Dr Richard Tee

MBBS, PhD, FRACS (Plast)

Plastic Reconstructive Hand Surgeon

Hand and Wrist Surgery

Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Reconstructive Microsurgery

Dr Richard Tee is a Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgeon and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). He specialises in hand and wrist surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and microsurgical reconstruction.

Dr Tee is passionate about restoring hand function, relieving pain, and helping patients return to work, independence, and activities they enjoy.

Hand & Wrist Surgery

Dr Tee completed specialist training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery through the RACS training program, gaining extensive experience in hand and wrist surgery across major centres in Australia and New Zealand.

He then completed a dedicated Hand & Wrist Fellowship at Dandenong Hospital, Monash Health, working alongside leading orthopaedic hand surgeons. This dual exposure to plastic and orthopaedic hand surgery provides a comprehensive, balanced approach to hand care.

He manages a full range of hand and wrist conditions, including:

• Traumatic injuries

• Fractures and tendon injuries

• Nerve injuries and nerve compression (e.g., carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel)

• Tendon and ligament conditions

• Thumb and wrist arthritis

• Chronic wrist pain and instability

Dr Tee also offers joint denervation surgery for selected patients with thumb base, small joint, and wrist arthritis — an emerging procedure that can reduce pain while preserving joint motion and delaying the need for joint replacement. His work in this area is supported by a research grant from the Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS).

In 2025, he was selected as the Australian representative for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) International Travelling Fellowship, joining 12 surgeons globally to visit centres of excellence in the United States.

Microsurgical Reconstruction

Dr Tee holds a PhD in Tissue Engineering and Microsurgery from the University of Melbourne, undertaken with Professor Wayne Morrison — a pioneer of microsurgery in Australia.

He has undertaken further advanced microsurgical training in:

• Australia & New Zealand

• Taiwan

• Sweden

• Japan, USA (visiting fellowships)

Dr Tee uses microsurgery to reconstruct complex defects after trauma, cancer surgery, or infection. His areas of expertise include:

• Soft-tissue reconstruction

• Free flap surgery

• Limb salvage and reconstruction

• Bone and joint reconstruction

• Nerve Transfer, nerve repair and nerve grafting

Research and Education

Dr Tee has published widely in hand surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and microsurgical reconstruction. His research focuses on:

• Neural pathways of joint pain in the hand and wrist

• Nerve transfer surgery

• Innovations in microsurgery and limb reconstruction

He remains active in teaching and mentoring junior surgeons and medical students.

Philosophy of Care

Dr Tee believes in evidence-based, meticulous surgery, clear communication, and a team-based approach. He works closely with patients, hand therapists, GPs, and specialist colleagues to ensure coordinated, high-quality care.

His goal is simple:

Restoring form and function and helping patient return to daily living

Professional Memberships

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

• Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS)

• Australian Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM)