Capital Plastic Surgery, specialist plastic surgeon. Hand surgery, includes carpal tunnel, trigger finger, ganglion removal, Dupuytren’s, other hand surgeries. Clinics in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Palmerston North. Wellington region.

Hand surgery
Specialist plastic surgeon

Lower Hutt · Porirua · Palmerston North
Capital Plastic Surgery, specialist plastic surgeon. Hand surgery, includes carpal tunnel, trigger finger, ganglion removal, Dupuytren’s, other hand surgeries. Clinics in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Palmerston North. Wellington region.

Hand surgery
Specialist plastic surgeon

Lower Hutt · Porirua · Palmerston North
Capital Plastic Surgery – Hand surgery | Includes carpal tunnel, trigger finger, ganglion removal, Dupuytren’s, other hand surgeries. Clinics in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Palmerston North. Wellington region.

Specific hand surgeries

Dr Jayakar is fully trained in all aspects of hand surgery and routinely undertakes procedures that improve the appearance and function of the hand.

The conditions treated may be a result of injury or may arise from a degenerative condition such as carpal tunnel, arthritis or Dupuytren’s disease.

Carpal tunnel surgery
Trigger finger | Trigger thumb
Ganglion removal
Dupuytren’s surgery
Other hand surgery

Carpal tunnel surgery

Overview of the condition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the hand. It is caused by a compressed nerve in the wrist as it passes from the forearm into the palm of the hand. Normally, structures that pass through the tunnel fit snugly, and an increase in the size of the contents in this tunnel increases the pressure on the nerve. Symptoms are often worse at the end of a working day or overnight. Prolonged and severe compression can lead to permanent changes in the feeling of the hand and wasting/weakness of the muscles.

NOTE:  Carpal Tunnel is initially treated with rest, splinting and activity modification under the supervision of a hand therapist. If unsuccessful, it is then best treated with surgery to release the carpal tunnel and decompress the nerve.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: If there is uncertainty about the diagnosis, you may need a specialist nerve conduction test

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic or General anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)
  • Discharged with your hand in a bandage with a sling to keep the hand elevated

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually 2 weeks
  • First follow up appointment (with my clinic nurse in 1 week and with me in 6 weeks)
  • Sutures removed: 1 week after surgery
  • Leave the hand bandaged for 5 days then can take the bandage off and get it wet in a shower

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Trigger finger and trigger thumb surgery

Overview of the condition

Trigger finger is a painful condition that restricts movement of the affected finger. It often affects the thumb and results in the digit being stuck in a bent position, straightening with a painful snap. Early or mild triggering can be treated with a trial of steroid injection. If the triggering returns after 2 steroid injections, surgery to release the tight tunnel at the base of the finger is the next step.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: Usually no further tests or imaging are required
  • If appropriate, we can perform a steroid injection in clinic during the initial consultation

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic or General anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)
  • Discharged with your hand in a bandage with a sling to keep it elevated

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually 2 weeks
  • First follow up appointment (with my clinic nurse in 1 week and with me in 6 weeks)
  • Sutures removed: 1 week after surgery
  • Start gentle exercises to restore movement in the first few days. You may sometimes need further hand therapy and we can arrange a referral if needed

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Ganglion removal surgery

Overview of the condition

Ganglions are benign lumps that develop from tendons or joints of the hand or wrist, and they sometimes can resolve on their own. They may cause discomfort, and if persistent can be removed with a small operation.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: X-rays to assess for underlying arthritis. You may also require an ultrasound or MRI scan to assess the extent of the ganglion

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 30 – 90 mins depending on the size and complexity of the ganglion
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic or General anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)
  • Discharged with bandages and a splint on your hand with a sling to keep it elevated

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually 2 weeks
  • First follow up appointment (with my clinic nurse in 1 week and with me in 6 weeks)
  • Sutures removed: 1 week after surgery
  • Wearing a splint for the first 2-week period, then work with a local hand therapist to restore functionality

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Dupuytren’s contracture surgery

Overview of the condition

Dupuytren’s disease is a condition that affects the soft tissue in the palm of the hand. It affects the fascia just under the skin making it thick and inflexible. Over time, this thickening can result in the finger becoming bent and can interfere in the normal function of the hand. Surgery involves removal of the diseased tissues and can sometimes require skin grafting to the hand.

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: Usually no further tests or imaging are required

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 1.5 – 3 hours depending on the number of digits involved
  • Anaesthesia: General anaesthetic
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day)
  • Discharged with your hand in a splint with a sling for elevation

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually 2 weeks
  • First follow up appointment: 1 week after surgery
  • Sutures removed: 1 week after surgery
  • Wearing a splint for the first 2-week period, then work with a local hand therapist to restore functionality

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Other hand surgery

Nerve & tendon reconstruction | Thumb ligament repair | De Quervain’s surgery | Fingertip and nail bed surgery

Your initial consultation

  • Length of initial consultation: 30 mins
  • If imaging/x-rays required: Depending on the condition being treated, you may require an X-ray, an ultrasound scan or an MRI scan

Key facts about the operation

  • Length of surgery on the day: 60 – 90 mins
  • Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic or General anaesthetic depending on the complexity of the case
  • Length of stay in hospital: Day procedure (you go home the same day for most hand surgery procedures)
  • Discharged with your hand in a bandage and a sling to keep it elevated

Post surgery recovery

  • Return to light work and use: Usually 2 weeks for simple procedures such as De Quervain’s release or nail bed repair. Can be up to 10 weeks for more complex tendon reconstruction or joint fusion procedures
  • First follow up appointment at 1 week with my clinic nurse then with me in 6 weeks
  • Sutures removed: 1 – 2 weeks after surgery
  • Specific instructions will be provided depending on the type of procedure being undertaken

Referral required

  • If you have private medical insurance and wish to claim through your insurance provider, you will need a referral from your GP or another appropriate medical practitioner.

Hand surgery | Our clinic locations

Greater Wellington Region & Palmerston North

Lower Hutt   ·   Porirua   ·   Palmerston North