Hand and upper extremity surgery is an integral component of work for all plastic and reconstructive surgeons and is performed at all of the teaching hospitals in the division. There are several centres of excellence within the city where hand and upper extremity surgery is performed as a subspecialty area of focus with a multi-disciplinary approach. There is a centralized University of Toronto Hand and Upper Extremity Program that involves these centres.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Drs. Paul Binhammer and Jana Dengler are surgeons with sub-specialty expertise in managing acute hand trauma, post-traumatic reconstruction, chronic hand conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as nerve disorders.
Toronto Western Hospital: The Hand Unit
This is a multi-disciplinary unit providing comprehensive care for all acute and chronic disorders of the hand and upper extremity and was the first center in Canada to perform the first upper extremity composite vascularized allotransplant. Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Heather Baltzer (Director) and Orthopedic Surgeons, Drs. Andrea Chan and Ryan Paul work with a multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive care.
The Hospital for Sick Children
Pediatric congenital hand conditions, obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, acute traumatic and post-traumatic hand deformities are managed by Drs. Kristen Davidge and Howard Clarke.
The variety of work carried out in hand and upper extremity surgery involves all areas of care including the management of problems with bony structures, joints, tendons, nerves, vessels, and skin.
