OT - Need a doc

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,810
166
43
It's been awhile since I worked the med circles and I have lost track. Can anyone here refer a highly regarded Knee and highly regarded Shoulder specialist in the chicagoland area? Looks like I will be going under the knife again...
 
Oct 3, 2013
1,666
483
0
Your primary care doc should be able to help. Don’t mean to patronize but your insurance provider may insist on a referral by your primary care doc. Good luck.
 
Last edited:

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
It's been awhile since I worked the med circles and I have lost track. Can anyone here refer a highly regarded Knee and highly regarded Shoulder specialist in the chicagoland area? Looks like I will be going under the knife again...
Bernard Bach Midwest Orthopedics
 

DarthCat

Sophomore
Jun 5, 2001
3,375
194
63
Yes, Brian Forsythe at Rush Orthapaedics. I completely tore of my left bicep distal tendon in December 2015. Was able to get to him through a family member, and during entire rehab physical therapy, was told over and again my range of motion was evidence my surgeon did a great job. I essentially didn’t need the part of PT required to reestablish my ROM.
 

joncat

Redshirt
Sep 8, 2004
71
4
5
I can make recommendations on the north shore, if you need. Without getting personal, is it for joint replacements or other needs?
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,492
2,982
67
Brian Cole or Kathy Weber at Midwest Ortho (knee consultations)

Gordon Nuber at Northwestern Ortho (did my shoulder and Mrs Jacks ACL)

Mark Schickendantz at Cleveland Clinic (did my knee)
 

Kiteboarder

Freshman
Mar 13, 2002
1,826
95
38
Had a total replacement of my right shoulder (along with two tears in my rotator cuff) on August 16, 2016 by Dr. Sean Churchill of Aurora Healthcare in Milwaukee. On December 16, 2016, after rehab, I was fully functional and could kiteboard full tilt in January 2017.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Churchill. For one, he invented, and was possibly the first shoulder specialist to use a very short stem (three quarters of an inch) prosthesis that fits into the humerus instead of a 3 inch shank that requires reaming out the humerus. This results in a much smaller incision, much quicker healing time, and I believe much less pain - I stopped taking pain pills 2 days after surgery.

Sean Churchill is far and away, the best orthopedic specialist I have ever gone to. For what it's worth, I've had 14 surgeries.
 

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,810
166
43
Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a top shoulder guy and am now looking at shoulder replacement way too early in life. I have heard of Bach, but I think I will travel the road of WJ here. I have been cut three times by Nuber, was at NU as an athlete, then twice more when I returned to Chi, and am surprised he is still operating. - really nice guy.

Not sure how badly I damaged my MCL - but if I have to get cut there too, I want the best I can get.

As a retired med mal defense lawyer and having more than a dozen surgeries, I learned early on to seek out leading physicians (often using guys that I had used as experts in cases). The result is only one bad outcome (couple of digits no better than before), but elbows, ankles and a variety of other fixes that allowed me to continue to play competitive sports as I approach 50.

Anywho, thanks for the input!
 

FrancesSearleCat

Redshirt
Nov 10, 2010
628
22
18
Stephen Gryzlo - Northwestern. He's a sports guy. Team orthopod for the Cubs.

Brian Cole - Rush, who was mentioned above, is team orthopod for the Reinsdorf teams and DePaul.
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
Yes, Brian Forsythe at Rush Orthapaedics. I completely tore of my left bicep distal tendon in December 2015. Was able to get to him through a family member, and during entire rehab physical therapy, was told over and again my range of motion was evidence my surgeon did a great job. I essentially didn’t need the part of PT required to reestablish my ROM.[/QUOTE
I believe I worked with Brian as well. Younger than BB
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
Yes, Brian Forsythe at Rush Orthapaedics. I completely tore of my left bicep distal tendon in December 2015. Was able to get to him through a family member, and during entire rehab physical therapy, was told over and again my range of motion was evidence my surgeon did a great job. I essentially didn’t need the part of PT required to reestablish my ROM.[/QUOTE
Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a top shoulder guy and am now looking at shoulder replacement way too early in life. I have heard of Bach, but I think I will travel the road of WJ here. I have been cut three times by Nuber, was at NU as an athlete, then twice more when I returned to Chi, and am surprised he is still operating. - really nice guy.

Not sure how badly I damaged my MCL - but if I have to get cut there too, I want the best I can get.

As a retired med mal defense lawyer and having more than a dozen surgeries, I learned early on to seek out leading physicians (often using guys that I had used as experts in cases). The result is only one bad outcome (couple of digits no better than before), but elbows, ankles and a variety of other fixes that allowed me to continue to play competitive sports as I approach 50.

Anywho, thanks for the input!
Bach did my knee, checked my shoulder. I had several referrals all to the same guy including from orthopedic surgeon friends . I believe he was instrumental is starting the sports medicine program at Midwest. He is older now as my surgery was over 20 years ago so other choices might be better but hard to go wrong with Midwest
 

joncat

Redshirt
Sep 8, 2004
71
4
5
I don’t have any shoulder replacement specialists or experts to recommend

If you are in north shore area, I could recommend Van Stamos and Michael O’Roarke for knee replacements, they are with Illinois bone and joint in Glenview. They are very good at joint replacements, although I don’t know if they would be considered experts. I would go them personally or to our medical group joint replacement group here at NorthShore.
 

Figrating

Redshirt
Dec 19, 2007
3,568
30
0
If you're going to have a knee replacement, insist on minimal invasive surgery and walk out of the hospital with a cane the day after surgery.
 

villox

Senior
Aug 19, 2008
22,084
670
0
Brian Cole or Kathy Weber at Midwest Ortho (knee consultations)

Gordon Nuber at Northwestern Ortho (did my shoulder and Mrs Jacks ACL)

Mark Schickendantz at Cleveland Clinic (did my knee)

Gordon Nuber did my shoulder too. Does this make us shoulmates?
 

Gladeskat

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2004
116,627
1,823
113
How about our own, Dr. Jeff Backes? He's good!
 

The_Waterboy

Freshman
May 29, 2001
2,490
61
0
I don’t have any shoulder replacement specialists or experts to recommend

If you are in north shore area, I could recommend Van Stamos and Michael O’Roarke for knee replacements, they are with Illinois bone and joint in Glenview. They are very good at joint replacements, although I don’t know if they would be considered experts. I would go them personally or to our medical group joint replacement group here at NorthShore.

Take it from me... I had THE WORST knee problems to which many on this board can attest (ask Glades, FlaAlum, Turk, Uber, among many others) .

Michael O'Roarke (Co-Director of Illinois Bone & Joint and Northshore University Hospitals) is THE MAN when it comes to knee replacement issues. Had both knees done one year apart @ 5 years ago and within 1 month of either was fully functional. He said that my cases were some of the most severe he had ever treated (at the time over 1800 knee replacements performed).

Now I ski regularly without pain - this last season... 5 weeks at Snowbird, UT, some of the most challenging downhill terrain around.
 
Last edited:

FloridAlum

Senior
May 29, 2001
16,227
588
0
Hey, Waterboy, you should know more about your knees than I do, but I believe that you had the first one done not long before we went to the Boston College game in 2011.I remember your insisting on showing us your scars and popping industrial strength pain killers. Times flies when you’re having fun

PS I don’t know about your second knee, but the next time I saw you after the BC game was at the bowl game in Jacksonville at the end of the 2012 season. I think you had already done the second knee by then, but I am not sure. If so, that would be about six years.
 

phatcat_rivals223240

All-Conference
Nov 5, 2001
18,908
1,060
113
More OT

I have this muscle issue in my upper back, it's like a knot. I had heat on it and my 5 year old asked me about it. She says "does it hurt when you touch it?" I say yes and she says "then dont touch it'
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,492
2,982
67
I knew two guys who each had hip replacements before age 40. I met one guy while working in Cleveland. I'd see him regularly at the gym, and then he disappeared for about two months. One day I'm in the gym and he's back, doing the elliptical thing. He greets me, says "hey check this out," reaches into his pack, and puts the head of his femur bone in my hand.
 

MrCat95

Senior
Oct 10, 2006
9,047
609
81
It's been awhile since I worked the med circles and I have lost track. Can anyone here refer a highly regarded Knee and highly regarded Shoulder specialist in the chicagoland area? Looks like I will be going under the knife again...

Dr. Michael Terry at Northwestern did a great job on my meniscus.

He’s also the team doctor for NU athletics and the Chicago Blackhawks, so I assume I got a free ride on somebody else’s due diligence...

I don’t know if he does shoulders.
 

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,810
166
43
More OT

I have this muscle issue in my upper back, it's like a knot. I had heat on it and my 5 year old asked me about it. She says "does it hurt when you touch it?" I say yes and she says "then dont touch it'

Massage therapy is more than a happy ending.
 

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,810
166
43
Dr. Michael Terry at Northwestern did a great job on my meniscus.

He’s also the team doctor for NU athletics and the Chicago Blackhawks, so I assume I got a free ride on somebody else’s due diligence...

I don’t know if he does shoulders.

I met a few experts for cases from my days at NU. Looking back, I think they had amazing medical care.
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
This is the oldest thread ever on this board.

By the way, where do you all go for shingles vaccines?
Jewel Osco. Needs two with the second 2 to six months after the first. This is the new vaccine that is supposedly 90% effective and lasts where as the old vaccine was only about 40% effective
 
Feb 25, 2015
8,494
148
0
Had a total replacement of my right shoulder (along with two tears in my rotator cuff) on August 16, 2016 by Dr. Sean Churchill of Aurora Healthcare in Milwaukee. On December 16, 2016, after rehab, I was fully functional and could kiteboard full tilt in January 2017.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Churchill. For one, he invented, and was possibly the first shoulder specialist to use a very short stem (three quarters of an inch) prosthesis that fits into the humerus instead of a 3 inch shank that requires reaming out the humerus. This results in a much smaller incision, much quicker healing time, and I believe much less pain - I stopped taking pain pills 2 days after surgery.

Sean Churchill is far and away, the best orthopedic specialist I have ever gone to. For what it's worth, I've had 14 surgeries.
Dang! Were you a football player?
 
Feb 25, 2015
8,494
148
0
I knew two guys who each had hip replacements before age 40. I met one guy while working in Cleveland. I'd see him regularly at the gym, and then he disappeared for about two months. One day I'm in the gym and he's back, doing the elliptical thing. He greets me, says "hey check this out," reaches into his pack, and puts the head of his femur bone in my hand.
Double Dang! Just watch out for seeing him at the gym if he gets another surgery. Never know what you may get!
 
Feb 25, 2015
8,494
148
0
Take it from me... I had THE WORST knee problems to which many on this board can attest (ask Glades, FlaAlum, Turk, Uber, among many others) .

Michael O'Roarke (Co-Director of Illinois Bone & Joint and Northshore University Hospitals) is THE MAN when it comes to knee replacement issues. Had both knees done one year apart @ 5 years ago and within 1 month of either was fully functional. He said that my cases were some of the most severe he had ever treated (at the time over 1800 knee replacements performed).

Now I ski regularly without pain - this last season... 5 weeks at Snowbird, UT, some of the most challenging downhill terrain around.
Impressive! I remember seeing you in 2011! That’s the last time I got off my couch to see an NU game and my knees are fine!
 
Feb 25, 2015
8,494
148
0
Brian Cole or Kathy Weber at Midwest Ortho (knee consultations)

Gordon Nuber at Northwestern Ortho (did my shoulder and Mrs Jacks ACL)

Mark Schickendantz at Cleveland Clinic (did my knee)
I did a radio show on my Emotional Core Therapy books with Brian Cole when he hosted a show on espn 1000! Stay away from repetitive motions that cause adverse stress on the body and do lots of core work. It helps that I am a sissy and avoid pain like the plague. Not too many guys in the band at NU are having surgery like the numbers on the football team. My motto has always been, “ When all else fails, Quit,”
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
I did a radio show on my Emotional Core Therapy books with Brian Cole when he hosted a show on espn 1000! Stay away from repetitive motions that cause adverse stress on the body and do lots of core work. It helps that I am a sissy and avoid pain like the plague. Not too many guys in the band at NU are having surgery like the numbers on the football team. My motto has always been, “ When all else fails, Quit,”
Have you done that a lot?
 

BorisSutherland

Redshirt
Jun 5, 2020
255
20
0
The muscles in the lower back and shoulders support the spine. When a muscle is strained, it tightens and becomes shorter. Strengthening the muscle seems to lengthen it, and this improves its ability to support your back. The muscles in your arms also support your body. When they are strained, they shorten and become weaker. Strengthening them also lengthens them. I followed different exercising orthopedic methods to heal my knee that hurt a lot for an extended period.
 
Last edited:

Fanaticat98

Senior
May 29, 2001
9,068
684
113
Yes, Brian Forsythe at Rush Orthapaedics. I completely tore of my left bicep distal tendon in December 2015. Was able to get to him through a family member, and during entire rehab physical therapy, was told over and again my range of motion was evidence my surgeon did a great job. I essentially didn’t need the part of PT required to reestablish my ROM.
How did that injury happen, out of curiosity?
 

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,810
166
43
I second Midwest Orthopedics and Rush. Had my ankle done there, great docs.

Dr K out of Chicago invented the modern ankle reconstruction procedure. Had both mine done. They are perfect now. Returned to bball and other sports.

Best current shoulder is at Rush. They stole him from Duke. Name escapes me this morning. Did my total replacement. It is also near perfect - little sore from time to time.
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
Dr K out of Chicago invented the modern ankle reconstruction procedure. Had both mine done. They are perfect now. Returned to bball and other sports.

Best current shoulder is at Rush. They stole him from Duke. Name escapes me this morning. Did my total replacement. It is also near perfect - little sore from time to time.
I had Dr Verma out of Rush do surgery on my shoulder after I broke it last Sept. Seems OK but there are now 11 pins and a plate in there. Getting back to swimming really helped with getting back to more full rotation. Celebrated one year early this month.
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,683
1,277
113
I second Midwest Orthopedics and Rush. Had my ankle done there, great docs.
Bernie is, I believe, still practicing but he is probably getting pretty old. I had Dr Verma (also Rush and Midwest) for my shoulder last Sept. Broke it pretty good. Don't know id Bach was available at the time but Verma was pretty good and White Sox team doc