Your First Consultation
What to bring, what happens at your visit, and why seeing the surgeon does not mean you will need an operation.
Patient resources
Clear, practical information to help you understand your condition and prepare for treatment and recovery.
Patient Information Guides
Read online or download to keep
Practical, plain-language guides in three steps — understanding your problem, your surgery and recovery, and the practical detail. Each guide can be read on screen or downloaded as a print-ready A4 PDF.
Seeing a surgeon does not always mean surgery. Most shoulder, elbow and hand problems are treated without an operation first — with physiotherapy, medication, splints or an injection. When surgery is the best option, it is fully explained before any decision is made.
1
Before treatment — understand & prepare
What to Expect: Your Surgery Journey
The whole journey at a glance — from consultation and decision to the day of surgery, recovery and follow-up.
Understanding Common Shoulder Conditions
Rotator cuff tears, instability, frozen shoulder and shoulder arthritis, explained in plain language.
Common Hand & Wrist Conditions
Carpal tunnel, trigger finger, De Quervain’s and cubital tunnel — symptoms and the options that help.
2
Your surgery & recovery
After Your Surgery: Recovery & Care
Your sling, wound care, pain relief, the do’s and don’ts, and the warning signs to act on.
Your Recovery Timeline
A week-by-week guide to driving, work, sleep, physiotherapy and getting back to sport.
3
Practical information
Medical Scheme & Practical Information
Pre-authorisation, PMBs, ICD-10 codes, co-payments, and what to bring to the rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on pain, anaesthetic, driving, work, costs and consent.
Each guide is written for a South African context and is currently marked “draft for clinical review” pending Dr Julyan’s approval before publication.
Common Conditions
Conditions we treat
A guide to some of the problems seen most often - not a substitute for a professional assessment.
Rotator cuff tears
Pain, weakness and night-time discomfort in the shoulder, often from wear or injury.
Shoulder instability
A shoulder that dislocates, slips or feels loose, commonly after a sports injury.
Frozen shoulder
Progressive stiffness and pain that limits everyday movement of the shoulder.
Tennis & golfer's elbow
Pain over the inner or outer elbow from tendon overload.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Numbness, tingling and night pain in the hand from nerve compression at the wrist.
Osteoarthritis
Joint pain and stiffness that may benefit from injections or joint replacement.
Surgery Guidance
Before & after your operation
Before surgery (pre-op)
- Complete any blood tests, scans or assessments requested by the rooms.
- Share a full list of your medications - some may need to be paused.
- Arrange pre-authorisation with your medical scheme (the rooms will help).
- Stop eating and drinking as instructed before your admission time.
- Arrange a lift home and help at home for the first few days.
After surgery (post-op)
- Follow your sling, dressing and wound-care instructions closely.
- Take pain medication as prescribed and keep the limb elevated when advised.
- Begin your physiotherapy or hand-therapy exercises on schedule.
- Watch for warning signs - increasing pain, fever or spreading redness.
- Keep your follow-up appointments so progress can be checked.
These are general guides only. Always follow the specific instructions given to you by Dr Julyan and the nursing team.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?
The rooms are happy to help. Get in touch and the team will guide you.
Contact the rooms