Background
Dr. Lloyd Champagne received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1990. He completed his general surgery training at LSU and Charity Hospital, where he served as chief resident, followed by a year teaching general and trauma surgery at LSU.
He then moved to Pittsburgh to complete training in plastic surgery, followed by fellowship training in hand surgery and microsurgery. His background across general surgery, trauma, plastic surgery, hand surgery, and microsurgery provides a broad foundation for treating complex injuries and reconstructive problems of the hand and upper extremity.
Dr. Champagne has practiced in Phoenix since 1999 and is a faculty member associated with the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix Hand Surgery Fellowship.
Approach to care
A hand problem is ultimately a functional problem. The question is not only what is injured, but how that injury affects what a person needs and wants to do.
Every consultation begins with understanding the patient's history, current function, and goals. This is particularly important for patients seeking a second opinion, facing a complex diagnosis, or continuing to experience problems after a previous operation.
The goal is to provide a clear assessment of what may be improved, what limitations may remain, and what options are available, including whether revision surgery may be appropriate. When another operation is unlikely to provide meaningful benefit, that deserves to be explained just as clearly as a recommendation to proceed.
Seeking a second opinion or evaluation after previous hand surgery?
Some hand and upper-extremity problems are straightforward. Others are more complex - particularly when symptoms persist after a previous operation or when a patient is uncertain about a diagnosis or recommended treatment.
Dr. Champagne evaluates patients seeking second opinions and revision hand surgery, including those with persistent pain, limited motion or function, recurrent symptoms, complications, or questions following previous treatment.
A second opinion does not necessarily mean another operation. The first step is understanding what was done previously, what is causing the current problem, and what options remain. When revision surgery is appropriate, Dr. Champagne's background in hand surgery, plastic surgery, reconstruction, and microsurgery allows the problem to be considered across the structures that affect both function and recovery.
For patients considering another procedure, the goal is straightforward: provide a clear assessment of what may realistically be improved, what limitations may remain, and whether further surgery is likely to provide meaningful benefit.
Conditions treated
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hand, often affecting the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Click for more informationTrigger Finger & Trigger Thumb
Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, clicking, catching, or locking of a finger or thumb when bending or straightening it.
Click for more informationThumb-Base (CMC) Arthritis
Symptoms: Pain at the base of the thumb, especially with pinching, gripping, opening jars, or turning keys.
Click for more informationDe Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Symptoms: Pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, often worsened by gripping, lifting, or moving the thumb.
Click for more informationGanglion Cysts
Symptoms: A noticeable lump around the wrist or hand that may cause pain, tenderness, or discomfort with movement.
Click for more informationCubital Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms: Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, hand weakness, or symptoms that worsen when the elbow is bent.
Click for more informationHand & Finger Fractures
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, or difficulty moving the injured finger or hand.
Click for more informationWrist Fractures
Symptoms: Wrist pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, or difficulty moving the wrist after an injury.
Click for more informationWrist Arthritis
Symptoms: Wrist pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness, or decreased motion that can make gripping and everyday activities difficult.
Click for more informationTendon Injuries
Symptoms: Pain, weakness, or difficulty bending or straightening a finger or thumb, particularly after an injury.
Click for more informationPeripheral Nerve Injuries
Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, or loss of sensation or movement in part of the hand or arm.
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