The Upper Hand: Chuck & Chris Talk Hand Surgery

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.

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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 and Donald Laurie

Reprint R0111K; Be...

Chuck and Chris catch up on nerve conferences, business school, and review a difficult CMC arthritis case.  Join us!

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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.

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The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical,...

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

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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

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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!

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The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsur...

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.

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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 incredible amount of high level cont...

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.

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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!

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The Upper Hand Po...

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 Transfer Surgery for Radial
Nerv...

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).  Jim had much to share about psychic...

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.

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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 CJ.
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg...

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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