Hand Center

About the PracticeAt The Hand Center in Connecticut, a highly skilled and educated team of board-certified doctors, surgeons, and physician assistants diagnose and treat conditions of the hands and upper extremities. With four convenient offices in Hartford, Glastonbury, Tolland, and Bloomfield, Connecticut, patients receive comprehensive care for many conditions and ailments affecting their hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.In addition to treating common conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and ganglion cysts, the experienced surgeons treat complex conditions of the hand that affect the nerves, bones, tendons, and skin. In-house hand therapists work closely with the surgeons to provide comprehensive hand care under one roof. The medical team is experienced in diagnosing and treating pediatric hand disorders and provides treatment for work-related injuries and sports injuries.To learn more about the comprehensive orthopedic services available at The Hand Center, call the practice office nearest you or use the convenient online booking tool to schedule an appointment. FOUNDERDr. H. Kirk Watson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and hand surgeon at The Hand Center. An award-winning surgeon, Dr. Watson was named Orthopaedist of the Year by the Connecticut State Medical Society in 2000, listed in Best Doctors of American from 1992-2004, and listed in the Leading Physicians of the World in 2010-2011 by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals.Dr. Watson earned his medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and completed his general surgery residency at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. He completed an orthopedic fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Lennox Hill, Manhattan, New York, and a hand surgery fellowship with the Joseph H. Boyes Hand Fellowship at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.In addition to his education and medical work experience, Dr. Watson has published many scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals. He introduced the "Watsonian" approach to postoperative care in the early 1970s. He is the founder and first president of the New England Hand Society and the founder and director emeritus of the University of Connecticut Hand Surgery Fellowship, where he trained over 170 hand surgeons. Dr. Watson has retired from Practice but his legacy lives on. His CV addresses much of his history.Dr. Watson is a lifetime member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Board of Medical Specialties.