# Louisiana Hand to Shoulder Center > Louisiana Hand to Shoulder Center, LLC is the Northshore's only practice offering in-office orthopedic procedures for hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder conditions in adults and children. Led by Dr. Blane A. Sessions, the only board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon in the area, the practice is located in Covington, Louisiana and serves the greater Northshore region. ## About Louisiana Hand to Shoulder Center was established in April 2018. The clinic specializes exclusively in upper extremity care — from fingertip to shoulder — for both adults and children. Key differentiators include in-office surgical procedures (no hospital registration, no IV, no fasting, no pre-op testing, lower cost), same-day and next-day appointment availability, and on-site occupational therapy with a Certified Hand Therapist. **Address:** 601 River Highlands Blvd., Suite 200, Covington, LA 70433 (off HWY 190) **Phone:** 985-238-0077 **Fax:** 985-888-6488 --- ## Services / Conditions Treated ### Hand & Carpal Tunnel Conditions: Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, Dupuytren's contracture, mucous cysts, ganglion cysts, soft tissue masses of the upper extremity. Procedures: Open carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, De Quervain's release, mucous cyst excision, ganglion cyst excision, Dupuytren's release. Symptoms treated: Numbness or tingling in the hand, sharp or intense pain, weakened grip strength, feeling of swelling, persistent aching, difficulty moving the hand, difficulty with tasks such as holding a cup, driving, typing, using a smartphone, or opening jars. ### Wrist & Forearm Conditions: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, fractures, sprains, overuse injuries, nerve compression, De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Treatments: Anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, occupational therapy, wrist bracing/splinting, surgical intervention. Symptoms treated: Aching or throbbing in the wrist joint or forearm, swelling, numbness/tingling, weakness, reduced range of motion. ### Elbow Conditions: Cubital tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis), distal bicep tears, elbow osteoarthritis, olecranon bursitis, radial head fractures, ligament injuries, UCL injuries. Procedures: Cubital tunnel surgery (endoscopic and open), elbow arthroscopy, joint replacement, UCL elbow ligament surgery (Tommy John surgery). Symptoms treated: Elbow joint pain, elbow tenderness, pain in the forearm muscles, difficulty with repetitive motions, pain radiating from the elbow up or down the arm. ### Shoulder Conditions: Rotator cuff tears, labral tears, dislocated shoulders, shoulder separations, osteoarthritis, biceps tendonitis, shoulder bursitis, frozen shoulder, clavicle fractures. Procedures: Shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, Latarjet procedure, labral tear repair. Symptoms treated: Loss of range of motion, stiffness with pain (frozen shoulder), sharp or dull shoulder muscle pain, pain radiating into the arm. ### Pediatrics The clinic treats children for hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder conditions including sports injuries and congenital conditions. **Hand:** Congenital trigger thumb, syndactyly, polydactyly, hypoplastic/absent thumb, growth plate hand fractures, casting. **Wrist/Forearm:** Distal radius fractures, growth plate wrist fractures, both-bone forearm fractures, casting. **Elbow:** UCL elbow ligament surgery (Tommy John), OCD lesions, supracondylar humerus fractures, elbow fractures, Little Leaguer's elbow. **Shoulder:** Clavicle fractures, proximal humerus fractures, labral tears, dislocations, Little Leaguer's shoulder. --- ## In-Office Procedures Common procedures performed in-office (no hospital required): - Open Carpal Tunnel Release - Trigger Finger Release - De Quervain's Release - Mucous Cyst Excision - Ganglion Cyst Excision - Dupuytren's Release - Soft Tissue Mass Excision of the Upper Extremity **Benefits of in-office procedures:** 1. No hospital registration or gowns required 2. No pre-op testing (no EKG, no lab work) 3. No medication interruption (blood thinners can be continued) 4. No fasting required 5. Significant cost savings — no hospital facility fees --- ## Occupational Therapy On-site occupational therapy is provided by Bonnie Trainor Lucio, LOTR, CHT (Licensed Occupational Therapist, Registered; Certified Hand Therapist). Services include hand and upper extremity rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation. Having therapy in-house allows patients to begin recovery immediately after procedures. --- ## Our Team ### Dr. Blane A. Sessions, MD **Title:** Board-Certified Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon; Founder **Education:** - Undergraduate: Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport (magna cum laude; Division I baseball) - Medical School & Orthopedic Surgery Residency: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans - Fellowship: Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center **Board Certifications:** Orthopedics; Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery **Recognition:** Named Top Doctor by Main Line Today (2013, 2016, 2017) **Background:** Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Practiced in Philadelphia for five years before returning to Louisiana to found Louisiana Hand to Shoulder Center in April 2018. Resides in Covington, LA with his wife and two sons. ### Bonnie Trainor Lucio, LOTR, CHT **Title:** Licensed Occupational Therapist, Registered; Certified Hand Therapist **Education:** Louisiana State Medical Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (cum laude) **Experience:** Completed a hand and burn specialty rotation at Baton Rouge General Hospital. Directed The Hand Center of Louisiana across multiple clinics; co-owned The Hand Rehabilitation Center (expanded to five south Louisiana locations); worked at Lakeview Regional Medical Center. **Credentials & Leadership:** - Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) - Charter, active member of ASHT (American Society of Hand Therapists) - Founding President, Louisiana Chapter of ASHT - HTCC roles: Item Writer, Item Writer Mentor, Recertification Committee Vice Chair, Board Secretary --- ## Accepted Insurance **In-Network Providers:** - 360 Gilsbar - Aetna Healthcare (HMO, PPO, EPO) - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (HMO) - Cigna - Coventry Health Care National Network - Evolutions Healthcare Systems - First Health Now - Healthy Blue (BCBS Medicaid) - HMO Louisiana Blue Advantage Medicare - Louisiana Healthcare Connections (Medicare) - Louisiana Healthcare Connections (Medicaid) - Medicare of Louisiana - Multiplan New Orleans Division - PPOplus, LLC - Tricare (non-network certified with primary care referral) - United Healthcare (Commercial) - Well Care **Additional coverage accepted:** Workers Compensation, Personal Injury, Fee for Service, Second Medical Opinion. Patients are encouraged to call 985-238-0077 if their insurance is not listed. --- ## Appointments Same-day and next-day appointments are available. Appointment requests can be submitted online. The online form collects patient name, contact information, appointment type (new or existing patient), therapy appointment indicator, date of birth, insurance information, description of pain or injury, and work-relatedness status. **Phone:** 985-238-0077 --- ## Pages - [Home](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com): Overview of services, physician intro, and appointment scheduling - [Carpal Tunnel](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/carpal-tunnel): Carpal tunnel syndrome causes, symptoms, treatment, and in-office procedures - [Wrist & Forearm](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/wrist-forearm): Wrist and forearm pain causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention - [Elbow](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/elbow): Elbow conditions, symptoms, and surgical/conservative treatment options - [Shoulder](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/shoulder): Shoulder conditions, symptoms, and surgical treatment including arthroplasty and arthroscopy - [Pediatrics](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/pediatrics): Pediatric hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder conditions and treatments - [Dr. Blane Sessions](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/blane-sessions-louisiana): Physician biography, education, training, and certifications - [Bonnie Trainor Lucio, LOTR, CHT](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/bonnie-trainor-lucio-lotr-cht): Occupational therapist biography, credentials, and experience - [In-Office Procedure Benefits](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/benefits-of-our-in-office-procedures): Five benefits of in-office procedures and list of procedures offered in-office - [Accepted Insurance](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/accepted-insurance): Full list of in-network insurance plans and additional coverage types - [Request an Appointment](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/request-an-appointment): Online appointment request form for new and existing patients - [Contact](https://www.louisianahandtoshoulder.com/contact): Address, phone, fax, and directions to the Covington, LA office