Dr. Clifford R. Wheeless-Iii

I’m an orthopaedic surgeon that specializes in elbow, wrist and hand injuries. I treat fractures, sports injuries, and acute traumas, as well as more common ailments like tendonitis, carpal tunnel, arthritis and trigger fingers. The best thing about going to work every day is that regardless of the number of patients I have at a time, I have the opportunity to make a difference in each patient’s life. Duke offers cutting edge technology and research, but we also excel in patient care. That combination makes Duke a special place for our patients. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my wife and two children. We enjoy following the Boston Red Sox and local baseball teams. For exercise I like to run, swim and play tennis. Dr. Richard is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Mononeuritis Multiplex, Osteotomy, and Wrist Arthroscopy.

I have the opportunity to help restore function and allow patients to resume what they want and need to do. Some patients just need to understand their condition, while others may benefit from therapy or surgery. I treat conditions in the upper extremity, from the elbow to the hand. This includes common conditions, such as fractures, dislocations, and ligament injuries of the hand, wrist, or forearm. I also treat nerve compressions in the wrist or elbow, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome, arthritis of the thumb, hand, and wrist, and tendonitis. I also see patients of all ages for less common conditions, such as vascular disorders and developmental and acquired conditions. Outside of work, I enjoy sports and spending time with my family. Dr. Hammert is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rhizarthrosis, Mononeuritis Multiplex, Fasciotomy, and Osteotomy.

I am an orthopaedic surgeon who is the chief of hand surgery at Duke. Although we are referred to as “hand surgeons,” I treat many people with wrist and elbow conditions. Because the hand is so complex, patients who see me can have complaints that range from numbness and weakness to issues with range of motion. My grandfather, my grandmother, my mother and my father were all health care workers. I have wanted to be a surgeon since I watched M*A*S*H on the television as a child. I obtain great satisfaction from treating someone who has a very severe hand or arm injury, reconstructing the part and restoring its basic function. Duke has been the strongest hand surgery program in the country for the past 50 to 75 years. As chair of the program, I want patients to know that the best and the brightest providers are seeing them when they come to Duke. Dr. Ruch is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Rhizarthrosis, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.