Leading Nebraska Orthopaedic Surgeon and Hand Specialist: Dr. Ichtertz

Education and Training

• Undergraduate: University of Southern California (USC) – Bachelor’s degree in Biology. 
• Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) – Part of the Texas Medical Center, one of the nation’s top-ranked medical schools by U.S. News & World Report.
• Orthopaedic Residency: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) – Northern California’s premier tertiary care center.
  • Served as Chief Resident at San Francisco General Hospital and Highland General, the two largest county hospitals in the region.
  • Gained expertise in subspecialties such as trauma, general surgery, and total joint replacement.
  • Conducted award-winning research on knee arthritis, ACL injuries, and ankle fracture recovery methods.
• Microsurgery Training: Ralph K. Davies Medical Center under Dr. Harold Buncke, a pioneer in microsurgery.
• Upper Extremity Fellowship: Loma Linda University Medical Center under Dr. Virchel Wood and a renowned team of hand surgeons.
  • Published groundbreaking research on reconstructing rheumatoid hand deformities, presented at major national and international conferences.

Professional Certifications

• Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). 
• Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand (CAQ Hand). 

Areas of Expertise

As a Nebraska orthopaedic surgeon specializing in upper and lower extremity care, Dr. Ichtertz focuses on treating a range of conditions, including:

• Hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and other nerve conditions.
• Rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, and advanced hand deformities.
• Knee pain, ACL injuries, and meniscus tears.

Career Highlights

• Practicing as an orthopaedic surgeon and hand doctor since 1987, with a focus on peripheral nerve entrapment, rotator cuff issues, and advanced surgical techniques. 
• Founder of the Nebraska Hand & Shoulder Institute, expanding care through multiple locations, including Grand Island, Lincoln, North Platte, and Omaha.
• Developed ground-breaking techniques such as:
  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel surgeries, enabling patients to return to work within 24 hours.
  • Arthroscopic knee meniscus repair, pioneered in 1984.
  • Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and outer clavicle excision for AC joint arthritis. 
  • Basilar thumb denervation for advanced arthritis, a rare and highly specialized treatment.
  • Known as one of the few orthopaedic doctors in Nebraska who can interpret nerve conduction studies, essential for accurately diagnosing conditions like carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and tarsal tunnel syndromes.

Research and Innovation

Dr. Ichtertz has made significant contributions to orthopaedic research, focusing on areas such as knee arthritis evaluations, ACL injuries, and advanced techniques for managing ankle fractures. His work includes revolutionary treatments for rheumatoid hand conditions, helping to prevent the need for small joint replacements. Additionally, he conducts ongoing outcome studies to refine diagnostic and treatment methods, ensuring the highest quality of patient care.

Practice Locations

Dr. Ichtertz provides expert orthopaedic care at multiple convenient locations across Nebraska, making him one of the most accessible specialists in the state. Whether you're in Grand Island, Lincoln, North Platte, or Omaha, his practice is easy to reach via I-80 or nearby airports. If you're searching for a trusted hand pain doctor, wrist pain doctor, elbow pain doctor, shoulder pain doctor, or knee pain doctor, Dr. Ichtertz is here to help.

Personal Interests

When he’s not treating patients, Dr. Ichtertz enjoys a variety of hobbies that reflect his zest for life. He loves spending time with his wife, a Nebraska native, and embraces his passions as an avid flower gardener, adventurous cook, and skilled photographer. A certified scuba diver, sailboarder, and skier, Dr. Ichtertz takes every opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

Your Trusted Nebraska Orthopaedic Doctor

From hand pain to wrist, elbow, shoulder, or knee conditions, Dr. Ichtertz is a leading orthopaedic specialist in Nebraska. He is dedicated to providing innovative care and personalized treatment for each patient. Whether you’re dealing with injuries, chronic pain, or mobility issues, Dr. Ichtertz is committed to helping you recover quickly so you can return to the activities you love. Trust Dr. Ichtertz to deliver proven results and compassionate care.

Our Staff

At Dr. Ichtertz’s practice, every staff member is carefully selected to ensure top-tier patient care. All staff members are college-educated, and the team includes two highly trained nerve conduction technicians. Dr. Ichtertz personally performs digital x-rays, ensuring the highest quality control for accurate diagnoses. Additionally, his skilled billing personnel work diligently to assist with your billing needs, always advocating on your behalf. When you visit Dr. Ichtertz, you can trust that you’re in capable, dedicated hands.

Testimonial

"My first carpal tunnel surgery was open release. I was in heavy bandages for about two weeks. It hurt a great deal for a long time. Could not eat with my right hand at all. It was very awkward. Couldn’t do much of anything for nearly three weeks. When I had my second carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand by Dr. Ichtertz it was so different. I had bandages for a couple days and then it was more like bandaids! I could use my hand (carefully!) almost immediately. The difference was unbelievable! Wish I had found Dr. Ichtertz for the first surgery. Dr. Ichtertz was also available to fix trigger finger—my left hand little finger. Cleared up right away. Thank you, Doctor." — J. Malot, R.N.