News

Brown Hand Center Founder, Michael G. Brown, M.D. (retired) and our impressive staff of surgeons constantly endeavor to improve methods of diagnosis, treatment and service as well as the communities that we practice in. Watch this area for continual updates on the latest news from our group.

HAND SURGEON RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

HOUSTON – June 20, 2008 – World-renowned hand surgeon Michael G. Brown, MD (retired), was honored Wednesday June 18, 2008 in Washington, DC, where he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction. Dr. Brown had lunch with Vice President Dick Cheney and then enjoyed dinner that evening with President George W. Bush.

Dr. Michael Brown is the founder (retired) of Brown Hand Center in Houston, Texas, and other locations. Dr. Brown has received international acclaim for his patented Brown Procedure Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel treatment, which revolutionized the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, reducing recovery time and pain for the patient. Dr. Brown is Chairman and CEO of Brown Medical Center. Dr. Brown employs hundreds who promote the concept of delivering the very highest of health care with kindness and courtesy, helping many thousands of patients annually. (patent expired)

Techniques and Research

Brown Hand Center’s Arthroscopic Interposition Arthroplasty Procedure for Treatment of Basilar Thumb Joint Arthritis

Continuing with Dr. Brown’s tradition of developing minimally invasive techniques to reduce patient pain, suffering and minimize recovery time (the Brown Procedure Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel technique, Brown Endoscopic Trigger Release, BETR), Randolph Lopez, MD and other Brown Hand Center surgeons have developed a modified minimally invasive arthroscopic technique for treating the very common problem of basilar thumb joint (metacarpal-trapezial) arthritis, which commonly causes pain at the base of the thumb.

Using a simple two-portal technique, the joint is resurfaced arthroscopically, and an acellular dermal matrix allograft or a type 1 collagen graft is interposed, acting as a much needed cushion in the joint. This is an outpatient procedure requiring NO stitches. The patient is placed in a removable thumb spica splint, avoiding an uncomfortable cast, and may resume normal activity in six weeks. This procedure has revolutionized treatment of basilar joint arthritis, sparing large incisions, painful removal of bone and debilitating bone fusions.

Endo Ulnar/Pronator Release
Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel (Ulnar Nerve) Release and Pronator (Median Nerve) Release

Although not as common as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and the Pronator Syndrome are compression neuropathies that cause numbness, weakness and pain in the arms and hands. Traditionally, these types of nerve compression syndromes were treated by making a long incision at the elbow and forearm. Following the precedent set by Dr. Michael G. Brown (retired) (first to develop the successful Brown Procedure Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release), Dr Lee, Dr. Lopez and other doctors at Brown Hand Center have developed an improved way of endoscopically treating these conditions with a less than 2 cm incision. This means less scarring, earlier motion and a faster recovery. Just as the Brown Procedure has revolutionized endoscopic hand surgery, with perhaps the single most important advancement since hand surgery began, these techniques will prove to be the revolutionary procedures for the 21st century.

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