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Tag Archives: surgery

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

What is De Quervain’s tendinitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition of the thumb and wrist due to inflammation of two tendons. It seems to be more common in women than men, and there are multiple causes. Pregnant women and new mothers are a high risk group probably because of the generalised increased swelling, but also due to poor posture. This is especially noticeable when carrying the newborn, or positioning for feeding. Wrist and thumb flexion together with ulnar deviation (moving the wrist towards ... Read More
September 19, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in

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 , , , ,

Are there any natural medicines that can help arthritis pain?

Recently there has been more discussion about the use of natural therapy for managing painful arthritis. Most patients would rather avoid an operation if at all possible, so it is important to try all non surgical options to manage arthritis pain and loss of function. Medical management begins with drugs that have the least side effects, so what better way than to consider natural therapies first. Here are some herbal remedies that have been studied for their efficacy in managing arthritis ... Read More
July 18, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , ,

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

3-d printing replacement bones – the future is here!

In an article published last month in the Journal of Hand Surgery (Eur), a research group in Switzerland reported on the first use of a 3D printed bone replacement with amazing results. They used a 3D printer to recreate the scaphoid bone made out of alumina ceramic (same material as some hip replacements) and re-implanted it back into the body to undergo testing. Granted the study was performed in a laboratory rather than real life, but the implications for the future are ... Read More
February 25, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , ,

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