I am interested in investigating the use of peripheral nerve transfers to improve upper extremity function in patients with spinal cord injury. As a reconstructive plastic surgeon at a major tertiary care center with a practice focused on complex patient populations, including those with upper extremity and peripheral nerve trauma; my clinical interest and skill is well suited to treat this patient population. I have extensively coordinated a multidisciplinary clinic to safely take care of these patients from pre-operative consultation to post-operative therapy. My research background in both basic science and clinical settings have prepared me well towards choosing realistic incremental projects and the team working with me brings additional expertise that will move forward this fundamental work to establish that there are real benefits without significant adverse outcomes to doing these procedures in this unique patient population with high-demand use of their upper extremities.

My primary clinical interests are in restoring upper extremity function and performing complex upper extremity and general reconstructive plastic surgery procedures. My area of clinical and research expertise is in the restoration of hand and upper extremity function in the setting of mid-cervical spinal cord injury. I perform nerve and tendon transfer surgery to restore function.

Other areas of clinical expertise:

• Surgical treatment of upper extremity dysfunction in stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), peripheral nerve and traumatic disorders
• Nerve injury
• Nerve compression of the upper and lower extremity
• Hand ischemia and dysfunction
• Hand and upper extremity cancer
• Upper extremity infections and wounds
• Carpal tunnel and nerve compression
• Trigger finger, ganglions and tendonitis of the hand
• Dupuytren’s disease and scarring of hand
• Hand and finger stiffness
• Hand trauma
• Complex reconstructive plastic surgery
• Chest wall, esophageal, bronchopleural fistula reconstructive and coverage procedures
• Chest wall reconstruction
• Transplant and general sternal wound reconstruction, infected aortic graft salvage, ECMO site wound coverage

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