Locations
Office
Indianapolis, IN
Address
Franciscan Physician Network Orthopedic Specialists, 5255 E. Stop 11 Road, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN, US
DirectionsMy office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
UnitedHealthcare
Humana Insurance Company
Cigna
Medicare
About
Bio
I am originally from Sterling Heights, Michigan. I am a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned my medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Following my residency in orthopedic surgery at the Northwestern University School of Medicine, I completed a fellowship in hand and microvascular surgery at the Indiana Hand Center. I have served as an active duty orthopedic surgeon and hand surgeon in the United States Navy. I have also worked as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthopedics at the Northwestern University School of Medicine. I joined Franciscan Orthopedic Specialists in 2017.
My practice is focused on the treatment of disorders of the hand and upper extremity in children and adults.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Hand Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Doctor Q&A
176 Answers
89 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Central tears in the articular disc of the tfcc become increasingly common as we age. If the tfcc tear is determined to be the source of your pain an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Need more info: A variety of things can cause hand swelling in an “old woman” and this probably warrants further evaulation by your physician. Some common things are... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
7 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Central tears of the tfcc can be a source of “popping” with wrist movement. While central degenerative tears can be common as one ages, if it is caus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
If you have ulnar positive variance (a long ulna relative to the radius) and you have pain/loss of function that persists despite care with bracing, i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Thumb ligament injuries are common given the mechanism of injury that you have described. You should see a hand surgeon. The thumb is critical to ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Surgery to correct a lacerated flexor tendon can be performed safely and effectively 13 days out from the injury. Having said that, sooner is better ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Common: Small hand fractures, it sounds like you had a volar plate avulsion fracture, take a long time to heal. Its critical early on to get the finger movin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
9 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
If you fell hard enough to fracture your wrist, you may have injured your back, legs, hips etc. Best to explain and demonstrate your issues to your t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
A carpal boss is often formed by underlying arthritis at a carpometacarpal joint. That alone can cause pain and sensitivity. They can also irritate ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Oct 21, 2021
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Trauma from a punch should be evaluated by x-ray, you should see a hand surgeon. Other possibilities include a subluxing extensor tendon or a collate... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Nov 15, 2022
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
See a hand surgeon as this is a very simple problem to remedy with either a steroid injection or a small surgery. It is the fact that you are not mov... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Feb 27, 2022
A 64-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Best to see a hand surgeon. After suspension plasty, graft can be extruded, thumb base can be unstable etc. You should have a complete exam inculdin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 02, 2021
A 82-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Over the counter medications such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen are commonly used to treat arthtritis. If these medications are not working, you should sp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed May 29, 2022
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
While carpal tunnel syndrome can usually be diagnosed by history and clinical exam, your symptoms sound atypical. It would be best to get an EMG/NCV ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered May 14, 2022
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Hard to be specific: Tough to answer this with any degree of certainty. Having said that this type of diffuse pain all over in a young patient can often be rheumatologic ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
27 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Common signs: Common signs and symptoms of infection are: erythema (redness to the area), swelling, warmth to touch, abscess (fluid collecting below skin). More co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
23 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 63-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Surgeon dependent : A cmc arthroplasty can be done with a variety of techniques depending on the training & preference of the surgeon. In the classic “anchovy” or in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
16 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Tremor: More information is needed. Is it a one-time event? It could be simple things like too much caffeine or an adverse reaction to a medication. If it ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
34 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes but may not work: You certainly can take Motrin for relief of mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, there is no strong scientific data to support taking it... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Variable: Many factors play in to the loss of a hand including the patient's vocation, avocation, age and mental coping capabilities. There can be significant ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
See a doctor: Many conditions can cause pain in the joints. If it is persistent, then seek medical attention. Your primary care doc is a good place to start and t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Not likely: Most often a "buckle fracture" is the result of trauma or injury. If there is a reasonable mechanism of injury (for example a fall) then a reasonable... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Get it checked: There can be many causes of wrist pain. If this is an acute but minor injury, you could try a brief course of splinting and oral anti-inflammatories ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Maybe carpal tunnel: Many things can cause the symptoms you describe. But, if the numbness and tingling are in the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger consider carpal t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: It is not atypical for broken bones to hurt for several weeks even in a cast. However, there should be progressive improvement. If your pain is wors... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Need more info: There are a variety of treatments available for fractures about the elbow from casting to therapy to surgery. It depends on the age and activity lev... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: On your own, you can avoid excessive wrist flexion or extension. Braces at night can assist with night time symptoms. Avoid exacerbating activities ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: Carpal tunnel syndrome typically gives numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle and radial (thumb side) of the ring finger. It can be aggrav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Tricky question: You should be able to contact either the surgery center or hospital where the surgery is scheduled for an accurate estimate of costs. But your costs ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Healing: There needs to be sufficient healing on clinical exam and xrays to allow the wrist to sustain the stress of whatever sport is desired.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow can be aggravated by any activity that places the wrist in extension. Depending on the severity of the conditio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Many choices: There are a variety of ways to release a carpal tunnel: traditional open, endoscopic, limited open, and a new system called manos. No method has bee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Depends: It depends on the type of arthritis. In a 20 year old patient, osteoarthritis is highly unlikely. But, some of the other arthritides that are inflam... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Probably normal: Swelling of the elbow, wrist, and hand is common after humerus fractures. The swelling typically pools "downstream." best to elevate the hand and wr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Many things: There can be different causes for posterior elbow pain including triceps tendinitis, partial triceps tear, olecranon bursitis, elbow arthritis or even... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
See a doctor: Its unclear from your writing what a "risen" is but red streaking can be indicative of lymphangitis or cellulitis both of which should be evaluated an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Depends: It all depends on the type of break and to some extent the position you play. For example, a qb probably can't throw with a broken finger. But, a li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Hand surgeon: Hand surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat nearly all conditions associated with the hand and wrist. The american society for surgery of the han... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Longer: Hard to say without more specifics. But, most bone healing should occur over the first 3 months. Other things such as strength, endurance and coordi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Rest: The most reliable way to heal a stress fracture is to rest the affected area. Sometimes, this is coupled with immobilization with a splint or cast. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Paleo diet: The paleo diet is currently quite popular and makes good sense. Please consult your primary care doctor before starting any new diet. http://thepale... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Depends: It really depends on what your diagnosis is and what was done at the time of elbow arthroscopy. In my practice, it is common to use a sling for a sho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Depends: Some of it depends on location. Early and easy treatment can consist of ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications (motrin, alive, etc.). If the p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Moms pedicure: If done appropriately, there is little to no risk in getting a manicure or pedicure. However, one needs to be vigilant in looking at skin integrity a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Physical exam: Typically these cysts are readily diagnosed with a physical exam. Certainly, imaging studies such as ultrasound and MRI can also be helpful but are n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: Delay in treatment (ie., not casting or immobilizing) is known to have a deleterious outcome for those that have scaphoid fractures. Better to error ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: Fractures of the radius come in many varieties but most can be treated with either immobilization (cast or splint) or surgery. In the majority of the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Depends: Both can be bothersome. Cyst symptoms are typically dependent on the location of the cyst. They can be painless but can also be aggravated by activi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Numbness & Tingling: The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
numbness, tingling, & pain in the hand
an electric shock-like feeling mostly in the thum... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Richard Makowiecanswered
Hand Surgery 29 years experience
Orthopaedic surgeon: While most orthopaedic surgeons are comfortable seeing this condition, i would recommend seeing one that has added training in hand surgery as they ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
252
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Makowiec is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Makowiec is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
thank you doctor, well it was half way the humerus bone making this shape ( /) hope you could picture it .. and the doctor said it might take me from 7 to 12 months to heel but I wanted to ask here to...Read More
HealthTap member
It seems to be worse in the morning and then late at night. And it is mostly in thumb, index,and middle finger. Now it seems to e swelling a
HealthTap member
I appreciate the information on the osteoarthritis. I'm way too young to be in pain all the time. (47). I will try your suggested products.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Illinois College of Medicine, IL
Graduated 1994MD
Residency
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Awards
Top Hand Surgeon , First Place, Illinois - Summer
2013
TOP DOCTOR, First Place, The Melrose Park Region - 2018
THOUGHT LEADER, First Place, The Melrose Park Region - 2018
Affiliations
American Society for Surgery of the Hand
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Association of Hand Surgeons
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