BORN FOR BETTER

Dr. Jorge Chahla is an orthopedic surgeon based in Chicago who specializes in the treatment of complex knee, hip, shoulder issues and all sports related injuries. He is a team physician for the Chicago White Sox (MLB), the Chicago Bulls (NBA), and the Chicago Fire (MLS). He is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. In addition, he serves as the Director of Biomechanical Research and Director of the International Fellowship Program that attracts surgeons from all over the world to train and study at Rush. Dr. Chahla completed several fellowships at the top programs in the United States in addition to earning his PhD degree in knee biomechanics from the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) with Summa Cum Laude honors.

Dr. Chahla is internationally recognized for his contributions to the field of orthopedic sports medicine through minimally invasive techniques, and as a pioneer in novel biologic treatments. Dr. Chahla’s approach is based on a philosophy that each individual procedure is specific and customized to the individual needs of each patient. He uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques so that recovery time is minimized. Dr. Chahla’s focus is not only a patient’s full recovery, but the speed of that recovery to return to sport. To accomplish this, his team coordinates comprehensive postoperative care, which includes objective assessments of motion and subsequent interaction with physical therapists, coaches, and athletic trainers to ensure return to preinjury performance.

Dr. Chahla has dedicated significant time to the study and research of joint preservation procedures and cartilage restoration techniques with more than 250 publications in prestigious scientific journals, over 30 book chapters, 5 edited books, and is regularly invited to present his research at both national and internationalat orthopaedic conferences and meetings. Dr. Chahla is well recognized for his anatomical knowledge that has helped develop novel surgical techniques that can be found in a multitude of publications and books.

Dr. Chahla has received grants to fund his research from various institutions, companies, and professional societies including Colorado University, Cedars Sinai Kerlan Jobe, Arthrex, Smith and Nephew, Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AAOSM), SANOFI and The Steadman Clinic.

Dr. Chahla recently received the AAOS Award of Excellence, AOSSM Young Investigator Award, Excellence in Research Award and the Cabaud Award (two times) from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the 2016 AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Development Program award, and six best-paper awards at several meetings.

Along with his commitment to providing outstanding patient care, Dr. Chahla believes strongly in the importance of advancing the field of sports medicine through involvement in leadership, advocacy, and education, and is actively involved in mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows. He is a member of the prestigious knee collateral ligament group from the European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA). He serves on numerous national and international committees, including the Advocacy Committee at the Arthroscopic Association of North America (AANA), the Education Committee at the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS), the Research Committee at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and serves as the Deputy Chair of the ICRS Next Generation Committee, International Cartilage Repair Society. Dr. Chahla also serves on the Editorial board of the Arthroscopy Journal.

Clinical interests are focused on orthopaedic sports medicine with a special interest in hip and knee arthroscopy. Research interests are in qualitative patient-centered interviews with a special interest in return to sport. External activities include on-field sports medicine coverage for Northwestern University football and the United States Soccer Federation.

BASc: Queen’s Universtiy (2006)
MD: University of Toronto, Canada (2011)
Resident: University of Toronto, Canada, Orthopaedic Surgery (2015)
Fellow: Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery (2016)

Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, ABOS
Board Certification: Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, Royal College of Physcians and Surgeons of Canada

Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel’s orthopedic practice focuses on minimally invasive and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder. He is widely considered a leading expert with over 70 publications and 80 international presentations. His practice focuses on compassionate cutting edge care with a relentless pursuit of improving outcomes and returning patients to an active lifestyle.

Dr. Van Thiel attended UCLA Medical School (MD) and completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the UCLA School of Business. He then made his way back to Chicago for training in orthopedic surgery at one of the top programs in the country at Rush University Medical Center. Under the guidance of some of the country’s leading sports medicine surgeons, he stayed at Rush to complete sub-specialty training in orthopedic sports medicine and hip arthroscopy. In fact, Dr. Van Thiel remains a faculty member at Rush for both research and education of new surgeons.

Dr. Van Thiel has a passionate interest in research and has collaborated with world-renowned surgeons on development projects in hip arthroscopy, cartilage restoration, knee ligament reconstruction, and shoulder arthroscopy. He continues to develop innovative techniques as a consultant for many top orthopedic device companies. Often invited to speak and train other surgeons in new techniques, Dr. Van Thiel maintains an active travel schedule as a member of the preeminent Multicenter Arthroscopic Study of the Hip (www.mashstudy.com), two editorial boards for major orthopedic journals, surgeon educator for AANA and AOSSM, as well as the chairman of the outcomes committee for the OrthoForum.

Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel’s commitment to athletics and an active lifestyle is evident in both his personal belief that activity leads to better health, and his involvement with sports teams. While at Rush, Dr. Van Thiel was an assistant team physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago White Sox (MLB). He is currently affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks Medical Network and is the head team physician for the AHL Ice Hogs. He is also a team physician with the US National Soccer Teams.

Dr. Van Thiel also believes that cutting edge care cannot be completed without compassion and  humility.

“Great results can only be achieved if a patient has a thorough understanding of their condition and the treatment options available to them.  In many cases, there are multiple right answers and the goal of effective care is for the patient to arrive at the option that will provide the best and quickest return to activity.”

Dr. Lall is a board certified, dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy in the Chicago area. His background includes orthopaedic sports fellowship training at the world renowned American Sports Medicine Institute / Dr. James Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Birmingham, AL. He has also completed a formal hip preservation fellowship under master hip arthroscopist and reconstruction expert, Dr. Benjamin G. Domb, at the American Hip Institute & Orthopedic Specialists, Chicago, IL. He is an avid clinical researcher with numerous presentations and publications at international academic meetings and within top peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Lall has treated collegiate, professional, and elite level athletes, including players for the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, NCAA and WWE. Dr. Lall treats patients from across the country who travel to Chicago for their surgery, and he takes pride in caring for every patient like a professional athlete.

Fellowship in Hip Arthroscopy and Joint Restoration. Dr. Benjamin G. Domb, American Hip Institute & Orthopedic Specialists, Chicago, IL
Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery of the Shoulder, Knee and Elbow, American Sports Medicine Institute/ Dr. James Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Birmingham, AL
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
M.D., Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH
M.S., Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
B.A., Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Sports Medicine, Arthroscopic surgery of the hip
Reconstructive Surgery of the Hip (Anterior Approach, Robotic-Arm Assisted)
Cutting-Edge Regenerative Medicine (Stem Cell, PRP)