What actually happens in the consultation?

I will go through the usual steps, of listening to the story, and talking about your medical history to see if that is relevant. I will ask you about all potential stressors to your hands and how they affect your symptoms. You may want to bring your instrument in if that is convenient.

A video of you on your instrument prepared beforehand (and sent in advance by email if possible) is often useful. I will then examine your hands and wrists - both of them for comparison - up to your elbows and to the neck if necessary.

We will then decide on what special test may be needed. We can do X-rays on the same day, and I bring my patients straight back from X ray to go through them. Other tests such as scans usually have to be booked.

I am happy to advise remotely about scan results if patients prefer it. Please advise my secretary if you would like a call to discuss the next steps. It is usually better to go through the scan together, and I often go ahead with steroid injections at this appointment if that seems appropriate after going through the scan together. If an operation seems necessary, then we will discuss this and make the necessary arrangements