Services

At the Hand to Elbow Clinic our consultant orthopaedic surgeons can offer consultations and second opinions for any of your concerns involving your lower arm. You do not need a referral to be seen by us (unless your insurance requires this).

During the consultation your medical history will be taken and you will be asked about your symptoms and concerns. If an X-ray is needed they are able to do this at the same time as your appointment. If further tests are needed to aid with or confirm a diagnosis these will be discussed with you and arranged, and the results discussed with you at a follow up appointment. Once a diagnosis has been made the treatment options will be discussed, we are then guided by your choice of how you would like to proceed.

Typical waiting times for an appointment are 1 – 2 weeks.

Prof. Giddins and Mr Pickering offer ultrasounds to view the soft tissues in your lower arm, as an aid toward a diagnosis. They are usually used to diagnose sprains, tears, trapped nerves and arthritis. Ultrasound scans are non-invasive and do not use radiation.

Steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation which may be causing your symptoms, they are administered with local anaesthetic.

Steroid injections may last from two months to two years, although every individual may differ.

It is usually possible, if you wish, for a steroid injection to be given at the same time as a consultation.

If you require a CT scan or an MRI you will be referred for these; usually we refer to either Circle Bath or Sulis Hospital, but we can refer to other locations if you wish. After you have been referred the relevant hospital will contact you directly to book your appointment. After your scan we will receive your scan/report, and a follow up will then be arranged to discuss the findings.

Our consultants are able to carry out surgical options for your elbow, wrist or hand problem; whether it is a carpal tunnel decompression surgery, or an elbow replacement. Our consultants operate from Sulis Hospital (Mr Cowey and Mr Pickering) and from Circle Bath (Prof. Giddins). Once a surgical option has been decided your surgery will be booked with the relevant hospital, who will then send your appointment confirmation directly. Your surgery follow up appointments will then be back at The Hand to Elbow Clinic.

For self-funded patients, all of our consultants perform minor operations (e.g. nerve release surgery and removal of small ganglion cysts) monthly at Keynsham Health Centre.

Some percutaneous (needling) procedures can be carried out at the Hand to Elbow Clinic with no need to travel to an alternative site.

We have two clinical specialist hand therapists at The Hand to Elbow Clinic who can help with all aspects of hand, wrist and elbow rehabilitation, with a comprehensive and patient specific treatment plan. They review problems such as tennis and golfers’ elbow, DeQuervain’s, sprains and dislocations, fractures and post operative care. You do not need a referral to be seen by our physiotherapists (unless your insurance requires this, or you are needing physiotherapy after an operation not completed by one of our consultants).

During the initial appointment your medical history will be taken and you will be asked about your symptoms and concerns. Your physiotherapist will work with you to establish a treatment plan to resolve or reduce your symptoms. They are able to assist with a range of problems such as tennis elbow and increasing mobility of joints as well as helping you to gain the most of your surgical or injury outcomes.

We have a very experienced shoulder physiotherapist who can help with soft tissue problems and the movement and mobility of the shoulder joint. You do not need a referral to be seen by our physiotherapist (unless your insurance requires this).

During the initial appointment your medical history will be taken and you will be asked about your symptoms and concerns. Your physiotherapist will work with you to establish a treatment plan to resolve or reduce your symptoms. They are able to assist with a range of problems as well as helping you to gain the most of your surgical or injury outcomes. If you would like your post operative care to be with our shoulder specialist, ask your surgeon to refer you to The Hand to Elbow Clinic.

Sometimes your wrist may need a little extra support, for this we have wrist and thumb supports which can be purchased directly from our reception. If you are recommended a support during your appointment the consultant or physiotherapist will advise you of the best support and size for you. Our physiotherapists are also able to create a custom support, specifically for you; this may be a post-surgical suggestion, or for your ongoing needs.

When needed, we are able to remove a plaster cast, and to also apply a new cast. This may be as a part of your ongoing treatment, or as a stand-alone option if appropriate.

We have a dedicated clinical secretary at The Hand to Elbow Clinic, who works with us Monday - Friday. They will be your main contact from booking your appointment, and throughout your appointments and treatment with us. If you have any questions at all, they will be able to answer your questions and find you further information as needed.

We are able to see and treat minor ailments on the NHS. To be treated by us on the NHS you will require a referral from your GP specifying that you would like to be seen by our consultants at The Hand to Elbow Clinic.

Typical wait times for a consultation are 6 – 8 weeks.