The cost of medical care has increased significantly in the United States in recent years. Due to changes in health insurance plans, many patients are now responsible for paying a larger portion of the cost associated with the treatment they receive. These out-of-pocket costs cause difficulties for many families. Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center physicians are aware of the financial burden of medical expenses for patients and strive to reduce costs in several ways.

The Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center has been committed to providing high-quality and cost-effective treatment for many years. Since the founding of the Center, Raleigh Hand has remained an independent practice in the community. Independent physician practices have been shown to be less expensive than hospital-owned practices in recent studies.

Cost-Effective Treatment Options

Cost-effective treatment begins with providing appropriate, necessary medical care to patients. Conservative treatment options are emphasized at Raleigh Hand to Shoulder. The doctors recommend surgery only when it is necessary. Also, MRIs, CT scans, nerve tests, and other expensive tests are only ordered when required for treatment. Providing value-based care can reduce the overall cost to the patient and community.

Additionally, Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center offers same day and next day appointments for patients with urgent problems, which reduces the need for costly emergency room visits. Avoiding the ER can save patients both time and money! The physicians are also on-call 24/7 to help triage emergency cases from doctors’ offices, urgent cares, and emergency rooms to expedite patient treatment.

Affordable Outpatient Surgery in Wake County

Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center physicians perform the majority of their outpatient surgeries at Capital City Surgery Center, which charges a much lower facility fee than local-area hospitals. Additionally, the price of equipment and implants used during surgery has been negotiated with manufacturers to keep these costs down.  Many hand procedures can be performed using local anesthesia only, avoiding the anesthesiologist’s fee. Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center physicians maintain a low infection rate and low complication rate, reducing the need for secondary surgeries or additional treatment.  Less-invasive surgery is available in many cases, allowing patients a more rapid return to their work and livelihood. Some surgical procedures can be done in the office, which is another major cost savings for patients.

Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center physicians have been listed as preferred providers by several insurance companies by providing high-quality care at a low cost. They are also part of the high value specialty network by a local health care organization.

Payment plans are available for patients with high deductible insurance plans. Find out more at the Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center office.

We are proud to announce the addition of Emily Coronado, OTD, OTR/L to the Raleigh Hand to Shoulder therapy department! Emily has undergone extensive training at Duke University Medical Center and has received a doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Emily has experience in occupational therapy, hand therapy, and she is interested in pursuing her certification in hand therapy (CHT). When she is not at work Emily enjoys weight lifting, salsa dancing, swimming, and cooking. Emily is also bilingual and speaks Spanish fluently. Welcome Emily!

All the doctors at Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center are double board-certified in orthopedic and hand surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Find out more about the high standards of the board certification process at www.abos.org

The doctors and staff at the Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center are proud to announce their practice mission statement: “To improve the lives of our patients with compassionate, trusted, and cost-effective care.” We look to this mission statement in our everyday practice as a guiding principle in caring for our patients.

Effective 10/28/2024 we will no longer be open on Saturdays. Our doctors are always on call 24-7 for patients with urgent problems. Call our office at 919-872-3171 and you can speak to a board-certified hand surgeon after hours and on weekends. Our doctors can help triage conditions and treat patients promptly.

Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center doctors are designated Tier 1 with Cigna and Premium Specialty Status with United HealthCare insurance companies! They have also been designated a high value specialist practice by the WakeMed Key Community ACO. This designation is assigned to doctors and practices who provide high value healthcare for their patients.

Andrea Lueken, OTR/L CHT grew up in Minnesota where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Art. She then received her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Eastern Michigan University in Yspilanti, MI. Andrea moved to Chicago, IL and discovered her passion for upper extremity rehabilitation and orthopedics while working in hospital outpatient programs. Andrea began working for Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center in 2011. She obtained her Certification in Hand Therapy (CHT) that same year. She enjoys being creative in helping her patients return to their function. When she is not at Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center, Andrea is driving her two boys to their baseball and basketball games. Andrea also stays busy with her 2 year-old golden retriever Evie who requires constant pets and tennis ball throws! When her boys and dog are finally tired, Andrea mostly enjoys sleeping, reading, playing volleyball, gardening, and baking.

Dr. James Post of Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center discussed treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis involving the wrist. Orthopedic surgery residents, hand therapy, and Raleigh area hand surgeons were in attendance. Watch the video below to learn more about this condition.

Dr John Erickson was raised in El Paso, Texas. His father was an officer in the US Army, and the Erickson family settled in El Paso after his father retired from the military. As a youth, Dr. Erickson developed a love of the outdoors, was active in Boy Scouts, and earned the Eagle Scout Award. He went to medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Michigan, where he met his wife, Kimberly. He has been with the Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center since he finished his hand surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University in 2010. 

While he was deciding where to “hang his shingle” after training, Dr. Erickson was immediately interested in the Raleigh Hand practice. He was impressed with the camaraderie among the surgeons, the integration of hand therapy within the practice, and the friendliness of the staff members. He says, “Our practice is unique. We are a small family – an independent, very specialized group of doctors and therapists, who really care about delivering high quality care to our patients. This is a great place to work.”

Dr. Erickson is double board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in orthopedic surgery and hand surgery. He was president of the North Carolina Society for Surgery of the Hand in 2021. He also helps to organize weekly hand conferences at WakeMed hospital for orthopedic resident education. 

Dr. Erickson’s approach to patient care is straightforward: he treats people as he would like to be treated. Similar to all the doctors in the Raleigh Hand practice, he begins with conservative treatment recommendations for most conditions. 

Dr. Erickson is married to Dr. Kimberly Erickson, a pediatric surgeon at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. They have one teenage daughter and a rescue dog. The Ericksons are active members of Christ Church in downtown Raleigh. He has participated in volunteer mission trips in medical school and in private practice. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hiking, and being outdoors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Erickson began painting landscape art, and he has turned this into a rewarding hobby.   

Dr John Erickson

When it comes to orthopaedic care, Dr. Terry Messer stands out as a renowned expert in the Triangle area. Learn more about his journey and expertise in the field.

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care in the Triangle Area

Dr. Terry Messer moved to the Triangle in 2001 to join the faculty at UNC in the Department of Orthopaedics, treating patients in clinic and performing surgery at UNC and WakeMed Hospitals.  In 2003, he was one of the founding physicians of Wake Orthopaedics.  However, because of his desire to focus on hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder care, he joined Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center in 2006.  

Patient-Centric Approach to Care

Dr. Messer states “My philosophy in treating patients is to perform a thorough evaluation and do my very best to come up with the correct diagnosis for each patient.  I then try to present the patient with their treatment options and education them on the pros and cons of each option, letting the patient choose the treatment that is best for them.”

Staying at the Forefront of Orthopaedic Innovation

Despite formally leaving academic medicine in 2006, Dr. Messer has stayed up to date on the latest innovations and treatments in hand and upper extremity surgery by being an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Southeastern Hand Society, and North Carolina Society for Surgery of the Hand, having served as President of the latter two organizations.  He also reviews scientific articles for several prestigious research journals including the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 

Making a Difference Beyond Medicine

Dr. Messer is also the President of COAN, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of orthopaedic care in Nicaragua.  He has participated in numerous medical mission trips to Nicaragua where he has taught their orthopaedic surgery attendings and residents and has performed surgery on hundreds of Nicaraguan patients. 

Life Beyond Orthopaedics

Outside of work, Dr. Messer loves to spend time with his wife, three children, and their dog.  Dr. Messer and his family are members of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cary.  Dr. Messer is a sports nut, staying physically active with working out, tennis, golf, and pickleball, and watching all sports on TV.  According to Dr. Messer, he especially likes watching ACC basketball, Penn State and Big Ten Football, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Philadelphia Eagles.  Dr. Messer has also been fortunate to care for many athletes over the years, ranging from weekend warriors to those participating in major league and professional sports.

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Messer Today at Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center

Ready to experience exceptional orthopaedic care from Dr. Terry Messer? Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards improved health and mobility.
Get started today by filling out the form on the right-hand side of this page. You can also give us a call directly using the phone call button and schedule an appointment button, both located at the top of this page.