Announcing The Launch Of Heritage Hand And Plastic Surgery

I am pleased to announce the opening of Heritage Hand and Plastic Surgery, an independent private practice dedicated to delivering world-class care directly to patients in a refined and personalized environment. After leaving Michigan State University two months ago, I have embarked on this new chapter with one core principle: restoring the direct, personal relationship between patient and physician.

Throughout my professional career, I have worked as a plastic and hand surgeon within some of the world’s largest healthcare systems — 13 years in the British National Health Service, followed by advanced fellowship training in hand surgery in the United States, and most recently, 15 years on faculty at Michigan State University. What I have come to recognize—something my great-grandfather could have told me generations ago—is that the best care occurs when nothing stands between the patient and their physician. This timeless principle serves as the foundation of Heritage Hand and Plastic Surgery.

Too often in modern healthcare, the simple experience of seeing your surgeon, having a conversation, and proceeding to surgery has been lost in an increasingly institutionalized and bureaucratic system. My goal is to reclaim that experience. From the moment you enter the office, you will find yourself surrounded by my family’s heritage — heirlooms dating back to 1850 — honoring ancestors who were pioneers in ophthalmology, orthopedic implant development, sterile technique, and plastic surgery across multiple generations and through both World Wars. You will be welcomed with coffee, dignity, and respect.

For patients undergoing surgery, the experience is entirely different from that of an ambulatory surgery center or hospital. Surgery is performed in a calm, office-based setting without the unnecessary complexities and costs that often accompany institutional care. Patients may eat beforehand, remain awake, and even drive themselves home afterwards. For those who prefer distraction during their procedure, I offer immersive virtual reality using a system I developed called Wide Awake VR, which has been shown to enhance the patient experience and reduce anxiety.

Office-Based Surgical Offerings

In-office procedures range from simple dermatologic excisions of benign and malignant skin lesions to complex hand surgeries, including:

Carpal Tunnel Release
Dupuytren’s Fasciectomy
Lacertus Fibrosus Release (often an overlooked contributor to hand pain)
Cubital Tunnel Release
Ganglion and Mucous Cyst Removal
Trigger Finger Release (especially common in diabetic and older populations)
Mohs surgery reconstruction
Fat transfer to hand tissue and joints

Operating Room-Based Surgical Offerings

While many procedures can be safely and comfortably performed in the office, certain surgeries still require the resources of a fully equipped operating room. In these settings, I provide:

Complex and deep reconstructive surgeries of the wrist, hand, and forearm
Thumb arthroplasty and wrist arthroplasty for degenerative joint conditions
General orthopedic surgeries of the hand and wrist including trauma management
Plastic surgical reconstructive services, including soft tissue reconstruction, skin grafts and flaps
Body contouring and aesthetic reconstructive procedures

Why Wide-Awake Surgery?

I believe unnecessary anesthesia is often not in the best interest of patients, particularly as we age. Using specialized techniques I learned directly from Dr. Don Lalonde—the father of awake hand surgery—I perform procedures under local anesthesia without a tourniquet, in what is known as WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) surgery. This technique allows patients to remain fully awake, fully informed, and fully in control.

Because no sedation or general anesthesia is used, patients:

Have no need to stop medication or seek anesthesia clearance from other specialist
Recover more quickly
Retain full mental clarity post-procedure
Can drive themselves home if they feel safe to do so
May sign documents and return to work the same day
Faster recovery

In addition, many patients are now traveling considerable distances to see me, specifically to avoid the complexities, delays, and financial burdens of institutionalized healthcare in their own states and cities. They are seeking not only a streamlined, personalized experience, but also expert-level options for the management of hand pain, peripheral nerve decompression, and complex nerve-related conditions that often go underdiagnosed or undertreated elsewhere.

For many, particularly those with high-deductible health plans, office-based surgery costs only a fraction of what hospital-based care would entail — often saving thousands of dollars without sacrificing safety or outcomes.

A Return to Patient-Centered Care

By focusing on the patient’s experience and wellness, Heritage Hand and Plastic Surgery offers an environment where individuals can actively participate in their care, free from the burdens of large healthcare systems. This model allows me to provide exceptional, independent hand and plastic surgical care in an efficient, cost-effective, and compassionate manner.

I am honored to bring this vision to life and look forward to caring for you and your family.

— James Clarkson MD
Heritage Hand and Plastic Surgery