Among the most often used joints are those in the hands and wrists. Picture what you couldn’t do without having the full function of your hands. Simple tasks like holding your phone, opening doors, feeding yourself, brushing your teeth, putting on clothes, and driving your car can become immensely challenging without having full use of your hands.
If you have a hand injury or condition, choosing the right hand surgeon is very important if you want to receive the best possible care. There is a medical specialty dedicated to the treatment of hand disorders. Here are tips to help you choose the best hand surgeon.
#1 Check Whether the Doctor Has Board-Certification and Fellowship Training in Hand Surgery
For training, skill, and experience, make sure to check for hand surgeons who are board-certified and fellowship-trained in upper extremity (hand, wrist, elbow) surgery. These are important distinctions to look for in a hand surgeon, because they tell you they are experts in hand surgery and have the best education and training possible in the field.
Ask your doctor whether they are subspecialty board-certified for hand surgery and if they have fellowship training – it is during this time that they would have widened their clinical experience and trained with experts in the field of hand surgery.
#2 Is The Doctor a Member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)?
The ASSH is the premier upper extremity surgery society for hand surgeons and professionals. Only the most qualified hand surgeons become members of this organization, and this is one of the criteria you can use to determine whether a doctor is right for you.
#3 Is The Doctor Recognized in Their Field?
A hand surgeon who is recognized in their field of specialty by their colleagues speaks to the professionalism and skill of the physician. Top doctor awards in Baltimore depend on votes from peers and is a great distinction you can look for when choosing a hand surgeon.
#4 Does the Doctor Offer A Wide Range of Treatments?
It is a misconception that hand surgeons only do surgery since most hand problems never need surgery. Hand surgeons can also recommend non-surgical methods of treatment, in addition to state-of-the-art procedures such as endoscopic and arthroscopic surgery if warranted.
#5 Convenience
Patients choose their doctors based on convenience. Convenience can mean many things: practice location, ease of making appointments, and availability of on-site diagnostic imaging. Select a doctor that is easy for you to see, so you don’t run into obstacles when trying to get the care you need.
Hand Surgeon in Catonsville, Columbia, Eldersburg, and Fulton, MD
At the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, we have two board-certified, fellowship-trained, and highly awarded members of the ASSH hand surgeons on our team: Dr. Brian Janz and Dr. Khurram Pervaiz. A few of Dr. Janz’s specialties are minimally invasive hand and wrist surgeries, while Dr. Pervaiz’s are sports injuries, joint reconstruction, and replacement, as well as elbow and shoulder surgery.
Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland accepts most major insurance plans, Medicare, and workers’ compensation cases. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Janz or Dr. Pervaiz, call our clinic today at (410) 644-1880 or use our convenient appointment request form.
