Hand division hero

The Duke Division of Hand Surgery brings together expert faculty from surgery, plastic surgery, and orthopaedic surgery to form a cohesive team, delivering exceptional care to patients in need of hand and upper extremity surgical treatments.

The Duke Division of Hand Surgery offers expert care for a wide range of conditions—from everyday concerns such as arthritis, fractures, and cysts to complex injuries that require advanced surgical intervention. Our specialists are highly experienced in treating wrist pain, sports-related injuries, and traumatic conditions involving the hand and upper extremity.

Duke’s plastic surgery hand experts are nationally recognized for their innovation in microsurgical techniques, including the reattachment of amputated hands, fingers, and thumbs, as well as the repair of damaged nerves and arteries. Notably, Duke is one of only about 10 hospitals in the United States to have successfully performed a hand transplant, demonstrating its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in hand surgery.

xray of hand

Patient Care

Our surgeons deliver expert care for a full spectrum of hand and upper extremity conditions—from common issues like arthritis, fractures, and cysts to rare and complex disorders—using the latest techniques to restore function and improve quality of life.

Hand Fellowship

Fellowship

As a fellow, you will receive advanced, hands-on training in the comprehensive management of acute hand and upper extremity trauma, microvascular emergencies, complex reconstructive procedures, congenital limb deformities, and brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries. Our program is designed to equip you with the expertise and confidence to handle the most challenging cases in upper extremity surgery.

► Learn more about the fellowship

► Meet our current fellows

hand research

Research

Our faculty are nationally recognized leaders in researching complex hand and upper extremity conditions, pioneering innovative treatment techniques such as advanced arthroscopic procedures, microvascular reconstruction, and nerve regeneration. Recent breakthroughs include the development of new treatments for wrist and elbow fractures, cutting-edge applications of surgical microscopy, and advancements in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), including hand transplantation. These efforts are supported by robust clinical and translational research programs that are shaping the future of upper extremity surgery.