Ranked among the very best orthopedic programs in the country by U.S.News & World Report, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is home to nationally respected orthopedic surgeons who find great reward in the fact that their research, discoveries and leading-edge therapies benefit patients today — not decades from now. Orthopedic surgeons at Rush performed the world’s first minimally invasive hip surgery and pioneered many advances in hip and knee implants, including minimally invasive techniques that enable patients to return home within a day. And they were among the first to implant a "growing prosthesis" for children with bone cancer, which can be lengthened as the child grows and lessens the need for repeated surgeries.

Read about minimally invasive hip replacement surgery options.

The orthopedics program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago has specialists devoted to diagnosing and treating virtually any problem of the bones, joints, cartilage and ligaments. Services include:

• Cartilage Restoration Center
  At the forefront of developing treatment for joint defects, the Rush Cartilage Restoration Center has played a lead role in testing biological methods for repairing early damage to knee cartilage, as well as refining time-honored techniques for repairing damaged joints.
  

• Foot & Ankle Care
  Our foot and ankle specialists care for patients with sports injuries and work-related problems, as well as those with foot disorders caused by arthritis, diabetes and other conditions.
  

• Hand, Elbow & Shoulder Surgery Program
  Rush is home to the state's only dedicated center for hand, elbow and shoulder care. Our expert team includes surgeons with extensive experience in microsurgery and reconstructive surgery.
  

• Joint Replacement Surgery Program
  Orthopedic surgeons at Rush have pioneered major advances in joint replacement surgery, including cementless implants, minimally invasive approaches to knee and hip replacement and the use of knee implants that behave more like a person's own knee.
  

• Limb Preservation Center
  The only program of its kind in the Midwest, the Center for Limb Preservation is dedicated to saving limbs in jeopardy and helping people at risk of significant functional loss.
  

• Orthopedic Cancer & Transplants Program
  Rush specializes in bone transplantation, the use of bone substitutes and complicated tumor reconstruction. Rush has the largest practice for bone and soft tissue sarcomas in Illinois and one of the largest musculoskeletal tumor programs in the country.
  

• Orthopedic Trauma Program
  The orthopedic trauma program at Rush focuses on the treatment of acute fractures, post-traumatic deformities and nonunions, including injuries to the pelvis and acetabulum.
  

• Pediatric Orthopedics Program
  Our pediatric experts take a family-focused approach to the diagnosis and treatment of infants, children, adolescents and young adults with orthopedic conditions.
  

• Spine and Back Center
  Our program brings together the expertise of specialists from different disciplines in one location, pinpointing and treating the sources of spine, back and neck pain including herniated disc, spinal fusion and spinal stenosis while offering the latest, most innovative nonsurgical and surgical treatment options.
  

• Sports Medicine Program
  To help patients return to their active lifestyles, the sports medicine team at Rush has pioneered innovative new treatment options, including less invasive procedures for ACL and rotator cuff repair. Rush also offers one of the nation's few dedicated sports medicine programs for women. Several orthopedic doctors at Rush also serve as team physicians for the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox.
  

• Women's Sports Medicine Program: Rush has one of the nation's few dedicated women's sports medicine programs. The program offers state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries — paying special attention to gender-related issues that can affect athletic performance.

Joshua J. Jacobs, MD, is chairperson of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush. Orthopedic surgeons at Rush have been listed among Chicago's — and America's — best by Castle Connolly Ltd., a well-respected source of information about U.S. health care providers and institutions. Several orthopedic surgeons at Rush also serve as team physicians for the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox.

Orthopedic care at Rush is provided by physician and nurse specialists working in teams to thoroughly evaluate each patient, accurately diagnose problems and create individualized treatment plans. Other members of the team include physical and occupational therapists, specialists in gait analysis, and X-ray and cast technicians.

For a list of orthopedic surgeons at Rush, see the Find a Doctor link at left.