Award winning dermatology service, with over 20 years of experience
Short waiting lists, on some occasions offering same week appointments
Safe environment, in Care Quality Commission approved facilities
Conditions WE Treat With Orthopaedic Surgery:
ORTHOPAEDICS IN SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE
Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in the branch of medicine which deals with the correction of deformities of the bones or muscles. These experts specialise in the musculoskeletal system which is essential for movement and everyday life.
At St. Michael’s Clinic, we are able to offer an orthopaedic service under the leadership of Mr Piers Moreau FRCS MA MbBChir, Consultant Hand and Upper Limb Surgeon, who will be offering outpatient consultations and surgery under local anaesthetic.
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AT ST. MICHAEL’S CLINIC
CARPAL TUNNEL
The carpal tunnel is a narrow ‘sheath’ beneath the base of the palm. This nerve controls feeling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the ring finger and tendons that allow the fingers and thumb to move also pass through the carpal tunnel.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel include pins and needles, electric shock sensations and pain in the hand or arm, a weakened thumb, and weaker grip strength. Symptoms usually develop slowly over time, are often worse at night, and can also affect your ability to carry out simple everyday tasks such as buttoning a shirt.
Non-operative treatment includes wearing a brace or splint at night or during some activities to immobilise the wrist and prevent pressure on the nerve whilst asleep. Your orthopaedic surgeon may advise you to take anti-inflammatory medication and to make changes to any activities that might make the condition worse. In some cases, having a steroid injection can help symptoms. During your consultation at St. Michael’s Clinic, your condition will be assessed and the best treatment plan advised for you.
If your symptoms do not improve, surgery can be carried out under a local anaesthetic at St Michael’s Clinic, using a small incision to increase the space around the nerve inside the carpal tunnel.
TRIGGER FINGER
Trigger finger is a condition in which your finger or thumb catches or gets locked in place when you bend it. It’s not harmful, but it can be extremely painful. Sometimes it can recover by itself after a few weeks, otherwise there are treatments that can help.
During your consultation at St. Michael’s Clinic, your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend that you try a combination of splinting and pain relief for four to six weeks to see if this helps. This aims to reduce the friction between the affected tendon and the tendon sheath, reducing your symptoms.
As an alternative to splinting, or if splinting doesn’t help, you may be offered a steroid injection which will be injected into the inflamed area of your tendon sheath and may be mixed with a local anaesthetic. You should see an improvement a few days after the injection, but it can take a couple of weeks before you notice any difference. Steroid injections do not work for everyone so if there is no improvement in your symptoms after having steroid injections, you may be offered a small operation to treat your trigger finger.
Surgery for trigger finger is usually referred to as ‘trigger finger release’. The aim of surgery is to release the restricted pulley in the tendon sheath, which should allow your finger to move normally again, as well as stop any pain. You’ll have an injection of local anaesthetic so that the area will be numb and you won’t feel any pain, but you’ll stay awake during the procedure which can be undertaken by Mr Piers Moreau at St Michael’s Clinic.
GANGLION REMOVAL
A ganglion cyst is a swelling filled with jelly-like fluid that sticks out from the lining of a joint or tendon. These lumps are usually harmless, however you may need surgery to remove one if it becomes painful.
A ganglion removal operation can be performed by Mr Piers Moreau at St Michael’s Clinic under local anaesthetic. The operation usually lasts about 30 minutes, once the anaesthetic has taken affect.
During the operation, your surgeon will make a cut over your ganglion. He will remove it from the joint or tendon lining without disturbing the surrounding structures. At the end of the operation, the cut is closed with stitches. If you require surgery for a ganglion, all aspects of the surgery including preparation and recovery will be discussed with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO WILL CONDUCT MY TREATMENT?
Piers Moreau, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in disorders of the hand and upper limb, will be your orthopaedic consultant at St. Michael’s Clinic. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, a Fellow of the British Orthopaedic Association and a member of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand. He is also a Faculty Member of the AO Hand and Wrist Group and has over 20 years of experience in the field.
AM I ABLE TO DRIVE FOLLOWING ORTHOPAEDIC TREATMENT?
It would be preferable if you were able to have someone drive you to and from the Clinic.
HOW MUCH IS A CONSULTATION WITH MR. MOREAU?
£150 for the initial appointment. Typically an Orthopaedic Procedure at St Michaels costs in the region of £2,000 but of course it depends on your actual procedure.
HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE?
Depending on the area treated, orthopaedic treatment typically takes around 30 minutes.
WHAT PAIN RELIEF WILL I GET DURING TREATMENT?
You will have an injection of local anaesthetic so that the treatment area will be numb and you won’t feel any pain, but you will stay awake during the procedure. You are able to eat and drink as normal before having local anesthetic.
AM I ABLE TO HAVE MY CONSULTATION OVER THE PHONE OR DO I NEED TO COME TO THE CLINIC IN PERSON?
Mr. Moreau is able to do virtual outpatient appointments via telephone or video call prior to treatment.
HOW QUICKLY AM I ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT?
The current wait time for an orthopaedics appointment on the NHS is currently in excess of a year. Mr Moreau is able to see you privately and perform your procedure at St. Michael’s Clinic within a month.
DO I NEED A GP REFERRAL TO HAVE A CONSULTATION?
No, Mr. Moreau is happy to see any patient who has a query or concern with any aspect of their hand or upper limb without a GP referral letter.
CAN I USE MEDICAL INSURANCE TO PAY FOR MY CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT?
Yes, all major insurance companies are accepted. Self pay options are also available if you do not have private medical insurance.
WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOLLOWING MY CONSULTATION OR PROCEDURE?
If you have any questions following your consultation or procedure, please contact Lucy Moreau on 07815 798322.
IS THERE CAR PARKING AT ST. MICHAEL’S CLINIC?
Yes, there is plenty of free car parking at St. Michael’s Clinic and there is disabled access to the building.
REQUEST A CALL BACK
Please fill in this form and one of our team will give you a call back to arrange a consultation with one of our expert dermatologists.
WHY CHOOSE Orthopaedics AT ST. MICHAEL'S CLINIC?
Here at St. Michael’s Clinic, Shrewsbury’s leading private skin and laser treatment clinic, our experts are specialists in all aspects of dermatology, skin cancer, anti-ageing and beauty treatments. We are able to offer NHS patients a consultant led dermatology service from our sites in Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock.
St. Michael’s Clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, ensuring the best level of treatment is provided to you in a safe environment. We are part of the Dermatology Partnership, a leading group of dermatology clinics, defined by clinical excellence and focusing on leading dermatological care.
