BCM Orthopedic Surgery

Patient Center
 
 

Dr. John A. Hipp

Dr. Hipp, director of the Spine Research Laboratory at BCM, focuses his research on quantitative diagnostic imaging and spinal biomechanics. More

 
 

Procedures


We offer expert care for adult and pediatric patients.

 
 

The Hand and Upper Extremity Institute

The Baylor Institute for Hand and Upper Extremity Disorders is the South's leading center for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of hand and upper extremity disorders.

More

 
 

Hand and Upper Extremity

Your hand is made up of 27 bones. There are 14 small bones in your fingers called the phalanges - 3 for each finger and 2 for your thumb. Your wrist is made up of 8 bones known as carpals. And your palm contains 5 bones called the metacarpals. Fractures to the metacarpal bone that leads to your little finger account for about one-third of all hand fractures in adults.

The two bones of your lower arm - your ulna and your radius - meet at the hand to form your wrist.

There are 2 major nerves in your hand, known as the median and the ulnar nerves. They run the length of your arm to transmit electrical impulses to and from the brain to create movement and sensation in your hand.

Injuries and Disorders

Injuries and disorders of the hand and upper extremity - those that impact the hand, wrist, and arm - are not only painful, they can disrupt the movement and function that is vital to your daily activities, from eating to dressing to earning a living.

A broken finger, for example, is no minor injury. The bones in a normal hand line up precisely, enabling you to perform specialized functions such as grasping a pen or manipulating small objects in your palm. When you fracture a finger bone, it can cause your whole hand to be out of alignment.

Hand and upper extremity surgeons are specially trained to care for these problems with both surgical and nonsurgical treatment, to help ease your pain and get you back to your normal routine.

Hand and Wrist Resources

Broken Bones and Other Injuries
Sprains, Strains and Other Injuries
Other Injuries
Diseases and Syndromes
Hand
Wrist
Finger/Thumb
Treatment and Rehabilitation

The Hand and Upper Extremity Disorders Institute of Baylor College of Medicine

The Hand and Upper Extremity Disorders Institute of Baylor College of Medicine is the South's leading center for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of hand and upper extremity disorders and injuries. Our hand surgeons treat a variety of conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, nerve and vessel damage, and congenital deformities. The institute's medical staff is internationally recognized for their research and clinical experience in acute trauma, industrial injuries, pediatric disorders, arthroscopy, sports medicine, arthritis, microsurgery and plastic reconstruction, as they relate to the hand and upper extremities.

Serving as clinicians, researchers and educators combined, our physicians offer firsthand knowledge of the latest advancements in orthopedic surgery, and the ability to translate those advancements into better treatment for your hand and upper extremity injury or disorder.

Our Hand and Upper Extremity Specialists
Matthew E. Koepplinger, DO
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand and upper extremity

James B. Stafford IV, MD
Board-certified orthopedic and plastic surgeon specializing in the hand and upper extremity

Make an
Appointment

Call 713.986.6016 or 800.545.ORTH (6784)

Preparing for your visit

Take a few steps before your first appointment to help us expedite your treatment plan. More

Locations

Main Location
Baylor Clinic - Map
Other Location
Sugar Land - Map
Donate Now