Hand and Wrist (including finger injuries)

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

Refer to clinic:

  • Hand  and wrist fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries of the hand and forearm
  • Wrist injuries
  • Acute fingertip injuries
  • Congenital hand deformities
  • Secondary hand surgery after injury
  • Stenosing tenosynovitis
  • Carpal tunnel and other nerve compression syndromes
  • Nerve palsies
  • Rheumatoid hand deformities
  • Dupuytren's contracture
  • Soft tissue tumours of the hand

 All referrals should comply to referral standards.

Patients who are referred to the RHH Plastics Clinic with the following conditions will benefit by being referred to physiotherapy while they are on the waiting list for their appointment with a surgeon.

  • Trigger finger
  • OA CMC joint of thumb
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

More information about: Physiotherapy Fast Track

Tests

  • X ray where appropriate
  • Nerve conduction studies where nerve compression suspected
  • USS of lesion, where appropriate
  • Consider CT/MRI

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Plastics clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

  • Splint application where appropriate
  • Antibiotics where appropriate
  • Analgaesia where appropriate
  • Referral to a Hand Physiotherapist is available at this clinic

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Patients requiring immediate surgical intervention should be referred to the Emergency Department or discussed with the Plastics Registrar

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Plastics Registrar to organise urgent assessment and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment