When you have an injury, pain, stiffness, weakness or a growth on your hand, it can affect your work, your hobbies and your daily life. Because your hands are so important, it’s imperative to find the best hand doctor in your area. So how does one go about that? Here are some tips.
Hand specialists have deep, specialized knowledge of ailments of the hand as well as the latest treatments for hand injuries and conditions. A general practitioner or ER doctor may be your first stop when you sustain an injury to your hand or find yourself in pain. However, a hand doctor will be able to accurately diagnose your unique situation and condition, then treat it in the most effective way possible.
“Fellowship Trained” surgeons and doctors have achieved the highest level of training. Physicians complete a four-year undergraduate degree, then four years of medical school, and a five-year residency program. A select few of the brightest candidates are selected to participate in a fellowship training program post-residency. During a hand surgery fellowship, the physician spends a year studying the specifics of diagnosing, treating and performing surgical procedures to address hand conditions, training them to be specialized experts in the field.
Once a fellowship-trained hand specialist is found, patients suffering with a hand injury or hand condition should ask if the hand doctor has staff to support the patient in the prescribed treatment. A hand specialist should have occupational therapists available to create a therapy plan if necessary, which may include exercises to strengthen your hand and increase its mobility, or introduce adaptive equipment to make activities easier. A well-trained team of hand specialists, nurses and occupational therapists is imperative when looking for the best hand specialist.
When you are in pain or your hand is not functioning properly, commuting to an inconvenient doctors’ office is not ideal. The best hand doctor should be conveniently located near you and be equipped with the latest therapy equipment. The very best hand specialists also have on-site surgical suites.
If you are looking for the best hand specialists in Chicagoland, please reach out to us. Our team of fellowship-trained surgeons and well-trained staff are here to ensure the best possible outcome.
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