Welcome to The Hand and Wrist Institute

Robbie Maddison is one of the top Motorcycle stunt riders in the world. In late 2010, his professional career took a turn for the worse, when he crashed and suffered and wrist injury. Dr. Knight was tasked with helping Robbie "Maddo" Maddison save his career. Read more >

Corey Bohan is a world renowned BMX rider and during the summer of 2011, he had a serious injury that left him broken and in need of the best medical attention available. See his story >

Trigger Finger Release Episode See Video >

Athroscopic TFC Debridement Procedure Episode See Video >

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Episode See Video >

Mommy Thumb Episode See Video >

Arthritis Pain and Joint Replacement Episode See Video >

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury and occurs through repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Symptoms include numbness and tingling of the fingers and the hand itself. It can be a very painful condition and needs to be treated, usually through surgery. Dr. Knight specializes in carpal tunnel release surgery. Stitchless endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery takes about 10 minutes and leaves very little scarring. It also causes a minimal amount of pain. Recovery from this type of surgery takes approximately one week, and the patient will be free of restrictions within two days. Dr. Knight is an expert at the carpal tunnel release surgery and is ready to talk to you about the best approach.

Arthritis is another affliction that may also require surgery. Arthrodesis is sometimes performed to restore normal functioning to a joint, such as the wrist. This surgery will fuse bones or joints and relieve the pain of arthritis. Wrist arthrodesis can take up to ninety minutes, and the patient will have to wear a cast for approximately six weeks. If there is still arthritic pain, rehabilitation by a qualified therapist may be required.

Wrist arthroscopy is another form of surgery that is beneficial for treating injuries to the wrist, such as fractures and ligament tears. With this type of surgery, recovery time is reduced. The surgery itself may take up to a few hours, depending on how much is involved in the procedure. The wrist will need to be elevated for two to three days after the surgery. Full recovery may take several weeks.

If you are located in Los Angeles or the surrounding areas, The Hand and Wrist Institute has three offices you can visit. For those outside of Los Angeles, we offer virtual consultations that are conducted via Skype. It is very important to have a certified hand surgeon in your local Los Angeles properly diagnose the injury and perform any procedures. Hand and wrist mobility is not something that should be trusted to just a general practitioner doctor. A hand specialist is required to have the proper qualifications to give you the best chance of a successful surgery and a good recovery with lasting results.

There are different classifications of surgeons who are capable of performing hand and wrist surgery. Hand and orthopedic surgeons are at the top of the list, because they specialize in the field. There are a number of medical doctors who have had training in hand surgery, but they don’t see the volume of cases a hand doctor does. Plastic surgeons do hand surgery, but mainly of a cosmetic nature. If you are in need of surgery for your hand or wrist, you want to be assured of getting the best possible care by seeing a hand surgeon in Los Angeles who knows the latest techniques and has the newest technology and tools.

Dr. John Knight ranks high on the list of qualified hand surgeons and is a well respected hand surgeon in Los Angeles. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and is highly trained in the area of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Dr. Knight has performed over 15,000 surgeries with over 20 years of experience. He was a key factor in the passing of the Aviation Medical Assistance Act in 1998 requiring defibrillators on all aircraft. Dr. Knight was also one of the first hand surgeons to perform a successful toe-to-thumb transplant and to also work with the Free Hand System, using internal computers to assist quadriplegic patients in acquiring function in their hands.

If you are in need of any type of hand surgery and are seeking a hand doctor in LA look no further. Dr. Knight has rightfully earned the title of one of the top hand surgeons in Los Angeles.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome causes sharp pains in the wrist and up the arm. The carpal tunnel is a channel of tendons, bones, and nerves. Pain occurs when the tendons become inflamed and pinch the median nerve. This nerve sends feelings and messages to the muscles in the hand. Surgery is required if cortisone shots, wrist braces, and therapy do not improve the condition. Dr. Knight specializes in stitchless endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery which is an outpatient procedure done in 30 minutes or less without the need for stitches. This latest trend in surgery reduces recovery time and enables patients to return to work within just a few days and light activity one week after surgery. He is also knowledgeable in advanced wrist arthroscopy which utilizes the latest in surgical technology.

Tennis Elbow occurs when the outside area of the elbow becomes tender and painful. This condition is common among professional tennis and racquetball players; however, the same symptoms can arise from anyone using a constant motion of their wrist or arm. The tendon or muscle can be swollen or even torn which hinders the person’s ability to hold items in the affected hand. Surgery is needed if anti-inflammatory medicine, heat or ice applications, physical therapy, wraps for support, nor cortisone shots help the affected area. Read more about Tennis Elbow surgery here.

Both surgeries are done under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. There is some minimal pain during the healing process but nothing like the pain experienced before the surgery. In both cases, surgery relieves the pressure on the muscles affected for almost instant relief. The arm is either placed in a protective sling or cast which must be kept dry and elevated to decrease swelling. Driving a vehicle is prohibited for one week. Generally three to four weeks are needed to heal, and the patient can return to their regular routine up to six weeks after surgery. Although the pain is virtually nonexistent, the affected area still needs time to heal. Therefore, heavy activity is not permitted for twelve weeks after surgery. The surgeon will determine when the affected area has healed sufficiently to begin therapy.

Doctors performing hand surgeries should be Board certified and have received specialized training in the medical and surgical treatment of the bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments. Being Board certified means completing the required training, passing both written and oral exams to graduate medical school, and continuing education and certification by staying current on all new medical trends and procedures.

Dr. John T. Knight, one of the most reviewed hand specialists in Los Angeles, started The Hand and Wrist Institute in 2009. Dr. Knight is a Board certified physician with the best credentials and experience to perform these surgeries. Those credentials include a medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and orthopedic training at the Louisiana State University Medical Center. He was awarded the Outstanding Student Award in 1987, possesses a certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgeries, and completed the Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at the Joseph H. Boyes Program in Los Angeles.

Dr. Knight has performed over 15,000 surgical procedures in his 20 years of medical experience. Dr. Knight is the person you want to see if you suffer from hand, wrist or elbow conditions. If you don’t see Dr. Knight, make sure to visit a well-qualified hand surgeon in Los Angeles. The best doctor’s and facilities are located in the city and conditions can get worse if not treated in a timely manner.

After developing one of the biggest hand and upper extremity practices in the Southern United States, I moved to Los Angeles 10 years ago to enjoy a different area of the country where I had originally performed my training.

Over the past 10 years as a hand specialist in Los Angeles, I have developed a rapidly expanding practice. I strive to provide excellent and efficient care to all my local, national and international patients.

If you are looking for a hand specialist in LA, I think you will be pleased not only with the care that I provide but also that of my staff. There are no long waits for appointments and once you are in my office, you will be seen promptly without a long wait despite a busy practice.

No matter which hand doctor you chose, make sure you are not just a number and that your concerns are met with compassion and are dealt with in a timely manner. I see many patients who have who have seen other hand specialists in Los Angeles and when they leave, they frequently comment, “thank you for taking the time to listen”.

I have over 20 years of experience as an orthopedic hand surgeon and look forward to helping you. Let me bring life back to your hands.