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Our People – Hand

Summary

In collaboration with Dr. Karen Davis, we continue to explore the cortical changes that occur following peripheral nerve injury, repair and rehabilitation. We are currently studying neuroplasticity in patient with carpal tunnel syndrome and the changes that occur in the brain prior and following surgical decompression.

Clinical Research

  1. Studying cold sensitivity in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and the extent to which surgical release improves cold sensitivity.
  2. Studying the outcomes of immediate mobilization of tendon transfers in the upper extremity.
  3. Analyzing wait time for delayed peripheral nerve surgery in Ontario.
  4. Studying the long term natural history of upper extremity peripheral nerve lesions in terms of quality of life, level of disability, pain and cold sensitivity.

Surgical Education

  1. Plastic surgery trainee technical skills acquisition and competency.
  2. Plastic surgery trainee leadership skills acquisition and competency.

Team Members

  • Dr. Moaath Saggaf, Masters Student
  • Cassandra La Rosa, Administrative Assistant

Keywords

Hand surgery; peripheral nerve; cortical plasticity; clinical outcomes; surgical education

Profiles

Summary

Dr. Baltzer’s current research endeavours include biomarker screening in the basal thumb osteoarthritis population, and health costing analysis of hand trauma patients in Ontario.

Dr. Baltzer is currently exploring the possibility of establishing a unique biomarker profile for the patient population suffering from basal thumb osteoarthritis. Systemic markers of inflammation and joint degradation are the present targets of interest, with joint-local markers potentially indicating possible targets for novel intra-articular therapy development.

In Ontario, hand trauma patients substantiate a significant portion of emergency visits, often requiring extensive and multidisciplinary care long after the initial trauma. The frequency and volume of healthcare utilization and resulting costs can be explored to improve the current model for which care is delivered to these patients.

Team Members

  • Daniel Antflek, Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Anusha Ratneswaran, Post-doctoral fellow
  • Helal Endisha, Post-doctoral fellow
  • Helene Retrouvey, Plastic Surgery Resident
  • Adriana Dekirmendjian, Medical Student
  • Isra Hussein, Medical Student/MSc Candidate
  • Celine Yeung, Medical Student
  • Shawn Khan, Medical Student

    • Keywords

    Basal thumb osteoarthritis; hand trauma; cost analysis; nerve transfer; digit replantation

    Profiles

Summary

Dr. Chan is an Orthopaedic Hand and Wrist Surgeon and a Clinical Investigator at the University Health Network.

Her current research focuses the use of advanced wrist imaging techniques for analysis of joint contact forces and the early detection of wrist cartilage biochemical and morphological changes (the “pre-arthritic” state) post-trauma and following surgical joint preservation interventions. This research has the potential to provide surgeons with a better understanding of surgical timing for arthritis prevention, to improve upon current surgical techniques, and determine how such interventions affect and improve wrist cartilage health.

Keywords

Wrist kinematics and biomechanics; advanced wrist bioimaging; patient-reported outcomes

Keywords

Plastic and reconstructive surgery; hand surgery; carpal tunnel syndrome; arthritis

Profiles

Summary

Research focus on wrist injuries and pathology, including clinical research, outcomes and basic science.

Keywords

Scaphoid; wrist; reconstructive surgery; avascular necrosis; osteoarthritis

Profiles

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