Hand surgery is a specialised field that draws on skills and principles from Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and General Surgery. Surgeons who practise hand surgery may come from any of these three base specialties, and in some countries hand surgery exists as a distinct surgical specialty in its own right.

During and following his surgical training, Associate Professor David J Graham worked extensively with hand surgeons from Orthopaedic, Plastic, and General Surgery backgrounds, both in Australia and internationally. This broad exposure has helped shape a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the management of hand and upper limb conditions.

The Mudgeeraba Hand Clinic, founded by Dr Graham and hand therapist Marin Suzuki (Dr Graham’s wife), was established with a strong multidisciplinary philosophy. The clinic brings together Orthopaedic and Plastic surgical expertise alongside highly experienced physiotherapists and occupational therapists, encouraging close collaboration between surgeons and therapists to optimise patient outcomes and rehabilitation.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) offers a Post-Fellowship Education and Training program in Hand Surgery (PFET Hand Surgery) for Orthopaedic and Plastic surgeons who have a special interest in this field. Dr Graham completed this advanced subspecialty training and was awarded the qualification PFET (Hand Surgery) by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2017.

Paediatric Hand Surgery

Paediatric hand surgery encompasses the treatment of both congenital and traumatic conditions affecting the hand and upper limb in children. It is a highly specialised and varied field.

Conditions treated include:

  • Syndactyly (joined fingers)

  • Polydactyly (extra digits)

  • Brachial plexus injuries

  • Limb deficiency syndromes

  • Constriction band syndromes

  • Spasticity related to cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions

  • Congenital hand and wrist differences

  • Traumatic injuries of the hand and upper limb

Dr Graham consults and operates on paediatric patients through the Queensland Children’s Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital. He also performs paediatric hand surgery privately at Pindara Private Hospital, John Flynn Private Hospital, and Gold Coast Private Hospital.

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