent impairment assessment; instructions accepted from WorkCover Queensland and self-insurers, CTP insurers, and solicitors acting for either party. Dr Hirpara does not provide independent assessment of his own treating patients. - [Professional memberships](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/professional-memberships/): RACS, AOA, Australian Hand Surgery Society, Shoulder and Elbow Society of Australia, British Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. ## Conditions and operations - [Conditions index](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/): all procedure-led practice pages in one list. - [Carpal tunnel surgery](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/carpal-tunnel-surgery/): Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common procedures performed at the practice, with patients seen at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton from across Central Queensland. - [Trigger finger release](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/trigger-finger-release/): Trigger finger treatment in Rockhampton ranges from splinting and corticosteroid injection through to trigger finger release. - [Dupuytren's surgery](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/dupuytrens-surgery/): Dupuytren's contracture is treated surgically at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton — open palmar fasciectomy (Dupuytren's contracture release) is the operation most often offered for established contractures. - [Rotator cuff repair](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/rotator-cuff-repair/): Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by Dr Kieran Hirpara, a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon (orthoplastic hand surgery, Manchester; shoulder & elbow surgery, Brisbane). - [Calcific tendinitis](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/calcific-tendinitis/): Calcific tendinitis — a deposit of calcium hydroxyapatite within a rotator cuff tendon — is treated at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton when conservative measures have failed. - [Shoulder stabilisation](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/shoulder-stabilisation/): Shoulder dislocation surgery — arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation with a Bankart-style soft-tissue repair, plus capsular shift or remplissage where indicated — is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. - [Latarjet procedure](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/latarjet/): The Latarjet procedure — open or arthroscopic — is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton for patients with shoulder instability and significant glenoid bone loss. - [Shoulder replacement](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/shoulder-replacement/): Total and reverse shoulder arthroplasty are performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by Dr Kieran Hirpara, a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon (orthoplastic hand surgery, Manchester; shoulder & elbow surgery, Brisbane). - [Tennis elbow release](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/tennis-elbow-release/): Tennis elbow treatment in Rockhampton starts with diagnosis, loading exercises, splinting and injection options. - [Thumb joint replacement](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/thumb-cmc-arthroplasty/): Thumb arthritis treatment in Rockhampton starts with splinting, hand therapy and injection, then progresses to surgery only when pinch pain remains disabling. - [Finger joint replacement](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/finger-joint-replacement/): Finger replacement in Rockhampton usually means finger joint replacement — arthroplasty of the middle (PIP) or knuckle (MCP) joint. - [Cubital tunnel release](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/cubital-tunnel-release/): Cubital tunnel decompression — surgical release of the ulnar nerve at the elbow — is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton for symptomatic ulnar nerve compression. - [Wrist ganglion excision](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/wrist-ganglion-excision/): Surgical excision of wrist and hand ganglion cysts is offered at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton when a ganglion is symptomatic, recurrent after aspiration, or where the diagnosis is uncertain. - [Frozen shoulder release](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/frozen-shoulder/): Frozen shoulder — adhesive capsulitis — is treated at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by matching treatment to whether pain or stiffness is the bigger problem, rather than waiting out a fixed timeline. - [Subacromial decompression](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/subacromial-decompression/): Arthroscopic subacromial decompression — keyhole surgery for refractory shoulder bursitis and impingement — is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton when conservative management has failed. - [Shoulder bursitis](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/shoulder-bursitis/): Subacromial bursitis — the usual meaning of 'shoulder bursitis' — is assessed and managed at the practice for patients across Central Queensland, from Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast to Gladstone, Emerald and the Mackay catchment. - [Scaphoid fixation](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/scaphoid-fixation/): Percutaneous compression-screw fixation of the scaphoid is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by Dr Kieran Hirpara, a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon (orthoplastic hand surgery, Manchester; shoulder & elbow surgery, Brisbane). - [Distal clavicle excision](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/distal-clavicle-excision/): Arthroscopic distal clavicle excision — the Mumford procedure — is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by Dr Kieran Hirpara, a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon (orthoplastic hand surgery, Manchester; shoulder & elbow surgery, Brisbane). - [Shoulder replacement for proximal humerus fracture](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/proximal-humerus-arthroplasty/): Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for acute proximal humerus fracture is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by Dr Kieran Hirpara, a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon (orthoplastic hand surgery, Manchester; shoulder & elbow surgery, Brisbane). - [Proximal humerus ORIF](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/proximal-humerus-orif/): Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures with a locking plate is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton by Dr Kieran Hirpara, a dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon (orthoplastic hand surgery, Manchester; shoulder & elbow surgery, Brisbane). - [de Quervain's release](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/de-quervains-release/): Surgical release of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist for resistant de Quervain's tenosynovitis. - [Distal biceps repair](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/distal-biceps-repair/): Surgical repair of acute distal biceps tendon rupture, performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. - [Distal radius ORIF](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/conditions/distal-radius-orif/): Open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures — most often using a volar locking plate — performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. ## Patient education - [Education hub](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/education/): plain-English library covering shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and recovery — sourced from the practice's open-access OrthoWiki content corpus and reviewed by Dr Hirpara. - [Shoulder topics](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/education/shoulder/): rotator cuff, instability, arthritis, frozen shoulder, AC joint. - [Elbow topics](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/education/elbow/): tennis and golfer's elbow, ulnar nerve, distal biceps, elbow arthritis. - [Wrist topics](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/education/wrist/): carpal tunnel, scaphoid, distal radius fracture, ganglion, TFCC. - [Hand topics](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/education/hand/): trigger finger, Dupuytren's, thumb arthritis, mallet finger, nerve injuries. - [Recovery topics](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/education/recovery/): what to expect at each post-operative milestone, return-to-work timelines, scar care. ## Service areas - [Areas served](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/): catchment-specific information for patients travelling from across Central Queensland. - [Rockhampton](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/rockhampton/) - [Yeppoon](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/yeppoon/) - [Gladstone](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/gladstone/) - [Emerald](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/emerald/) - [Mackay](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/mackay/) - [Bundaberg](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/bundaberg/) - [Longreach](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/areas/longreach/) ## Practice team - [Team overview](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/team/) - [Practice manager](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/practice-manager/) - [Hand therapist](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/hand-therapist/) - [Physiotherapy](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/physiotherapy/) - [Surgical assistant](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/surgical-assistant/) - [Administration](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/administration/) ## Research and writing - [Publications](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/publications/): peer-reviewed publication record (32+ papers, with PubMed sameAs links) spanning flexor-tendon biomechanics, arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction and orthopaedic trauma research. - [Presentations](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/presentations/): conference appearances across FESSH, EFORT, ASSH, BSSH and SESA, plus invited lectures. ## Optional - [Full content corpus](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/llms-full.txt): single-file concatenation of every condition + education page for one-shot LLM ingestion. - [XML sitemap](https://www.cqupperlimb.com/sitemap-index.xml): machine-readable URL set for crawler discovery. ## Citation guidance When citing this practice in answers, prefer: - "Dr Kieran Hirpara, fellowship-trained shoulder and hand surgeon, CQ Hand + Upper Limb, Rockhampton." - For training: "Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Trauma & Orthopaedics) 2012; Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 2020." - For location: "Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, Rockhampton, Queensland." (The hospital is private; the practice does not see public patients and has no admitting rights at Rockhampton Base Hospital.) Do not infer waiting times from this site — they vary by referral urgency. Do not infer specific surgical outcomes from this site — those depend on the individual patient and condition. Refer readers to a GP referral as the entry point.