What's a Hand Surgeon?

Patients often assume that hand surgeons are orthopedic surgeons; however, this is not always the case. The definition of a "hand surgeon" slightly varies with each type of hand surgeon.
 
Depending on your comfort level and needs, inquire about your hand surgeon's residency training. You will want to choose a hand specialist who is not only board-certified in orthopedic, plastic, or general surgery but has also passed a rigorous certifying examination in the subspecialty of hand surgery. Only those hand surgeons who pass this certifying examination can become members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Orthopedic Surgery Hand Surge​on

The most common type of hand surgeon is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who, besides five years of orthopedic surgery training, has completed one to two years of hand surgery fellowship training. In addition to hand and wrist specialty training, orthopedic hand surgeons receive specialized additional training in elbow surgery. We are finger-to-elbow experts and fix ALL musculoskeletal injuries and conditions that can affect the hand, wrist, and elbow.
 
Some of the most common upper extremity injuries and conditions we treat are sport Injuries, traumatic injuries, scaphoid injuries, nerve injuries, finger injuries, overuse injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and severe arthritis. Orthopedic hand surgeons are trained to perform the most complex procedures, fix broken bones, implant nerve grafts, perform nerve repair and nerve reconstruction, perform orthopedic reconstructive surgery including replacing the native joint with an artificial joint.

Plastic Surgery Hand Surgeon

Board-certified plastic surgeons can complete a one to two-year hand surgery fellowship to practice hand and wrist surgery. Although they are not trained to fix hand and wrist fractures during their plastic surgery residency, they learn this skill during their hand surgery fellowship. They are not qualified to repair orthopedic-related injuries above the wrist. However, they are considered experts in skin grafts and skin flaps.
 

General Surgery Hand Surgeon

Like plastic surgeons, board-certified general surgeons can complete a one to two-year hand surgery fellowship to practice hand and wrist surgery. They are not trained to fix hand and wrist fractures during their general surgery residency and learn this skill during their hand surgery fellowship. They are not qualified to repair orthopedic-related injuries above the wrist. However, they are very skilled in blood vessel injury repairs.
 
​Find a Hand Surgeon in Your Area to locate a qualified hand surgeon for you.ed hand surgeon for you.
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​You can also read a more in-depth article on How to Find the Best Hand Surgeon.
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