The Sloane Hospital
125 Albemarle Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5HS DirectionsPhone
Opening hours
Mon-Fri: 8am - 9:30pm
Saturday: 8am-3pm
Sunday: Closed
Only two visitors allowed to accompany a patient
Car parking
Yes - 20 spaces
Expert care for hand and wrist concerns
Struggling to use your hands and/or wrists properly can be frustrating, as well as painful and debilitating.
Our exceptional multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals at The Sloane Hospital comprise both physiotherapy and occupational therapy specialists who have trained uniquely to use both sets of skills during treatment. This ensures the highest levels of effective care from start to finish, including rehabilitation. We also have a network of talented and dedicated orthopaedic surgeons.
The Sloane Hospital is a small, friendly Circle Health Group hospital that offers a variety of outpatient services, including physiotherapy, general admissions, and comprehensive hand and wrist services. It has 32 day-case rooms, the majority of which are single rooms with ensuite facilities.
Despite its small size, The Sloane Hospital offers the latest in technology and on-site support services, meaning that consultants are able to take on a wide range of different procedures, from routine investigations to complex surgeries.
There are 29 bones in your hand and wrist if you include the ulna and radius. The ulna is one of the two long forearm bones, which, in conjunction with the radius make up a part of the anatomy called the antebrachium.
There are 14 bones found in the fingers of each hand, with each finger having three phalanges (the distal, middle and proximal), while your thumb only has two. Within the middle part of your hand, there are five bones known as metacarpal bones. And then, there are eight bones that create the wrist.
Each of these bones is arranged in such a way that they can roll, spin, and slide, working with the muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues to enable your hand to move in many different ways, as well as to grip and hold and manipulate objects.
Tendonitis is one of the most common disorders affecting your hands and wrists. Tendons are thick, fibrous cords that attach your muscle to your bone. Tendonitis occurs when one of the tendons in your hand or wrist becomes irritated or inflamed. The main symptom associated with tendonitis is pain. This discomfort may be constant and dull or may come in episodes where it is much more acute.
Tendonitis is a type of repetitive strain injury. This means that it's caused by repeated movement that causes inflammation and irritation that triggers discomfort. As a result, it generally affects people who work or are involved in recreational activities that involve repeated movements, such as carpenters, painters, musicians and people who play racquet sports.
Most cases of tendonitis are treated non-surgically, using methods such as learning new positions and ways of movement, splinting/strapping or prescription medications.
Also known as Dupuytren's contracture, this condition is often confused with trigger finger, but is a little different in that it affects the tissues of your hands, rather than the tendons. Dupuytren's disease normally develops over a period of years and is caused by knots of tissue forming under your skin. These tissues create a thick cord that pulls your fingers towards your palm, causing them to curl inwards.
There is currently no cure for Dupuytren's disease, but it can be treated. There are a variety of non-surgical techniques which can be effective if it is diagnosed early. In advanced cases where non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgery may be recommended.
Trigger finger is a condition caused by a tendon or tendon sheath becoming irritated or inflamed. It causes discomfort, stiffness, and some people will find that the joint may lock when they attempt to bend or straighten their finger or thumb. When the joint releases, you may experience a snapping or popping sensation.
There are several non-surgical treatments that can relieve the symptoms of trigger finger, with trigger finger surgery being a final option recommended where these have failed.
Our hand and wrist service comprises of a team of highly dedicated and caring surgeons and therapists. Using the most advanced techniques available, they work tirelessly to improve the use of your hand, wrist and arm in a deeply caring and comfortable environment.
An initial consultation appointment will be offered, at which your consultant orthopaedic surgeon will perform various assessments and potentially request imaging to determine an accurate diagnosis of your condition.
From here, they will be able to recommend the best course of action and a bespoke treatment plan will be drawn up to suit your needs.
Exactly what this looks like will depend on the severity of your condition and your symptoms. Treatment plans may be altered at any time to reflect how you respond to the treatments offered.
People who access our hand and wrist service at The Sloane Hospital can expect a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Our team of hand therapists are members of the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) and other recognised professional bodies.
Hand therapy is the assessment and rehabilitation of your hand, wrist and arm.
Hand therapists are either occupational therapists or physiotherapists with many years of extra training to specialise in this complex and vital part of your body. Here are some examples of when you might benefit from seeing one of our highly specialist hand therapists:
Most people who experience issues with their hands and wrists will experience a degree of pain. While over-the-counter pain medications may provide some relief, some people will need additional support to bring their discomfort to a manageable level. Our hand and wrist service team at The Sloane Hospital can provide alternative pain relief methods, including:
Steroid injections are minimally invasive and highly effective at providing relief from pain for several months or more. However, due to their nature, they can only be administered periodically.
In many cases, the way in which we perform certain movements can actually make the symptoms of our hand/wrist problem worse or cause them altogether. Making changes to how these movements are performed can reduce symptoms and prevent problems in your hands and wrists from reoccurring.
Your Sloane Hospital hand therapists can recommend alternative positions and ways of moving your hands, wrists, and arms to help you. In many cases, these instances can significantly reduce repetitive strain injuries that result in hand and wrist problems.
You'll be advised how to prepare for surgery, what to expect from your recovery, and the involved. You will also be able to ask your consultant before having the procedure.
If you want to know more about our services, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.