Patient Information

Helpful guidance on recovery, activity, and lifestyle after hand and wrist surgery. These pages provide practical advice written by Mr Ross Fawdington, Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon. Please remember this is general information – recovery varies for every patient.

Driving after Hand or Wrist Surgery

Guidance on when it’s safe to drive again following treatment or surgery on your hand or wrist.

Exercises & Rehabilitation

Simple guidance on hand and wrist exercises after surgery to reduce stiffness and regain strength.

Fit to Fly after
Surgery or Injury

Advice on when you can fly after surgery, managing swelling and staying comfortable during travel.

Managing Swelling
and Bruising

Understanding what swelling is normal after surgery, how to reduce it, and when to seek further advice.

Recovery and
Return to Work

Guidance on when to resume normal activities and return to work safely after surgery.

Surgery -
What to Expect

What to expect before, during and after your operation, including anaesthetic and day-case information.

Useful Products
& Adaptations

Useful supports, scar-care gels and ergonomic
aids that may help during recovery.

Wound Care
and Dressings

How to care for your wound, keep dressings clean and dry, and support healthy scar healing.

Have more questions?

Find quick answers about appointments, insurance, and what to
expect in clinic on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you’re experiencing any Hand & Wrist or related symptoms, we can confirm the cause and tailor a plan – often starting with splints/hand therapy and exercises, with medicines, injections or surgery only where appropriate.

This page provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.

For emergencies (severe/new weakness, spreading infection, uncontrolled pain, significant injury) call 999, or use NHS 111 for urgent guidance.


Appointments:

  • Self-pay patients can book without a GP referral
  • Insured patients (Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, etc…) can book once authorised.

Clinics are available at:

  • The Harborne Hospital – HCA, Birmingham
  • Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital
  • The Priory Hospital, Birmingham

To book or ask a question, contact Vikki (Private Secretary):
     ☎  07510 417479
      ✉ 
[email protected]


Medically reviewed by Mr Ross Fawdington, Consultant Hand & Wrist Surgeon, MBChB, FRCS Ed (Tr&Orth), MSc Hand Surgery.

Last reviewed: October 2025.

Where would you like to be seen?

Please select your preferred site for online booking

The Harborne Hospital – HCA, Birmingham

Next to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Convenient for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital

Good access from the M6 and M54.
Recognised by all major insurers.
Self-pay packages available.

The Priory Hospital, Edgbaston

Convenient for patients from south Birmingham and beyond.
Insured and self-pay patients welcome.

Prefer to speak to someone?
Call my private secretary, Vikki Hibbert, on 07510 417479 or email
[email protected] for advice or to arrange an appointment.