Hand surgery is a core part of Dr Yaprak's practice — not an occasional add-on. He spent a dedicated year as a Hand Surgery Fellow at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, one of New Zealand's busiest trauma and elective hand surgery units. This fellowship followed his specialist plastic surgery training at Istanbul University, where he performed complex microsurgical reconstructions including digital replantations.
Dr Yaprak's philosophy is straightforward: most hand conditions should be treated conservatively in the first instance. Splinting, physiotherapy, and steroid injections often provide significant relief. Surgery is recommended when conservative measures have failed to provide adequate relief, when there is progressive functional loss, or when the anatomy of the problem makes non-surgical treatment unlikely to succeed. He is experienced in identifying when surgery is necessary — and equally, when it isn't.
Select a condition below to read about symptoms, treatment options, and when surgery may be recommended.
Dupuytren's contracture is a progressive condition where the fascia — a layer of connective tissue beneath the skin of the palm — thickens and contracts, forming cords that pull the fingers into a bent position. The ring and little fingers are most commonly affected. The condition tends to develop slowly over years and is most common in men over 50, particularly those of Northern European descent.
Early signs include a firm nodule in the palm, followed over time by a palpable cord and gradual loss of ability to fully straighten the affected finger. It is typically painless, though the functional limitation can become significant — affecting handshaking, putting hands in pockets, or using tools.
The choice between needle aponeurotomy and fasciectomy depends on the stage and pattern of disease, the fingers involved, and the patient's overall health and circumstances. Dr Yaprak will discuss both options at consultation and recommend the approach most likely to give lasting functional improvement.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel — the narrow passage at the wrist. The median nerve supplies feeling to the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, and is responsible for thumb muscle strength. When it is compressed, the characteristic symptoms develop: numbness and tingling in the hand, often worse at night or on waking, and eventually weakness in grip and pinch.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions treated by hand surgeons. It is more frequent in women and in people with certain medical conditions including hypothyroidism, diabetes, and inflammatory arthritis. It also occurs in pregnancy.
Surgery is indicated when symptoms are persistent despite splinting and injection, when there is progressive weakness or muscle wasting, or when nerve conduction studies confirm significant compression. Recovery of tingling and numbness is usually prompt; recovery of grip strength takes longer.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist — specifically, the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis, which pass through a tight compartment at the base of the thumb. When this compartment becomes inflamed and thickened, movement of the thumb and wrist causes pain and sometimes a catching sensation.
It is particularly common in new mothers (possibly related to the repetitive lifting of infants and to post-pregnancy hormonal changes), but can affect anyone with repetitive thumb or wrist use. The Finkelstein test — bending the thumb across the palm and tilting the wrist — is the characteristic diagnostic test: it reproduces the pain immediately in positive cases.
Trigger finger — technically stenosing tenosynovitis — occurs when the flexor tendon catches on the A1 pulley at the base of the finger, causing a characteristic clicking, locking, or catching sensation when bending and straightening the finger. In more severe cases the finger may lock in a bent position and require passive straightening. It can affect any finger and is more common in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and in women over 50.
Trigger finger is often worse in the morning. Multiple fingers can be affected at once. The condition ranges from mild (occasional clicking) to severe (finger locked in flexion).
Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression condition of the upper limb after carpal tunnel syndrome. It occurs when the ulnar nerve — which passes around the inside of the elbow — becomes compressed or irritated at the cubital tunnel. The ulnar nerve supplies feeling to the little finger and the ring finger (the little-finger side), and powers the small muscles of the hand responsible for fine pinch and grip strength.
Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the little and ring fingers, aching at the inner elbow, and in more advanced cases, weakness of grip and a clawing position of the little and ring fingers. Symptoms are often worse when the elbow is held bent for prolonged periods — such as while sleeping, talking on the phone, or driving.
Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique in which a small fibre-optic camera (arthroscope) is inserted through tiny incisions in the wrist to visualise and treat the structures inside the joint. It is used for conditions that are difficult to assess or treat through open surgery, or where a minimally invasive approach offers faster recovery.
Dr Yaprak trained in wrist arthroscopy with Prof. Christophe Mathoulin at the Institut de la Main in Paris — one of the most respected wrist arthroscopy centres in the world — and has attended IRCAD arthroscopy courses in both Strasbourg and Taiwan. Wrist arthroscopy is a technically demanding procedure that rewards dedicated training.
Wrist arthroscopy is performed under general or regional anaesthetic at Braemar Private Hospital. Small portals are made around the wrist through which the camera and instruments are introduced. It is a day procedure in most cases. Recovery depends on what was found and treated — some patients return to light activities within a few weeks; others require a period of splinting and physiotherapy.
The tendons of the hand are responsible for every movement of the fingers and thumb. Flexor tendons bend the fingers; extensor tendons straighten them. Both can be cut, ruptured, or damaged by injury, and both require skilled surgical repair to restore function.
Tendon repair is one of the most technically demanding areas of hand surgery. The repair must be strong enough to allow early movement, yet fine enough not to impede the tendon's gliding. Timing also matters — the sooner a cut tendon is repaired, the better the outcome, as scar tissue forms quickly and can complicate late repairs.
Tendon repairs are performed at Braemar Private Hospital under general or regional anaesthetic. After surgery, a protective splint is applied and early controlled movement is started under the supervision of a hand therapist — this is important for preventing the repaired tendon from becoming stuck in scar tissue. Full tendon healing takes approximately three months. ACC covers tendon injuries sustained through accident — Dr Yaprak accepts ACC patients with no surcharge.
Fractures of the hand and wrist are among the most common injuries seen in plastic and hand surgery practice. Many fractures of the fingers and hand can be treated non-operatively with splinting or casting — but some fractures are displaced, unstable, or involve joint surfaces in a way that makes surgical fixation necessary to achieve the best outcome.
Dr Yaprak assesses each fracture individually. The goal is always the least invasive treatment that will achieve a stable, well-aligned result and allow early rehabilitation. For straightforward fractures, this may mean a properly applied splint and close follow-up. For more complex injuries, surgical fixation restores alignment and allows earlier movement — which matters enormously for hand function.
Most hand and wrist fractures occurring through an accident are covered by ACC. Dr Yaprak accepts ACC patients for fracture surgery with no ACC surcharge. A GP or emergency department referral is helpful and supports your ACC claim. Please bring your ACC claim number and any X-rays or CT scans to your consultation.
Most common hand procedures can be performed in Dr Yaprak's in-rooms theatre at Waikato Specialist Centre under local anaesthetic — no hospital admission, no general anaesthetic, no overnight stay. More complex cases are performed at Braemar Private Hospital.
83c Tristram Street, Hamilton Central
Performed under local anaesthetic. You arrive, have the procedure, and go home the same day. No fasting required. No general anaesthetic.
General or regional anaesthetic — day surgery
Larger or more complex hand procedures performed at Braemar with a full anaesthetic and surgical team. Day surgery in most cases.
Many hand and wrist conditions treated by Dr Yaprak arise from injury — lacerations, fractures, tendon damage, and nerve injuries. These are frequently covered by ACC, New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme.
Dr Yaprak accepts ACC patients for hand surgery with no ACC surcharge. This means your out-of-pocket cost for covered procedures is significantly reduced — ACC pays the majority of the surgical fee, with no additional levy charged by this practice.
To access ACC-funded hand surgery, you will generally need a referral from your GP or the emergency department where you were first seen. Your GP will lodge the ACC claim and, if the injury is accepted, can refer you to Dr Yaprak for surgical assessment and treatment.
Preferred pathway: See your GP first. Your GP can assess the injury, lodge the ACC claim, and refer you directly to Dr Yaprak. If you have already been to an emergency department, bring your discharge summary and any X-rays or imaging to your appointment. Please also bring your ACC claim number if one has been assigned.
ACC coverage depends on the nature of the injury and ACC's acceptance of the claim. Degenerative conditions (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's contracture) are generally not ACC-covered but may be covered by health insurance.
Dr Yaprak is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider. Carpal tunnel release and many other hand surgery procedures are eligible for Southern Cross cover. For ACC-covered injuries, Dr Yaprak charges no ACC surcharge. Bring your policy details or ACC claim number to your consultation — we will advise on cover and assist with the documentation.
Full year as Hand Surgery Fellow at Middlemore Hospital — one of New Zealand's busiest hand and wrist units
Wrist arthroscopy training with Prof. Christophe Mathoulin in Paris — one of the world's leading wrist arthroscopy surgeons
Surgery only when conservative measures have failed or the anatomy makes non-surgical treatment unlikely to succeed
Carpal tunnel and many hand procedures covered. Dr Yaprak provides the documentation required for your claim
Hand conditions vary enormously — from a single injection visit to a planned surgical procedure with hand therapy follow-up. Here is the typical pathway.
Dr Yaprak examines the hand, reviews any imaging or nerve conduction studies, and discusses your symptoms and functional goals. He will explain your diagnosis clearly and outline the treatment options — conservative and surgical — with honest advice about what is likely to help.
Where appropriate, conservative treatment is tried first — splinting, physiotherapy, steroid injection. If surgery is recommended, a written all-inclusive quote is provided and a surgical date is arranged.
Simpler procedures — carpal tunnel release, trigger finger, needle aponeurotomy, most De Quervain's releases — are performed in-rooms at Waikato Specialist Centre under local anaesthetic. No hospital stay, no general anaesthetic. More complex procedures (fasciectomy, cubital tunnel, wrist arthroscopy, tendon repair, fracture fixation) are performed at Braemar Private Hospital.
Suture removal and wound checks are included. For procedures requiring structured rehabilitation, Dr Yaprak works with hand therapists to support your recovery. Dressings, splints, and follow-up appointments are all coordinated through the practice.
Book a consultation with Dr Yaprak — he will examine your hand, explain your diagnosis clearly, and give you an honest recommendation on whether surgery is the right next step.
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