Which doctor is responsible for the hand? For the treatment of complaints, injuries and diseases of the hand and the wrist are primarily in Germany two Specialist medical disciplines are responsible, one of whom is the absolute specialist:

1. Hand surgeon (The absolute specialist)
2. Orthopedic surgeon and trauma surgeon (general contact person)

Which doctor you should see depends heavily on the nature of your problem (whether it needs to be treated conservatively or surgically).

1. The hand surgeon: The specialist for the hand

The Hand surgeon is the most qualified specialist for all complex problems and diseases of the hand.

Conclusion: At Injuries, chronic pain, numbness (Nerve problems) or if a operation It is likely that a hand surgeon is the doctor of choice.

2. The orthopedist and trauma surgeon

The Orthopedist and trauma surgeon is often the first point of contact for non-operative problems of the entire musculoskeletal system, including the hand.

3. Other potential specialists

Depending on the type of illness, other doctors may also be temporarily or additionally responsible:

• Neurologist: In cases of unclear Numbness or Tingle in the hand to investigate nerve damage (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome) and to measure nerve conduction velocity.
• Rheumatologist: In case of suspected a inflammatory joint disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), which often first affects the small wrists.
• Plastic surgeon: Sometimes with the additional designation of hand surgery, responsible for soft tissue reconstructions or complex defects of the hand.

Quick overview: Which doctor should I see first?