Wrist Surgeon in Perth
Care for wrist pain, fractures, carpal tunnel and cartilage injuries, with Dr Tom Clifton, upper limb orthopaedic surgeon in Perth.
Dr Tom Clifton is an upper limb orthopaedic surgeon based in Perth who treats conditions of the wrist. He sees patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist arthritis, cartilage and ligament injuries such as TFCC tears, and wrist fractures including scaphoid fractures, and he offers both non-surgical care and surgery depending on the diagnosis.
Credentials and experience
Dr Clifton is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, with the qualifications BA, BMBS, FRACS, FAOrthA. He completed specialist orthopaedic training in Perth and fellowship training in upper limb surgery, including at the Sydney Shoulder Research Institute and Wrightington Hospital in England. As an upper limb surgeon he manages the full range of wrist and hand conditions.
- BA, BMBS, FRACS, FAOrthA
- Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
- Fellow, Australian Orthopaedic Association
- Upper limb fellowship training, UK and Australia
- Consulting in Perth, WA
Where Dr Clifton operates
Surgery is performed at the hospitals in Perth listed below.
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Where Dr Clifton consults
Dr Clifton sees patients at his consulting rooms at the Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre on Havelock Street in West Perth. This is where your appointments take place, from your first consultation and examination through to follow-up after treatment.
The centre brings together a number of orthopaedic surgeons and sport and exercise medicine physicians in one location.
What Dr Clifton treats
Wrist conditions and procedures Dr Clifton manages. Each links to a detailed page explaining the condition and what treatment involves.
Common wrist conditions
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, and it is one of the most common reasons people look for a wrist surgeon in Perth.
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Symptoms that wake you at night
- Weak grip or clumsiness in longer-standing cases
- Splinting and activity changes
- A guided injection in some cases
- Carpal tunnel release when symptoms persist
Wrist fractures
Wrist fractures range from a broken distal radius to a scaphoid fracture, which is easy to miss and needs careful assessment.
- Pain, swelling and bruising after a fall
- Difficulty moving the wrist
- Ongoing pain at the base of the thumb, which can point to a scaphoid fracture
- A cast or splint for stable fractures
- Scaphoid fracture fixation or other fixation when a fracture is displaced or slow to heal
What to expect
Your first appointment is a consultation. There is no obligation to proceed to surgery, and many wrist conditions are managed without it.
Consultation
Dr Clifton reviews your history and symptoms, examines your wrist, and looks at any imaging you have.
Your options
He explains the diagnosis and the choices, from physiotherapy and injections to surgery, and you decide together.
Treatment
If surgery is agreed, the team guides you through booking, costs and preparation beforehand.
Please bring your referral letter, any scans or reports, a list of your medications, and your Medicare and private health fund details. A GP referral is generally needed for a specialist appointment and is required for a Medicare rebate.
Arrange a consultation
To discuss a wrist problem with Dr Clifton, book online or call the practice. GPs and physiotherapists are welcome to refer.
Location and contact
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see Dr Clifton?
A referral from your GP is generally needed for a specialist appointment and is required for a Medicare rebate. If you are unsure, call the practice on 08 9212 4200 and the team will help.
I hurt my wrist in a fall and it is still sore. Should I get it checked?
Yes. A wrist that stays painful after a fall is worth reviewing, as some fractures, including scaphoid fractures, are easy to miss on a first look and do better when treated early.
Will I definitely need surgery?
No. Many wrist conditions improve with splinting, physiotherapy or an injection. Surgery is discussed only when non-surgical measures have not worked or when the problem clearly needs it, and the decision is made with you.
How much will it cost?
Costs depend on the treatment and your cover. The practice can give you an estimate before anything goes ahead, including any out-of-pocket amount.