To provide exemplary care for patients with all conditions, diseases and trauma affecting the hands. To foster excellence in education and research pertaining to conditions of the hand.
About UofT Hand and Upper Extremity Program
We started in 1986 as Canada's first Hand Program. From the outset, it was our goal to build a multidisciplinary approach to conditions and trauma affecting the hands. Our skilled Surgeons are trained in Orthopaedic or Plastic Surgery and have subspecialty fellowship training in Hand Surgery. Our team also includes a Hand Physician, ten Hand Therapists and a Social Worker.
The Hand Program's patients come from across Metro Toronto and Southern Ontario, and we also see major hand trauma patients from the entire province. Our patients have a wide variety of conditions from ganglions and tendonitis to wrist instability, and Duputren's contracture. We see the entire spectrum of hand trauma and perform over 50 finger or hand replantations per year. Our care for microsurgical patients is greatly facilitated by our four-bed microsurgical unit that provides optimal conditions and a dedicated nursing staff and social worker for our patients.
Hand clinics run daily (Monday to Friday) for emergency patients, follow-up care and new consultations (by appointment). All of our physicians have specific areas of interest that include: carpal instability, brachial plexus injuries and upper extremity reanimation. A Hand Surgeon or Physician, together with Hand Therapists, a nurse, a plaster technician, general manager, receptionist and a team of secretaries, run the clinic and have kept the Hand Program on top of the University Health Network's Quality Initiative.
The Hand and Upper Extremity Program is dedicated to the education of medical students, surgical residents, and fellows who form an integral part of our team. Hand conferences, and walk-around rounds are scheduled weekly. We also sponsor and organize continuing medical education activities. Together with our research projects and our partnership in the University Health Network's Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Program, we are building the future of Hand Surgery.
