Joaquim Casañas

Dr. Joaquim Casañas Sintes

MD, PhD, EBHS
World-Leading Specialist in Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Hand Surgery & Brachial Plexus Reconstruction
Director of Traumaunit – Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona

🔹 Professional Summary

Dr. Joaquim Casañas is one of Europe’s foremost authorities in hand surgery, peripheral nerve microsurgery, and brachial plexus reconstruction. With over 35 years of experience, he leads the internationally acclaimed Traumaunit at Centro Médico Teknon in Barcelona.

Dr. Casañas has pioneered intraoperative electrophysiological mapping and monitoring, a breakthrough technique that enables real-time nerve function analysis during surgery — dramatically increasing precision and outcomes. He is especially renowned for treating neuropathic pain, nerve injuries, and complex upper limb trauma. His patients include elite athletes, such as MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa.

🧠 Key Areas of Expertise

Peripheral nerve microsurgery

Brachial plexus surgery (obstetric & adult)

Neuropathic pain treatment

Hand, wrist, and upper limb trauma

Arthroscopy of the upper limb

Tendon, joint, and nerve reconstruction

Nerve allograft and nerve transplantation

Post-traumatic reconstruction

Electrophysiological intraoperative monitoring

Regenerative surgery with PRP and mesenchymal stem cells

🏥 Current Positions

Director, Traumaunit – Centro Médico Teknon (since 1999)

Head, Hand Surgery Department, Bellvitge University Hospital (since 2007)

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Teknon Medical Center (since 1997)

Former Assistant Surgeon, Mayo Clinic, USA (2005)

Fellow, Avicenne and Bichat Hospitals, Paris, France (1997)

🎓 Education & Qualifications

PhD in Medicine and Surgery, University of Barcelona (2002)

European Board Certified in Hand Surgery (EBHS) (2001)

Specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (1993)

MD, University of Barcelona

🌍 International Training

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA

Avicenne & Bichat Hospitals, Paris, France – Fellowship in hand and brachial plexus surgery

Ongoing participation in surgical missions and advanced training across Europe and the Americas

📚 Academic & Teaching Appointments

Professor, Master’s Program in Hand Surgery, University of Barcelona

Lecturer, International University of Catalonia

Lecturer, Physiotherapy Program, Universitat Gimbernat

National Co-Director, Wrist Arthroscopy Training Program, AEM

🧬 Research & Innovation

First in Spain to apply electrophysiologically monitored nerve and plexus surgery

Lead investigator in vascularized and free nerve grafts (FIS-funded 1994–1998)

Ongoing research in PRP and mesenchymal stem cell applications for nerve regeneration

Developer and global instructor in intraoperative nerve mapping protocols

🏆 Memberships & Recognitions

President, Spanish Society for Surgery of the Hand (SECMA) (since 2012)

Honorary Member, Mexican Society for Surgery of the Hand

Member, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)

Member, European Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH)

Invited speaker at over 15 ASSH instructional courses

Organizer of over 50 national and international events on Peripheral Nerve and Brachial Plexus surgery