Dr. Lindsey Starr Urband, MD

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Get to know Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Lindsey Starr Urband, who serves patients in San Diego, California. 

Dr. Urband is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. She firmly believes in patient/physician communication and providing patients with insight and education to make informed decisions regarding their care. Additionally, she treats complicated fractures and trauma of the upper extremity nerve problems, including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and nerve lacerations, tendonitis, Dupuytren’s contractures, trigger fingers as well as arthritis of the hand and upper extremity.

She is an owner of San Diego Hand Specialists (SDHS) in San Diego, California. SDHS is a team of five leading surgeons dedicated to the treatment of patients with hand and upper extremity problems. The physicians of SDHS represent over 100 years of medical education, practice, and dedication to excellence.

In 2008, Dr. Urband earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She then went on to complete her internship in the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, followed by her residency in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Buffalo. Thereafter, she completed her fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and microsurgery at the Hand Center of San Antonio. 

To stay up to date in her field, she is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopaedic residents and surgeons, as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopaedic surgeons. 

Additionally, she is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Society of Surgery for the Hand, the California Orthopaedic Association, the San Diego Orthopaedic Society, and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. Dr. Urband is an Orthopaedic Surgeon liaison with the California Radiologic Technician Certification Committee and is on the board of the Residents and Fellows Education Committee for the California Orthopaedic Association.

Orthopaedic surgery or orthopaedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders. 

As a practicing orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Urband is involved with mission trips to Nicaragua and Ecuador through the Esparança humanitarian organization. She has also participated in three surgical missions to Guatemala, serving as a medical interpreter and assistant surgeon while in medical school and pre-medical training.

On a more personal note, she enjoys running and has completed 18 half marathons and two marathons, cycling, hiking, paddleboarding, and downhill skiing. As a former national-level speedskater, she understands athletic injuries and appreciates the need to safely and effectively return an athlete to competition.

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