New Fort HealthCare Center for Hand Care-Open House Event

It is easy for people to take their full function of their hands for granted. Perhaps thousands of time each day we reach, touch, hold, point and lift with these essential parts of the body. Therefore, any loss of function through injury or disease can devastate lives. To better serve the people of our communities and businesses in the region, Fort HealthCare is proud to announce the newly-formed Center for Hand Care, a wrist and hand specialty clinic.

The Center for Hand Care brings a team of experienced and expert surgeons together with a number of specially-trained hand therapists and staff. The goal of the program is to provide seamless, efficient, and coordinated care that restores injured hands to the highest possible level of function. The collaborative approach to the evaluation and treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions offers innovative treatment techniques, proactive, patient-centered care, all in one location.

The Fort HealthCare Center for Hand Care team consists of James Bruno, MD of Fort HealthCare Orthopaedic Associates, occupational therapists, four Certified Hand Therapists, nursing staff and an industrial injury case manager. Dr. Bruno is one of the expert orthopedic surgeons at Fort HealthCare Orthopaedic Associates. His partners are Randall Jennings, MD, Isidoro Zambrano, MD, and Thomas Nordland, MD.

The Center for Hand Care in Fort Atkinson offers personalized care, state-of-the-art equipment, an electronic medical records system, on-site digital radiography, innovative treatment methods and rehabilitation tools all under one roof. In one appointment, a person can meet with a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). Staff can also assist with any necessary insurance pre-certification, setting up tests or appointments, touring the facility, coordinating follow-up care with a primary care doctor, and answering any questions.

The Center for Hand Care team also collaborates with therapists located at our Fort Atkinson, Whitewater and Lake Mills Therapy & Sport Center locations to ensure patients the ability to be cared for close to their home. Industrial case management services are available to patients and area employers to ensure optimal outcomes and rapid return-to-work plans.

Kelly Brunson, occupational therapist and CHT with Fort HealthCare states, “Timing is everything when it comes to the treatment and prevention of painful hand and arm conditions. At our center, we offer timely access to our surgeons and hand therapists to maximize the outcomes and help promote faster healing for our patients, getting them back to the activities they once enjoyed, quickly, and in a cost-effective manner.”

Brunson adds, “Depending upon the condition that someone has, one of the CHTs may meet with them right away to provide some initial care to reduce physical discomfort until a treatment plan can be formalized. People with hand or wrist pain can call the clinic directly and get in to see someone as soon as possible, or they can get a referral from their primary care doctor. In either case, care will be coordinated with their doctor.”

Bruno states, “Not all hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions need to be treated through surgery. Many of these conditions will improve with the correct course of treatment and specialized therapy. A real benefit to offering this program in our local community is that for many people, multiple therapy appointments are necessary, and having these services here prevents them from the inconvenience of the extra time and expense involved in travelling out of town.”

Typical conditions treated at the Center for Hand Care include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, wrist and hand pain, sprains, upper extremity numbness, tendinitis, arthritis, joint dislocations and fractures, as well as tendon and ligament injuries. Many of these conditions can develop over time or are due to injury. In the workplace, many of these ailments can occur as a result of repetitive motion, lifting, moving, or a worksite accident.

Dr. Bruno specializes in hand and wrist surgery with over 20 years of experience performing orthopedic surgery. His training at Upstate Medical Center in New York allowed him access to some of the finest hand surgeons in the country. The CHTs have achieved the highest level of certification a therapist can obtain in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions. The certification process involves extra years of practice in hand and upper extremity rehab, as well as successfully passing a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper arm, shoulder and hand rehabilitation.

SIDEBAR:
The public is invited to an open house event on Wednesday, September 26th anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. at 1504 Madison Avenue in Fort Atkinson. Meet surgeons and staff, and receive an overview of the specialized hand care services available in Fort Atkinson. Information about hand therapy, rehabilitation and many surgical and non-surgical treatment options for a variety of hand and wrist conditions will be shared in a casual setting. A short tour of the facility and refreshments will be provided.

The Fort HealthCare Center for Hand Care provides comprehensive care from diagnosis to rehabilitation for surgical and non-surgical treatments for individuals managing pain or injury of the finger, hand, wrist, elbow, arm and shoulder. The Center for Hand Care is a service of Fort HealthCare Orthopaedic Associates, part of Fort HealthCare’s Fort Medical Group network of clinics. For more information, visit FortHealthCare.com/HandCare. Fort HealthCare participates in most insurance plans, including Dean Care, Dean Care Gold, Unity, Physicians Plus, Mercy Care, Humana, United Healthcare and more. For a complete listing, visit FortHealthCare.com/Insurance.