Having any kind of hand or arm injury can be stressful. Whether you’ve just come out of surgery, have suffered a sports injury, or have an ongoing condition like arthritis, getting the right help at the right time can be critical to recovery.
We understand that medical appointments can be daunting. That’s why we aim to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Your initial assessment
What to bring
Dressings & bandages
Subsequent appointments
Your initial assessment
Whether you’ve been referred to us post surgery, have come from a GP or have contacted us directly, your first consultation will involve an initial assessment. This takes approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on your diagnosis.
During this initial assessment, we‘ll look at your injury or condition, what you’ve already had done, and discuss your particular issues. This includes not only physical issues but how it’s impacting your life. We’ll liaise with your GP or surgeon if we have concerns.
Next, we’ll talk you through what you can expect from us, such as how many appointments you’ll need and what treatments we recommend. While we make recommendations for treatments, you can choose what you go ahead with.
Most patients we see will also get a splint, some exercise treatments and, if required, some wound care, such as having a dressing changed.
What to bring
- Referral (required for workers compensation patient), x-rays, doctors’ reports, and any other investigations that have been completed.
- Any billing or claim details you may have, such as a Work Cover claim number or your Department of Veterans Affairs card.
Dressings & bandages
Please don’t remove any dressings or bandages that were applied during surgery, unless advised by your surgeon. If you get your dressings wet before your appointment, please call us so we can arrange for you to come in earlier.
Subsequent appointments
As a rough guide, after the initial consultation, you can expect to see us weekly for the first six weeks – although this can vary depending on the injury or condition, or on how well you’re coping with your situation.
If you have a particular day or time in mind, it’s a good idea to make your appointments in advance. We do our best to accommodate work and school lives.