Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Orthopedic Surgeon Recommendation?
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September 4, 2014 at 5:57 pm #612556
HomerParticipantAnyone have one they have visited before? Not looking for surgery, just for advice on maybe a brace or something for a hand/arm that hurts when using the computer. Ideally, someone who listens well. Thanks!
September 4, 2014 at 6:05 pm #812996
Barry2012ParticipantHi Homer,
After 6 months of serious knee pain and multiple trips to a Swedish MD (who diagnosed me with “chornic knee pain”-seriously) I selected Dr. Kevin Auld at Swedish Orthopedic. He suggested an excellent rehab in West Seattle and after multiple visits he will be performing my knee surgery next week. Anyone at Swedish othopedic is fantastic and the facility is amazing.
September 5, 2014 at 3:43 am #812997
akaalkiParticipantI agree with the previous poster’s comments about the orthopedic surgeons at Swedish. I have been very happy with Dr. William Wagner, who has seen me for two different conditions and was particularly helpful when I needed a 2nd opinion.
I’ve also heard great things about Elizabeth Joneschild.
For physical therapy, I highly recommend Ande Baker, DPT at Southwest Hand Therapy near 35th & Alaska. She works with Dr. Wagner or you could even ask your primary care physician for a referral to her directly. Phone is 206-935-1215. She helped me tremendously. She’s extremely kind and knowledgeable and a genius at designing and making custom splints and braces. When I broke my wrist, she made me a custom splint to wear until I could get in to see Dr. Wagner. Dr. Wagner praised it highly and told me to keep using it instead of having him replace it.
She worked closely with me to find solutions to unique challenges I faced. Very creative and resourceful.
From the Southwest Hand Therapy website (aka Highline Hand Therapy):
Andelee (Ande) Baker, DPT, CHT has worked as a Physical Therapist for more than 25 years with experience in most settings involving Physical Therapy. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. In 2000, she was awarded her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Ola Grimsby Institute with an emphasis in manual therapy. Ande earned her certification as a Hand Therapist in 1994 and since that time, most of her clinical practice has involved treatment of hand and upper extremity dysfunctions.
A Certified Hand Therapist is an Occupational or Physical Therapist who, through advanced study and certification, specializes in rehabilitating the patient with conditions affecting the entire upper extremity (hand, arm, and shoulder). CHT distinguishes a therapist as someone with the highest professional credential in the specialty of upper extremity treatment and rehabilitation. A CHT has at least 5 years of clinical experience and has successfully passed comprehensive testing of advanced knowledge in all areas of rehabilitation of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. CHT’s must recertify every 5 years by participation in continuing education courses and presentations.
September 5, 2014 at 3:01 pm #812998
JTBParticipantIf you have already decided what you need for treatment, then why bother even going to a doctor? Just go to Bartell’s and select the brace you think will be best for you. More seriously, you need to find qualified specialists to get a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The comments above about a PT practice specializing in hand therapy could be a good start for locating a skilled physician.
I’ve had two separate, disappointing experiences at Seattle Hand which is generally well-regarded. In one instances, the surgeon said there was nothing to do about a compromised wrist ligament until it became bad enough to do a graft. I got a second opinion at UW Bone and Joint and had the issue fixed with a simple arthroscopic procedure that didn’t require a graft. The OT people working on wrists at the UW Bone and Joint are excellent.
On the second matter, a different surgeon at Seattle Hand wasn’t even aware of a non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture that can resolve or halt progression of the process if done early enough. It’s a first line treatment in Germany where is disease is prevalent due to its association with Northern European ancestry. Needless to say, I didn’t get the referral when it would have been timely and was disappointed to discover two years later that a radiation therapist in the area has been providing that treatment for some time. Point is that hand surgeons have a particular orientation which may not fully appreciate non-surgical options or even surgical approaches outside of their preferred method. I would recommend getting a referral to Southwest Hand Therapy or UW Bone and Joint for an assessment.
September 5, 2014 at 6:51 pm #812999
HomerParticipantwow, great info. all, thank you so much. Hopefully one of these fine dr’s will be able to help but like all of you, I bet I’ll be trying a few.
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