Skip to main content
menu

Program Highlights

Program Overview

The University of Rochester Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship provides advanced training in the management of:

  • Hand and upper extremity trauma
  • Reconstructive surgery of hand and upper extremity conditions
  • Peripheral nerve injuries
  • Congenital upper limb deformities
  • Shoulder and elbow surgery

The fellow, along with residents on the hand service, works with all our hand surgery faculty throughout the year, with specific rotations with faculty members.   This allows for several mentorship experiences throughout the year.  The fellow works in clinic, the operating room, and takes call with the faculty on the rotation.  The hand trauma call schedule includes replantation / microvascular emergency services, for which our institution is a referral center for western and upstate New York.  The fellow is expected to participate in teaching residents and students and to gradually assume greater responsibilities in patient care in clinic and in the operating room over the course of the fellowship year, under the direct supervision of the faculty.  

Highlights Of Clinical Exposure

Upper extremity reconstruction includes experience in treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis for the upper extremity, Dupuytren’s contracture, nerve compression syndromes, vascular disorders, nerve reconstruction, and tendon reconstructions. 

Trauma includes treatment of fractures and dislocations of the hand, wrist, and forearm, flexor and extensor tendon injuries, nerve injuries, compartment syndromes, and replantation / microvascular emergency services. Experience is obtained for both emergent conditions at our main hospital as well as urgent conditions at our out patient surgery center.  In addition, the fellow will obtain experience in post traumatic reconstruction, including osteotomies, correction of malunion and nonunions, and post traumatic arthritis. 

Although not the main focus, the fellow will gain experience in open and arthroscopic shoulder surgery, elbow surgery, and congenital hand surgery.  In association with the orthopaedic oncology service, the fellow will be exposed to treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the upper extremity.  

In addition to the clinical program, the fellow participates in a didactic program including weekly hand conferences, monthly journal clubs, and orthopaedic resident conferences as they relate to the upper extremity.  The fellow is involved with teaching residents through case discussions and didactic conferences.  The fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in clinical, biomechanical, or basic science research projects.  The program is accredited through the ACGME.