Question: Is Dr. Harris board certified? Has he received a "Certification of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Surgery of the Hand"?

Answer: Yes, Dr. Harris is a board certified Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc.

In addition to his board certification, Dr. Harris was awarded a "Certification of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand" (CAQ) in 1995.

Use the following link to confirm: Type in "Norman" for the 1st name, "Harris" for the last name and then check the statistics under "Norman Ray Harris, II, MD".

Question: Is Dr. Harris in good standing with the Virginia Board of Medicine? 

Answer: Yes. 

Use the following link to confirm: enter "Harris", "Roanoke" and "Doctor of Medicine".

Question: What is the difference between "Cosmetic" and "Reconstructive" surgery?

Answer: Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve a patient's appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

There are a number of "gray areas" in coverage for plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. These areas usually involved surgical operations which may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient's situation.

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Question: Why is it called "Plastic" surgery?

Answer: The term "plastic" comes from the Greek word "plastikos", which means to "shape and form". The surgical specialty of plastic surgery includes both reconstructive and cosmetic (aesthetic) procedures: reconstructive surgery is performed to repair disfigurement caused by congenital defects, trauma, infection, tumor or disease; aesthetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve or enhance their appearance. Plastic surgeons require special training, interest and aptitude. They are trained in the surgery of the head, breasts, hands and skin.

Question: What is a "hand specialist"?

Answer: After college it takes at least 10 years of training to become a "hand specialist"! To be a "hand specialist", a surgeon must 1st graduate from medical school, then spend at least 5 years completing a surgical residency. The surgeon must then complete a hand surgery fellowship and pass the oral & written board examinations of his surgical specialty. To receive the "Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery", the surgeon must have his surgical cases reviewed and pass a written exam.

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Question: Why is it important to have a "hand specialist" take care of my hand problems?

Answer: Our hands are amazing tools. Their anatomy is the most intricate anatomy in the entire body. Humans have the most developed hands on the earth: with them, a worker performs his trade, a mother touches her child, an artist paints a canvas, a deaf person "talks" and a blind person "sees". Hand disorders require an understanding of this anatomy and an integration of the specialties of plastic, neurologic, orthopaedic and microvascular surgery, occupational and physical therapy. Hand surgeons treat arthritis, infections, amputations, congenital deformities, tumors, replantations, burns and any injury involving the skin, muscle, tendons, joints, bones, nerves or blood vessels of the hand and forearm.

 

Question: What type of upper extremity problems does Dr. Harris take care of?

Answer: Dr. Harris treats any problems involving the fingers, hand, wrist & forearm. This includes the following disorders:

Workers' compensation problems
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Nerve disorders
Hand and forearm injuries
Degenerative arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ganglion cysts
DeQuervain's tendonitis
Trigger fingers
Dupuytren's contracture
Tumors and Skin cancer
Congenital deformities
Burns
Hand infections

Question: Ok, I have reviewed the information on the surgical procedures that Dr. Harris has described on this website, but I would like to get some more information on these procedures. Where should I go to get reliable, accurate information on these procedures?

Answer: Here is a link to a good source: the website for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. At this site you can find information on a number of different procedures.