Our hands are among the most complex and beautiful tools we possess. e ability to grip powerfully, manipulate intricate objects and feel the world around us, sets us apart from almost every other creature.
Much human interaction and function involves our hands — they’re essential and precious to our way of life. Hands help us discover meaning and purpose, through our pastimes and livelihoods.
We’ll use our hands an estimated 25 million times and over this time they can be impeded by pain, swelling, tingling, numbness and stiffness. The most frequent disorders are those of arthritis of the thumb measures have now evolved to manage these conditions with key-hole or minimally invasive techniques allowing for faster recovery and less pain. Procedures are almost always performed in a walk-in, day-case setting.
Much can now be done to alleviate and, in most cases, eradicate symptoms so that you’re not forced to give up the things you love to do. Treatment plans may include
non-operative measures such as bespoke splintage, physiotherapy and injection therapy.
Operative measures have now evolved to manage these conditions with
key-hole or minimally invasive techniques allowing for faster recovery and less pain. Procedures are almost always performed in a walk-in, day-case setting.
Recent advances in arthritis treatment now allow for joint replacements in the thumb and fingers, which can completely eradicate the pain.
About the expert
Mr Zaf Naqui is a consultant hand and wrist surgeon based in South Manchester and Cheshire, with over 20 years of surgical experience. He’s the clinical director for the department of Trauma, Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery at the Salford Royal Major Trauma Centre. His work includes complex hand and wrist tertiary referral work from other hospitals. He was fellowship trained in both orthopaedic and plastic hand surgery in the UK and also international centres of excellence
including Harvard University, the Mayo Clinic, and in Paris, Barcelona and
Hong Kong.
Mr Naqui has dual post-FRCS certification in the Hand and Wrist, holding
both the British and European Diplomas in Hand Surgery, for which he now sits as an examiner. In 2015 he became the first surgeon to be awarded the British Masters in Hand Surgery. He sits on national and international faculty delivering training for consultant hand surgeons and has published research articles in peer review
international journals and authored chapters in highly regarded textbooks for hand surgery.
Mr Naqui has developed a rapid access, specialist, multi-disciplinary team dedicated to the treatment of the hand and wrist for patients from around the
world. Consultations can be in person (The Alexandra Hospital and Spire Manchester Hospital) or virtual.
