When it comes to hand and upper-extremity injuries, WellSpan’s expert providers come from some of the top orthopedic programs in the country and are trained to deliver the best outcomes. Orthopedic surgeon Jovito Angeles, MD, FAAOS, who has practiced and taught at the University of Florida and University of Chicago, said he and his partners are capable of tackling conditions from the shoulder to the fingertips: bones, nerves and soft tissue. 

“We are a tertiary referral center for upper extremities serving patients in York County and beyond,” Angeles said. “The complex cases we have treated include severe nerve injuries or nerve compression, complex fractures of the upper extremities and revision of joint replacements in the upper extremities.” 

Angeles noted that patients with severe and complex nerve injuries or compression need to be referred sooner rather than later because outcomes from surgical treatment are better when done early. “A patient presenting with complex fractures of the extremities oftentimes has other medical conditions and poor bone quality, requiring collaboration with additional specialists to optimize the patient’s functional recovery,” Angeles said. 

“Revision joint replacements pose a significant challenge in that we complete a significant amount of prep work in terms of implants and instrumentation so that we are prepared to have all options readily available during surgery,” he added. “That’s on top of working with other specialists in optimizing patients medically for surgery, as most have multiple accompanying medical conditions that also need to be addressed.” 

This is where WellSpan’s coordinated care initiatives are paramount. “Coordinated care is important because it ensures that our patients’ needs are addressed in a timely and comprehensive fashion,” Angeles said. “We achieve this by having open lines of communication with all other necessary specialties and services within the WellSpan system.” 

WellSpan’s hand and upper-extremity providers use the latest techniques and technologies available. “For patients undergoing complex nerve reconstruction, I use techniques such as targeted motor reinnervation (TMR), nerve transfers and electrical stimulation to achieve the best outcomes,” Angeles said. “Our team also utilizes shoulder replacement systems that employ digital pre-operative planning with leading-edge implant designs.” 

Using the latest technology from planning through surgery, the team ensures each surgery is specifically tailored to the patient which leads to better outcomes. 

Angeles explained he is happy to make himself available to consult with referring physicians and to see their patients. 

“My experience and training have given me the ability to care for practically all conditions and injuries from the shoulder to the fingertips, whether that is a fracture, sports injury, nerve injury, or more, and I am privileged to provide the top-level care patients deserve here at WellSpan Orthopedics.”