The Upper Hand: Chuck & Chris Talk Hand Surgery

Chuck and Chris
  • 4.9 (191)
  • Life Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

The Upper Hand Podcast feature Charles Goldfarb and Chris Dy from Washington University Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Our weekly podcast will discuss all things hand surgery, from the technical aspects of what we do (diagnosis, treatment) to our more personal approaches to events and opportunities that hand surgeons experience. We welcome feedback and audience engagement. We are grateful for the muscial contribution of @iamPeterMartin.

  1. 3d ago

    JHS Spotlight, Summer 2026

    Chuck and Chris review 6 recent Journal of Hand Surgery articles with a variety of topics.  Tune in and see below. 1) Arends GR, van Kooij YE, Stern BZ, Hovius SER, Wouters RM; Hand-Wrist Study Group; de Ridder WA. Understanding Why Certain Patients With Hand and Wrist Conditions Are Dissatisfied Despite Achieving Their Expressed Personal Improvement Goals Anchored at Satisfaction: A Qualitative Study. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Jun;51(6):687-697. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.12.009. Epub 2026 Jan 29. PMID: 41609542. 2) Lee SH, Kim MB, Lee YH. Surgical Management of Delayed Mallet Finger Fractures Using Combined Two-Extension Block Kirschner Wire and Dorsal Counterforce Techniques. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 May;51(5):555-563. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.12.019. Epub 2026 Jan 29. PMID: 41609545. 3) Lunasin RM, Capell W, Kaufman KR, Shin AY. Rethinking Muscle Testing: Dynamic EMG Studies of Elbow Positioning as a Differentiator of Pronator Teres and Quadratus Functions. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Apr;51(4):437.e1-437.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.09.013. Epub 2025 Oct 29. PMID: 41159989. 4) Morisaki S, Yoshii K, Tsuchida S, Oda R, Takahashi K. Comparison of Manual Tie and Knotless Suture Anchor Techniques in Arthroscopic Transosseous Foveal Repair of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 May;51(5):503-510. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.01.021. Epub 2026 Mar 4. PMID: 41778936. 5) Mwangi J, Henriquez AR, Varney CR, Yu R, Kim JK, Baker RL Jr, Pidgeon T, Hammert WC. Suture-Button Suspensionplasty Does Not Provide a Sustained Functional Advantage Over Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition for Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Jun;51(6):623-630. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.02.019. Epub 2026 Apr 3. PMID: 41934451. 6) Surke C, Del Rosario PA, Huntington LS, Ek ETH, Tham SK, Ackland D. Fracture Fixation in an Unstable Scaphoid Fracture Model: A Biomechanical Comparison of Double Screw Osteosynthesis With Two Common Bone Graft and Fixation Techniques. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Apr;51(4):391.e1-391.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.09.007. Epub 2025 Oct 25. PMID: 41137815. See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  2. Aug 2

    CMS, EDS, and ABOS

    Chuck and Chris have a potpourri of topics including CMS proposed changes for 2027 (not good for hand surgery), cases, and two listener submitted topics: board preparation and caring for patients with ligamentous laxity/ Ehlers Danlos. Chuck references Christian Pean's Substack called 'Techy Surgeon' as a great resource for value based care and all things tech including AI insights. See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  3. Jul 19

    Practice Types and Private Equity: A discussion with Kathleen McKeon

    Chuck and Chris welcome Kathleen McKeon as our guest to discuss practice types, including:  academicprivatePE-backed privatean employed positionsDr. McKeon has personal experience with PE and shares insights for us all to consider.  We also learn a bit about her personal journey joining a well-known sports practice and succeeding in a "privatademic" environment.  Dr. McKeon references Ben Schwartz' Substack called 'The Surgeon's Record' as a great resource. See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  4. Jul 5

    Sustainability in Surgery and Other Pearls of Wisdom with Mark Baratz

    Chuck and Chris welcome Mark Baratz as our guest to talk about a number of topics, including sustainability and surgery, book club, culture, and so much more. Join us for pearls of wisdom from Mark Baratz and learn alongside of us. See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  5. Jun 21

    Chuck and Chris discuss JBJS What's New in Hand Surgery

    Chuck and Chris catch up and discuss the new JBJS 'What's New in Hand Surgery', written by Eric Wagner and Nina Suh.  This takes us through 2025 and highlights new and impactful scientific articles on our field.  Wagner ER, Suh N. What's New in Hand and Wrist Surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Mar 18;108(6):401-409. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.01568. Epub 2026 Feb 3. PMID: 41632853. We are still need of a podcast intern!  We would appreciate any referrals! See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  6. Jun 7

    Arcade of Struthers and Forearm Instability

    Chuck and Chris catch up and discuss a few clinical scenarios including the Arcade of Struthers and indications to address it with ulnar nerve transposition.  They also discuss adolescent forearm instability, especially in congenital conditions, and the role of the one- bone forearm We are still need of a podcast intern!  We would appreciate any referrals! See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  7. May 24

    Pronator Syndrome and JHS Spotlight Manuscripts

    Chuck and Chris continue the initiative working with The Journal of Hand Surgery on a quarterly journal club.  Nash and Macerena choose the articles from the previous quarter and Chris and Chuck review the articles and discuss practical implications.  See articles below. In addition, we discuss a case of possible pronator syndrome together with carpal tunnel syndrome including debate on the role of nerve studies, physical examination, and ultrasound. 1) Rames JD, Emanuels AF, Tunaboylu MF, Moran SL. A 40-Year Retrospective Evaluation of Vascularized Bone Grafting for Kienböck Disease. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Jan;51(1):13.e1-13.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.07.025. Epub 2025 Aug 29. PMID: 40879579. 2) Suzuki T, Kiyota Y, Matsumura N, Sato K, Nakamura M, Iwamoto T. Anatomical Reconstruction of the Terminal Tendon and Lateral Band for Severe Chronic Tendon Mallet Injury. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Jan;51(1):92.e1-92.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.04.025. Epub 2025 Jun 21. PMID: 40542795. 3) Lee C, Shin S, Fraipont G, Hung V, McGarry MH, Lee TQ. Dermal Allograft Augmentation With Proximal Row Carpectomy: A Biomechanical Study. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Feb;51(2):143-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.05.006. Epub 2025 Jul 4. PMID: 40613810. 4) Jaarsma EH, Ring D, Tonn MD, Brinkman N. Do Patients Older Than 40 Years with Work Claims for Unilateral Wrist Symptoms Have Symmetric, Bilateral MRI Signal Changes That Do Not Correspond with Symptoms? J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Mar;51(3):313-320. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.11.012. Epub 2026 Jan 29. PMID: 41609546. 5) Pohl NB, Brush PL, Parson JP, Fitzgerald P, Charlton A, Beredjiklian PK, Fletcher DJ. Incidence and Predictors of Subsequent Triggering Requiring Treatment After Trigger Finger Release. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 Feb;51(2):203.e1-203.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.02.009. Epub 2025 Apr 9. PMID: 40202483. We are in need of a podcast intern!  We would appreciate any referrals! See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

  8. May 10

    Cases and Mailbag

    Chuck and Chris catch up on recent travels including the Pediatric Hand Study Group meeting in Atlanta.  We discuss a few cases including a 5th CMC fracture dislocation, a 5+ year old scaphoid nonunion, a nightstick fracture, and more.  We also respond to listener submitted questions including 4th compartment tenosynovitis, CMC arthritis with MCP hyperextension including the role of CMC fusion, and ulnar nerve transposition. We are still in need of a podcast intern!  We would appreciate any referrals! See www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities. The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music. For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

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About

The Upper Hand Podcast feature Charles Goldfarb and Chris Dy from Washington University Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Our weekly podcast will discuss all things hand surgery, from the technical aspects of what we do (diagnosis, treatment) to our more personal approaches to events and opportunities that hand surgeons experience. We welcome feedback and audience engagement. We are grateful for the muscial contribution of @iamPeterMartin.

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