Your Search Stops Here
I specialise in hand and micro-surgeries to help patients live a better life.
Patient Information
To better understand the whole process, read the information below.
NOT SURE IF YOU SHOULD SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT:
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please click here to be taken to the contact information. For many patients with complex problems, they remain uncertain which physician is most equipped and passionate about treating their ailment.
While our practice falls under the umbrella of “Hand/Micro Surgery”, the specific problems we specialize in seem diverse. These include complex peripheral nerve injuries in both the arms and legs, brachial plexus injuries in children and adults, amputation reconstruction of both arms and legs, limb reconstruction (arms and legs), congenital differences in children, and any problems that affect the arms (not including the shoulders).
Many patients wonder how this all can be included under Hand Surgery. The short answer is that Hand Surgery first formally originated after World War II in order to treat soldiers who had sustained devastating injuries affecting multiple different types of tissue (e.g. Bone, Skin, Tendon, Nerve, Blood Vessels, and Muscle). Thus, Hand Surgery has developed as a field capable of reconstructing a very complex structure by focusing first and foremost on function and understands the inter-relationship of all the different tissue types in the arm with each other.
With this knowledge and skill set, the appropriately trained and experienced Hand/Microsurgeon can best treat complex problems of the limbs. If you have any questions that remain whether or not an evaluation by our team would be appropriate for you, please contact us.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT:
To schedule an appointment, please click here to be taken to contact information. In preparation for your appointment, please bring any relevant EMG, MRI, X-ray, CT scan, Operative notes or other medical information that you have been given in the past relevant to the condition for which you are being treated.
Imaging reports are helpful but the actual images (on CD) are best. It is preferable that you bring the medical information and CDs containing medical imaging with you. While it seems like medical institutions should be able to electronically share information easily, the reality is that different medical institutions in the US are seldom able to do so effectively.
There is a possibility that even if you do bring all the information with you that we may repeat some or all of the workup. This is only done if the quality of the imaging is at a lower standard than what we need, doesn’t show what we need to see, or if your condition has changed since the imaging was performed.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. It is very important to Dr Hacquebord that his patients be seen in a timely manner close to their appointment time; he respects your time. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility that you may need to wait past your scheduled appointment time. If this is the case, we sincerely apologize.
Our focus is on providing patients with the attention that they need and deserve. As such, if one patient is late and/or requires a little bit more time than scheduled, it does have a downstream effect on the other patients.
PRE-OPERATIVE INFO: DAY OF SURGERY
Surgery can be very intimidating and raises a lot of questions for patients (understandably so). Below are some general guidelines that are applicable to nearly all patients. As always, if you have any questions please contact Dr Hacquebord or his Nurse Practitioner, Sonia. The office number is 646 501 2180.
On your operative day, you will be asked to arrive 1.5-2 hours before your scheduled surgical time. It is important that you don’t eat or drink at a minimum of 8 hours before your scheduled surgical time.
If your surgery is “Wide Awake” with local anaesthesia only (there will be no anesthesiologist in the operating room and you will not receive any medication other than local anaesthesia injected into the surgical field) then you can eat and drink with no restrictions.
For most surgeries, expect that the whole process will take roughly half the day. While this does seem very long, it is done this way to make the operating room, and your experience, as safe and successful as possible.
Be sure that a friend or family member can pick you up after surgery. The hospital can not allow you to leave without continuous supervision. Sending you home alone will not be safe or allowable (unless you did not receive any anaesthesia and your surgery was “Wide Awake”).
After surgery, you will spend 1-1.5 hours in the post-anesthesia recovery room. During this time one or two of your friends/family members will be able to come to visit you there. You will be groggy during this time so it is always helpful to have a loved one with you there so that they can also hear the post-op instructions from the nurse helping you recover.
Dr Hacquebord will come to speak with you in the recovery room and go over the surgery and post-operative plan with you as well. For this, it is also very beneficial if your loved one is there so that they can listen and ask Dr Hacquebord any questions that you may forget to ask.
Almost always, keep the bandages and splints placed by Dr Hacquebord in the operating room on until you come in for your post-op follow up (unless you are going to start working with therapy before then). Keep the bandages dry and prevent them from getting obviously soiled. If they do become wet and dirty, call Dr Hacquebord’s office.
Typically, the post-operative follow-up appointment will be in 10-14 days after surgery. The most efficient way to schedule this appointment is either by doing so before the day of surgery of the first few business days after surgery. It is best that you call the office at 646 501 2180 to schedule the appointment with either Arshena or Rachel. Your post-operative appointment will be either with Dr Hacquebord or with Nurse Practitioner Sonia.
Occasionally, it is important to see either Dr Hacquebord or Ms Park earlier than the typical ~10-14 day period. If so, they will tell you and make sure that is arranged.
Swelling: Swelling is very normal after surgery and is not a worrisome sign. Be sure to keep you arm elevated at or above the level of the heart. Despite keeping it elevated, your fingers can still become swollen. Moving your fingers can be very helpful to decrease swelling.
Bruising: The bruising can occur at a site other than the surgical site, because of gravity’s effect on the bleeding. Do not be alarmed by the bruising but know that it will likely last for a minimum of a few weeks.
Numbness: The anesthesiologist often provides our patients with a peripheral nerve block that results in good post-operative pain control. However, this results in the operative arm being completely numb and paralyzed for up to 18 hours. After 18 hours the nerve block should be worn off. Some people still have some effects on the nerve block that can last for 24-36 hours. Do not be alarmed if this is the case for you. However, it is important that the sensation and motor control is continually improving. If the numbness is not improving or if there is worsening pain even in the setting of numbness then it is important that you notify us right away. The likelihood of a complication such as a compartment syndrome is highly unlikely but also not something that we can afford to ignore.
Pain: We will provide you with pain medication to help control the post-operative pain. As much as possible, take Tylenol and Ibuprofen/Advil (or a similar NSAID). Tylenol is very effective when it is taken along with NSAIDs (Advil, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Alleve…etc). Depending on your surgery, we will likely also provide you with a short course of narcotic pain medication. This is intended to only be sufficient for your immediate postoperative course. The pain is most significant in the first 36 hours after surgery. Initially, especially after the nerve blocks wear off, it may be necessary that you take 2 of the narcotic pain pills at a time to make sure the pain is sufficiently managed. Elevation and ice packs are also helpful to decrease the pain. If the pain is getting unbearable despite these measures, then do contact us to determine what needs to be done to get your pain under appropriate control.
Therapy: Most patients don’t need to start therapy right away after surgery. If you think that you may need to start therapy even before your first post-operative visit, then please check with Dr Hacquebord or Ms Park. If therapy is needed shortly after surgery and this was discussed beforehand, then make sure your therapy appointment is already scheduled before the day of surgery so that there is no delay after surgery.
ACCEPTED INSURANCE PLANS
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Connecticare
- Emblem
- GHI
- HIP
- Health Smart
- Local 1199
- Magnacare
- Medicaid of New York
- Medicare
- Multiplan
- NYSHIP – The Empire Plan
- Oxford
- POMCO Insurance Company
- Partners Health Plan Inc
- Qualcare Inc.
- Railroad Medicare
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- VA Community Care Network
- Veterans Choice
Testimonials
My introduction to Dr Hacquebord was due to a fall from my bicycle which caused a break to my right wrist. I wanted to find the finest surgeon, who had skills, experience and a great bedside manner. I found it all in Dr Hacquebord. His demeanour is calming which ensured that I felt well attended.
ANNA C
He was attentive to my concerns and answered all questions sincerely and without judgement. I'm told my surgery scar is beautiful! The staff of NYU Langone were professional and helpful which made my experience less scary. I highly recommend Dr Hacquebord and his team.
ANNA C
August of 2019 I fractured my left distal radius requiring surgical repair. After that surgery, which was done on Long Island, I developed a post-surgical infection requiring a wound vac and antibiotic therapy. The bone was collapsed, my wrist was deformed, and use was limited. I was concerned, I’m an active person and was not ready to give up on the activities I love.
JEAN N
I was reluctant to continue with the original practitioner and a friend recommended Dr. Jacques Hacquebord. Dr. Hacquebord recommended a plan of care, he explained everything in detail and answered all of my questions. Eight weeks post-op from my osteotomy I am more than confident that I will be participating in the sports I love. I was a little reluctant to have another surgery, but I am so thankful that I did and that I found Dr. Hacquebord.
JEAN N
I am approaching week 6: I have full active and passive flexion/ext/abduction: I am ALMOST there with external rotation (it's just tight): the scar is beautiful and I have begun strengthening which is going well!
SARA D
I have absolutely no aching in my palm, I have not had a single instant of numbness or tingling in my hand/arm or face. My hand is warm for the first time ever, and I trust my arm/hand to support me in everything I do.
SARA D
On September 25, 2020, Dr Hacquebord performed an ulnar nerve transposition at my right elbow and a surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament on the right wrist. I felt immediate relief from the alternating pins and needles and numb sensations I have felt in my right palm and middle, fourth and pinky fingers over the last couple of years. Also, the pain in my right thumb and joint has subsided significantly as I move into week nine of my post-surgery.
DIANE E
My post-procedural recovery has been gone exceptionally well due to the occupational therapy visits I have had with Monica Seu, OT CMC. As an avid outrigger canoeist (and cyclist), Dr Hacquebord understood how important it was to me to be able to continue to be able to paddle and how my enjoyment and participation in the sport improves my quality of life.
DIANE E
Nancy A
Maribel D
Maribel D
Maribel D
Thank you very much for everything.
Maribel D