Acknowledgments

Charles is indebted to the following colleagues, friends and family:

My NHS Hand Therapist Jill Gillespie, who not only has drawn the illustrations and supplied the hand therapy instructions, but also has been a wonderful supportive colleague over the past few years as well as being an outstanding therapist.

John Mackenzie, Consultant Anaesthetist who works with me both at the Royal Berkshire Hospital but also privately. He has developed a particular skill in regional anaesthesia and pain management.

My Hand Therapist at Capio Reading Hospital is Cathy Cronin, offering a comprehensive upper limb physiotherapy service.

My American friend David L Nelson MD has proved to be a source of invaluable information and his enthusiasm is infective. His website provided me with considerable inspiration.

I would like to acknowledge my original mentor in hand surgery Peter Burge, Consultant Hand Surgeon (at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford) for his support, encyclopaedic mind and sound judgement.

I am indebted to all the people who I work with in all the different departments.

My private secretary, Edwina Butler has provided steadfast consistency over the years making my private practice a joy. My NHS secretary at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Gill Bloor has just started and is settling in fantastically.

Finally I must recognise my wife, Helen who has always been there when I needed her.