The Upper Hand: Chuck & Chris Talk Hand Surgery

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...

Chuck joins David Wei, a hand surgeon who leads the Business of Hand Surgery Committee at the ASSH, to discuss a variety of topics.  In what is really an interview of Chuck by David, a variety of topics are discussed. David began and leads the BOHS podcast which is an amazing resource of practical business and private practice topics.  We had a great discussion on business school, the Upper Hand P...

Chuck and Chris review the ASSH meeting, preview the ASHT meeting, and discuss a few tricks and tips for ulnar shortening osteotomy through a case presentation. 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.com for informat...

Chuck and Chris discuss a number interesting listener submitted questions including comments around our SL ligament episode and the rock climbing episode.  We even take a (brief) deep dive into biomechanics!  We also share out plans for the ASSH Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our pa...

Chuck and Chris welcome Sanj Kakar, MD from the Mayo Clinic to discuss the SL ligament.  We discuss Sanj's path to his current role and his approach to the SL ligament including diagnosis and treatment.   We refer to Scapholunate Instability: Diagnosis and Management e Anatomy, Kinematics, and Clinical Assessment. Part I Lauren E. Wessel, MD,* Scott W. Wolfe, MD† 2023 (also part 2) Subscribe...

Chuck and Chris discuss rock climbing injuries.  We review general hand and wrist injuries but focus on the classic injuries to the fingers and flexor tendon sheath. We refer to Upper Extremity Injuries in RockClimbers: Diagnosis and Management byLaura A. Sims, MD.  J Hand Surgery 2022; 47:662-72 Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more in...

Chuck and Chris provide 7 pearls for graduating fellows before diving into a discussion on spanning plates.  Also in this episode- learn some of the ways that Chris is 'risk averse'. 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...

Chuck and Chris have a good discussion on FDP tendon avulsions and repair options.  We discuss whether the FDP should always be repaired in the setting of an intact FDS (a great deal of therapy is required and results are rarely excellent) and we discuss how we each repair the FDP.  We also reference a few items: 1) Carroll Tendon Pulling Forceps (this allows easy passage through tendon sheath) 2)...

Chuck and Chris welcome Steve Frick to discuss leadership.  Steve is an exemplary leader who was Chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery and Vice Chair at Stanford.  He is now headed back to Atrium Health/ OrthoCarolina in a leadership role.  We sat down with Steve at the annual leadership meeting of the AOA- American Orthopedic Association (and apologize for the ambient noise) to discuss his path a...

Chuck and Chris talk through the 2024 JBJS 'What's New in Hand Surgery' written by Deb Bohn.  We discuss a number of interesting hand surgery topics including: wrist and hand arthritis, distal radius fracture, scaphoid fractures, metacarpal fractures, pediatric injuries, among other topics.  Great review of an important review of the literature from 2023. Subscribe to our newsletter...

Chuck and Chris talk through the 2024 JBJS 'What's New in Hand Surgery' written by Deb Bohn.  We discuss only two topics in our part 1- trigger finger and carpal tunnel release.  A few key citations from some really interesting topics: 1. Bookman J, Rocks M, Noh K, Ayalon O, Hacquebord J, Catalano L, Glickel S.Determining the optimal dosage of corticosteroid injection in trigger fin...

Chuck and Chris catch up on life, travels and cases.  We discuss Chuck's recent mission trip with World Pediatrics and pivot to discuss a few cases including care of the phalanx enchondroma and pain at the pisiform. 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:...

Chuck and Chris welcome Amanda Lovelace who is the Marketing Director for our large orthopedic department.  We share a fantastic first discussion including marketing directions, the importance of personal relationships, how social can be considered, among many other topics.   Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our pa...

Chuck and Chris begin this episode with a discussion of ray resection and then pivot to discuss practice management and payer mix in our practices as well as the benefits and challenges of workers compensation. 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://checkpoi...

Chuck and Chris are joined by special guest Macy Stonner who brings her therapy expertise to the topic of finger fractures.  This episode will revisit common fractures and the therapist perspective to outstanding outcomes. 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 http...

Chuck and Chris answer a few listener- submitted questions and then take a deep dive into their approach to finger fractures with a specific focus on Kirshner wires, k-wires. 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...

Chuck and Chris welcome Ryan Nunley to the Podcast.  Ryan is a total joint surgeon who has an amazingly busy clinical practice.  We discuss practice efficiency, handling VIPs, and share updates on computer navigation and robotic surgery.  There is so much we can learn! Subscribe to our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpD See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner o...

Chuck and Chris discuss patients with dupuytrens disease (in office and in the OR) including our protocols for care after formal surgery. We also discuss some challenges with needle procedures in the office.  We touch on our trial of AI for clinic note generation and look forward to listener comments.  And finally, we touch on leadership with a deep dive on the HBR article: The New Rules of Execut...

Chuck and Chris catch up on with listener submitted questions and then discuss the volar approach to the scaphoid for scaphoid nonunions. 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.com for information about the company a...