01202 026073
Hand & Wrist Surgery
Hand & Wrist Surgery in Poole
Specialist assessment and treatment for hand, wrist and upper limb conditions.
WHY CHOOSE CLARENDON HEALTH?
▣ Consultant-led care with specialist Miss Joanna Higgins
▣ Private appointments in Poole
▣ Specialist assessment and treatment for common hand and wrist conditions
▣ Many suitable procedures can be carried out under local anaesthetic
▣ Clear advice on diagnosis, treatment options and recovery
At Clarendon Health, Miss Higgins offers specialist assessment and treatment for a range of hand, wrist and upper limb conditions.
Miss Higgins is a fellowship-trained Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon with expertise in both common and more complex hand and wrist problems. She provides a thoughtful and individualised approach, with a focus on relieving symptoms, improving function and helping patients return to everyday activities as comfortably as possible.
Where appropriate, many procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic.
Treatments and procedures include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Assessment and treatment for numbness, tingling and hand weakness
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause numbness, tingling, discomfort or weakness in the hand and fingers, often affecting sleep and day-to-day tasks.
Miss Higgins provides specialist assessment for suspected carpal tunnel syndrome and, where appropriate, offers treatment including carpal tunnel release.
Dupuytren’s Disease
Treatment for cords and contractures affecting the fingers
Dupuytren’s disease can cause thickening in the palm and fingers, sometimes leading to bending or contracture over time.
Miss Higgins offers assessment and treatment for Dupuytren’s disease, including procedures aimed at improving hand function and finger movement.
Trigger Finger
Treatment for painful locking or catching of a finger or thumb
Trigger finger can cause a finger or thumb to catch, click or lock, often becoming painful and interfering with normal use.
Assessment will help determine the most appropriate treatment, and for suitable patients Miss Higgins can offer trigger finger release.
Ganglions, Cysts and Lumps
Expert assessment of hand and wrist lumps
Lumps on the hand or wrist, including ganglions and cysts, can sometimes be uncomfortable, interfere with movement, or simply cause concern.
Miss Higgins can assess these conditions and advise whether observation, further investigation or removal may be appropriate. She can assess hand and wrist lumps, including ganglions and cysts, and advise whether monitoring, investigation or removal is appropriate.
Tendon and Soft Tissue Procedures
Assessment of Hand & Wrist Pain, Numbness or Weakness
Management of Selected Arthritic & Degenerative Hand Conditions
Hand & Wrist Treatment FAQ
Do I need a GP referral?
No, you can usually self-refer for a private hand and wrist consultation at Clarendon Health. This means you do not need to see your GP first before booking an appointment
Can procedures be done under local anaesthetic?
Many suitable hand and wrist procedures can be carried out under local anaesthetic. Miss Higgins will advise whether this is appropriate after assessing your condition.
What happens at the first appointment?
Miss Higgins will discuss your symptoms, examine your hand or wrist, review any previous investigations and explain the most appropriate treatment options.
Will I need imaging or nerve tests?
Some patients may need further investigations, such as an ultrasound, X-ray, MRI or nerve conduction studies. Miss Higgins will advise if these are needed.
How long does recovery take after carpal tunnel release?
Recovery depends on the procedure being performed, your general health, whether your dominant hand is affected, and the type of work or activity you need to return to.
For many minor hand procedures, patients can often start light day-to-day use of the hand within a few days, with a dressing usually needed for around 10 to 14 days. Driving and return to work will depend on comfort, wound healing, hand control and the type of duties involved. Desk-based work may be possible within 1 to 2 weeks for some patients, while manual or repetitive work may take longer.
Miss Higgins will give you personalised advice about wound care, hand use, driving, work and follow-up after your consultation or procedure.
Can I use private medical insurance?
We are not currently accepting private medical insurance for hand and wrist appointments at Clarendon Health.
At present, appointments and procedures are available on a self-pay basis. We are hoping to offer private medical insurance options for this service in the near future and will update this page once this becomes available
Meet Miss Joanna Higgins – MBChB, FRCS (Tr&Orth), MSc
Miss Joanna Higgins is a fellowship-trained Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon with a specialist interest in restoring function and improving quality of life for patients with hand and wrist conditions. She completed a nationally appointed subspecialist fellowship at the Pulvertaft Hand Centre in Derby and has been a substantive consultant at University Hospitals Dorset since 2021.
She treats a broad range of conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s disease, ganglions, lumps and cysts, cubital tunnel syndrome, tendon injuries and arthritis. Miss Higgins believes in giving patients clear information, honest advice and a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs.
Conditions Miss Higgins can assess and treat.
Miss Higgins sees patients with a wide range of hand and wrist concerns, including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dupuytren’s disease
- Trigger finger
- Ganglions
- Hand and wrist lumps or cysts
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Tendon injuries and tendon-related problems
- Hand and wrist arthritis
- Wrist injuries
- Finger injuries
- Selected Fractures and soft tissue conditions
Local Anaesthetic Procedures
Many hand and wrist procedures can be carried out under local anaesthetic. This can offer a practical option for suitable patients, with less disruption and without the need for a general anaesthetic in many cases. She performs many procedures under local anaesthetic as part of her hand and wrist practice.
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A personalised approach to treatment
Miss Higgins believes that treatment decisions should be made together, with careful explanation of the options, likely outcomes and what is most appropriate for each individual patient. Her focus is on honest communication, restoring function and creating a plan tailored to each person’s needs.
Whether you are experiencing numbness, pain, stiffness, weakness, a lump, or difficulty using your hand or wrist, specialist assessment can help identify the cause and guide the next steps.
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Your appointment
Appointments take place at Clarendon Health in a professional and welcoming setting.
Following assessment, Miss Higgins will discuss her findings with you and advise on the most appropriate treatment plan, whether that involves conservative management, further investigation or a procedure.