We use our hands for so many of our routine daily activities; so, afflictions or injuries incurred upon the hand can be especially debilitating.
The hand consists of skin, bones, ligaments, joints, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and tendons, and the interaction between these elements is delicate and complex.
Hand surgeons receive specific and extensive medical training in the diagnosis and treatment of all hand disorders, injuries and abnormalities, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cyst and skin cancer removals, fractures, lacerations, strains, joint replacements, and nerve, tendon and artery repairs.
Watson Clinic is home to two of the top hand surgeons in the area -- Ann L. Licht, MD, FACS and Anne M. Meo, DO. Both highly qualified, experienced physicians joined the clinic after completing their medical school, residency in surgery and fellowship training specific to hand surgery.
Drs. Licht and Meo offer a versatile series of surgical and non-surgical options for the treatment of hand pain.
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions they treat, and most sufferers are surprised to learn that there are a host of non-surgical treatments available to them that can restore function and alleviate discomfort. These treatments include exercise, anti-inflammatory medications, heat or cold modalities and cortisone injections. In fact, many conditions treated by both surgeons can be managed or corrected through non-surgical means such as splints, medications, injections, and various physical therapy techniques
When surgery does become an option, Drs. Licht and Meo utilize the latest technologies to minimize the invasive nature of the procedure.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that occurs when the median nerve near the wrist is pinched, is another common disorder. This condition that carries similar symptoms to other disorders, like tendonitis or arthritis; therefore, it is crucial that the patient not ignore any tingling or numbness in their hands, and seek out a proper diagnosis, because the damage to the median nerve can become permanent without proper care at an early stage.
In addition to the above mentioned disorders, both surgeons work in close collaboration with Watson Clinic’s team of orthopaedic surgeons, athletic trainers, certified hand therapists and physical therapists, to treat a variety of sports injuries as well.
Dr. Ann L. Licht received her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. She completed her general surgery residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, where she also served as chief resident. She then completed a fellowship in hand surgery and microsurgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Licht is double board-certified in general surgery and hand surgery.
Dr. Licht specializes in disorders that may cause hand, wrist, elbow or forearm pain including:
- Masses and tumors of the hand and wrist including ganglion cysts and skin cancers
- Fractures of the wrist, hands or fingers
- Nerve or tendon injuries involving the hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, including tennis elbow and trigger fingers
- Carpal Tunnel syndrome, Cubital tunnel syndrome, and anything causing numbness/tingling of the hands
- Arthritis and arthritis-related deformities including joint replacements
- Pediatric and adult congenital/genetic hand conditions including extra fingers and Dupuytren’s Disease
- Forearm injuries
- Sports-related injuries to the hand and wrist
- Industrial accidents and work-related hand problems/injuries
- Non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture
Dr. Anne M. Meo received her medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine/New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, NY. She completed her osteopathic internship and was the chief intern at Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stratford, NJ. Her residency in orthopaedic surgery was completed at the Peninsula Hospital/Northshore LIJ Consortium in New York, where she also served as the chief resident. She completed a fellowship in hand surgery at the State University of New York in Stony Brook. She is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedics, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Meo is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery.
Dr. Meo treats conditions that afflict patients from their shoulder to fingertips, including:
- Fractures of the upper extremity
- Soft tissue injuries including nerves, tendons, ligaments of the upper extremities
- Compression syndromes's including carpal and cubital tunnel
- Excision of upper extremity masses and tumors as well as skin cancers
- Advanced techniques for arthritis and Dupuytren's disease
- Wrist arthroscopy
- Pediatric and Sports related injuries of the upper extremities
- Non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture
IN THE NEWS:
Physicians
Ann L. Licht, MD, FACSAnne M. Meo, DO
Locations
Watson Clinic Main
1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33805
Please call 863-680-7214 to schedule an appointment.