AARON KARLEN, MD, FAAOS
Dr. Karlen specializes in the following:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery
- Trigger Finger
- Thumb and Finger Arthritis
- Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Tendon Injuries
- Hand Fractures
- Wrist Fractures
- - Bob W.Always pleasant and great information. [Dr. Karlen] - Bob W. - 3/07/2023
- - Jason W.Dr Karlen is awesome! You couldn't ask for a better Dr! - Jason W. - 3/07/2023
- - MichaelI have had surgery on a few occasions when I damaged my hands beyond self repair. The first time, I severed a tendon in my hand, the second time, I severed a nerve in my hand. Both times I ended up needing surgery and the service was top notch dang near best I have ever had from a medical office... read moreI have had surgery on a few occasions when I damaged my hands beyond self repair. The first time, I severed a tendon in my hand, the second time, I severed a nerve in my hand. Both times I ended up needing surgery and the service was top notch dang near best I have ever had from a medical office of any kind. From my first appointment to my last post-op, the experience has been amazing and the people are amazing as well. Thank you Dr. Karlen , Dr. Knight and staff! read less - Michael - 2/28/2023
- - Joeine D.Everyone at Hope Orthopedics is so caring, kind, and polite. Check in was easy. I was early but they called me in early. The medical assistant was skilled in cutting out the stitches. (I didn't look.) It didn't hurt. Dr. Karlen asked me how I was doing and answered any questions I had. I did not feel like I was... read moreEveryone at Hope Orthopedics is so caring, kind, and polite. Check in was easy. I was early but they called me in early. The medical assistant was skilled in cutting out the stitches. (I didn't look.) It didn't hurt. Dr. Karlen asked me how I was doing and answered any questions I had. I did not feel like I was rushed. They were willing to take the time I needed. read less - Joeine D. - 2/26/2023
- - Kimberlie H.Very friendly, quick and efficient. Really enjoy seeing Dr Karlen. - Kimberlie H. - 2/24/2023
Growing up in Seattle and Hawaii, Dr. Karlen attended high school in Hawaii and college at the University of Washington, with a year in Scotland where he graduated with a BA and BS.
He then returned to Hawaii for law school and graduated with his JD, summa cum laude. From there he continued on to medical school in Hawaii and graduated with his MD and membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society - where he received honors for every grade and was tied with two other classmates for best marks possible.
Dr. Karlen completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities and then his plastics and orthopedic surgery hand fellowship at Baylor in Houston.
Dr. Karlen's wife is from Keizer and is an alumni of McNary High School and Linfield University. She is an emergency medicine physician at Salem Hospital. Together, Dr. Karlen and his wife have two children, a Lab Retriever named Kai, and two rescue cats (Mochi and Koa).
Dr. Karlen's hobbies include hiking, camping, and sports (especially soccer and baseball).
Education
- Undergraduate: University of Washington
- Graduate: University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Medical School: University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine
Medical Education
- Residency: University of Minnesota
- Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine Integrated Plastic/Orthopaedic Hand Surgery
Board Certification
- American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
- Surgery of the Hand Subspecialty
Professional Society Memberships
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Honors and Awards
- 2012 - Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
- 2008 - Salutatorian of Law School Class
- 2007 - Hiroaki Kono Foundation Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Publications
- Karlen AI, Clark JJ, Wong LL: Two cases of partial hepatectomy for malignant melanoma. Hawaii J Med Public Health; 2012 Apr;71(4):92-6
- Karlen AI, Solberg EJ, Quanbeck DS, Van Heest AE: Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Rotations and Correlation with Orthopaedic In-Training Examination Performance. J Surg Educ; 2018 Feb; epub ahead of print.