Mr Raj Ragoowansi

Mr Raj Ragoowansi is a Senior Consultant with 21+ years’ experience in the NHS and leads the Plastic & Hand Surgery department at Barts Health NHS Trust.  From the elective surgery aspect, his specialist interests include nerve compression (carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel), benign swellings of the hand including ganglions, trigger finger and joint/tendon sequelae of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

He is also available for emergency hand surgery including lacerations, tendon divisions, nerve injuries and hand fractures. In close liaison with our hand therapy team at HJE, he provides a bespoke, efficient hand service with excellent bedside manner, contemporary surgery technical skills and an efficient office which facilitates the patient’s journey.

He graduated in Medicine and Surgery from St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, London with the final year elective spent at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. He was awarded the Smith & Nephew Surgical Prize for a dissertation on ‘Evolution of Sutures in Surgery’.

After completion of training in General Surgery and the Fellowship of the Royal College Of Surgeons of England (FRCS), higher training in Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery was undertaken in London, East Grinstead and Chelmsford. International fellowships in hand and wrist surgery were undertaken in USA, France and India. Awarded several research and clinical grants from the British Association of Plastic Surgeons and British Society for Surgery of the Hand to study the molecular mechanisms and treatment of abnormal scar/tendon adhesion formation. He has authored over 30 papers in peer reviewed Plastic and Hand Surgery and is a full member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).

Specialist areas of interest include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Nerve compression in the wrist that leads to pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand. Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery relieves pressure on the median nerve, restoring hand strength and function.
• Dupuytren’s Contracture – Thickening of tissue in the palm, leading to progressive finger contractures. Treatment options include Needle Fasciotomy, a minimally invasive technique for early-stage cases, and Fasciectomy, the surgical removal of thickened tissue in more advanced cases to restore finger movement.
• Trigger Finger Surgery – A condition where swollen tendons restrict normal finger movement, often causing the finger to lock. Surgery releases the tendon, restoring smooth movement.
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis – Inflammation in the tendons of the thumb, often due to repetitive movements. Treatment may involve surgical tendon release to relieve pressure and restore movement.​
• Hand Tendon Repair & Grafting – Restoring function in damaged or ruptured tendons to improve mobility and strength.
• Ganglions – Benign fluid-filled swellings commonly found on the wrist or fingers, which can cause discomfort or restrict movement. Treatment options include Observation for mild, asymptomatic cases, Aspiration to drain fluid and provide temporary relief, and Surgical Excision for persistent or painful ganglions, with ligament repair if necessary to prevent recurrence.
• Nerve Compression Syndromes – Treatment for conditions like Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and Radial Tunnel Syndrome, where nerve compression leads to pain, weakness, and numbness in the hand and arm.
• Finger Joint Stabilisation for Arthritis – Joint fusion or replacement procedures to relieve arthritis-related pain and improve mobility.
• Nail bed surgery