Pediatric Hand & Upper Extremity Conditions
Kids do so much with their hands. They touch and learn. They feel and wonder. They play and create. Akron Children’s has one of the few programs in the entire country specializing in hand and upper extremity care for infants, children and teens. You’ll find a full range of expert, compassionate care – from microsurgical bone and soft tissue reconstruction, to post-injury surgery, to treatment of conditions like cysts, masses or nerve disorders. Call to make an in-person appointment or schedule a virtual visit.
Learn more...Questions? 330-543-3500
Facts & Stats
Specialized Physician Care
We have two dedicated pediatric hand surgeons with fellowship training in hand, peripheral nerve and microsurgery
Region’s Only Motion Analysis Lab
Dedicated to evaluating the movement and function of the upper extremities, including arms, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands
Three Certified Hand Therapists
Providing occupational and physical therapy at our main campus and satellite sites
Non-Surgical Treatment Possibilities
Options include casting, bracing and therapy
Driving Medical Advances
We have clinicians on staff who are involved in both patient care and research
What Parents Are Saying…
“I wouldn’t go anywhere else. The doctors are wonderful and really care about my son.”
— Ashley Offenberger
“We were really nervous to do the new surgery because I was afraid it would take away the function he had with that right hand. After meeting with Dr. Russo, we found her to be wonderful, examining JoJo carefully and considering how his presentation would affect function … We also knew she had been part of cutting-edge surgery with Dr. Zlotolow so we felt blessed to have her and our trusted Dr. Engles work on JoJo.”
— Maria Krejsa, mother of JoJo Krejsa
“Even though my daughter was anxious the staff, cast tech, and Dr. Engles helped ease her fears and made the visit go smoothly.”
— Parent of a patient
“Dr. Russo did the surgery for my son’s crushed finger ... And I’m thankful that she took great care of (Patient), and his finger is healing up just fine. I’m very thankful for her thoroughness, her kindness and for her care and expertise.”
— Parent of a patient
Meet some of our specialists:
Drew Engles, MD
Dr. Engles is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity congenital deformities and traumatic injuries. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery with a certificate of added qualification in hand surgery. He belongs to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. More...
Stephanie Russo, MD, PhD
Dr. Russo has a special interest in brachial plexus injuries, congenital hand differences, spinal cord injuries, spasticity, and injuries or illnesses affecting peripheral nerves. She is a pediatric and peripheral nerve surgeon board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, as well as a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Society for Peripheral Nerve and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. More...
Jeralyn Barnett, MSN, APRN-CNP
Ms. Barnett is a pediatric nurse practitioner and a graduate of The University of Akron. She works with orthopedic patients at our Akron, Boardman and Boston Heights locations. More...
Cara Mossides, MSN, APRN-CNP
A board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner, Ms. Mossides is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. She also belongs to the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses and works at Akron Children’s Orthopedics, Mansfield and North Canton locations. More...
Jaime Bass, OTR/L, CHT
Ms. Bass works with a variety of orthopedic and neurological conditions that require skilled hand therapy to address functional and fine skills. She is a certified hand therapist and also specializes in orthotic fabrication and upper extremity serial casting. More...
Lori Jubara, OTR/L, CHT
An occupational therapy board-certified hand therapist, Ms. Jubara works with patients in Akron Children’s Hand Therapy Program and Rehabilitative Services. She has a special interest in treating infants with congenital differences, children/teens with neurological conditions, and athletes with orthopedic injuries. More...
Kate Bowers, OTR/L, MS, CPAM
Ms. Bowers is an occupational therapist with interests in hand therapy and splinting, Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), neurorehabilitation, and spasticity management. She also works on service-based collaboration projects at home and abroad. More...Why Choose Akron Children’s Orthopedics for Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Care?
Like fingerprints, no two kids are alike – so we create individualized treatment plans for each patient’s specific needs and goals. Our highly skilled team of pediatric hand specialists includes pediatric hand surgeons, advanced practice providers and occupational therapists. We’re equipped to address hand and microsurgery, hand and arm therapy, infant/developmental therapy and sports rehabilitation.
We evaluate and treat children with all upper extremity conditions, including:
- Congenital differences
- Polydactyly (extra digits)
- Syndactyly (webbed or joined fingers)
- Cerebral palsy/spasticity
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Arthrogryposis
- Joint contractures
- Amniotic band syndrome
- Peripheral nerve injuries
- Sports injuries to hand, wrist and elbow
What are pediatric hand and upper extremity conditions?
Any condition affecting your child’s movement, control and use of their shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists and hands. These can be genetic, as in the case of cerebral palsy, or acquired, like sports injuries. Akron Children’s pediatric hand and upper extremity specialists are part of our Orthopedics department, which deals with treating bones and muscles.
Common causes of hand, wrist, arm, elbow and shoulder injuries in children
Putting out an arm – or both – to break a fall is human instinct … and it’s one of the most common causes of upper extremity injuries in children. Other causes can include repetitive motion and stress from athletic activities, such as “Little League Shoulder” or “Gymnast Wrist.”
Diagnostic tests and procedures for pediatric hand and upper extremity conditions
X-rays can help doctors find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling and deformities, along with showing broken bones or dislocated joints. Akron Children’s also has northern Ohio’s only motion analysis lab, which is helpful for assessing movement as a child grows, optimizing surgical plans and evaluating treatment outcomes.
Non-surgical treatment options for hand and upper extremity conditions in children
Not every situation requires surgery. Other possible treatment options include casting, bracing and therapeutic modalities like applying heat and cold.
What surgical treatment options does Akron Children’s offer for pediatric hand and upper extremity conditions?
Sometimes hand and upper extremity treatment requires reconstructive surgery, such as nerve repair, tendon repair or transfers, fixing fractures, skeletal lengthening, or microvascular surgery.
Rehabilitation and therapy for hand and upper extremity injuries
Akron Children’s Rehabilitative Services offer a comprehensive Hand Therapy Program and work every day with patients ranging from infants to young adults.
Learn More About Akron Children’s Pediatric and Upper Extremity Capabilities:
- Brachial Plexus Treatment Program
- Upper Extremity Motion Analysis Lab
- “3D Modeling Helps Ensure Correct Realignment of Teenager’s Wrist and Forearm”
- “Massillon 7th Grader Doesn’t Let Cerebral Palsy Slow Him Down”
One of the benefits of having two hand surgeons on staff is that surgery can be performed on both arms at the same time, when indicated. This decreases the number of surgeries your child needs and the amount of time they are in surgery.
Therapy services are offered at many of our convenient locations across northern Ohio to provide pediatric therapy closer to home. If there are no locations near you, we can help you find a therapist in your area, and our therapists can make recommendations for your local therapist.
Our clinic team includes surgeons, advanced practice providers and occupational therapists. In some cases, you may see an advanced practice provider first. All our hand surgeon clinics are staffed with an occupational therapist you can see during the same visit if your child needs a splint or therapy exercises.
Our providers will thoroughly evaluate your child and determine if surgery is recommended. Whenever possible, we aim to utilize all appropriate non-operative treatments before proceeding to surgery. When surgery is recommended, both our surgeons and our anesthesia team have additional training in pediatric care to optimize your child’s experience and outcome.
There are a wealth of organizations, foundations and groups locally, nationally and worldwide supporting children and adults with congenital hand and upper extremity conditions:
Akron Children‘s Anywhere Mobile App
Managing your child‘s health, made easier
Akron Children‘s Anywhere Mobile App
Managing your child‘s health, made easier
Akron Children‘s Anywhere is designed to be your “go-to app” for managing your child‘s health. It provides tools for finding a primary care doctor or specialist, finding locations and directions, and making everyday health decisions as well as giving you quick, secure access to MyChart and other tools. And when your child needs care, the renowned experts at Akron Children‘s are just one tap away.
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