Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult
Languages
- Taiwanese
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Dennis Kao
Title
Section Head of Hand Surgery
Biography
Dennis Kao, MD, is a hand surgeon and peripheral nerve surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. He received his medical training from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He then completed plastic surgery residency and hand surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Following his interested in microsurgery and peripheral nerve surgery, he completed an additional fellowship at Chang Gung Hospital in Taiwan.
Dr. Kao’s special interests include reconstructive hand surgery, peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries, and treatment of neuroma pain.
He is board-certified in plastic surgery, with certificate-added qualification in hand surgery. His main clinical interests include endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, peripheral nerve transfer, brachial plexus reconstruction, thoracic outlet syndrome, and surgical management of neuroma.
Locations
- Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
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- Solon Family Health Center
- 29800 Bainbridge Road, Solon, OH 44139
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- Fairview Hospital
- 18101 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44111
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- A Building - Crile Building
- 2049 East 100th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Fellowship: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 2011
- Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, 2010
- Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin, 2009
- Medical Education: THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, 2003
- Undergraduate: University of Washington, 1998
Board Certifications
- Hand Surgery: American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2014
- Plastic Surgery: American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2012
Professional Memberships
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2026-03-20, Dr. Kao has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing.
In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
Insurances Accepted
Video
Ratings & Reviews
4.8 out of 5
228 ratings, 45 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/31/2026
I would recommend Doctor Kao and his nursing staff to anyone who would need his medical services
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2026
Great expert, the doctor sounded to what was going on with my injured wrist!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2026
The doctor was excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2026
Dr Kao is a wonderful Dr who takes time to explain and go over everything
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2026
Dr. Kao is the best and has great bedside manner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/3/2026
Dr Kao was excellent and really listened. He explains everything to you.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/10/2026
Wonderful Dr.!! He Listened to all my concerns and was very respectful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/10/2026
I was very impressed by Dr. Kao. He was extremely knowledgeable and thorough. I will choose him again.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/10/2026
I drive an hour from work to see Dr.Kao! He is kind, informative and always on time! He has helped my hands for over a year now and I will go wherever I need to in order to see him!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
I was very impress with my Dr Kao services. I will recommend other to Dr Kao
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/26/2025
Dr Kao quickly diagnosed & explained trigger finger in my right thumb. He explained the injury in detail, the surgical option as well as cortisone treatment. He further explained that the latter may or may not help & how often I could take it. I chose to take the cortisone & He provided the shot that day in his office. My thumb is much better. Dr Is did my carpal tunnel surgery last year. He is an amazing doctor & so kind!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/26/2025
Dr Kao has excellent bedside manners and very knowledgeable about his profession.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/26/2025
Dr Kao is a very compassionate and skilled surgeon who cares and listens to your concerns and always willing to help. So lucky to find him. Takes time with you and fully explains procedures and answers all your questions. Excellent Dr. Cant thank him enough for trying to help me!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/26/2025
Dr. Kao and his team are amazing! I have several issues going on at once. He is able to explain and treat all my issues. His concern and bedside manner are top-notch. Wonderful Dr.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
My experience with Dr. Kao and his start was very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr. Kao was very helpful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/8/2025
Dr Kao is great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/8/2025
Very happy with the doctor and his team. He is very respectful and kind when he is with you.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/20/2025
Dr Kao is very professional, very caring, respectful, it is my second surgery with him and I am very happy with the results.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
I feel very confident about Doctor Kao doing my surgery on November 7th .
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
Doctor Kao was very good he explained everything to me even when I asked a ?
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Dr Kao and his staff were competent and caring. I would use him again and recommend him to others.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Specifically for this visit; varies provider by provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Dr Kao is a fabulous physician. Very caring. Very detail explainiation of procedure. Really listens. Excellent skills highly recommend!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/7/2025
Like I said the doctor was very easy to talk to I'm very helpful concerned
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2025
Dr Kao is wonderful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
After reaching out to Dr. Kao for carpal tunnel surgery inquiry, his office quickly setup an appointment to meet and discuss the procedure.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
Dr. Kao was very good.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
This was my first visit with Dr. Kao he is a wonderful Dr.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
Dr Kao is a terrrific doctor in every way.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Absolutely an amazing doctor. I would highly recommend Dr. Kao.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Dr. Kao was excellent. He explained everything very well, so I understood all of my options. He was very personable and friendly, and I thought he had a great disposition. I would absolutely see him again if needed, and I would recommend him strongly to anyone else. It was a pleasure meeting him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
I was referred to Dr. Kao because of the potential complications involved in treating ganglionic wrist cysts. Dr. Kao was patient, had expert knowledge and explained clearly what the issues and options were and explained that the issue related primarily to tendon and arthritis issues rather than the cyst. I left fully understanding what I had to do and the circumstances that might require follow up. Outstanding communication.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/22/2025
The opportunity to spend time with the doctor who actually performed my surgery when I'm alert and anxious for the next step of recovery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
I was in so much pain. The good doctor took his time. Explain in detail what steps must be done. Thank you for great care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2025
Poor follow up by providers.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/17/2025
Dr. Kao is great. He cares for his patients and explains procedures.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
Dr Dennis Kao was professional and knowledgeable yet very gently empathetic since the issues concern my (artist) hands. He recommended appropriate follow up therapy and a test for nerve impingement. I believe he will help me to get the best possible outcome.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
I can't speak highly enough of care and treatment I have received from Dr.Kao and his staff.I was severely injured in an industrial/workplace.I consider myself lucky Dr.Kao took me as his patient.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
Dr.Kao is a wonderful physician.He always treats me with compassion and respect.He listens and answers my questions.I have never felt rushed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2025
Dr. Kao is the best doctor I have ever had. He was calm and respectful. Dr Kao is a very talented doctor. He explained my situation to me in a way that I understood and helped treat my wound and prep me for recovery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/22/2025
Dr Kao was friendly and courteous . And professional. He was thorough in assessing my surgical problems .
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/19/2025
Doctor was excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/4/2025
I would highly recommend Dr. Kao. He treated my broken hand and Dave an explanation for the lump on my hand. I had seen 4 doctors regarding the lump on my hand with no explanation but Dr Kao knew immediately what it was and gave me things to watch for and what the next steps would be.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/18/2025
Dr Kao was awesome Listen to my concern about splinting my fracture discharge instructionsHe then applied a splint that has given me good results and making the use of my hand so much better