MEDICAL EDUCATION FOR UPPER EXTREMITY CONDITIONS
There is a common misconception that a hand surgeon treats only the hand. In fact, a hand surgeon is a specialist who has received additional training and developed proficiency in the management of disorders of the hand and upper extremity. This involves at times many surgical disciplines including plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, vascular surgery and neurosurgery. Many problems of the hand and upper extremity involve skin, bone, muscle, tendon, joint, nerve, and vascular conditions which in a coordinated manner must all be treated simultaneously or in a carefully and thoughtfully staged fashion. Total care of hand or upper extremity problems is provided whether they are acute (sudden onset or by injury), chronic, or involving reconstruction of deformities resulting from congenital anomaly, arthritic conditions or previous injury.
