UW Medicine hand and wrist specialists evaluate and manage pain or injury in the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. Our Seattle-based specialists treat patients for fractures, tears to ligaments and other tissue, nerve problems, arthritis and many additional conditions.

Based at Harborview and UW Medical Center, the hand and wrist team is part of an orthopaedics program ranked among the top programs in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report 2009 rankings. Colleagues in rehabilitation medicine, neurology, rheumatology and other fields of care ensure that we provide the most appropriate, considered care for each patient's problem.

With patients as partners, we set treatment courses ranging from simple exercises to major reconstructive surgery. We are very experienced in microsurgical techniques to reconstruct arms with damaged nerves and tendons, and in using tissue transfers to replace lost form and function.

Our physicians, nurses and surgeons know how much your arms and hands contribute in everyday life. Our goal is to return people to full function and activities, at work and at play – whether that involves typing, riding a bike, pouring tea or throwing a ball. We want to help you recapture your quality of life.

We treat the following conditions:

• Fractures and dislocations
• Muscle or ligament tears
• Injuries to tendons, nerves, or vessels
• Numbness or weakness in the hand or arm (including carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Arthritis
• Contractures
• Swelling or inflammation