OrthoPlastics Program for Functional Limb Restoration
NM ORTHOPLASTICS PROGRAM
The Northwestern Medicine OrthoPlastics Program is a multidisciplinary program dedicated to functional limb restoration for patients facing complex limb-threatening conditions. By bringing together expertise in orthopaedic surgery, plastic & reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation medicine, and other specialties, the program provides comprehensive care for traumatic injuries, oncologic disease, vascular and diabetic pathology, congenital anomalies, and infection. Every treatment plan is designed to restore function, maximize mobility, and improve long-term quality of life through coordinated, patient-centered care.
Care Model & Strategic Partnerships
The program is built on a close partnership between Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, providing unified surgical leadership for even the most complex cases. This collaborative approach extends beyond the operating room through coordinated care with specialists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, as well as Prosthetics & Orthotics and other specialty services as clinically indicated. Together, these teams create a seamless orthoplastic care pathway that supports patients from surgery through rehabilitation and long-term functional recovery.
Research, Innovation & National Distinction
Northwestern Medicine is nationally recognized for advancing the field of functional limb restoration through research, innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The program is a leader in Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR), pioneered at Northwestern, and offers advanced expertise in limb salvage, nerve and sarcoma reconstruction, and advanced amputation care, including osseointegration. Ongoing partnerships with the McCormick School of Engineering, U.S. military medicine, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab support groundbreaking research and NIH- and Department of Defense-funded clinical trials that continue to shape the future of limb restoration.
