Expert Care for the Hand + Wrist + Elbow
Hand + Wrist + Elbow Surgery in Portland, OR
If your surgeon has recommended surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, a torn elbow ligament, or another hand, wrist, or elbow condition, the setting still matters, even for a procedure that might only take you a few hours from check-in to the door. Center for Specialty Surgery is an accredited, Medicare-certified surgery center in Portland built specifically for outpatient procedures, including a range of hand, wrist, and elbow surgeries performed by the surgeons of Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab).
Center for Specialty Surgery has provided outpatient surgical care in Portland since 2003. Our five operating rooms are set up to help patients go home the same day when their procedure allows. Many of the procedures we perform here, including carpal tunnel release, use endoscopic technique: your surgeon operates through a single small incision with a camera and specialized instruments, rather than the larger open incision older approaches required. That generally means less scarring, less post-operative pain, and a faster return to using your hand.
If your surgeon has already scheduled your procedure with us, there's nothing further you need to do to confirm it. Questions before your visit? Call us at (503) 906-4300.
Everything to Know Before Your Procedure
What Hand + Wrist + Elbow Surgery Looks Like Here
Surgery for the hand, wrist, or elbow is usually considered after non-surgical treatments, like splinting, activity changes, or injections, haven't relieved ongoing pain, numbness, or weakness. Common procedures performed at the Center for Specialty Surgery include endoscopic carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, cubital tunnel release for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow, and ligament reconstruction for elbow instability.
Most of these procedures are performed under local or regional anesthesia rather than full general anesthesia, which is part of why many patients are good candidates for same-day surgery here regardless of age. Your surgeon will confirm that your specific procedure and health history fit an outpatient setting. If you're still deciding whether surgery is the right step, that conversation belongs with your surgeon first; your care team at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab) can walk you through your full range of options.
What to Expect on Surgery Day
Please follow the arrival time and check-in instructions provided by your care team. When you arrive, our staff will check you in and guide you through the next steps. Our pre-operative team will review your health history and get you ready for surgery. Depending on your procedure, you may receive a regional nerve block that numbs just your hand and arm, local anesthesia at the surgical site, or, for more involved procedures like elbow reconstruction, a light general anesthesia administered by one of our physician anesthesiologists.
For endoscopic procedures like carpal tunnel release, your surgeon makes a single small incision at the wrist and uses a tiny camera to guide the release of the compressed nerve, rather than the longer open incision an older approach would require. The procedure itself is often finished in well under an hour.
After surgery, you'll move to a recovery area staffed by a dedicated nurse while any anesthesia wears off. Your hand or arm will likely be wrapped in a bulky dressing or splint, and most patients go home within an hour or two of finishing their procedure. Because many of these surgeries don't require full sedation, you may be more alert afterward than you would be following a larger joint surgery, though you'll still need a ride home if you received any sedation or a nerve block.
For a fuller walkthrough of the day, see our What to Expect guide.
Recovering From Hand + Wrist + Elbow Surgery
Recovery depends heavily on which procedure you have. Your surgeon will explain what to expect for your procedure, including any bracing, physical therapy, and when it is safe to return to daily activities, work, or sports.
Keep your dressing clean and dry and follow your surgeon's instructions on when it's safe to start moving your fingers or wrist. Call your surgeon's office if you notice increasing redness, swelling that doesn't improve, or a fever above 101°F. For hand and wrist therapy, available in the same building through the team at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab), visit How We Get You Home.
Our Safety and Quality Standards
Center for Specialty Surgery has been performing orthopedic surgery since 2003, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and certified by Medicare. Many hand and wrist procedures, including carpal tunnel release, can be done with endoscopic technique, which uses a smaller incision. Your surgeon will recommend the approach that fits your hand. Our infection and complication rates are tracked every quarter and reported publicly, and we've been recognized among Newsweek's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers(opens in a new tab) in Oregon in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Your Surgical Team
Our Hand + Wrist + Elbow Surgeons
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of hand, wrist, or elbow surgery?
Like any surgery, procedures on the hand, wrist, or elbow carry risks, including infection, stiffness, nerve irritation, and, in rare cases, a reaction to anesthesia. Because many of these procedures use local or regional anesthesia rather than full sedation, some of the general risks of anesthesia are reduced. Your surgeon will review the risks specific to your procedure before you consent to surgery.
Does insurance cover hand, wrist, or elbow surgery at the Center for Specialty Surgery?
Most procedures performed here are billed through your medical insurance, the same way they would be at a hospital. We accept most major insurance plans; visit our Insurance page for the full list, or call our billing team directly with coverage questions.
How long is recovery after carpal tunnel surgery?
Recovery is different for every patient. Your surgeon will give you a plan for activity, physical therapy if needed, and returning to work or sports. Before you leave Center for Specialty Surgery, our team will go over your discharge instructions and answer your questions.
What's the difference between endoscopic and open carpal tunnel surgery?
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release uses a single small incision and a tiny camera to guide the procedure, while an open release uses one longer incision across the palm. Both approaches relieve the same nerve compression; the endoscopic approach generally means less scarring and a faster initial recovery, though not every case is a fit for it. Your surgeon will recommend whichever approach is right for your hand.
How do I get scheduled for hand, wrist, or elbow surgery near me?
Hand, wrist, and elbow surgery at the Center for Specialty Surgery is always scheduled through your surgeon, not directly by patients. If your surgeon has recommended surgery here, your care team at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab) will take care of scheduling for you. Questions in the meantime? Call us at (503) 906-4300. We look forward to taking great care of you!
Questions About Your Hand + Wrist + Elbow Surgery?