Advanced Hand and Upper Extremity Care at AHN: A Seamless Referral Experience Built for Providers

Hand and upper extremity conditions are among the most common musculoskeletal issues encountered in primary care, yet access to specialized orthopaedic expertise can vary widely.

At AHN Orthopaedic Institute, the Hand and Upper Extremity Division is designed to close that gap by delivering comprehensive, subspecialized care while simplifying the referral experience for providers.

By combining advanced capabilities with efficient access and communication, AHN supports both timely patient care and continuity across the care journey.

A comprehensive program, from shoulder to fingertips

AHN’s Hand and Upper Extremity Division provides specialized care across the full continuum of hand and upper extremity conditions, including:

• Shoulder and rotator cuff pathology
• Elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand conditions
• Peripheral nerve disorders and injuries
• Acute trauma, fractures, and overuse injuries

With fellowship-trained specialists focused exclusively on this region of the body, AHN offers a single referral destination for both routine and complex cases — reducing the need to coordinate across multiple providers.

Minimally invasive innovation that accelerates recovery

AHN continues to expand the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques in the outpatient setting, improving both patient experience and system efficiency. Capabilities include:

• Same-day shoulder replacement procedures in ambulatory settings
• Endoscopic and arthroscopic techniques for faster recovery
• Advanced surgical navigation technology, including ExactechGPS®, to enhance precision in shoulder arthroplasty
• Subscapular-sparing approaches that reduce tissue disruption.

These advancements allow many patients to return home the same day and resume daily activities sooner, without sacrificing high-quality outcomes. For referring providers, this translates to shorter recovery timelines, fewer complications, and improved patient satisfaction.

Expanding patient access through WALANT

AHN is also redefining surgical access through wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) techniques for select hand procedures.

This innovative approach eliminates many traditional barriers to surgery:

• No pre-operative clearance
• No fasting or sedation
• Reduced need for OR resources
• Faster, more convenient patient experience

Patients can often be treated in an outpatient setting, supporting both efficiency for providers and convenience for patients.

Specialized care for brachial plexus injuries

AHN’s Hand and Upper Extremity Division provides advanced evaluation and treatment for peripheral nerve disorders, including brachial plexus injuries.

With expertise in nerve transfer and microsurgical reconstruction, AHN is among a limited number of programs in the region offering comprehensive care for complex nerve injuries. These time-sensitive cases benefit from early referral, allowing for appropriate monitoring and intervention within optimal treatment windows.

Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary care model that integrates surgical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up to support recovery.

How to refer

Referral to AHN’s Hand and Upper Extremity Division is designed to be straightforward and efficient. To refer a patient, call 844-MD-REFER 844-637-3337 or submit a referral online.

With streamlined access and automatic updates available through EpiCare Link, AHN ensures a no-chase referral experience so you can stay fully informed and focused on patient care.