Hand, wrist and shoulder surgery: Skilled hands to heal yours

Injuries to your hands, wrists, elbows or shoulders can make it hard for you to work, exercise or even give a hug. At UW Health, we believe you shouldn’t have to miss out on doing the things you love.

Meet our team

Experts in their field

The right diagnosis and treatment plan is the first step in relieving your pain. Our skilled team includes orthopedic surgeons and plastic surgeons with special training in hands, wrists and elbows.

Our providers

Conditions and treatments

Surgical repair for common and complex injuries

From the repetitive stress of carpal tunnel syndrome to major concerns of a traumatic injury, our surgeons can help with a wide range of conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and upper arm.

Our team treats a range of conditions, including:

  • Arthritis 

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Congenital hand deformities

  • Distal radius fractures

  • Elbow arthritis or instability

  • Extensor and flexor tendon injuries

  • Hand and wrist fractures

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Shoulder arthritis  

  • Traumatic injuries 

Our team includes specialists who are experts in microsurgery. They are skilled at repairing the small blood vessels in the hands and fingers. Microsurgery is just one treatment option we offer. Others include:

  • Arthritic reconstructions

    • Elbow ligament reconstruction

    • Elbow replacement or resurfacing

  • Hand surgery 

  • Joint replacement

  • Nerve repair

  • Post-trauma reconstruction surgery

  • Upper extremity surgery

Programs

Care beyond complex surgery

Surgery is just one step toward improved movement and function.

Our team also includes occupational therapists who are certified hand therapists. The team works together to make sure you have the very best recovery.

Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation Clinic 

UW Health’s Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation Clinic offers the care you need after surgery. Our certified hand therapists work closely with your UW Health surgeon to develop a rehabilitation plan that’s best for you.

Certified hand therapists work closely with referring physicians and the patient to provide a continuum of care often starting within days of injury or surgery and progressing through the patient's rehabilitation.

This continuum of care eliminates the need for multiple medical providers and duplicated care, resulting in decreased recovery time and medical costs. Improved functional outcomes ensure a quicker return to work and a productive lifestyle.

Services include:

  • Patient education

  • Wound/scar management

  • Edema and lymphedema management

  • Splinting

  • Strengthening/range-of-motion programs

  • Joint mobilization

  • Work preparation and adaptive self-care

  • Management of acute or chronic pain

  • Desensitization and sensory re-education

  • A wide range of modalities, including ultrasound, fluidotherapy, iontophoresis, hot/cold packs, paraffin

Benefits of upper extremity and hand rehabilitation

Patient outcomes are maximized as a result of accurate assessment and effective treatment. The intricate anatomy of the arm and hand combined with the technical complexity of newer surgical procedures performed on the arm and hand necessitates a higher level of competency and advanced skills and knowledge for successful outcomes.

The expertise of a hand therapist leads to quick identification of pathology and complex problems. Certified hand therapists are required to re-certify every five years in order to ensure clinical competence. Continuing education is a requirement for re-certification.

Hand therapists work closely with the referring physician and the patient to provide a continuum of care often starting within days of injury or surgery and progressing through the patient's rehabilitation. This continuum of care eliminates the need for multiple medical providers and duplicated care, resulting in decreased recovery time and decreased medical costs. Improved functional outcomes ensure faster return to work and a productive lifestyle.

Referring physicians

To refer your patients to the Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation Clinic, send a written MD prescription/consult for Occupational Therapy/Hand to the Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation Clinic, or fax to (608) 262-7679.

Locations

Convenient locations for care and follow-up

Our team sees patients at three Madison locations.