Peter R. Henning, MD
Peter R. Henning, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained
orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon at OrthoSouth. He specializes in the comprehensive non-surgical and
surgical management of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow,
and upper arm — including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome,
trigger finger, thumb basal joint (CMC) arthritis, Dupuytren's contracture,
sports and overuse injuries, nerve and tendon injuries, and complex upper
extremity fractures. Dr. Henning routinely performs minimally invasive and
outpatient procedures, including mini-open carpal tunnel release, micro-incision
trigger finger release, anatomic fracture fixation, and wide-awake hand surgery
under local anesthesia. He sees patients at OrthoSouth clinics in Memphis-Briarcrest,
Germantown, Arlington, Collierville, and Southaven, MS.
Dr. Henning's practice focuses on restoring comfort, motion, pinch
and grip strength, and daily function across the entire upper extremity. His
subspecialty fellowship training in orthopedic hand and microsurgery supports
an individualized, conservative-first philosophy—coordinating ultrasound-guided
injections, custom splinting, and on-site rehabilitation with Certified Hand
Therapists (CHTs) through the OrthoSouth Hand Center, while offering precise surgical
reconstruction when operative care is the best option.
Dr. Henning completed his orthopaedic hand and upper extremity
fellowship in July 2021 at the renowned Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in
Indianapolis, IN, following his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University
of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic in Memphis, TN. He earned his medical degree from
the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI in 2015, where he was
inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society, and completed
his undergraduate education at Marquette University in Milwaukee in 2011.
An active contributor to orthopedic research and the Mid-South
community, Dr. Henning has published peer-reviewed studies in The Journal of
Hand Surgery, The Orthopedic Clinics of North America, and Current
Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine focusing on thumb CMC joint
biomechanics and hand arthritis. His community service includes serving as
Medical Honoree for the Arthritis Foundation, team physicals for Rhodes College and area
high schools, and Saturday clinics for uninsured patients.
FELLOWSHIP
EDUCATION
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI
Residency: University of Tennessee Health and Science Center - Campbell Clinic - Memphis, TN
ACCOLADES
- Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society Inductee
- Arthritis Foundation Medical Honoree — Memphis
- 5.0-Star Patient Rating Badge (450+ Verified Patient
Reviews)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
ARTICLES & NEWS
CONDITIONS TREATED
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve compression)
- Cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment at
the elbow or wrist
- Trigger finger and trigger thumb (stenosing
tenosynovitis)
- Thumb basal joint arthritis (CMC joint arthritis) and
finger joint (DIP/PIP) arthritis
- Dupuytren's contracture (palmar fibromatosis)
- Distal radius fractures, scaphoid fractures, and
complex wrist/hand fractures
- Scaphoid nonunions and malunions
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis and wrist/forearm
tendinitis
- Lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis elbow and
golfer's elbow)
- Distal biceps and triceps tendon tears
- Flexor and extensor tendon injuries (including mallet
finger and jersey finger)
- Wrist ligament injuries, TFCC tears, and scapholunate
instability
- Ganglion cysts, mucous cysts, and benign hand/wrist
masses
- Peripheral nerve injuries and compressive neuropathies
of the upper extremity
- Acute sports, work-related (Workers' Compensation), and
traumatic hand, wrist, and elbow injuries
TREATMENTS OFFERED
- Comprehensive hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow
evaluation
- Non-surgical management including targeted
corticosteroid injections and custom orthosis/splinting
- Mini-open carpal tunnel release
- Cubital tunnel release and ulnar nerve transposition
- Micro-incision trigger finger and trigger thumb release
(A1 pulley release)
- Wide-awake hand surgery under local anesthesia (WALANT)
- Thumb CMC (basal joint) arthroplasty, trapeziectomy,
and ligament reconstruction / suspensionplasty
- Dupuytren's contracture treatment (Minimally invasive
and open surgical fasciectomy/release)
- Percutaneous compression screw fixation and open
reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for scaphoid and distal radius
fractures
- Bone grafting and reconstructive surgery for scaphoid
nonunion
- De Quervain's tendon sheath release
- Surgical and minimally invasive treatment for tennis
elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow
- Distal biceps tendon repair and elbow fracture/ligament
reconstruction
- Flexor and extensor tendon repair and reconstruction
- Wrist arthroscopy, TFCC repair, and ganglion cyst
excision
- Direct clinical coordination with on-site Certified
Hand Therapists (CHTs) through the OrthoSouth Hand Center
FAQ's
What kind of surgeon is Dr. Henning?
Dr. Peter Henning is a board-certified, fellowship-trained
orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon at OrthoSouth. Having completed his orthopedic residency at the
UT-Campbell Clinic in Memphis and his hand surgery fellowship at the Indiana
Hand to Shoulder Center, he specializes in non-surgical and surgical care for
the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and upper arm.
Q: Where does Dr. Henning see patients in the Memphis and
Mid-South area?
A: Dr. Henning sees patients at five convenient OrthoSouth clinic
locations across the Mid-South: Memphis-Briarcrest (6286 Briarcrest
Ave), Germantown (2100 Exeter Rd), Arlington (5150 Airline Rd), Collierville (511
Market Blvd), and Southaven, MS (7580 Clarington Cove).
Q: Does Dr. Henning treat carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger
finger?
A: Yes. Dr. Henning treats both conditions daily using a
conservative-first approach—starting with night splinting, activity
modification, and targeted cortisone injections when appropriate. When symptoms
persist, he performs outpatient mini-open carpal tunnel release as well as
micro-incision trigger finger release, often under local anesthesia with rapid
recovery.
Q: Does Dr. Henning treat elbow conditions like cubital tunnel
syndrome, tennis elbow, and biceps tears?
A: Yes. In addition to hand and wrist care, Dr. Henning is an upper
extremity specialist who treats cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve
compression), tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer's elbow (medial
epicondylitis), distal biceps tendon tears, and elbow fractures at all five of
his clinic locations.
Q: Does Dr. Henning treat thumb arthritis (basal joint / CMC
arthritis) and Dupuytren's contracture?
A: Yes. Dr. Henning has published peer-reviewed biomechanical
research in The Journal of Hand Surgery on thumb CMC joint
reconstruction and offers the full spectrum of care for thumb basal joint
arthritis and finger arthritis—from injections and custom hand therapy splints
to thumb CMC arthroplasty and suspensionplasty. He also provides both minimally
invasive and open surgical options for Dupuytren's contracture.
Q: What is the typical recovery time after carpal tunnel or
trigger finger surgery with Dr. Henning?
A: Most patients begin light everyday use of their fingers—such as
typing, writing, using a phone, and eating—within 24 to 48 hours after
outpatient carpal tunnel or trigger finger release. Heavy gripping, lifting,
and sports typically resume within 3 to 4 weeks, supported by on-site Certified
Hand Therapists at OrthoSouth.
Q: Does Dr. Henning treat wrist fractures, scaphoid fractures, and
sports injuries?
A: Yes. Dr. Henning provides rapid evaluation and anatomical
fixation for acute hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and upper arm
fractures—including distal radius fractures, occult or displaced scaphoid
fractures (using minimally invasive compression screw fixation), scaphoid
nonunions, distal humerus fractures and sports injuries from pickleball, golf,
tennis, and team athletics.
Q: Does Dr. Henning perform surgery, or does he offer non-surgical
treatment first?
A: Both. Dr. Henning evaluates each patient individually and
prioritizes non-surgical care whenever appropriate, partnering closely with
OrthoSouth's on-site Certified Hand Therapists for custom splinting and
rehabilitation. When surgery is the most effective way to restore function or
protect nerve and joint health, procedures are performed at OrthoSouth's
accredited outpatient surgery centers in Germantown and Southaven.
Q: Is Dr. Henning accepting new patients and Workers' Compensation
cases, and do I need a referral?
A: Yes, Dr. Henning is actively accepting new patients as well as
Workers' Compensation evaluations across his Memphis-Briarcrest, Germantown,
Arlington, Collierville, and Southaven clinics. Most commercial insurance plans
do not require a physician referral, and patients with acute hand, wrist, or
elbow injuries can also utilize OrthoSouth's walk-in clinics.Dr. Henning offers
Saturday appointments and walk-ins in Southaven, providing expanded access to
care for those whose work or other responsibilities make weekday visits
difficult.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Harold R, Henning P, Smetana B, Merrell G. The
Effect of Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Hyperextension on Thumb Axial Load and
Lateral Pinch Force in a Cadaver Model of Thumb Trapeziectomy and Flexor
Carpi Radialis Suspensionplasty. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2024. (Indexed on Doximity/PubMed)
- Wu JC, Calandruccio JH, Weller WJ, Henning PR,
Swigler CW. Arthritis of the Thumb Interphalangeal and Finger Distal
Interphalangeal Joint. The Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2019.
(Indexed on Doximity/PubMed)
- Henning PR, Grear BJ. Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Foot and
Ankle. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2018. (Indexed on Doximity/PubMed)
CERTIFICATIONS
