Surgery of the hand is the field of medicine that includes the investigation, preservation, and restoration by medical, surgical, and rehabilitative means of all structures of the upper extremity directly affecting the form and function of the hand and wrist.
The ABS intends the certificate in surgery of the hand for only those surgeons who, by virtue of additional training, practice characteristics reflecting a major commitment to surgery of the hand, and through contributions to this field, have demonstrated qualifications in hand surgery that deserve special recognition.
The certificate in surgery of the hand does not confer legal privileges nor license to practice the specialty of surgery of the hand. Possession of a certificate in surgery of the hand does not indicate total qualifications for practice privileges nor does it imply exclusion of others not so certified. There is neither requirement nor necessity for a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery to hold a certificate in surgery of the hand in order to be considered qualified to include hand surgery within the practice of surgery.