A simple injection is providing a ‘quick fix’ solution to the two million British sufferers of claw hand. Also known as trigger finger – or by the medical name Dupuytren’s contracture ...

Wearing a special splint at night can help but does not cure the underlying problem. And while steroid injections into the hand have been tried, they only have a 50 per cent success rate.

It didn't cause pain, but as the ring and little fingers curled into his palm, simple tasks became impossible for the former Newsnight presenter.