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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Congenital Hand Conditions

Hand differences present from birth, from trigger thumb and extra or joined fingers to underdeveloped thumbs. Evaluated early, treated when it improves function.
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Elbow · Hand and Upper Extremity

Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Severe injuries of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow: open fractures, crush and saw injuries, combined bone, tendon and nerve damage, and injuries that need reconstruction.
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ContactTalk toa real person.
Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.
Call801-640-0000
TextSend a text
Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104
Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330
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What it is

Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Some injuries involve everything at once: bone, tendon, nerve, vessel and skin.
Saw accidents, machinery, crush injuries, motorcycle crashes and falls from height produce them. They need a surgeon who can repair all of it, in the right order.Dr. Johnson treats upper extremity trauma and reconstruction, and has published on complex forearm fractures.
Treated by
Toby Johnson, MD, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. JohnsonHand and Upper Extremity
M. Shane Frazier, DO, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. FrazierHand and Upper Extremity
Travis Peterson, DO, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. PetersonHand and Upper Extremity
Request an appointment
or call801-640-0000
Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Symptoms

An open wound over a fracture, a deformed forearm or elbow, loss of feeling or movement in the hand, a crushed or partly amputated finger, or a cold, pale hand after injury.These are emergencies. Go to the nearest emergency department first.
Common signs
Open wound over a fracture
Deformed forearm or elbow
Lost feeling or movement
Crushed or partly amputated finger
See us sooner if
Cold, pale hand
Any open fracture
Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Causes

Table saws, machinery, crush injuries at work, vehicle and motorcycle collisions, falls from height, and high-energy sports injuries.Most occur at work or in the workshop.
Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

How We Diagnose It

Emergency evaluation with X-rays and CT, assessment of circulation and nerves, and urgent cleaning of open wounds.Planning covers which structures to repair first and whether reconstruction will be staged.We coordinate with the emergency department and trauma teams at the hospitals where we hold privileges.Go to the nearest emergency department first; our surgeons hold privileges at hospitals in both Utah Valley systems. Dr. Johnson, Dr. Frazier and Dr. Peterson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Orem Community Hospital.
Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Treatment Options

Open fractures are cleaned and stabilized within hours.
Tendons, nerves and vessels are repaired as the wound allows. Skin and soft tissue losses are covered with grafts or flaps. Later stages address stiffness, nonunion and nerve recovery.Hand therapy begins as soon as the repairs permit and continues for months.
Your options
Non-surgical
Wound care
Splinting
Surgical
Fixation within hours
Staged reconstruction
Related
Wrist Fracture Repair
Scaphoid Fracture Repair
Distal Biceps Tendon Repair
Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Procedures That Address It

Wrist Fracture Repair
Scaphoid Fracture Repair
Distal Biceps Tendon Repair
Complex Upper Extremity Trauma

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Johnson, MD
Weill Cornell graduate, hand fellowship at Allegheny General. Twenty-one years in practice and seventeen as a collegiate team physician.
Dr. Frazier, DO
Fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Seventeen years in practice. Fluent in Spanish.
Dr. Peterson, DO
Hand surgery fellowship at UMass Chan. Office-based, wide-awake carpal tunnel release. Fifteen years in practice. Speaks German.
Request an appointment
or call801-640-0000
ContactTalk toa real person.
Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.
Call801-640-0000
TextSend a text
Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104
Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330
Request an appointment
Find a clinic
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyPrivacy Practices
NondiscriminationAccessibilityGood Faith Estimate