Healing Hands: Expert Care from Hand Surgeon, Dr. Jasmine Bauknight
In the intricate world of hand surgery, Dr. Jasmine Bauknight has established herself as a physician who takes the time to listen, investigate, and solve complex problems that others might miss. As a hand and upper extremity surgeon at Shore Physicians Group’s Orthopaedic Division in Somers Point, she brings a methodical yet personalized approach to treating conditions that affect some of the body’s most complex structures.
“The hand is incredibly intricate – there’s a lot going on in a small space,” Dr. Bauknight explains. “There are multiple joints, tendons, nerves, everything packed together. What might seem like a straightforward problem could actually be coming from several different sources.”
Tailoring Treatment to Each Patient
Dr. Bauknight doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. “Medicine isn’t just about following a textbook. It’s about what works best for the patient,” she says. She takes into account their job, daily activities, and personal preferences when deciding on a treatment plan. “Sometimes, getting to the bottom of an issue takes more than one visit. I appreciate when patients trust me to take the time to figure out what’s really going on.”
Her reputation extends far beyond the local area. “I’ve had patients travel from as far as Long Island and Toms River for treatment,” Dr. Bauknight says. One patient, after a successful surgery on her finger, returned a year later from Long Island for wrist surgery. Recognizing the burden of long travel, Dr. Bauknight accommodates these patients with virtual follow-ups and therapy recommendations closer to home.
Navigating Common and Complex Conditions
While some conditions, like tendon lacerations, have clear-cut solutions, others—such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or trigger finger—require a more layered approach. “Many patients assume their hand pain is just carpal tunnel, but it’s often more complicated,” she explains. By carefully evaluating symptoms and conducting detailed examinations, she ensures patients receive the right treatment, whether it’s bracing, medication, therapy, or surgery.
For arthritis, Dr. Bauknight follows a step-by-step approach, starting with bracing, anti-inflammatories, and injections before considering surgery. “I always tell patients, ‘We treat the person, not the X-ray.’ Some patients have severe-looking arthritis on imaging but minimal pain, while others have mild imaging changes but significant discomfort.”
Carpal tunnel syndrome, on the other hand, is often underestimated. “People think of it as a simple nuisance, but it can lead to permanent weakness and numbness if left untreated,” she warns. “If you’re experiencing tingling or burning sensations in your hand, don’t ignore it. Get checked before it’s too late.”
Practical Safety Tips for Hand Health
Dr. Bauknight shares key advice for preventing hand injuries:
- Remove rings immediately after an injury. Swelling can make it impossible to remove the ring, leading to the finger not getting adequate blood supply and serious complications.
- Use caution with power tools and knives. Many of Dr. Bauknight’s patients suffer injuries from woodworking accidents or improper knife handling.
- Seek help for nerve injuries quickly. Tendon and nerve repairs have a limited window for repair—waiting too long could result in permanent damage.
The Most Rewarding Part of Her Work
For Dr. Bauknight, the greatest joy comes from finally providing relief to patients who have struggled for years. “When someone tells me, ‘I can finally do the things I love again,’ it makes all the effort worthwhile,” she says. “Many patients refuse to go anywhere else because we’ve built a trust. That’s an incredible honor.”
With her deep expertise and compassionate approach, Dr. Jasmine Bauknight is making a lasting impact on patients’ lives—one hand at a time.
About Dr. Jasmine Bauknight
Dr. Jasmine Bauknight, MD, is an orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon specializing in conditions affecting the elbow, wrist, forearm, hand, and fingers. She treats fractures, arthritis, tendon and nerve injuries, as well as conditions like carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, mallet finger, and Dupuytren’s contracture.
Dr. Bauknight also addresses sports-related injuries such as tennis and golfer’s elbow, TFCC injuries, ligament tears like skier’s thumb and scapholunate ligament injuries, and tendon conditions including DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis and tendon lacerations. Additionally, she treats wrist pain from ganglion cysts and nerve lacerations, and even cases of “avocado hand.”
A New Jersey native, Dr. Bauknight earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Brown University, completed her residency at Howard University Hospital, and pursued a fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity at Allegheny General Hospital. As a former chief resident, she is dedicated to helping patients regain function and return to the activities they love. In her spare time, she enjoys playing percussion, piano, and guitar, attending musicals, kayaking, and samba dancing.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Bauknight, or call 609-365-6280 to make an appointment today. Dr. Bauknight practices at SPG’s Orthopaedic Division, located at 710 Centre Street, 2nd floor, Somers Point, NJ.
