The term “hand surgeon” can be misleading. Hand surgeons also treat patients with wrist, forearm, elbow, and often shoulder problems, as well as the hand. Additionally, hand surgeons don’t just do surgery. A hand surgeon is a specialized doctor who is trained in the non-surgical and surgical treatment of most hand and upper extremity conditions.

After completing a residency in general, plastic, or orthopaedic surgery, hand surgeons complete an additional year of fellowship training in the conditions unique to the hand and arm. The complete care of the hand involves specialized techniques in orthopaedic, plastic, neurologic, arthroscopic, and microvascular surgery — combining features from multiple surgical specialties. The hand is one of the most complicated parts of the body, and because of this, extra training is helpful to take care of hand conditions.

Over the last several decades, there has been progress in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions. New procedures have been invented and research has been published. Raleigh Hand Center physicians and therapists stay informed of the latest developments in hand care though weekly conferences and national meetings. National board certification is available in both orthopaedic surgery and hand surgery, and all Raleigh Hand Center physicians are board certified.

If you or a loved one has a hand or arm problem, consider consulting with a hand surgeon.

Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center doctors are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome as well as many other conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, they are carpal tunnel syndrome doctors, as well as upper extremity surgeons. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve problem in the hand and arm. It results from increased pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, within the carpal tunnel. Hand numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain occur if the nerve is pinched in the carpal tunnel. Patients often wake up at night with the hand numb and shake out the hand to help the symptoms. 

The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist which contains the median nerve and tendons of the hand. The carpal tunnel is a tight space. The median nerve is at risk for compression within this tunnel. If there is abnormal swelling or injury to this area, the median nerve can be irritated.

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome commonly feel “numbness” or “tingling” in the fingers. Some patients feel that the fingers are asleep. Symptoms often wake patients up at night. Some patients report increased symptoms while gripping a steering wheel. Dropping objects, clumsiness with the hands, or a weak grip are also common. Some people also report pain in the forearm, wrist or fingers. In severe cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb can become weak and atrophy.

Often the diagnosis can be made on the basis of your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. A nerve test can be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options include therapy, splints, steroid injections, medications, and small incision carpal tunnel release surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Doctors

Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center doctors are experts in carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis and treatment. They are board certified by the ABOS. Please call our office for a consultation in Raleigh NC. Surgery and non-surgical care is available. 

Distal Radius Fracture

Dr. John Erickson of Raleigh Hand Center presented at UNC Orthopedic Hand Conference on Monday, 4/23/2018. His talk was titled “Preventing Complications in Distal Radius Fracture Surgery.” Local area hand surgeons, therapists, radiology staff, and ortho residents were in attendance. 

Dr. George Edwards, III recently published an article in the journal “Advances in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery”. His study involved children with thumb abnormalities from birth, and evaluated surgery which could improve the child’s hand function. Dr. Edwards and colleagues at the University of Southern California performed bilateral pollicization surgeries for children with thumb hypoplasia or thumb absence. Here is a link to the article, click here

Dr. Terry Messer returns from a week-long medical mission trip to Leon, Nicaragua. 

“I recently traveled to Nicaragua with a group of doctors and nurses.  We are part of a group called COAN, a Triangle based group founded nearly 20 years ago, whose mission is to improve the quality of orthopeadic care in Nicaragua.  On our first day there, we saw more than 80 patients in the clinic with a variety of orthopedic problems, ranging from simple problems like carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger, to more complex problems like distal radius malunions, recurrent shoulder dislocations, severe ankle arthritis, and scoliosis.  Throughout the remainder of the week, we performed more than 30 surgeries, and we helped teach the orthopedic surgery residents and attendings at HEODRA Hospital in Leon.  In the end, our team left feeling like we received much more than we gave.  I look forward to returning to Nicaragua next year!”  — Dr. Messer, Raleigh Hand Center

Dr Messer and COAN in Nicaragua

Dr. George Edwards III of Raleigh Hand Center passed the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery examination. He is officially board-certified in orthopedics. Congratulations Dr. Edwards!