Didactic Curriculum

Our didactic curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation to the study of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The goal is to supplement the hands-on clinical knowledge our fellows gain through their one-on-one mentorship with staff. A core of approximately 50 lectures is given over the year. In addition, our surgeons conduct three hands-on courses as well.

Additionally, our staff and fellows engage in monthly Journal Clubs to review and critique recent literature, M&M conferences, a series of anatomic dissections, and a monthly Difficult Problem Conference where one or two patients are evaluated by our staff and fellows. Suggestions are then made regarding further treatment options through a round-table discussion.

Flap Course

• Principles of soft tissue coverage of the upper extremity
• Local flaps for hand & UE coverage
• Regional and distant flaps
  

Tendon Transfer Course

• Introduction and principles of tendon transfer
• Radial nerve palsy and transfers
• Ulnar nerve palsy and transfers
• Median nerve and combined palsy and transfers
• AO course on fracture fixation in the hand and upper extremity
  

Shoulder Arthroscopy Labs (2-3 sessions)

• Knot tying
• DAM Lab—instability and SLAP
• DAM Lab—rotator cuff repair
  

Didactic Lecture Topics

1. Fingertip & nail bed injury and repair
2. Splinting and casting 101
3. X-ray evaluation of the upper extremity
4. Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures
5. Extensor tendon anatomy and acute injury
6. Flexor tendon anatomy and repair
7. Introduction to microsurgery/replantation surgery
8. Infections of the hand (Dr. Bunce)
9. Nerve injury and repair/reconstruction
10. E & M coding
11. Wrist examination/arthroscopy
12. Compression neuropathy – CTS/CuTS
13. Evaluation of the work comp patient/cumulative trauma
14. Tendonitis about the wrist – DeQuervain's, intersection, FCU, ECU
15. Compartment syndrome/Volkmann's
16. Elbow exam/arthroscopy
17. Principles of soft tissue coverage 1 – local and regional flaps
18. Flexor tendon tenolysis and chronic reconstruction
19. Chronic extensor tendon injury – mallet, swan-neck, boutonniere, sagittal band
20. PPI evaluation
21. Scaphoid fracture and nonunion
22. Benign tumors of the upper extremity
23. Shoulder physical exam and arthroscopy
24. Sports injuries – gamekeeper's mallet, FDP, avulsion, hamate hook, etc.
25. PIP joint fracture/dislocation
26. Dupuytren's contracture
27. Congenital malformations
28. Distal radius fractures/malunion/nonunion
29. Rheumatoid arthritis 1 – soft tissue deformity/wrist reconstruction
30. Rheumatoid arthritis 2 – MP and PIP arthroplasty
31. Elbow instability
32. Carpal dislocation/other carpal bonx Rx
33. Kienbock's
34. Chronic regional pain syndrome
35. Scleroderma/vascular disease/ulnar artery
36. Principles of soft tissue coverage 2 – free flaps
37. OA/post-traumatic – thumb and digits
38. OA/post-traumatic DJD – wrist – PRC, 4-corner, total fusion, arthroplasty
39. Elbow contracture/heterotopic ossification/arthroplasty
40. Medial and lateral epicondylitis/distal biceps tendon injury/triceps
41. Cerebral palsy
42. Congenital thumb problems
43. Thumb reconstruction/microvascular
44. Extravasation/high-pressure injury
45. Malignant tumors of the upper extremity
46. Shoulder rotator cuff disease
47. Amputation/prosthetics – digit, ray, forearm
48. Thermal and chemical burns of the upper extremity
49. Brachial plexus palsy
50. Stroke/tetraplegia
    

Anatomy Dissections

• Cadaver elbow
• Cadaver wrist
• Cadaver hand/finger
• Cadaver thumb/palm
• Cadaver forearm
• Cadaver shoulder
  

* Note: The anatomy lab is available throughout the year for fellow dissections.