When should I consider referring a patient with a hand injury to a specialist for further management?

Consider referring a patient with a hand injury to a specialist for further management if the injury is complex or affects hand function significantly. This includes cases where there is a need for bespoke (thermoplastic) splints to maintain range of movement, or when the injury requires complex hand therapy input.

Specifically, patients with complex hand injuries should be referred to a hand therapy specialist as appropriate to optimise rehabilitation and functional recovery.

Additionally, if there are concerns about skin integrity due to splints or orthoses, or if there are complications such as swelling, oedema, or scar management issues that require specialist input, referral to tissue viability services or plastic surgery specialists should be considered.