Kathleen FossenPA-C, MPAS
Katie L. Fossen is a Physican’s Assisant (PA) at the University of Utah who exclusively treats hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, she has been working in Orthopaedic Surgery since receiving her graduate degree, and has extensive experience in treating hand, wrist, and elbow problems.
In addition to many common problems affecting the upper extremity, Katie Fossen, PA, also has specific expertise in treating injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow. She helps to treat urgent and acute problems due to broken bones, tendon lacerations, nerve injuries and trauma. Katie is available to see patients with acute problems on short notice, helping to identify which injuries may need surgery urgently.
She primarily works in concert with Dr. Andrew Tyser, MD at both the University Orthopaedic Center and the South Jordan Medical Center. Katie performs all aspects of non-surgical upper extremity care including injections, casting, and splinting, and helps to refer patients who may wish to explore surgical options with Dr. Tyser. Together, they help find the best solutions for patients with upper extremity problems, and work as an integrated team.
Andrew R. Tyser M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Utah Hospital and Clinics who exclusively specializes in hand, upper extremity (hand / wrist / forearm / elbow), peripheral nerve, and microvascular surgery.
Katie Fossen and Dr. Tyser treat common upper extremity disorders such as:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dupuytren's disease (collagenase/Xiaflex injection, percutaneous needle aponeurotomy, and surgery)
- Trigger finger
- Thumb arthritis
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
Injuries of the elbow, wrist and hands including:
- Distal Radius Fractures
- Elbow Fractures
- Scaphoid Fractures
- Lacerations to nerves and tendons
For selected smaller procedures, and based on patient preference, Dr. Tyser commonly performs "wide-awake" surgery-a streamlined experience that can help decrease the time, expense, and inconvenience associated with having hand surgery. This is also known as WALANT (wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet) surgery.
Internationally, Dr. Tyser has been involved with multiple service trips to locations such as the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. He is an active member of Health Volunteers Overseas, and considers care of the underserved both at home and abroad a priority.
Dr. Tyser received his B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and completed a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Utah. His fellowship training in Hand and Microvascular Surgery was completed at the Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore, MD.