- Harvard-Trained Specialist
Meet Dr. Orrin Franko, MD
Board-Certified. Fellowship-Trained. Dedicated to East Bay Patients.
Dr. Orrin Franko, MD is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with a specialty in complex hand and upper extremity surgery. He treats all bone and joint conditions of the body, including arthritis, fractures, dislocations, ligament injuries, sprains and strains. His specialty focus in upper extremity includes the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, arthritis of the thumb/hand/wrist, and accidents such as fractures, nerve, tendon, and nail injuries.
Dr. Franko was born in Southern California. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego, where he majored in animal physiology and neuroscience graduating summa cum laude at the top of his class. Dr. Franko then completed his medical training at Harvard Medical School, graduating cum laude with honors. After graduating he completed his residency training in San Diego in Orthopedic Surgery. Following residency, Dr. Franko completed a hand and upper extremity fellowship with the esteemed Dr. Peter Stern in Cincinnati, OH.
Dr. Franko has published numerous articles in the field of hand surgery as well as the intersection of technology and medicine, and remains a leader in the field.
- Harvard Medical School
- Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
- All 5-Star Reviews
- All Insurance Accepted
- The East Bay's Most Advanced Treatment
Dr. Franko is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Dr. Franko has published over 30 clinical research articles in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national meetings, and been interviewed by NPR for his work towards advancing orthopedic surgery care. He has helped develop and improve numerous mobile smartphone and tablet apps used by thousands of orthopedic surgeons and their patients.
Away from the office, Dr. Franko cherishes family time with his wife and three sons. He enjoys hiking, biking, traveling and exploring the Bay Area.
- Training & Education
A Career Built on Excellence
Medical Degree
- Harvard Medical School
- Cum Laude in the Special Field of Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship
- Mary S. Stern Upper Extremity Fellowship
- Mentor: Peter J. Stern, MD
Undergraduate Studies
- University of California, San Diego
- Major: Animal Physiology & Neuroscience
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude, #1 in class
Residency
- University of California, San Diego
- 1-year in-folded research year
- Academic Chief resident (2014-2015)
Employment
- East Bay Hand Medical Center
- Hand Trauma Surgeon at Eden Medical Center
- Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
A track record of academic excellence, clinical leadership, and research distinction — recognized by the country’s leading orthopedic and hand surgery organizations.
Previously published work:
- OREF Resident Award at the California Orthopaedic Association, 2014 Annual Meeting
- Resident Award Winner at the Western Orthopaedic Association, 2013 Annual Meeting
- 2nd Place – Basic Science Presentation at the ORS/OREF Southwest Regional Conference
- Lloyd W. Taylor, M.D. Resident Award at the California Orthopaedic Association
Previously published work:
- Scholarship to attend the Adrian E. Flatt Residents and Fellows Conference, ASSH
- Winner – 2012 San Diego Resident Research Day Competition, May 16th, 2012
- OREF/DePuy Resident Research Project Grant from the Orthopaedic Research & Education
- Scholarship to attend the Adrian E. Flatt Residents and Fellows Conference, ASSH
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- Scholarship to attend the Adrian E. Flatt Residents and Fellows Conference, ASSH
- Best Overall Poster: Julian M. Bruner Award; American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Honorable Mention – 2nd Annual Research Poster Symposium, Harvard Medical School
- Class of 1955 Research Fellowship ($1,775) – Harvard Medical School
- Pasteur Clinical Research Grant ($4,000) – Harvard Medical School
- Outstanding Graduating Senior, Thurgood Marshall College – University of California, San Diego
- Outstanding Senior, Division of Biological Sciences – University of California, San Diego
- Howard Hughes Research Fellowship ($2,500) – University of California, San Diego
- Scholar of the Day – National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Provost’s Honors – University of California, San Diego
- Cum Laude – Graduation with Honors, Harvard Medical School – Boston, MA
- First Place Poster: Practice Management/Rehabilitation; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pasteur Clinical Research Grant ($1,775) – Harvard Medical School
- Co-Investigator, Small Bone Innovations Research Grant ($96,000) – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
- Summa Cum Laude – University of California, San Diego
- Provost’s Award, Thurgood Marshall College – University of California, San Diego
- Elected to Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society – University of California, San Diego
- Madge Lawhead Scholarship – University of California, San Diego
- Outstanding Achievement Award, Thurgood Marshall College – University of California, San Diego
- Honors Program, Thurgood Marshall College – University of California, San Diego
Previously published work:
- Franko Ol., Stern, PJ. Use and Effectiveness of Ethyl Chloride for Hand Injections. J Hand Surg. 2017 Mar; 42(3):175-181. PMID: 28259274
- Andrawis JP, Muzykewicz DA, Franko Ol. Mobile Device Trends in Orthopaedic Surgery: Rapid Change and Future Implications. Orthopedics. 2016 Jan 6:1-6. PMID: 26730684
- Franko Ol, Okike K. Open access and online journals in orthopaedics: What does the future hold? JBJS Reviews, 2014 Jul; 2 (7): e7.
- Franko OI, Abrams RA. Hand Infections. Orthop Clin N Am. 2013 Oct;44(4):625-34. PMID: 24095077
- Kupperman, Franko OI, Indresano, Girard. Cannulated Screw Unraveling: Case Report and Literature Review of an Under-Recognized Complication. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2012 Oct 27. PMID: 23104015
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Recent Presentations:
- Recovery Time After Surgery – ASSH 2018
- Active vs Passive Review Requests - ASSH 2018
- Surgeon Dependent vs Independent Review Factors - ASSH 2018
- Efficacy of Automated Outcomes - ASSH 2018
- Predicting 1-Year Surgical Satisfaction at 6 Weeks - ASSH 2018
- Research
Dr. Franko Research & Innovation
Current research interests for Dr. Franko focus on the intersection of medicine, business, and technology for hand surgeons. This includes study the utility and benefits of online physician ratings, integrating automated patient outcomes tools in practice, and developing a low-cost national hand surgery registry database. The registry has been further evaluated to measure the recovery trajectory and help improve outcomes after common surgical procedures.
- Dr. Franko’s Patient Stories
Patient Case Examples by Dr. Franko.
Protected patient information has been omitted for privacy. Please note that some cases include graphic images of injuries or surgery.
CRPS Images
Mallet Finger CRPP
Nail Bed Avulsion
Mucous Cyst Bilobed Flap
Finger Crush - Franko
3 Phalanx IM screws
Table Saw Skin Graft
PIP Joint ORIF
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P1 Percutaneous Screws
Complex Motorcycle Accident
Dorsal Wrist Skin Graft
Thumb Arthritis
Bennett CRPP
4th/5th MC Dislocation
DRFx Fragment Specific
Scaphoid Non-Displaced
DRFx Wire under Plate
Scaphoid ORIF
Wrist Fracture (severe)
Distal Humerus
Olecranon Wireform ORIF
Distal Humerus ORIF
Bilateral Galeazzi ORIF
Olecranon ORIF Plate
Dorsal Wrist Skin Graft
Flexor Tenosynovitis
Deep Palm Infection
Table Saw Skin Graft
Steroid Skin Blanching
Clavicle ORIF
Humerus ORIF
Humerus Nonunion ORIF
In April 2016, Dr. Franko joined a 17-member medical mission trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to participate in a 1-week intensive hand surgery mission trip for the citizens of Honduras. Dr. Franko treated over 100 patients, including 80+ operations performed that week alone. The people of Honduras were very appreciative and grateful for the care they obtained and services they would otherwise not be able to receive.
Machetes are a common weapon in Honduras and as a result, Dr. Franko saw numerous patients with varying degrees of machete injuries, including deep skin lacerations, complete nerve injuries, ruptured tendons, and many amputations. By carefully assessing each injury and developing an operative plan, the group of hand surgeons from the United States was able to offer functional improvement for as many patients as possible.
The mission trip offered an opportunity to witness the Honduras medical system first-hand and help educate their orthopedic and plastic surgeons. Their hospital, Hospital Escuela, is in a state of disrepair with numerous broken and outdated surgical supplies and instruments. The conditions were often hot and humid without a functioning air conditioner. This experience was eye-opening and serves as a valuable reminder of how lucky we are in the United States to have efficient and effective health care delivery, despite its imperfections.
Based on his experience in Honduras, Dr. Franko hopes to continue performing medical mission trips in Central America, the Caribbean, and Africa depending on specific needs. To learn more about Dr. Franko’s mission trips, feel free to ask him about his experience during your visit.
- Mission
Dr. Franko Mission Work
- Patient Stories
Dr. Franko Testimonials
Read my reviews online at HealthGrades, Yelp or Vitals.
*Note: Yelp uses “automated software” that hides many reviews from view. Here are some additional hidden reviews from my Yelp page:
If I had to do another Surgery, I would definitely go to Dr. Franco without hesitation. That is the very best recommendation I can give. The office is great. Dr. Franco is professional, competent and Compassionate.
- Verified Google Review
I was pleased by the care Dr. Franko provided. He was very attentive and quick to take an image of my wrist to assess my injury. I was able to recover from my injury, he recommended the appropriate work restrictions.
- Verified Google Review
Dr Orrin Franko is friendly, very professional , ready to listen to your needs and prescribe the best treatment for you. I would recommend Dr. Franko to others needing orthopedic needs or an evaluation. 5 ***** for Dr. Franko
- Verified Google Review