In this on-demand webinar, Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Rupert Wharton explores the medico-legal complexities of hand and wrist injuries. From functional loss to psychological impact, he highlights how expert assessment can separate genuine trauma from degeneration or exaggeration.

About the Speaker

Mr Rupert Wharton is a Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon based in London, specialising in hand and wrist pathology. He treats both trauma and elective conditions and provides medico-legal reports in personal injury cases. He holds British and European diplomas in Hand Surgery and draws on evidence-based literature in clinical and legal analysis.

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Webinar Highlights: Key Medico-Legal Insights

• Thumb stability loss can be severely disabling - even with minor range-of-motion reduction.
• Middle and index fingers are essential for precision; ring/little fingers influence grip strength.
• Surface anatomy helps identify potential nerve damage from lacerations.
• PROMs like DASH and PEM scores can uncover inconsistencies or signs of exaggeration.
• Common confounders include pre-existing asymptomatic arthritis and malingering behaviour.

Case Highlights

• Ulnar Shaft Fracture: A straightforward fracture from a road traffic collision with suboptimal healing. Clear causation, predictable prognosis, and literature-based outcome reporting.
• Ligament Injury Post-Uber Collision: A delivery rider with delayed treatment and high PEM score but relatively low DASH score. Hand calluses suggested continued use. Mr Wharton flagged discrepancies for further evaluation.
• SLAC Wrist Misattribution: A 63-year-old with wrist arthritis and ligament instability. Historic x-rays showed degenerative changes predating the accident. Expert literature cited to argue that the injury was not causative but possibly precipitant.
• Possible Malingering Case: A 75-year-old with fluctuating knee symptoms inconsistent with prior records and physical presentation. Mr Wharton raised the possibility of functional overlay or dishonesty.

Read the full medico-legal article here >