Hand surgery may be performed by a general surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, or a plastic surgeon after illness or injury, or to repair a congenital condition. A hand surgeon has special training in medical, surgical and rehabilitative means of healing the hand and arm, and sometimes recommends a non-surgical approach. The surgeon excels at diagnosis, preservation and restoration to the form and function of the hand, wrist and arm after disorders such as carpal tunnel, arthritis, fractures, tendonitis, or when amputation is required.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, including carpel tunnel syndrome.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Louisiana has 28 practicing hand surgeons. Broken out by city, hand surgery doctor density in Alexandria is 2, in Baton Rouge is 9, in Bossier City is 1, in Covington is 1, in Gonzales is 1, in Gretna is 1, in Houma is 1, in Kenner is 1, in La Place is 1, in Mandeville is 1, in Marrero is 1, in Metairie is 6, in New Orleans is 8, in Opelousas is 1, in Shreveport is 3, in Slidell is 1, in Thibodaux is 1, in Ville Platte is 1, in Winnfield is 1, and in Zachary is 1.

Louisiana was named after French King Louis XIV, and the state joined the union in 1812. Louisiana’s population is 4,523,628, and Baton Rouge is its capital city. Louisiana has rich cultural heritage that is celebrated at many festivals all over the state. Taste a variety of cuisines, including Cajun and Creole food. Listen to jazz or zydeco music in New Orleans, visit the French Quarter, attend the Mardi Gras in the spring, or take a steamboat trip down the Mississippi River.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Louisiana has a population of 4,523,628. Of this population, 1,132,763 are under the age of 18 and 528,837 are at or above the age of 65.