What is a hand doctor called? is he still called an orthopedic surgeon, or do you have to go to a "hand surgeon"?

Hand Surgeon: They are orthopedist (medical doctors specializing in bone and joint disease) who have a specialty fellowship in surgery of the hand and often the elbow too. They usually do some general orthopedics as well unless in a very large group where there are sub=sepcialty clinics of different surgeons.

Its confusing...: There are surgeons who specialize in disorders of the upper extremity; they are called hand surgeons. Their initial training may be in plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, or general surgery. They will almost always have had additional training in surgery and problems of the hand.

Yes and no: A hand surgeon may have started out as an orthopaedic, general or plastic surgeon. After a one year fellowship, any of these doctors can become a hand surgeon. Once you have become board certified in your surgical discipline, you can sit for the certificate of additional qualifications examination in hand surgery (caq-hand). Then you become a hand surgeon.

Can be: A hand surgeon can either have their primary training in orthopedic surgery or plastic surgery. Then they do a fellowship in hand surgery.