Hospital For Special Surgery Opens Center to Treat Children with Hand and Arm Conditions

New York, NY—February 15, 2006

Children and adolescents living with potentially debilitating conditions -- such as orthopaedic trauma, congenital deformities or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy -- now have a comprehensive medical program that hones in on their unmet needs, thanks to specialists at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Manhattan.

The Children and Adolescent Hand and Arm (CHArm) Center at HSS brings together a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic and hand surgeons, pediatric sports specialists, and physical and occupational therapists to treat children and adolescents with limited use of their hands and arms.

“Young patients who were previously unable to find specialists for their individual condition will find a team of pediatric and adolescent upper extremity experts at the CHArm Center,” said CHArm Director Michelle Carlson, M.D., who is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand surgery at HSS.

These upper extremity specialists offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options and bridge the gap that can sometimes exist between patients, doctors and rehabilitation specialists.

One of the few centers of its kind in the country, CHArm offers comprehensive medical care and provides its patients with individualized treatment. In collaboration with the Hospital’s Research Division, CHArm staff has at their fingertips the capability to develop effective approaches for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the conditions they see.

The Center has also established community education outreach programs to increase awareness and teach prevention techniques through relationships with numerous school systems, athletic trainers and school-based health care workers.

“CHArm eliminates the hassle of seeing multiple physicians prior to connecting with the appropriate specialist by matching a patient’s condition with the right doctor's clinical expertise,” said Dr. Carlson. Through a liaison service, there are twelve affiliated doctors and eight insurance plans offered.

“Our goal is to create a community of families who once felt otherwise isolated in their situation. Parents should not feel as though their child is alone in their medical condition,” said Dr. Carlson.  

“The CHArm Center is made possible through a donation by an anonymous benefactor. We are extremely grateful for their generosity,” added Dr. Carlson.

Patient consultations are conducted by appointment only. To schedule a consultation, please call the toll free number 1-888-CHArm40 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or log onto http://www.hss.edu/charmcenter, an educational resource for children and their families with upper extremity questions and concerns.