The Upper Hand: Chuck & Chris Talk Hand Surgery

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Latest Episodes:

Practical AI in Medicine with Jason Strelzow Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris welcome Jason Strelzow to discuss AI in general, applications in medicine (including ambient listening), and his favorite chatbot. Dr. Strelzow is a hand surgeon with a trauma focus at Wash U and is the JBJS AI Associate Editor.
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

Artemis II and Being the Best Resident Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris spent a few minutes discussing Artemis II. So many interesting discussion points from this mission around the moon- we focus on selection criteria for competitive jobs (like astronauts and orthopedic residents)! In addition, we hit the highlights from Rick Wright's visit as a Leadership lecturer. Rick spoke on 'How to be the best resident and attending' and we all learned a great deal. Chris and Chuck break this down.

The Artemis II Effect: When Everyone Is Brilliant, Character Becomes The Mission. Penny Abeywardena, Forbes Magazine April 9th.

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

Volar Plating for Distal Radius Fractures Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris discuss volar plating for distal radius fractures. What are the alternatives, what are some technical pearls, and more.
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

Interesting Travels and Listener Feedback Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris share interesting information about Chuck's trip to India for the World Congenital Symposium and Chris' visit to the Curtis National Hand Center as a Visiting Professor. Then they discuss a listener's concern about their discussion of operating room efficiency/ Chuck's trip to Atlanta.
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

JHS Spotlight, Part 2: Age and Nerves, Epitendinous Repair, and Weight bearing CT / SLIL Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris begin a new initiative working with The Journal of Hand Surgery on a quarterly journal club. Nash and Macerena will choose the articles from the previous quarter and Chris and Chuck will review the articles and discuss practical implications. This first episode includes discussion of the following articles from Q4 of 2025:
Porche KM, Spinner RJ, Bishop AT, Pulos N, Shin AY. Age-Related Effects on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Dec;50(12):1498-1504. PMID: 40817901.

Cardenas D, Dogaroiu A, Harirah M, Zhang AY, Odobescu A, Sammer DM. Biomechanical Comparison of Suture Caliber and Number of Passes in Epitendinous Repair. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Oct;50(10):1278.e1-1278.e6. PMID: 39903150.

Ritchie B, Saini J, Mack ZE, Munn A, Dhaliwal G, Roach KE, Manske SL, White NJ. Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography Analysis of Scapholunate Ligament Injury. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Nov;50(11):1304-1312. PMID: 40944679.
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

JHS Spotlight, Part 1: Basal joint arthritis, telemedicine, and GLPs Feb 15, 2026

Show notes

Portney DA, Lee CP, Wolf JM, Strelzow JA, Stepan JG. A Changing Landscape in Surgical Treatment of Basilar Thumb Arthritis: Is the Rate of Denervation Increasing? J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Oct;50(10):1280.e1-1280.e8. PMID: 39918526.

Earp BE, Zhang D, Benavent KA, Ostergaard PJ, Blazar PE. The Use of Telemedicine Postoperative Visits Following Carpal Tunnel and Trigger Digit Releases: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Dec;50(12):1431-1437. PMID: 41117725.

Amen TB, Ibrahim LI, Gillinov SM, Torabian KA, Dean MC, Liimakka A, Lee SK. Glucagon-like peptide-1 Agonists and Common Hand Procedures: Perioperative and Postoperative Risks and Complications. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Nov;50(11):1297-1303. PMID: 41055617.

Challenges with "Simple" Procedures in Hand Surgery Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris review common, "straightforward" surgeries in hand surgery and what might go wrong. We specifically discuss trigger finger release, dequervains release, ganglion excision and carpal tunnel release. We share our thoughts and hope for listener feedback.
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

Technical considerations: Ulnar Nerve and Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

Chuck and Chris respond to listener submitted questions regarding cubital tunnel decompression and ulnar nerve transposition. We also discuss some nuanced cases of thumb UCL injuries.
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

Revision Surgery for Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Chris Dy on The Resident Review Podcast Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

Chris goes solo on this one as we share his guest podcast appearance on "The Resident Review Podcast."

The Second Look: Navigating Revision Surgery for Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndromes
Revision surgery for nerve compression in the upper extremity presents unique challenges. While primary decompression procedures for conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CuTS) are common, addressing persistent or recurrent symptoms requires a specialized approach. Dr. Dy provides an in-depth look at the workup and surgical philosophy for these complex revision cases.
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

Elbow Arthroscopy Tips and Tricks Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

Chuck and Chris discuss tricks and tips for elbow arthroscopy, a listener submitted topic. Learn more about indications, portal placement, and keys to success.
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

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