Miss Philippa Rust

Miss Philippa Rust is a highly experienced Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon specialising in the diagnosis, treatment and surgical management of a wide range of hand, wrist and upper limb conditions. Uniquely trained in both Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, she performs the full spectrum of hand and wrist procedures, combining expertise in musculoskeletal surgery, microsurgery, reconstruction and trauma care to deliver exceptional patient outcomes.

Miss Rust developed a specialist interest in hand and wrist surgery early in her career, drawn by the complexity of hand anatomy and the vital role that hand function plays in everyday life. Her clinical practice focuses exclusively on conditions affecting the hand and wrist, enabling her to provide highly specialised assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for patients with both common and complex disorders.

She trained in London as an Orthopaedic Surgeon with a focus on hand and wrist surgery before completing a prestigious Plastic Hand Surgery Fellowship at the renowned Windsor Hand Clinic in Berkshire. During this period, she became one of the first surgeons in the UK to be awarded the Diploma of Hand Surgery by the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH), recognising her advanced expertise in this highly specialised field.

Miss Rust subsequently completed further specialist fellowships in Australia, gaining advanced experience in plastic and reconstructive microsurgery, hand reconstruction, nerve surgery, tendon repair, and complex upper limb trauma. At the Bernard O'Brien Institute in Melbourne, she developed expertise in microsurgical procedures used to restore function following severe injury, nerve damage and tissue loss. She further refined her skills in complex trauma surgery and upper limb reconstruction at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, treating patients with severe fractures, soft tissue injuries and complex reconstructive needs.

She is particularly recognised for her expertise in wrist arthroscopy, a minimally invasive keyhole surgery procedure used to diagnose and treat a variety of wrist conditions. As one of the few surgeons in Scotland routinely performing this advanced technique, she is able to offer patients smaller incisions, less tissue trauma, reduced postoperative pain and faster rehabilitation compared with traditional open surgery.

Miss Rust's specialist clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
•  Trigger finger
•  Dupuytren's disease
• Ganglion cysts
• Arthritis of the hand and wrist
• Tendon injuries
• Ligament injuries
• Sports-related hand and wrist injuries
• Nerve compression syndromes
• Thumb basal joint arthritis
• Scaphoid injuries and fractures
• Wrist instability
• Complex hand trauma
• Peripheral nerve injuries
• Hand and wrist fractures
  

She performs a wide range of specialist procedures, including carpal tunnel release surgery, trigger finger release, Dupuytren's contracture surgery, joint injections, wrist arthroscopy, fracture fixation, tendon reconstruction, ligament reconstruction, microsurgical nerve repair, joint-preserving surgery, small joint replacement procedures, and reconstructive surgery following trauma. She also offers comprehensive non-surgical treatment options, including splinting, steroid injections, hand therapy, rehabilitation programmes and conservative management where appropriate.

Since 2010, Miss Rust has worked as a Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon in Edinburgh, holding appointments within the Plastic Surgery Unit at St John's Hospital and the Orthopaedic Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Her entire practice is dedicated to hand and wrist surgery, providing specialist care through dedicated clinics for patients requiring expert diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

Alongside her clinical work, Miss Rust has an outstanding academic and research record. In 2003, she was awarded an MD (Doctor of Medicine) from University College London for her research into bone tissue engineering and its application in the treatment of bone defects and skeletal reconstruction. Her expertise in this field has led to invitations to lecture internationally on regenerative medicine, bone healing and reconstructive techniques.

Miss Rust has received numerous national and international research awards, secured competitive research funding in both the UK and Australia, and authored more than 27 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Her continued involvement in research ensures that patients benefit from the latest evidence-based treatments, innovative surgical techniques and advances in hand and wrist surgery.

Patients seeking specialist care for hand pain, wrist pain, nerve compression, arthritis, sports injuries, fractures, tendon injuries, microsurgery, hand reconstruction, wrist arthroscopy and upper limb trauma benefit from Miss Rust's extensive surgical expertise, advanced microsurgical skills and commitment to delivering personalised, patient-centred care.