SA Medical Specialists Publications Volume 2 | Page 8

5
The Cape Hand Clinic is a well established practice situated in the Southern Suburbs in Cape Town .
The practice has been providing Hand Surgical Care since 2002 . To date more than 16000 patients have been seen at the practice .
Two senior Orthopaedic Hand Surgeons : Dr Steve Carter & Dr Mike Solomons are in attendance . The Cape Hand Clinic has a multi-disciplinary approach . To provide a complete Hand Surgical Practice , the surgeons work closely with on site phyiso & occupational therapists to provide a comprehensive service for the injured hand .
Dr Steve Carter is an Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon with 15 years experience in the surgical treatment of hand conditions . Graduated MBChB 1990 . Graduated FCS ( SA ) Orth – Fellowship 1999 . Gold Medal Fellowship Candidate ( Top Orthopaedic Candidate in South Africa ).
Orthopaedic Hand Procedures
The practice has extensive experience in both common and complex hand procedures . Common surgical procedures are : carpal tunnel releases , de Quervian ’ s releases , Dupuytren ’ s fasciectomy , basal joint thumb arthritis , trigger fingers , ganglions , mucous cysts and tennis elbow releases . More complex procedures such as flexor tendon grafting and reconstruction ; tendon transfers ; radial , median and ulna nerve injuries ; joint replacements ; Rheumatoid surgery . Tenolysis , joint releases , complex contractures , scaphoid non-unions , wrist partial and complete fusions , scapholunate ligament injuries , thumb ulna collateral ligament injuries and digital arthrodesis .
Examples of Congenital Hand Procedures performed are :
• Radial Club Hand Corrections
• Syndactyly Releases
• Duplicated Thumbs
• Pollicization
• Cleft Hand Deformities
• Free Non Vascularized Toe Phalangeal Grafts
• Symbrachydactyly
• Congenital Constriction Band Syndrome
• Polydactyly
• Windblown Hand
Examples of other Hand Surgery performed include :
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Carpometacarpal ( CMC ) Osteoarthritis
• De Quervains Tendinitis
• Dupuytren ’ s Disease
• Ganglion Cysts
• Scaphoid Fractures
• Scapholunate Ligament Injuries
• SNAC & SLAC Wrists
• Trigger Finger
• Radial Tunnel Syndrome
• Kienbock ’ s Disease
Philosophy The human hand is possibly the most complex piece of machinery ever evolved . The hand is the tool of the mind . It is through the hand that we have created vast computing power , been to the moon and erected works of art that outlast centuries .
We use our hands and wrists without thinking – just like breathing . And this is one of the reasons why post
Dr Steve Carter is an Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon with 15 years experience in the surgical treatment of hand conditions . Graduated MBChB 1990 . Graduated FCS ( SA ) Orth – Fellowship 1999 . Gold Medal Fellowship Candidate ( Top Orthopaedic Candidate in South Africa ).
injury or surgery it has such a major impact on our lives . Remember the hand is controlled by almost 50 % of the brain , and the whole rest of the body by the other 50 %.
As such we have a multidisciplinary approach . Two experienced orthopaedic surgeons dedicated to the management of hand and wrist problems . We have a dedicated on site team of physiotherapists - led by Nureesah Hendricks ( who has 10 years of experience in hand therapy ) and occupational therapists led by Karin Weskamp ( who has been doing hand OT for 20 years ).
Our dedicated nursing sister Kathie Troost takes care of all our wound dressings and suture removal and gives invaluable advice on the care of the hand .
The front house team of Elsje Lazenby and Rashaldah Hoosen are extremely professional and dedicated . They will take care of all the administrative issues and your continuity of care .
So as you step through the doors of the Cape Hand Clinic you are met by an experienced and dedicated team , who will take care of your hand . Be it carpal tunnel syndrome or a fractured wrist , we will get you back to what you need to do , work , sport or play .

" The human hand the only vehicle to convert dreams to reality ."