Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are you a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon?

Dr. Terence Tay is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon by the National Specialist Register (NSR) and also fully trained and qualified hand surgeon.

Do you only treat hands?

Dr. Terence treats all orthopaedic problems including sports medicine, spine, foot/ankle, hip and knee etc. His specialty is in surgery of the hand and upper extremity, which includes the wrist, elbow and shoulder area.

Why visit a hand surgeon?

If you have problem in your fingers, hand or wrist, or have any other upper extremity related concerns, you may want to consult a hand surgeon. Because hand surgeons are specialists in hand care, they are very meticulous in examining, diagnosing and treating any condition of the hand.

Does every visit to a hand surgeon always result in surgery?

Hand surgeons often recommend conservative treatment options, including hand therapy, a combination of physical and occupational therapy to reduce or eliminate pain and restore movement of the hand. If non surgical treatment fails, only surgery is advocated.

Will the injection of cortisone to alleviate inflammation cause weight gain?

This is one of the many myths of cortisone and patients should understand that only high dose intravenous or oral steroids (cortisone-like substances) would cause side effects such as weight gain, hair growth or blood sugar elevation. A small injection in a joint or around a tendon sheath will not cause any significant side effects unless applied inappropriately or excessively.

Can I have surgery on both hands at the same time?

In most elective cases, it is best to stage the surgeries 3-4 weeks apart as that allows the patient to have one hand free without a dressing and with good strength as the operated hand recovers. Occasionally, bilateral hand surgery is performed when a patient travels a great distance to have this performed and a 2nd visit would be difficult.

What is the recovery time for most procedures?

Hand surgery can entail as simple a procedure as a carpal tunnel release or trigger finger release which would allow immediate near full use of the hand, or as complicated as a wrist laceration involving all tendons and nerves which can take up to a year for an adequate functional recovery.

Do you have an on-site surgical facility?

Yes, our operating theatre is fully equipped to handle any complex hand cases under local anaesthesia, regional or general anaesthesia. Most of the hand surgery does not require an overnight hospital stay, therefore patients may go home after the procedure.

Do all surgeries require general anaesthesia?

Hand and upper extremity surgery rarely requires general anaesthesia and most procedures can be done under local and regional anaesthesia. This means you will feel absolutely no pain or discomfort and intravenous sedation will also help you relax or even sleep if you desire.

What hospital are you affiliated with?

Apart from Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara, Dr Terence also practises in Parkcity Medical Centre on Monday and Thursday afternoon.

by Hand Clinic Malaysia

Solution For your Hand Problems

Our medical practice offering exceptional quality care for all hand and upper limb disorders. Our mission is to offer our patients an efficient and professional service, combining our extensive training and knowledge of Hand surgery with a caring and personalised approach to each individual.

In addition to treating all common hand problems, our clinic specialises in providing solutions for more complex hand problems such as

  • Functional reconstruction of birth or congenital deformities of the hands and upper limb
  • Restoration of function in paralysed, spastic or weak upper limbs caused by traumatic nerve injuries, stroke and brain disorders
  • Microsurgical reconstruction of complex hand and upper limb trauma
  • Solution for hand and wrist arthritis
  • Treatments for traumatic and overuse wrist problems

Our Services

We are dedicated to provide comprehensive care for all conditions related to hand and upper extremity. Our hand team is made up of fellowship-trained doctor, operation theater and clinic nurses, certified physiotherapist with extensive knowledge and experience in hand reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, congenital hand problem, and upper limb prosthesis.

  • Ambulatory day care surgery

Our operating theater is fully equipped to handle any complex hand cases under local anesthesia, regional or general anesthesia. Most of the hand surgery does not require an overnight hospital stay, therefore patients may go home after the procedure.

  • Doctor assisted hand therapy
  • Dedicated occupational therapist

Why Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery is the field of medicine that deals with problems of the hand, wrist, and forearm. Hand surgeons are specially trained to take care of these problems with or without surgery.

Why visit a hand surgeon?

If you have problem in your fingers, hand or wrist, or have any other upper extremity related concerns, you may want to consult a hand surgeon. Because hand surgeons are specialists in hand care, they are very meticulous in examining, diagnosing and treating any condition of the hand.

Not every visit to a hand surgeon results in hand surgery.

Hand surgeons often recommend conservative treatment options, including hand therapy, a combination of physical and occupational therapy to reduce or eliminate pain and restore movement of the hand. If non surgical treament fails, only surgery is advocated.