Dr. Nicolai Baecher has joined Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, an orthopaedic center with offices in Suffolk and Chesapeake.

Baecher brings specialized training in hand surgery, as well as elbow and shoulder surgeries, to the SMOC team of 27 physicians.

“Dr. Baecher brings a holistic and patient-centered approach to patients suffering from chronic problems in the upper extremity, such as arthritis or nerve compression,” Todd Rauchenberger, SMOC administrator stated in a press release.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published in March 2017, more than 54 million adults in the U.S. suffer from arthritis, many of whom are between the ages of 18 and 64.

Arthritis is the most common chronic joint condition and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. It occurs most often in the hips, knees and hands.

“We are committed to providing our patients with the best care available anywhere, not just in Hampton Roads,” Rauchenberger stated.

“Dr. Baecher’s experience and specialized expertise in hand surgery makes him a perfect addition to our growing team.”

Prior to joining SMOC, Baecher was a hand surgery fellow at Hand, Microsurgery and Reconstructive Orthopaedics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, in Erie, Pa.

He completed his residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he later became the chief resident for orthopaedic surgery. In 2006, he received an intramural research-training award by the National Health Institute.

“As a surgeon, you need the judgment to know when surgery is right and when it’s best to help patients pursue non-surgical options,” Baecher stated in the press release.

“My goal with every patient is to keep them fit and active. I’m excited to join a team that takes a total-body approach to orthopaedic care.”