Sanj Kakar, M.D.

Research is instrumental for improving medical care and the patient experience. Finding new surgical techniques can create better outcomes and minimize recovery time and complications for patients. Some patients undergoing trigger finger surgery with a pre-existing Dupuytren's cord may develop a thickened surgical scar after surgery, which can cause discomfort, difficulty with moving or using, and other complications in the affected finger(s) or hand. The investigator is investigating a surgical technique to minimize these potential complications and scarring after surgery. Subjects are being asked to take part in this research study because they have been diagnosed with trigger finger and pretendinous Dupuytren's cord and have decided to undergo surgery rather than try medical treatment.

The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of Scapholunate Ligament Internal Brace 360-Degree Tenodesis (SLITT) Procedure patients.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of hamate-to-scaphoid transfer in a series of patients with collection of both retrospective and prospective chart data and prospective outcome measure questionnaires.

The purpose of this study is to describe a practical and reproducible radiographic view that can be used in the work-up of ulnocarpal impaction.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Patient-Specific Functional Survey (PSFS) is a valid and reliable measure to evaluate functional difficulties with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The purpose of this study is to collect kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) data from ten high-level tennis athletes for the creation of a normative database.

The purpose of this study is whether patients are able to forecast their postoperative recovery after surgery.

Tightrope arthroplasty and ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition (LRTI) are both acceptable treatment options for painful arthritis at the thumb carpometacarpal joint. Advocates of the tightrope arthroplasty often cite early postoperative mobilization as a benefit to using this technique over alternative procedures. However, early postoperative rehabilitation protocols are used following the LRTI technique at our institution as well. Our study aims to clarify whether early mobilization following LRTI results in different short-term outcomes compared to tightrope arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study is to find the genes that are responsible for the development of disorders of fibrosis.

The specific aim of this protocol is to identify microRNAs that are differentially expressed between diseased fibrotic tissue (dupuytrens disease and plantar fibromatosis) and normal fibrotic tissue.

The primary aim of the study is to see if a single wrist injection (intra-articular) of dexamethasone at the time of treatment will reduce the incidence of early-onset of post traumatic osteoarthritis.

The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb, which is the joint at the base of the thumb, is one of the most common areas in the hand where arthritis develops.  CMC arthritis of the thumb can lead to pain, limited range of motion, and decreased ability to grip and pinch objects.  Initial treatment of CMC joint arthritis typically consists of nonsurgical measures including splinting, oral anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), topical anti-inflammatory creams, and steroid injections. If the patient's symptoms do not improve with these measures, various surgical operations are commonly used to treat CMC arthritis. Each of these surgical methods requires extensive recovery time following surgery, hand therapy, and significant time away from work.  With the goal of providing patients with a less invasive procedure that reliably improves pain relief and allows patients to return to work and activities more quickly with minimal rehabilitation after surgery, the senior author has begun to perform a relatively new surgical procedure called the thumb partial CMC denervation procedure.  The goal of this research is to determine the outcomes of patients who undergo the thumb partial CMC denervation procedure.  Specifically, we will be examining whether they experience significant pain relief, if they are better able to use their thumb and hand after this operation, and the complications that may occur following this operation.

The purpose of this study is to understand the patient perspective on which decisions should be shared during the course of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.