Eastern Idaho Hand Center-medical and surgical treatment for problems involving the Hand, Wrist & Elbow in Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic

Clinic Beginnings

The seed for development of a sports medicine facility on the Idaho State University campus was planted in November of 1991 when Dr. Mick Mickelson, a local orthopedic surgeon, and Randy Hoffman, athletic director for ISU, approached Earl Christison, administrator at Pocatello Regional Medical Center, to propose the concept. Such a cooperative effort between the hospital, ISU, orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists made good sense for the community at large as well as for ISU. The idea quickly progressed into a formal agreement which was announced to the community in February of 1992.

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Vermon S. Esplin, M.D
Orthopaedic Hand & Wrist Surgeon 

Dr.Verman S.Esp

Board Certified: ABOS. Board Certified Hand Surgery

Medical School: University of Utah 
Orthopaedic Surgery Internship and Residency: Madigan Army Medical  Center 

Fellowship: Walter Reed Army Medical Center

                                   










Jeffrey D Stucki, D.O.  
Orthopaedic Hand & Wrist Surgeon 


                          

Dr.Jeffrey Stucki

Resident Member: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
 Board Eligible: American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
Member: American Osteopathic Association
Medical School: Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA 
Orthopedic Residency: Doctors Hospital/Grant Medical Center,Columbus,OH
Hand/Upper Extremity Fellowship: University of Alabama at Birmingham,   Birmingham, AL



Doctor Stucki grew up in South Eastern Idaho in the small town of Ririe. He enjoys the outdoors, sports and spending time with his wife Jackie, and their seven children.

Hand & Wrist

The human hand is an intricate instrument that is both tough and delicate. Its functions of sensations and motion allow us to experience and control the world around us.
One in three industrial or home accidents involves injury to the hand. The restoration of hand function after injury or disease is a gratifying experience for the hand surgeon.
Many routine hand conditions are treated in our practice. The following links provide a brief description of some of them. There are numerous other conditions that relate to the injury, disease and deformity of the wrist and hand. 

Eastern Idaho Hand Center Surgeons are skilled in all aspects of Orthopaedic Hand Surgery. Their orthopaedic services include:

Trigger Finger

The tendons of the thumb and each of the fingers pass through a sheath on the palm side of the hand. Certain diseases and overuse activities can cause a thickening of this sheath. As the tendon passes through a thickened sheath, the tendon eventually becomes irritated and swells. Pain, catching and eventually locking of the finger will occur. Early treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medication or Cortisone injection. If these fail to provide relief, the sheath is opened surgically through a small incision at the base of the finger.

Dupuytren's Contracture

This disorder is a thickening of a ligament in the palm, resulting in nodules on the ligament which, if severe enough, can cause an inability to fully straighten the fingers. The ring and small fingers are the fingers most commonly involved.The cause of this disorder is unknown. It is seen more commonly in men and is usually found in individuals of northern European extraction.If deformity is mild and there is no functional loss, no surgery is needed. If, however, there is significant contracture that interferes with full use of the hand, surgical removal of a portion of the ligament is the treatment of choice to improve function and to prevent further deformity.

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Tendonitis on the thumb side of the wrist can be a very painful and disabling condition. Simple pinching and twisting activities can be almost impossible. The tendons to the thumb become inflamed as they pass under a ligament and the slightest motion of the wrist can cause pain.
Treatment consists of rest, medication and occasionally the use of a steroid injection. If these treatments do not provide relief over time, the tendons can be surgically released.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common hand problem resulting from pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms, which are often worse at night, consist of numbness and/or pain in the wrist and fingers. Eventually there is loss of strength, fine motor control and sensation.
Early treatment consists of splinting and anti-inflammatory medication. If symptoms do not improve, an outpatient surgical procedure to relieve the pressure on the nerve is suggested.

Microvascular Surgery

Microsurgery or Microvascular Surgery is a general term for surgery requiring an operating microscope. The most obvious developments have been procedures developed to allow anastomosis of successively smaller blood vessels and nerves (typically 1 mm in diameter) which have allowed transfer of tissue from one part of the body to another and re-attachment of severed parts. Although microsurgery is used mostly in plastic surgery, microsurgical techniques are utilized by all specialties today.

Replantation

Replantation is the reattachment of a completely detached body part. Fingers and thumbs are the most common ares to be replanted. Generally replantation involves restoring blood flow through arteries and veins, restoring the bony skeleton and connecting tendons and nerves as required.


If you have an orthopaedic condition and wish to be advised on the most appropriate treatment, please call (208) 234-1960 to schedule an appointment or click here to get online appointment