Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

Hand and upper extremity surgeons evaluate and treat diseases, degenerative conditions, tumors and injuries of the hand and upper extremity, with surgical and non surgical methods.  Hand and upper extremity surgery encompasses the shoulder to the fingertips, but some hand surgeons may choose to exclude the shoulder.

All orthopaedic and plastic surgeons receive training in hand surgery.   Subspecialist hand surgeons pursue a minimum of one year of additional hand surgery fellowship training after completion of orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, or general surgery residency training.  Hand surgeons are qualified and trained in all aspects of surgery of the hand, including orthopaedic, plastic, vascular surgery, endoscopic/arthroscopic surgery and microsurgery techniques. 

The most frequently treated disorders in hand surgery include fractures, nerve or tendon injuries, various forms of tendonitis, growths and tumors, and nerve compression disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Conditions treated by a hand surgeon include:

• acute injuries including amputations, crush injuries, burns, lacerations, or complex injuries.  Such injuries may involve skin, tendon, nerve, blood vessels, bones, joints, or ligaments;
• “repetitive” injuries such as sports or work injuries;
• degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis;
• inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infection;
• growths and tumors of the hand;
• congenital (birth related) or developmental conditions of the hand in children.

In addition to the hand surgeons of Webster Orthopaedic, our group includes a hand therapy unit.  Hand therapists receive additional hand therapy training in addition to training and qualification in physical therapy or occupational therapy.  The hand and physical therapists of Webster Orthopaedic work with the physicians to provide integrated care of the hand and upper extremity.