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

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

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

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

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:

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.

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

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

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

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