WVU Medicine Orthopaedics celebrates record number of patients, fifth anniversary for office-based hand and upper extremity surgery

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Orthopaedics saw a record-setting 600-plus patients in 2023 for its office-based, wide-awake hand and upper extremity surgery program, which is also celebrating its fifth anniversary.

“Patients now come to us specifically to have their surgery completed in the office,” Shafic Sraj, M.D., WVU Medicine hand, elbow, and shoulder surgeon, said. “They know that they do not have to go to the hospital for their hand surgeries anymore, and they do not want to unless it is absolutely necessary.” 

At the start of the program, “surgeons had to explain its benefits, including ease of scheduling, elimination of most preoperative steps associated with general anesthesia, and decreased pre- and post-op time,” Joe Prudhomme, M.D., chief of hand and upper extremity surgery at WVU Medicine Orthopaedics, said. 

“Over the years, awake surgery in the office has become mainstream. People talk, and we do not have to explain it as much anymore.” 

The program has evolved over the years from initially offering a few simple surgeries, such as nerve and trigger releases, to more complex procedures, including fracture, tendon, and even arthritis surgeries. Some surgeons have also adopted app-based follow-up appointments for qualifying cases, eliminating the need for a return visit to the office for a wound check. 

“Patients rave about the experience,” Matthew Dietz, M.D., chair of WVU Medicine Orthopaedics, said. “Drs. Prudhomme and Sraj have done a great job of sharing this work and their expertise regarding establishing this program not only regionally but also at the national level as well.” 

As for the future of the program, expansion is in the near future, as in-office arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat a range of joint problems, will begin later this year. 

“No one likes to go to the operating room if there is a simpler, less burdensome way, especially if what is found would not require going to the hospital for treatment,” Sraj said.

For more information on WVU Medicine Orthopaedics, visit WVUMedicine.org/Ortho.