Consultant hand surgeon · Needle fasciotomy or surgery · Local anaesthetic
Dupuytren’s contracture treatment in Cardiff
Straighten bent fingers and get your hand flat again. Needle fasciotomy or palmar fasciectomy under local anaesthetic with consultant hand surgeon Mr Alistair Phillips.
Rated excellent on Google
By our patients
HIW registered
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales
Senior, named clinicians
GMC and NMC registered
Award-winning clinic
Best Private Medical Clinic, Wales
At a glance
Treatment fee
Needle £1,495 · Surgery from £2,650
Procedure time
Needle 10–20 min · Surgery 30–60 min
Anaesthetic
Local, so you stay awake
Back to light use
Days (needle) or 2–3 weeks (surgery)
First step
Free video consultation
Private Dupuytren’s treatment in Cardiff
Dupuytren’s contracture is a thickening of the tissue under the skin of the palm that forms cords and gradually pulls one or more fingers into a bent position. Treatment releases or removes the cord so the finger can straighten.
At Excel Clinic, consultant hand surgeon Mr Alistair Phillips offers two treatments, both under local anaesthetic: needle fasciotomy, where the cord is divided through tiny needle punctures with no incision, and palmar fasciectomy, an operation to remove the diseased cord through an incision in the palm. He will recommend the right option for your hand. No GP referral is needed.
Medically reviewed by Mr Alistair Phillips, MBBS FRCS (Tr & Orth), consultant hand, wrist and elbow surgeon (GMC 4718495). Last updated November 2026.
What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
Dupuytren’s disease affects the palmar fascia, the layer of tough tissue just under the skin of the palm. It usually starts as a firm lump or pit in the palm, then develops into a cord that runs into the finger. As the cord tightens, the finger is pulled towards the palm and cannot be straightened.
It most often affects the ring and little fingers, is usually painless and tends to progress slowly over months or years. It is not caused by injury or overuse. A simple check is the tabletop test: if you cannot put your hand flat on a table, it is worth seeing a hand surgeon.
Risk factors
- Family history: it often runs in families
- Northern European ancestry
- Being male and over 50
- Diabetes
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Epilepsy and some anti-epileptic medicines
Symptoms
- A firm lump or nodule in the palm
- Pits or dimples in the skin of the palm
- A cord running from the palm into a finger
- A finger, usually the ring or little finger, that bends and will not straighten
- Difficulty putting your hand flat, shaking hands, wearing gloves or putting your hand in a pocket
Two ways to treat Dupuytren’s contracture
Both treatments aim to straighten the finger. The best choice depends on where the cord is, how bent the finger is and what matters most to you.
Needle fasciotomy
With Mr Alistair Phillips
- No incision: the cord is divided through tiny needle punctures
- Done under local anaesthetic in about 10 to 20 minutes
- Light use of the hand within a day or two
- Hand therapy rarely needed
- The bend is more likely to come back over time
£1,495 all-inclusive
Palmar fasciectomy
With Mr Alistair Phillips
- The diseased cord is removed through an incision in the palm
- Done under local anaesthetic, with you awake
- Longer-lasting correction than needle fasciotomy
- Includes 2 hand therapy sessions with our accredited local hand therapists
- Light use after 2 to 3 weeks, full recovery in 6 to 8 weeks
From £2,650 (guide price)
Needle fasciotomy and palmar fasciectomy compared
| Needle fasciotomy | Palmar fasciectomy | |
|---|---|---|
| Incision | None, just tiny needle punctures | Incision in the palm, closed with stitches |
| Anaesthetic | Local | Local, you stay awake |
| Procedure time | About 10–20 minutes | About 30–60 minutes |
| Light use of the hand | Within a day or two | Usually 2–3 weeks |
| Hand therapy | Rarely needed | 2 sessions included, plus a night splint if needed |
| Chance of the bend returning | Higher, over months to years | Lower, longer-lasting |
| Best for | A quick recovery with minimal downtime | The longest-lasting result |
| Fee | £1,495 all-inclusive | From £2,650 guide price, one finger |
Mr Phillips will examine your hand and recommend the safest, most effective option. Neither treatment cures Dupuytren’s disease, so new cords can develop in the future.
Your surgeon
Consultant Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgeon
Mr Alistair Phillips
MBBS FRCS (Tr & Orth) · GMC 4718495
Mr Phillips is a consultant hand, wrist and elbow surgeon in private practice in Winchester and London, and now operates at Excel Clinic in Cardiff. He holds a Visiting Academic Fellowship at the University of Southampton and sits on the Council of the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care.
He specialises in hand surgery under local anaesthetic, with the patient awake and no tourniquet (WALANT). He co-authored the standard textbook on the technique and the BSSH/GIRFT White Paper on hand surgery outside main operating theatres, and was an early adopter of ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release.
At Excel Clinic he performs cubital tunnel release, lacertus syndrome release and Dupuytren’s treatment, as well as ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel and trigger finger release.
What our patients say
What happens during treatment
Needle fasciotomy
- The skin over the cord is numbed with a small amount of local anaesthetic.
- A fine needle is passed through the skin at several points to weaken and divide the cord.
- The finger is gently straightened and the cord gives way.
- Small plasters are applied. No stitches are needed.
Palmar fasciectomy
- Local anaesthetic is injected into the palm and finger. You stay awake and comfortable.
- An incision is made in the palm over the cord.
- The diseased tissue is carefully removed, protecting the nerves and blood vessels to the finger.
- The skin is closed with fine stitches and a dressing is applied. You may be fitted with a splint.
You go home the same day after either treatment. Please arrange a lift home.
Your Dupuytren’s journey, step by step
Send your booking form
Free video consultation
Consultation with Mr Phillips
Your procedure
Recovery and aftercare
Follow-up
Tap each step for more detail.
1. Send your booking form
Complete the short form at the bottom of this page and tell us about your symptoms and any treatment you have already had.
2. Free video consultation
A free 15-minute video call to talk through your symptoms and whether treatment is the right next step.
3. Consultation with Mr Phillips
An in-person consultation with Mr Phillips (£250) to examine you and confirm the diagnosis. He will check how far your fingers straighten and recommend needle fasciotomy or palmar fasciectomy. Have your consultation and surgery on the same day (a one-stop appointment) and the consultation is included in the package.
4. Your procedure
Walk in, walk out. Your treatment is done under local anaesthetic in our theatre at Cardiff Gate.
5. Recovery and aftercare
You go home with clear written aftercare instructions and WhatsApp access to our team if you have any questions.
6. Follow-up
A follow-up review is included to check your wound and your recovery.
Recovery timeline
After needle fasciotomy
After palmar fasciectomy
Recovery depends on how bent the finger was and for how long. A finger that has been bent for a long time, especially at the middle joint, may not straighten completely.
Results and risks
What to expect
Most people can straighten the finger much better and put their hand flat again. The knuckle joint usually corrects well. The middle joint can be harder to straighten fully if it has been bent for a long time.
Possible risks
Possible risks include skin splits (with needle fasciotomy), infection, stiffness, numbness or tingling in the finger and, rarely, injury to a nerve, blood vessel or tendon. Mr Phillips will go through these with you.
Long-term outlook
Dupuytren’s is a lifelong tendency, so the bend can return or new cords can appear over time, more often after needle fasciotomy. Further treatment is possible if it comes back.
Excel Clinic compared with NHS treatment
| Excel Clinic | NHS treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | Usually 2–4 weeks | Often many months |
| GP referral | Not needed | Required |
| Choice of treatment | Needle fasciotomy or palmar fasciectomy | Depends on local availability |
| Anaesthetic | Local, you stay awake | Often regional or general anaesthetic |
| Aftercare | WhatsApp access to our team | Standard follow-up |
| Hand therapy | 2 sessions included with fasciectomy | Depends on local service |
| Cost | Needle £1,495 · surgery from £2,650 | Free |
Tip: scroll sideways to see the full table on a phone.
Dupuytren’s treatment cost in Cardiff
| Treatment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Video consultation Free 15-minute video consultation | Free |
| In-person consultation with Mr Phillips Included in the package with a one-stop appointment | £250 |
| Needle fasciotomy Includes anaesthetic, treatment, aftercare and follow-up | £1,495 |
| Palmar fasciectomy Guide price for one finger. Includes anaesthetic, surgery, 2 hand therapy sessions, aftercare and follow-up. Extra fingers add time and cost and are confirmed at consultation | From £2,650 |
| Follow-up review | Included |
Palmar fasciectomy is priced as a guide because it depends on how many fingers are involved. Mr Phillips will confirm your fixed, all-inclusive price after examining your hand, with no hidden costs. Have your consultation and treatment on the same day (a one-stop appointment) and the consultation is included in the package.
Why choose Excel Clinic?
Specialist hand surgeon
Mr Alistair Phillips, consultant hand, wrist and elbow surgeon and co-author of the standard textbook on wide-awake hand surgery.
Wide-awake surgery
Local anaesthetic with no tourniquet, no general anaesthetic and no overnight stay.
Fixed, transparent prices
One all-inclusive fee covering the procedure, anaesthetic, aftercare and follow-up.
Easy to reach
Designated patient parking, just off Junction 30 of the M4.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
Dupuytren’s contracture is a thickening of the tissue in the palm that forms cords and pulls one or more fingers, usually the ring and little fingers, into a bent position that cannot be straightened.
How much does Dupuytren’s treatment cost in Cardiff?
Needle fasciotomy costs £1,495, a fixed, all-inclusive price. Palmar fasciectomy has a guide price from £2,650 for one finger, including 2 hand therapy sessions. Extra fingers add time and cost, so your fixed price is confirmed at consultation. The first video consultation is free.
When should I have treatment?
Treatment is usually considered once you cannot put your hand flat on a table, or the bend is getting in the way of daily life. Treating before the joints stiffen generally gives a better result.
Is needle fasciotomy or surgery better?
Needle fasciotomy has a very quick recovery with no incision, but the bend is more likely to return. Palmar fasciectomy takes longer to recover from and usually needs hand therapy, but the result tends to last longer. Mr Phillips will recommend the best option for your hand.
Is Dupuytren’s treatment painful?
The local anaesthetic stings briefly, then the area goes numb and you should feel no pain during treatment. Afterwards most people need only simple painkillers.
Will Dupuytren’s contracture come back?
It can. Dupuytren’s is a lifelong tendency, so the bend can return or new cords can develop, more often after needle fasciotomy than after surgery. Further treatment is possible if needed.
Will I need hand therapy?
Hand therapy and often a night splint are recommended after palmar fasciectomy, and 2 sessions with our accredited local hand therapists are included in the price. Further sessions can be arranged if you need them. After needle fasciotomy, hand therapy is rarely needed.
Is Dupuytren’s caused by my job?
No. Dupuytren’s contracture is not caused by injury or overuse. It is largely inherited, and diabetes, smoking and heavy drinking increase the risk.
Can I have my consultation and treatment on the same day?
Yes, where it is clinically appropriate. With a one-stop appointment Mr Phillips assesses you and carries out the procedure in the same visit, and the consultation fee is included in the package. If you would rather have a separate consultation first, it costs £250.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can refer yourself. Complete the booking form and we will arrange your free video consultation.
Still have a question? Send us a message or call 02922 645305.
Book your Dupuytren’s consultation
Free video consultation, fixed all-inclusive prices and a choice of needle fasciotomy or surgery with a consultant hand surgeon.
Book your free video consultation
Tell us which fingers are affected, and add a photo of your hand resting flat on a table if you can. Our team will be in touch to arrange your video consultation.
Find us
Excel Clinic
3 Oaktree Court, Mulberry Drive
Cardiff Gate Business Park
Cardiff CF23 8RS
Just off Junction 30 of the M4, with designated patient parking. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.