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Brilliant & PersonableDr Townsend is both brilliant and personable. A rare combination. His staff is highly trained and also very personable. Together they make a great team. Based upon my experience, I highly recommend them.
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Compassionate & Trustworthy
Dr Townsend was professional and has excellent bed side manners. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands. From the first visit to post surgery he and the staff were compassionate and trustworthy. I highly recommend Dr Townsend!! May God bless you and the surgery center.
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#1 In My BookRead More
Dr. Townsend is an excellent surgeon. He and his staff are very caring, patient and make you feel at ease. He takes time to explain the procedure and your recovery process. I have had several surgeries over the years and my experience with Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists from the front desk,...
Dr. Peter F. Townsend has practiced in Wilmington, Delaware, since 1990. Serving the community where he was born and raised, Dr. Townsend is a hand surgeon and founding partner of Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists.
Dr. Townsend, At a Glance
- Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
- Fellowship-trained in Hand, Wrist & Elbow
- Delaware Today Top Doctor
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor
- Team physician for local athletes
Specialty Focus
- Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (Elbow, Forearm and Hand)
- Upper Extremity Sports Medicine
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery
- Arthroscopic/Endoscopic Surgery
- Microvascular Surgery
- Ultrasound
Why Patients Choose Dr. Townsend
- Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery
- Advanced training at major New York City institutions, including Columbia University and Hospital for Special Surgery
- Experience treating high-performance patients, including professional athletes
- Worked with the New York Mets baseball organization
- Provided care for world-renowned arts organizations, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and New York City Ballet
- Focused on restoring hand function, dexterity, and upper extremity performance
- Dedicated to helping patients return to high-level activity and daily function
Conditions Treated
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger fingers
- Tendinitis of the hand, wrist and elbow
- Arthritis of the hand
- Arthritis of the wrist
- Autoimmune disorders of the hand and wrist
- Tennis elbow/golfers elbow
- Nerve entrapments of the hand, wrist, elbow, and upper arm
- Cartilage and ligament injuries of the hand, wrist and elbow
- Fractures
Procedures Performed
- Dupuytren's disorder
- Cysts, lumps, and bumps
- Injuries of tendons, nerves and ligaments
- Sports Injuries
- Second Opinions
Dr. Townsend graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he also completed his orthopedic residency, followed by a fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at both the Roosevelt–St Luke’s Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
- Fellowship - CV Starr Hand Center, Roosevelt Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City
- Residency - Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
- Medical school – University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
- Undergraduate – University of Colorado, Boulder
- Top Doctor by Delaware Today: 1998, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Top Doctor by Philadelphia Magazine: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Board certifications:
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS)
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand (CAQ Hand)
Professional memberships:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American College of Surgeons
- American Medical Association
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Delaware Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons, President
- Medical Society of Delaware
- National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference
Having been the team physician for several area high schools, Dr. Townsend is an active participant in charitable and other community events. He has frequently been named a “Top Doc” in Delaware Today magazine and Philadelphia magazine. Dr. Townsend enjoys being outdoors while mountain biking, fishing, scuba diving, and doing occasional triathlons.
Related Media
Delaware Today Magazine recently released its annual Top Doctor list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine. Congratulations to our 2025 Delaware Top Doctors!
Delaware Today Magazine recently released its annual Top Doctor list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine. Congratulations to our 2024 Delaware Top Doctors!
Delaware Today Magazine recently released it’s “2023 Top Doctor” list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine issue each year. Congratulations to our 2023 Delaware Top Doctors!
Delaware Today Magazine recently released it’s “2022 Top Doctor” list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine issue each year. Congratulations to our 2022 Delaware Top Doctors!