Dr. Dean Smith, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Houston Hand Surgery Specialist & Orthopaedic Surgeon

• Surgeon
• Educator
• Researcher
• Speaker
• Author

Dr. Smith became a proud Houstonian and orthopaedic specialist for the Texas Medical Center after completing his fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery in 2001. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Summa Cum Laude, after receiving a B.A. in Education and Exercise Physiology from the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Smith is also a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Societies and a Clinical Instructor in hand and upper extremity at the University of Texas, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He received his fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery at the University of Florida after completing his post-graduate training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of New Mexico.

His practice remains committed to education and the advancement of hand surgery by teaching young doctors and health care professionals at the University of Texas School of Medicine and through on-going research and peer reviewed publications.

Education and Training

Appointments and Credentials

Publications

• Wright TW, Horodyski M, Smith DW. Functional Outcome of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: ORIF with a volar fixed angle tine plate vs external fixation. Journal of Hand Surgery. 30(2): 289-299, 2005
• Smith DW, Henry MH. Volar Fixed Angle-Plating of the Distal Radius. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. 13(1): 28-36, 2005
• Clifton J, Smith DW, Henry MH: Symptomatic Progression of Congenital Ulnar Nerve Hypoplasia with Brachial Plexus Anomaly: Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery. 20(6):447-50, 2004
• Smith DW, Henry MH. The 45 Degree Pronator Oblique View for Volar Fixed Angle Plating of Distal Radius Fractures. Journal of Hand Surgery. 29(4): 703-706, 2004
• Smith DW, Brou KE, Henry MH: Early Active Rehabilitation for Operatively Stabilized Distal Radius Fractures. Journal of Hand Therapy. 17:43-49, 2004
• Henry MH, Smith DW, Masson MV: Reconstruction of Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint Instability. Journal of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 4(1): 35-41, 2004
• Smith DW, Henry MH: The 45-degree Pronated Oblique View for Volar Fixed Angle Plating of Distal Radius Fractures. Journal of Hand Surgery. 29(4):703-706, 2004
• Ilfeld BM, Smith DW, Enneking FK. Continuous Regional Analgesia Following Ambulatory Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery. American Journal of Orthopedics. 33(8): 405-408, 2004
• Smith DW, Drennan JR: Arthrogryposis Wrist Deformities: Results of Infantile Serial Casting. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 22(1): 44-47, 2003
• Smith DW, Henry MH: Comprehensive Management of Associated Soft Tissue Injuries in Distal Radius Fractures. Journal of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2: 153-164, 2002
• Smith DW, Henry MH, Beaver R: Internal Decompression of Dorsal Wrist Ganglions. Tech in Hand and Upper Extr Surg. 6(3): 145-151, 2002
• Dell PC, Smith DW: Combined Carpal Tunnel and Ulnar Nerve Release. Atlas of the Hand Clinics. WB Saunders. Philadelphia, PA. 7:273-276, 2002
• Hendricks A, Smith DW, Wright TW: Common Instability Patterns of the Wrist. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinics of N. America. WB Saunders. 10(4): 541-556, 2001
• Miller SJ, Smith DW, Gaines RW: Intra-articular Osteoid Osteoma of the Acetabulum in a Six Year Old. Orthopaedics. 20(7): 654-655, 1997
• Childers MK, Smith DW, Rupright J: Post-traumatic Hyperthermia in Acute Brain Injury Rehabilitation. Brain Injury. 8(4): 335-343, 1994

National and International Presentations

• Volar Fixed Angle Plating of the Distal Radius. Presented at the Associación Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatologia. Buenos Aires, Argentina , 2005

• Volar Platform Plating of the Distal Radius. Smith DW, Henry MH. Presented at the British Society for Surgery of the Hand - American Society for Surgery of the Hand Combined Meeting. Cambridge, England 2003
• Outcome Study of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: ORIF with Volar Fixed Angled Tine Plate vs External Fixation. Smith DW, Wright TW. Presented at the 56th Annual ASSH meeting, Baltimore, MD 2001
• Treatment of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures with a Volar Fixed Angled Device. Smith DW, Wright TW. Presented at the Florida Hand Society, Orlando, FL 2001
• Arthrogryposis Infantile Wrist Deformities: Results of Serial Casting. Smith DW, Drennan JR. Presented at the Adrian Flatt Residents/Fellows Conference at the 55th Annual ASSH meeting, Seattle, WA 2000
• Acetabular Fractures and Pelvic Ring Disruptions. Presented at Trauma: Scene to Salvage 2000, Farmington, NM 2000
• Technique for Delayed Repair in Chronic Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures using Fascia Lata Autograft through a Single Anterior Incision. Smith DW, Moneim M. Poster presentation. 55th Annual ASSH meeting, Seattle, WA 2000
• Chronic Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures: Technique of Delayed Repair with Fascia Lata Autograft. Video presentation. 67th Annual AAOS meeting, Orlando, FL 2000

Tendon Disorders

Fractures and Sprains

Ganglions and Other Hand Conditions

Arthritic Conditions

Nerve Conditions