The Upper Hand: Chuck & Chris Talk Hand Surgery

Chuck and Chris discuss "simple" diagnoses that may be overlooked in residency and fellowship training.  Diagnoses like mucous cysts, ganglion cysts, and carpal boss.  We definitely do not agree on management on many of these.  Join us to hear our opinions and always feel free to share yours at handpocast@gmail.com Also, we are in need of a podcast intern!  We would appreciate any referr...

Chuck and Chris discuss their thoughts/ the relevance of  each of the carpal bones and we promise this episode is more fun that you may think .  We discuss how we think about each bone, the pathology associated and the interventions we consider. Thanks to all those who have taken our survey.  For those who have not, please take 2 minutes and help us to better understand your preferences and help u...

Chuck and Chris discuss a new topic- distal biceps rutpures.  This is one of Chuck's favorite procedures but a little out of the day to day for Chris.  We discuss anatomy and treatment options including surgical technique. Thanks to all those who have taken the survey.  For those who have not, please take 2 minutes and help us to better understand your preferences and help us understand how w...

Chuck and Chris discuss a number of stimulating topics.  First up, Chuck shares a case of a large elbow osteochondritis dissecans lesion and the latest in treatment techniques.  Next we discuss a listener submitted question on CMC pain in a young patient.  And finally, we discuss an HBR article on leadership, particularly pertinent in 2025.  Join us! HBR “The Work of Leadership”. Ronald A. Heifetz...

Chuck and Chris catch up on nerve conferences, business school, and review a difficult CMC arthritis case.  Join us! Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve...

Chuck and Chris discuss a few of their favorite surgeries and some that are not so favorite right now.  We invite you to share your favorites and any tips or tricks that you value. Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint S...

Chuck and Chris discuss the new JBJS article, What's New in Hand Surgery, written by Drs Wager and Suh.  Lots of great content in Part 2 on many topics including distal radius fracture, nerve injury, arthroscopy, arthroplasty and so much more. Citation Wager ER and Su N.  What's New in Hand and Wrist Surgery.  JBJS 2025; 107:543-51 Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See...

Chuck and Chris discuss the new JBJS article, What's New in Hand Surgery, written by Drs Wager and Suh.  Lots of great content in Part 1 on many topics including scaphoid fractures, SL injuries, and nerve compression. Citations Wager ER and Su N.  What's New in Hand and Wrist Surgery.  JBJS 2025; 107:543-51 Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theu...

Chuck and Wee Lam preview Friday, Day 5 of the IFSSH.  This is the final day but there is plenty of content.  Chuck and Wee also recap the meeting and highlight the 2028 IFSSH Meeting in Singapore! Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit http...

Chuck and Wee Lam preview Wednesday, Day 4 of the IFSSH, filled with Symposia and Instructional Courses as well as special events including the Swanson Lecture with Pioneer Fu-Chan Wei and the Gala at the National Portrait Gallery Thursday evening. Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for...

Chuck and Wee Lam preview Wednesday, Day 3 of the IFSSH, filled with Symposia and Instructional Courses as well as special events including a Therapist Keynote Speaker: The Innovator in You and the Surgeon Presidential Guest Lecturer, Tony Smith, speaking on his quest to learn more about Sterling Bunnell and the book that has resulted.  Use the App and plan your day carefully because there is an i...

Chuck and Wee Lam preview Tuesday, Day 2 of the IFSSH, filled with Symposia and Instructional Courses as well as special events including the Therapist Opening Ceremony and a Therapist Keynote Lecture: Rowing Solo Across the Atlantic Ocean...  Use the App and plan your day carefully because there is an incredible amount of high level content taught by the international speakers. Please complete ou...

Chuck and Wee Lam preview the IFSSH beginning with Day 1, filled with Precourses and ending with the Opening Ceremonies and Welcome Reception. There are amazing learning opportunities with the Precourses covering all aspects of hand surgery with an international list of remarkable speakers! Come learn who are the newly recognized Pioneers in Hand Surgery! Please complete our survey:  https://bit.l...

Chuck and Chris discuss a radial nerve palsy associated with a humerus fracture.  We discuss diagnosis, examination, and preliminary treatment options.  Part 2 will follow after the IFSSH meeting.  We also discuss upcoming, IFSSH- related episodes. Some citations 1: Lieberdorfer A, Shivakumar N, Stonner MM, Brogan DM, Ray WZ, Mackinnon SE, Dy CJ. Expectant Management, Tendon Transfer, or Nerve Tra...

Chuck and Chris welcome Jim Chang from Stanford University for a deep dive on two really amazing topics.  First, we discuss Jim's leadership of the IFSSH Triannual Meeting in Washington DC March 24-28.  And second, we discuss global reconstructive surgery and Jim's work in this area, specifically with Resurg International.  Join us for interesting conversation (and then join us in DC). ...

Chuck and Chris welcome Jeff Yao and Jeff Friedrich to preview the IFSSH.  We have a fantastic, wide ranging discussion about this leading, triannual meeting of surgeons and therapists.  We follow up that with a discussion of Jeff and Jeff's preferences for treatment of CMC arthritis. Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more informatio...

Chuck and Chris discuss several listener submitted questions and comments on the CMC joint as well as a case of TFCC pathology.  Our focus is FPL rupture and reconstruction- we discuss interpositional tendon graft and FDS transfer. Flexor Pollicis Longus Reconstruction After Rupture Following Distal Radius Fixation With Volar Locking Plate: A Technique Guide. Welbeck A, Goldfarb CA, Calfee RP, Dy...

Chuck and Chris discuss a listener submitted case and use the topic for a deep dive on thumb CMC/ basal joint arthritis and the gold standard of care, the LRTI.  Hear Chuck and Chris' thoughts on the technical aspects of the operation and hear how they differ in their approaches. Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information fro...

Chuck and Chris are joined again by Sanj Kakar from the Mayo Clinic.  Sanj is a high volume arthroscopist and luminary in the field.  He is leading the way with contributions to the field and new ways of considering wrist pathology.  If you missed episode 1, we would recommend a listen but each episode stands alone. Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theup...

Chuck and Chris celebrate the last episode of 2024 with a 'Future of Hand Surgery' episode.  We prognosticate who will be performing carpal tunnel releases, how we will treat the CMC joint, what wrist arthroscopy will include, how we will repair nerves and tendons, and so much more.  Join us and share your thoughts by email! Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.pr...

Chuck and Alpesh Patel, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery at Northwestern, discuss artificial intelligence and its role in medical practice.  In the first of a two- part discussion, Chuck and Alpesh start with the basics on what AI is and what it can reasonably do and they  start to delve into more details around practical applications. Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3...

Chuck and Chris have a good discussion based on several questions submitted by Chris Gayton at Ortho South Carolina and share why we are thankful at this time of year.  We discuss when we consider carpal tunnel release and cubital tunnel surgery together, when we consider a distal ulnar tunnel decompression, and the role of dry arthroscopy in the setting of SL ligament injury. Subscribe to our new...

Chuck and Chris discuss advocacy.  In this episode, we start with an adolescent elbow case as a warm up and then pivot to advocacy.  Starting with a simple definition and explaining why it is so important for all of us.  We use practical examples for discussion on all types of advocacy and  why we should all engage in some manner. Jon Lundy can be reached at jlundy1313@gmail.com Subscribe to our n...

Chuck and Chris discuss Bennett Fractures and Rolando Fractures as well as a few mailbag topics including central TFCC tears (and the role of ulnar shortening) and more on bowstringing from Sam Moghtaderi. A few citations courtesy of loyal listener Joe McLaughlin. 1)  Hulsizer, et al.  Ulna- shortening osteotomy after failed arthroscopic debridement of the TFCC.  JHS, 1997 2) Nishizuka, et al Simp...

Chuck and Chris discuss the Darrach procedure including our indications, alternatives, technical considerations, and more.  We also share our amazing experiences at the ASHT! Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. See https://checkpointsurgical.com or www.nervemaster.co...