Patrick H. Smock, MD
My specialties:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Orthopedics
- Surgery of the hand
Professional interests:
- Surgical and non-surgical treatment of injuries and disorders of the hand
- Surgical and non-surgical treatment of injuries, disorders of wrist, elbow
- Peripheral nerve and microvascular surgery
- Compressive neuropathy (carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome)
- Minimally invasive surgery (endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery)
- Fractures and dislocations of the hand/wrist/forearm/elbow
- wrist arthroscopy
- Hand arthritis
- Tendon lacerations
- Trigger finger
I truly believe that I work in a "service" industry and that my patients are in charge of their health care. I will always give my best advice and opinions, but I strive to explain to patients in great depth the nature of their issue and all of their possible options. I always want my patients to feel as if they were integral in the decision making process and that they are comfortable with their choices.
The best part of my work is the ability to return patients to the ability to use their hands for everyday tasks. We don't realize how important our hands are to us until their use is taken away!
Something I've learned from my patients is the power of friendliness and honesty. Nobody can practice medicine "perfectly" but I am constantly surprised by the acceptance and forgiveness shown by patients who feel that they were treated kindly and honestly.
The best thing I've done for my health is I’ve stayed competitive as I've aged. Other than being an excuse to stay in shape, there is some solid research that adding bursts of intensity into your workout can have great health benefits, especially as we age. Competing in cyclocross is about as intense as it gets!
My personal health challenge is to enjoy my time on this planet to its fullest! I believe we are placed on Earth for such a very brief moment, and that we are only stewards of all that we have for the time we are here. We should do our best to leave things better than we found them; including our bodies, our surroundings, and our fellow citizens.
Credentials
- MD
Board-certified specialties
- Orthopedic surgery
Specialties
- Orthopedics
- Surgery of the hand
Personal interests
- Cycling
- Mountain biking
Internships
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX
Residencies
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX
Fellowships
- Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD: hand and upper extremity surgery
Years of experience
- 16
Hospital affiliations
- United Hospital
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Major health plans we participate in
- Allina Health | Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
- HealthPartners
- Medica
- PreferredOne
- SelectCare/LaborCare
- UCare
- UnitedHealthcare
Other health plans we participate in
- Medicaid/Medicare
- Aetna
- America's PPO
- First Health/Coventry
- CIGNA
- Humana
- Hennepin Health (formerly Metropolitan Health Plan)
- PrimeWest
- South Country Health Alliance
- United Behavioral Health
- Wisconsin Physician Services (WPS)