Hand and Upper Extremity Care

Patients with the most complex hand conditions are referred to the Ochsner Hand and Upper Extremity Center.

We offer conservative as well as surgical solutions for the following hand conditions:

• Congenital hand and wrist problems – including cerebral palsy, webbed, crooked hand
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Trigger finger – contracted fingers and painful locking of fingers
• Dupuytren’s contracture – a condition that causes one or more fingers to bend; a treatment option offered is Xiaflex
• DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis – condition affected tendons of the wrist
• Tendonitis
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tumors
• Muscle and tendon ruptures
• Single and recurring dislocations of wrist, thumb and fingers
• Fractures of the hand and wrist, from simple to complex
• Nerve injuries of the hand and wrist
• Bone and joint infections
• Sports and work-related hand and wrist problems
• Complex reconstructive problems of the hand and wrist in all age groups
• Reconstructive microsurgery of the hand and wrist
• Arthroscopic wrist procedures
• Wrist replacements
• Finger joint replacements
• Sympathectomy - surgery for vascular issues in the hand

Patients with the most complex shoulder conditions are referred to the Ochsner Hand and Upper Extremity Center.

We offer conservative as well as surgical solutions for the following shoulder conditions:

• Fractures of the humerus, clavicle and scapula
• Disorders of the rotator cuff
• Arthritic conditions of the shoulder
• Bursitis, tendonitis, calcium deposits, advanced arthritis, tumors, rotator cuff tears and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
• Single and recurring dislocations of the shoulder
• Muscle and tendon ruptures
• Fractures of the shoulder, simple to complex
• Nerve injuries of the shoulder
• Bone and joint infections
• Congenital shoulder problems
• Sports and work-related shoulder problems
• Complex reconstructive problems of the shoulder in all age groups
• Arthroscopic shoulder problems
• Shoulder replacements

Patients with the most complex elbow conditions are referred to the Ochsner Hand and Upper Extremity Center.

We offer conservative as well as surgical solutions for the following elbow conditions:

• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Elbow bursitis
• Advanced arthritis
• Tumors
• Muscle and tendon ruptures
• Single and recurring dislocations of the elbow
• Fractures of the elbow, from simple to complex
• Nerve injuries of the elbow
• Bone and joint infections
• Congenital elbow problems
• Contractures around the elbow
• Sports and work-related elbow problems
• Complex reconstructive problems of the elbow in all age groups
• Arthroscopic elbow procedures
• Elbow replacements
• Cubital tunnel syndrome

We provide complete care for the hand and upper extremities, treating everything from carpal tunnel and trigger finger to complex injuries like mangled extremities and brachial plexus problems. Our hand surgery team works closely with orthopedic specialists to help patients regain movement and reduce pain.

Hand surgeries we offer: 

• Arthritis surgery of the hand and wrist
• Arthroscopy
• Fracture surgery of the hand and wrist
• Nerve decompression surgery (carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, etc.)
• Tendon repair
• Trauma reconstruction (bone, tendon, nerve, skin)
• Skin cancer care of the hand
• Complex wound reconstruction

Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Our team treats both common and complex nerve conditions in the arms and legs. We care for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and more advanced nerve issues. This includes revision surgeries for nerve decompression and brachial plexus injuries. Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan focused on improving comfort, function and quality of life.

Limb Salvage and Reconstruction Surgery

We partner with vascular surgeons, orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists to care for patients with serious wounds caused by trauma, infection, cancer or circulation problems. Our goal is to restore both the appearance and function of arms and legs. If amputation is needed, we use advanced techniques to make sure the remaining limb is as functional and pain-free as possible. We also provide care for people already living with amputations, including limb revision surgeries, neuroma treatment and preparing limbs for prosthetic devices.

Shoichiro Tanaka, MD, MPH, is a plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon at Ochsner Health. Dr. Tanaka has expertise in aesthetic surgery, head-to-toe reconstruction for cancer, trauma, and infection, as well as complex hand and wrist surgery, limb salvage, and peripheral nerve surgery, offering comprehensive patient-centered care for various medical and surgical needs. 

To schedule an appointment, call 504-842-3950.

If you are scheduled for surgery at one of these locations, please find pre- and post-operative instructions below.

• Ochsner Medical Center - Hand Clinic Surgery Instructions
• St. Charles Parish Hospital and Ochsner Hospital for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Surgery Instructions

To obtain copies of patient records, schedule clinic appointments and to share your preference for receiving post visit follow-up from your patient's appointment, call the Clinic Concierge, our dedicated physician referral line, at 504-842-7436 or 1-855-312-4190.

A hand surgeon is any surgeon that takes care of condition involving the hand and wrist. They can have various training backgrounds, including Orthopedic surgery, Plastic surgery, or General surgery. A plastic surgeon specializes in various reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the entire body that may include conditions of the hand.

You should seek care by a surgeon who has had advanced fellowship training in hand and wrist surgery that also holds a subspecialty certification for hand surgery. A plastic surgeon we will have more emphasis during training for soft tissue reconstruction and peripheral nerve surgery, while an orthopedic surgeon we will have more emphasis during training for bone and joint issues. Additional fellowship training in hand and wrist surgery aims to unify these slight differences in background for comprehensive hand surgery care.

Any persistent pain that is not resolving with over-the-counter pain medications or rest, or any significant injury that may have required a trip to the emergency room or a cast to be applied should be evaluated by a hand surgeon.

Any condition that involves the hand and upper extremity to include arthritis, fractures, nerve compressions, wounds, muscle and tendon issues, or tumors. A comprehensive list can be seen above.

Yes. Plastic surgeons can perform reconstructive hand surgery.

A lot of this will depend on the nature of the injury. The 1st priority is to stabilize the injured bone as well as ensure that the wound is healing appropriately. After this, therapy is usually required to ensure that the function of the hand can be restored.

Yes. Orthopedic surgeons treat many nerve conditions in the hand and arm.

Some nerve decompression such as carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel can be performed endoscopically. Additionally, there are arthroscopic techniques to help treat certain bone and joint conditions of the hand and wrist. Both of these options usually mean a slightly faster rate of healing as well as earlier return to activities.