Hand Surgeon Perth | Wrist & Elbow Surgery
Meet Dr Alex O'Beirne, your upper limb surgeon
Consulting at
Murdoch
[All surgeons]
Wexford Medical Centre
Suite 13
3 Barry Marshall Pde
Murdoch WA 6150
Nedlands
[Dr O’Beirne & Dr Hardisty]
Hollywood Medical Centre
Suite 37
85 Monash Avenue
Nedlands WA 6008
Joondalup
[Dr Ghoshal]
Joondalup Health Campus
Suite 17, Specialist Medical Centre (East), 60 Shenton Avenue
Joondalup WA 6027
- Contact us
- 08 6166 3778
Hand surgeon Perth
3 reasons why you want a great upper limb surgeon
Choosing the right surgeon makes all the difference when dealing with upper limb issues. Here’s why Dr O’Beirne stands out:
- Treats the entire upper limb—not just hands, but also wrists, elbows, and upper arms—so you don’t need to see different specialists for each part.
- Advanced surgical techniques: He is the go-to surgeon in Perth for complex nerve reconstructions, including brachial plexus injuries and major peripheral nerve repair. While other surgeons may manage basic nerve repairs, Dr O’Beirne’s expertise covers advanced reconstructions after cancer or trauma. His depth of knowledge also makes him an excellent choice for more routine procedures, such as carpal tunnel release and tendon repairs.
- Focused on your needs: He listens carefully, explains your options clearly, and always aims to help you regain movement and strength.
“Early on in my career in Perth, I treated a young woman who had lost nerve function in her arm following a severe accident. After surgery, she returned three months later with tears of joy, able to wave with her once-paralysed hand. It was a moment that moved the entire surgical and therapy team.”
Upper limb conditions and treatments
Why you may need to see an upper limb surgeon
Hand surgeons and upper limb surgeons treat everything from hands to elbows and upper arms. Here’s why you might want to see Dr O’Beirne at Western Orthopaedic Clinic in Perth:
- Pain that won’t go away: If pain in your hand, wrist, or elbow isn’t improving, it might be time to see a specialist.
- Injuries: Fractures, sprains, or tears often need surgical care to heal well.
- Nerve issues: Numbness, tingling, or weakness may indicate nerve damage that needs repair.
What type of surgery is available and for what condition
For some upper limb conditions, you may have already tried conservative treatments like splints, physical therapy, or medications, but haven’t found lasting relief. In these cases, surgery may be the next step. However, for severe injuries like brachial plexus damage, conservative treatments are usually not effective, and surgery is often needed from the start.
Dr O’Beirne offers a range of procedures to treat conditions throughout the entire upper limb:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This condition occurs when the median nerve in the wrist gets compressed, leading to numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand.
- Procedure: Carpal tunnel release surgery helps relieve pressure on the nerve, restoring sensation and reducing pain.
Biceps tendon tear
This occurs when the tendon connecting the biceps muscle to the elbow is torn, often causing weakness and pain in the arm.
- Procedure: Biceps tendon repair restores the connection, bringing back arm strength and function.
Tennis/golfer’s elbow (medial/lateral epicondylitis)
These conditions involve inflammation and damage to the tendons around the elbow, resulting in pain and limited movement.
- Procedure: Tendon repair aims to restore the damaged tendons, easing pain and improving flexibility.
Wrist fracture
Fractures of the wrist, such as a distal radius fracture, are common injuries that can affect strength and movement.
- Procedure: Fracture fixation aligns and stabilises the broken bones, promoting healing and restoring wrist function.
Brachial plexus and upper limb nerve injuries
These are severe injuries affecting the network of nerves controlling the arm, leading to weakness, loss of sensation, or even paralysis.
- Procedures: Nerve repair and grafting are used to restore movement and feeling in the arm, often involving complex reconstructions.
Neurological reconstruction Perth
What is neurological reconstruction and why would I need it?
Neurological reconstruction focuses on restoring damaged nerves throughout the upper limb, from the fingers to the shoulder. It’s often necessary after severe injuries, trauma, or strokes that damage nerves, leading to loss of movement, sensation, or even complete paralysis in certain areas. These procedures are complex and require a specialist like Dr O’Beirne, who has extensive experience in treating major nerve damage.
Dr O’Beirne uses nerve transfer techniques to help re-establish communication between the brain and the affected muscles. During the procedure, a healthy nerve is redirected to replace a damaged one, helping restore lost function. This approach is particularly effective for restoring movement in your fingers, wrists, or even upper arm muscles.
Here’s why it could be right for you:
- Restores movement and sensation: Nerve transfers can bring back significant movement and sensation, helping you regain use of your hand, wrist, or arm.
- Tailored approach: Dr O’Beirne may combine nerve and tendon transfers for the best possible results, depending on the severity and location of the injury.
- High success rate: Around 83% of nerve transfers and 90% of tendon transfers successfully restore function, making this approach a promising option for recovery.
Dr Alex O’Beirne | Hand Surgeon Perth
Why Dr O'Beirne became a wrist, elbow and hand surgeon
Dr O’Beirne’s passion for hand surgery and upper limb surgery in general started as a child when his uncle suffered a severe arm injury in a car accident. At the time, it wasn’t clear that the injury was a brachial plexus injury, but multiple surgeries couldn’t fully restore function. Seeing this struggle inspired Dr O’Beirne’s early interest in finding better ways to treat nerve injuries.
“As a child, watching my uncle live with limited function inspired me to find better ways to help people regain movement and strength—something that still drives me every day as an orthopaedic surgeon.”
Motivated by a TV show called The Six Million Dollar Man, he pursued advanced training in orthopaedic and hand surgery to help people regain lost movement.
Why choose Dr O'Beirne as your hand surgeon
At Western Orthopaedic Clinic, we only work with surgeons we’d trust with our own families. Dr O’Beirne’s expertise and patient-focused approach make him a standout choice. With a warm, understanding manner and a commitment to getting the best results, he’s here to help you regain hand function—whether it’s through repairing fractures or reanimating nerves.