Hand and Wrist Fracture Surgeon in Manhattan
Specialized surgical care for hand, wrist, and forearm fractures, from acute breaks to fractures that have healed poorly or failed to heal. Dr. Jacques Hacquebord treats patients at NYU Langone in Manhattan, restoring alignment, motion, and strength after injury.
What Is Hand and Wrist Fracture Surgery?
A fracture in the hand, wrist, or forearm can range from a simple, stable break to a complex injury that extends into a joint or involves multiple fragments. Swelling, deformity, and pain after a fall or impact are common signs of a broken hand or wrist, and an X-ray confirms the diagnosis. Because these bones control grip, rotation, and fine movement, even a small fracture that heals out of position can cause lasting stiffness, weakness, or pain.
Many stable fractures heal with a splint or cast. Fractures that are displaced, unstable, or extend into a joint often need surgery to restore alignment and hold the bone in place while it heals. Dr. Hacquebord's approach gives equal weight to four goals: returning the bone to its exact original position, protecting the surrounding soft tissues, fixing the fracture securely, and starting motion early to support a quick and full recovery.
Not every fracture heals as expected. When a bone heals out of alignment or fails to heal at all, Dr. Hacquebord performs corrective and reconstructive surgery for malunions, nonunions, and bone loss.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Hacquebord
Full Range of Fracture Care
From splinting and casting to precise surgical fixation, treatment is matched to each fracture's alignment and stability. Dr. Hacquebord treats simple breaks as well as complex fractures that extend into the joint.
Malunion Correction
When a fracture heals out of alignment, Dr. Hacquebord performs corrective osteotomies of the wrist and forearm, often with 3D planning and custom cutting guides to restore the bone's position.
Advanced Bone Reconstruction
When a fracture fails to heal or involves bone loss, Dr. Hacquebord performs vascularized bone transfers that use living bone with its own blood supply to rebuild defects in the wrist and hand.
Hand and Wrist Fracture Services in Manhattan
Treatment depends on which bone is broken, whether the fracture is stable, and whether it extends into a joint. Many fractures heal without surgery, and surgery is recommended when the bone is displaced, unstable, or unlikely to heal well on its own.
Hand Fracture Treatment
Hand fractures can involve the finger bones, the metacarpals, or the joint surfaces. Depending on alignment and stability, treatment may include splinting, casting, or precise surgical fixation, with the goal of restoring full motion and strength while minimizing stiffness.
Wrist (Distal Radius) Fracture Surgery
Distal radius fractures, usually caused by a fall or a sports injury, are among the most common fractures Dr. Hacquebord treats. When surgery is needed, he uses modern fixation techniques, including low-profile plates and minimally invasive approaches, to restore alignment. Hand therapy follows to rebuild mobility and function.
Scaphoid Fracture Treatment
The scaphoid is a small wrist bone with a limited blood supply, so fractures there need careful management to heal. Treatment ranges from immobilization to percutaneous screw fixation, a minimally invasive procedure that stabilizes the bone through a small incision.
Malunion Correction
A fracture that heals in the wrong position can cause pain, deformity, weakness, and loss of motion. Forearm malunions can limit the ability to turn the palm up and down, and wrist malunions can weaken grip and raise the risk of arthritis. Corrective osteotomy cuts and realigns the bone to restore its mechanics.
Scaphoid Nonunion Repair
When a scaphoid fracture does not heal, it can lead to chronic pain, instability, and early arthritis. Dr. Hacquebord repairs scaphoid nonunions with vascularized or non-vascularized bone grafting and screw fixation with biologic augmentation to promote reliable healing.
Revision Surgery and Vascularized Bone Transfer
For fractures with bone loss, a compromised blood supply, or a failed prior surgery, Dr. Hacquebord performs vascularized bone transfers, including medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial femoral trochlea (MFT) flaps. The transferred bone is living tissue with its own blood supply, which supports healing in the most difficult cases. For injuries with extensive bone and soft-tissue loss, he also performs complex limb reconstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need surgery for a broken wrist?
<p>Not always. Stable fractures that stay in good position often heal in a splint or cast. Surgery is usually recommended when the fracture is displaced, unstable, or extends into the joint, because those fractures are more likely to heal out of alignment.</p>
What is a malunion, and can it be corrected?
A malunion is a fracture that has healed in the wrong position. It can cause pain, deformity, weakness, or limited motion. In many cases, a corrective osteotomy can realign the bone and restore function, even after the fracture has fully healed.
Can you treat a fracture that was already operated on elsewhere?
Yes. Dr. Hacquebord performs revision surgery for fractures that have healed poorly, failed to heal, or did not improve after an earlier procedure. Your consultation includes a review of your prior imaging and surgical history to plan the next step.
Why are scaphoid fractures treated differently?
The scaphoid has a limited blood supply, which makes it slower and less reliable to heal than many other bones. A scaphoid fracture that goes untreated or heals poorly can lead to a nonunion, chronic wrist pain, and arthritis, so early evaluation is important.
What is recovery like after wrist fracture surgery?
Recovery depends on the fracture and the procedure performed. Dr. Hacquebord’s approach emphasizes early active motion, and hand therapy is built into recovery to restore mobility and strength. Most patients return to daily activities gradually over the following weeks and months.
Schedule Your Fracture Consultation
Speak with Dr. Hacquebord and the NYU Langone team about a new fracture, a fracture that healed poorly, or one that has not healed.