Chicago Center for Surgery of the Hand

These guys are all stars. Dr. K is as good as it gets in terms of everything: competence, surgical skill, demeanor, professionalism and diagnostic. I am a very picky consumer when it comes to medical care. I do a lot of research on my own and talk to my friends who are doctors. Can not say how impressed I was with these guys and am very glad that I did not simply go to default orthopedist from the ER.

The BEST:
Dr. Shah performed a surgery on my hand. I had excellent care before and after the operation. I trust the nurses and doctor completely and they answered all of my questions with kindness and competence. My experience with Dr. Shah at the hospital on the day of surgery was also excellent.
The worst:
Sometimes when you call the office, they put you on hold for 7 – 10 minutes.
At my first apt, I was not prepared to wait 45 minutes to see the doctor in my room. A nurse took me back at the start of my appointment, a resident came in to see me shortly after, but then I had to wait 45 minutes for Dr. Shah to come in the room. He said it was a particularly busy day but I don’t know if it would ever be better.

I went to visit Dr Stogin for a pain in my hand. Turned out to be nothing, but definitely wanted it checked out. No one would tell me what out of pocket expenses would be. Typically, it takes a call to my insurance and I’m notified prior to a visit. No one at Chicago Center for Surgery of the Hand would tell me and now I’m stuck with $ 300 out of pocket expenses. Totally ridiculous!

The billing department is an absolute disaster!!! Great hand surgeons but the fact that I get a different bill every week with a different amount is beyond me. I’m a physician myself and it’s embarrassing to see such unorganization in the healthcare field. So, if you’re looking for added stress after a difficult surgery, please use these clowns.
–Dr K

So. I have been having a bit of bad luck lately.
But. Finally a bit of Good Luck going into this Office Today!
My bad luck being injuring myself pretty bad 1 week before
Thanksgiving.
So. I was in so much pain from said injury I went into the E.R.
not once but twice of a hospital that will remain nameless.
Nameless Hospital took 2 separate x-​rays over 2 different nights.
Was told I had no fracture.
Too much pain for No Fracture.
So​.my Aunt who literally moves mountains for me got me
into to this most wonderful place.
And. I saw the most wonderful Dr. Kalainov who gave me 2 sets of X-​Rays
and. drum roll please. yes. my right wrist is most definitely fractured in
2 places!
And. I knew all along that this wrist was fractured because about 8 years ago
I fractured the other wrist. truly. you never forget that pain!
This Office is the most Professional, Caring, Comprehensive place
I have ever been.
Everyone from the front desk office staff to the Technicians and to the Doctors.
Everyone is Outstanding at what they are doing here!
And. I would like to Thank Danette who made and molded my cast
for me today right before my eyes.
Danette worked so very hard and even gave me my favorite color
purple velcro straps!
And. no I did’nt injure myself just so I could come and get
purple velcro straps.:)
So. joy of joys I get to wear this for the next 4 weeks
And. I am in significant pain.
But. the perks are I got to go out after this appointment to a really nice restaurant
and drink Veuve Clicquot
oh Yeah. and take Tramadol.:)
I do Love the Reward System.

I would leave a review about the doctor’s actual demeanor… IF I HAD ACTUALLY SEEN THE DOCTOR. I made an appointment for 8:40am today. You’d think this early in the morning, they wouldn’t be running that far behind. At 9:30am, I had to leave to go to work. If they are running this far behind for a CONSULTATION appointment, I can only imagine how far behind they would run when I need an actual procedure. COME ON… I make an appointment because I expect to be seen at or at least around the time that I made the appointment. I scheduled at a particular time because I have other things to do other than just sit in a doctor’s office. NO RESPECT FOR YOUR TIME. If I’m paying for your service, I expect at least enough respect that you’ll see me on time. What’s even worse about this is that I needed to make an appointment 3 weeks in advance… AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID if you actually have a life outside of sitting in a waiting room.

Not understanding the negative reviews! Everyone here was great. Dr. Stogin was not at all «cold and removed» like someone else posted. I thought he was great. He explained everything to me in detail and spent a good amount of time with me. I also met with a medical student who did a good job explaining things and doing tests on my arm even though he was obviously still learning.
The xray tech was very nice and Lynn the occupational therapist was super helpful. I did wait a while but that’s normal at any dr. office. I liked that xrays and therapy are in the same office so I didn’t have to keep shuffling around the city to different offices and making more appointments.
I hope I make enough progress with the exercises they gave me so I do not have to come back, but if I do I am confident I will be treated well again.
Update — it is now 2 weeks later and my hand feels 80% better with the exercises and brace they prescribed.
Update –another 2 weeks later. My hand is healed. Definitely go to Dr. Stogin!

After fracturing my wrist, luckily, Dr. Stogin was able to take my case. From the time, I had arrived, the receptionists are very courteous and helpful. I had to return to pick up my discharge papers — not a big deal. They were ready when I came back — no waiting — big plus.
Dr. Stogin had shown and explained to me about my fractured wrist. Thoroughly explained my options. He listened to my dilemma since I’ll be in a cast for 12 — 15 weeks and on a cruise during the healing time and gave me options about the cast. I did not find him cold or removed.
The gentleman who put the cast on my arm was absolutely great! I wish I knew his name. Again, explained everything. Did not rush to put the cast on. Just a true professional.
Granted, this is my first visit to this organization, so I hope the follow up visits will be just as great as this first visit.

The best part about falling off my bike and breaking my wrist was the care I received from Chicago Center for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Stogin got me in for surgery right away and everyone I talk to (friends in med school, coworkers, my parents, my parents doctor friends) are very impressed with the work he’s done. It was a bad break and 6 months later and I’m practically as good as new.
Not only was my doctor great but I actually loved going to therapy, which you really shouldn’t since it’s painful (this happens when you break bones). Ty was my occupational therapist /​task master and I could not have been happier. He really listened to me and when I told him I was eager to be able to get back to doing yoga he made suggestions to help me achieve that goal faster. The whole therapy set up was very warm and inviting. In some ways I felt like I was getting OT and mental therapy because it was so much fun just talking with everyone while my wrist was being pushed back to normalcy.
I should also say that the front desk girls were so sweet. They would remember me each week, and when I was completely embarrassed about missing an appointment they were so cool about it. Overall the whole place was the silver lining to my broken bones. I feel like when it comes to your health you should really go for the best and this office is the best.

I agree with Greg J.‘s review of this place.
I saw Dr Stogin for my mallet finger injury. He was great as he told me everything I needed to know about my hand and the injury. Afterward, I was led into another room where they manufactured a custom split for my finger. This split was then given to me along with some exercises to do on my finger to help it recover. For this, I would give them 5 stars.
However, a month later, I received a bill in the mail for a couple hundred dollars. As it turns out, this custom split was not covered by my insurance company. No time during the procedure did they tell me this or even suggested I talk to my insurance. Granted, the split worked well and my finger is now recovered but they should have informed me about the costs upfront. 2 stars.
Summary: great service but CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE FIRST

A few years ago, I saw Dr. Stogin (Physican) and Danette Johnson (physical therapist). Dr. Stogin was fairly thorough but I found his bedside manner to be somewhat cold and removed.
I’m not giving the Chicago Center for Surgery of the Hand a somewhat poor review because of the doctor, however.
The young (at the time) and in my opinion, inexperienced Danette Johnson did some fairly routine mobility exercises on my finger. When it came time to discuss further care and home exercises, Ms. Johnson suggested a tension strap that I could use at home. I asked if insurance was going to cover it and she gave me an «Oh Yes!»
Little did I know that this simple rubber band (tension strap) was going to cost me a lot of time, heartache and misery. They sent collection agencies after me and their office manager Amy Meyer refused to give me their attorney information after several calls and attempts. Since insurance WOULD NOT pay for the gimmicky little tension strap that Ms. Johnson assured me would be covered by insurance, I am now stuck with a credit ding that is causing problems as a result of Johnson’s misrepresentation.
I would by no means suggest that anyone visit this clinic. They are essentially money grubbers who will do anything to make a buck, including trying to squeeze $ 200 out of you for what would easily be a home remedy (rubber band/​tension strap). STAY AWAY.
*** Actually this is an update as of 2÷17÷2011. They continue to harass me about the past due balance and are reporting me to a collection agency. I still refuse to pay more than $ 200 for a rubber band (as did my insurance company) If you go to the Chicago Center for Surgery or the hand, request a physical therapist besides Danette Johnson, who lied and say «oh yes, the insurance company will cover it all.»

I had (successful) hand surgery in late 2007 with Dr. Nagle. After the surgery, I was scheduled to begin Occupational Therapy with one of their on-​site Physical Therapists. I was a little wary before my first visit mostly because I already had a PT I had been working with before the surgery and I had developed a good relationship. Turns out, my worries were unfounded. From my initial appointment with my PT Beth (and another woman whose name escapes me), I have had nothing but great experiences there. The entire PT staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Despite the fact each session results in a great deal of pain for me as I try to rehab my finger, I know it isn’t just pain for pain’s sake. I have been seeing steady improvement since I began with them and I owe that high level of dedication Beth and the other women have to improving the quality of life for each one of their patients. Every time I visit, I leave with a smile on my face. In fact, I actually look forward to my sessions! Just a great group of people doing great work. I wish I could give them 6 stars.

While in many ways, I wish I didn’t know so much about this place… I have to say, I’m so glad it exists. My mom fell and broke both her wrists the day before Thanksgiving and is now in the process of recovering from surgery on both. From start to now, this office has been nothing but outstanding. Everyone who works here is great at what they do and everyone seems to have a strong relationship and good report with one another from the women in the front desk area to the surgeons to the nurses to the OT gals… amazingly enough, it’s a great place to be (or as great as it possibly could be.)
They seem to handle any and all hand ailments from breaks and sprains to carpel tunnel, arthritis, and I’m sure a gamut of other issues I can’t begin to know anything about. Patients always seem to be in as good of spirits as possible and the environment is warm and friendly without ever being insincere or patronizing. If you or anyone you know needs these kinds of specialist, I highly recommend this center.