Fractures

Fractures of the upper extremity can range from simple, stable injuries to highly complex breaks that require advanced reconstructive techniques. At the NYU Langone Hand to Shoulder Center, Dr. Jacques Hacquebord and his multidisciplinary team specialize in the full spectrum of care—from urgent fracture management to revision procedures for malunions and nonunions. Whether you’ve sustained an injury to the hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, our team provides individualized treatment aimed at restoring function, alignment, and long-term durability.

Acute upper-extremity injuries are common but vary widely in severity. Prompt evaluation is essential to ensure proper healing and avoid long-term complications.

Hand Fractures
Hand fractures can involve the fingers, metacarpals, or more complex intra-articular injuries. Treatment may include splinting, casting, or precise surgical fixation depending on alignment, stability, and patient needs. Our goal is to restore full motion and strength while minimizing stiffness and deformity.

Distal Radius Fractures
Often caused by falls or sports injuries, distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures we treat. Our team specializes in modern fixation techniques—including low-profile plates and minimally invasive approaches—to ensure proper alignment and rapid recovery. Therapy is seamlessly integrated to restore mobility and functional use.

Scaphoid Fractures
The scaphoid is a small but critical bone in the wrist. Because its blood supply is limited, scaphoid fractures require careful management. We provide both non-surgical and surgical options, including percutaneous screw fixation, for optimal healing and return to activity.

When fractures heal in poor alignment—a condition known as malunion—patients may experience pain, loss of motion, weakness, or deformity. Dr. Hacquebord is nationally recognized for performing corrective osteotomies of the forearm and wrist.

Both-Bone Forearm Malunions
Improperly healed radius and ulna fractures can significantly impair rotation (supination and pronation). Precise realignment surgery, often supported by 3-dimensional planning and customized cutting guides, can restore mechanics and significantly improve quality of life.

Distal Radius Malunions
Distal radius fractures that heal incorrectly may cause deformity, pain, and dysfunction of the wrist. Corrective osteotomy realigns the joint, improves grip strength, and reduces long-term arthritis risk. These procedures are tailored to each patient’s anatomy and functional goals.

Some fractures fail to heal altogether—called nonunions—and may require advanced surgical techniques.

Scaphoid Nonunions
A nonhealing scaphoid fracture can lead to chronic pain, instability, and early arthritis. Our team offers specialized approaches, including:

• Vascularized bone grafting
• Non-vascularized grafting
• Screw fixation with biologic augmentation

These methods improve blood supply and promote reliable healing.

Complex Bone Loss and Reconstruction
For the most challenging cases—with bone loss, failed prior surgeries, or compromised blood supply—Dr. Hacquebord performs vascularized bone transfers, including the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial femoral trochlea (MFT) free flaps.

These procedures use living bone with its own blood supply to reconstruct defects in the wrist and hand, providing biologically robust healing even in the most difficult situations.

Whether your fracture is straightforward or requires highly specialized reconstruction, Dr. Hacquebord and the team at the NYU Langone Hand to Shoulder Center offer world-class expertise at every level.

From acute injuries of the hand and wrist to complicated nonunions, malunions, and advanced microvascular bone reconstruction, our mission is to help every patient return to full, pain-free function.