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Physician Focus: Andrew Staiger, M.D.

Andrew Staiger

Dr. Staiger graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. After completing his orthopedic surgery residency at Southern Illinois University in Springfield, he went on to complete his Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship back at the University of Minnesota.

He joined St. Cloud Orthopedics in 2000 and is currently a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Like the other surgeons at St. Cloud Orthopedics, he is Board Certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. As a sub-specialist he has earned a Certificate of Added Qualification for Surgery of the Hand. He invests in continuing education through studying medical journals and attending conferences including the annual meeting for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

As a specialist in orthopedics, hand and upper extremity surgery, Dr. Staiger most commonly treats carpal tunnel; trigger fingers; arthritis; tendonitis; thumb joint, wrist, shoulder, and elbow problems; and injuries. He enjoys giving hope to patients with arthritis by showing them ways to reduce their pain and by exploring options for joint replacement surgery. He constantly looks to stay on the cutting-edge with regard to treatment for his patients, by proactively seeking the latest orthopedic advancements in his areas of specialty. For instance, by adopting a new plating technology for fractures in recent years, Dr. Staiger has seen patients become mobile more rapidly and has experienced greatly improved results.

One of the myths that Dr. Staiger would like to clarify is about who is most frequently injured on machines (such as factory equipment or table saws). Many people assume that injuries most often occur with amateurs. The truth is that most of the machine-related hand injuries are in patients who were injured with equipment on the job, those who perhaps have become too comfortable with the machine and lost their vigilance. He warns, “Don’t lose your respect for the machinery.”

Dr. Staiger has enjoyed working at St. Cloud Orthopedics for the past 13 years, and he says he is particularly proud of the exceptional quality of care he and his colleagues are able to provide; it rivals the big-name groups such as Mayo Clinic. He also appreciates the practice’s family-oriented approach, which is important for him as he and his wife raise their five children. They enjoy spending time outdoors together and participating in sports. An avid reader, Dr. Staiger is interesting to visit with and knowledgeable about many topics.