Information about the Dean Hand and Upper Extremity Program For Referring Physicians

If you are a physician needing to refer patients with hand and upper extremity problems, please call:

Dean Direct
Dean's Physician-to-Physician Resource Line
(888) 302-3326

We recommend that physicians refer patients to the Hand and Upper Extremity Clinic using the following guidelines for acute and non-acute hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions.

Conditions Requiring Follow-up within 1-3 Days Post-injury

• Lacerations with possible nerve, tendon, or vascular injury
• Fingertip amputations
• Soft tissue avulsion injuries of the hand or fingers
• Any referral for consultation for wound coverage, including possible need for flap or skin graft
• Fractures referred with known displacement / possible need for surgical repair

Conditions Requiring Follow-up within 3-7 Days Post-injury

• Gamekeeper's / Reverse Gamekeeper's injuries
• Ligament injuries
• Fractures
• Dislocations and Fracture-Dislocations
• Mallet Finger
• PIP joint injuries / Boutonniere injuries
• Elbow / Hand / Wrist / Finger Acute Injury

Non-acute Conditions to be Scheduled at Next-available Appointment

• Arthritis / Osteoarthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Congenital Anomalies
• CMC Arthritis / Basal Joint Arthritis
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Cysts / Masses / Lesions
• deQuervain's
• Dupuytren's
• Epicondylitis / Elbow Pain (without fracture or acute injury) / Tennis or Golfer's Elbow
• Ganglion Cysts
• Tendonitis
• Trigger Finger / Trigger Thumb
• Hand / Wrist / Finger Pain - Without Acute Injury
• Hand / Wrist / Finger Numbness or Tingling
• Hand / Wrist / Finger Swelling or Stiffness - Without Acute Injury