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Mark S. Cohen, MD

Areas of Care
Special Procedures
  • Bone cement for wrist fractures
  • Elbow injuries and reconstruction
  • Joint replacements for the elbow, wrist, & hand
  • Wrist and elbow arthroscopy
Research Interests
  • Elbow trauma and arthritis
  • Wrist fractures
  • Wrist ligament tears
Mark S. Cohen, MD - Working Photo

Dr. Mark Cohen is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery. A native of Chicago, Dr. Cohen graduated valedictorian from Niles West High School before earning his bachelor's degree with the highest distinction and departmental honors from Stanford University. He continued his education at Harvard Medical School, graduating Magna Cum Laude with honors in a special field.

Dr. Cohen completed his orthopedic residency at the University of California, San Diego, and pursued advanced training with a fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery at the Indiana Hand Center, one of the premier hand centers in the country.

An accomplished author, Dr. Cohen has written over 163 medical articles, 63 book chapters, and a textbook on hand and wrist injuries. He is also an editor for Green’s Operative Hand Surgery, the leading textbook in the field. Dr. Cohen has participated in more than 334 continuing education courses, serving as Course Chairman 51 times. He has led the Orthopaedic Hand and Elbow Section at Rush University for the past 32 years and currently serves as the Director of Orthopaedic Education in the department.

Dr. Cohen has received numerous accolades for his research, teaching, and clinical achievements. He has been named one of Chicago's "Top Doctors" in Hand and Orthopaedic Surgery by Chicago Magazine multiple times, including in 2025. He was previously honored in this fashion in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024, every year the "Top Doctors" edition has been published. U.S. News & World Report ranks him in the top 1% of physicians in his specialty nationwide. He was honored with the Excellence in Clinical Service award by Rush University in 2017, recognizing his outstanding clinical care, leadership, and scholarship.

His clinical and research interests focus on fractures and reconstruction of the hand, wrist, and elbow, with a particular emphasis on minimally invasive surgery and complex elbow conditions, including Tommy John surgery for throwing athletes and other sports-related injuries. Dr. Cohen is a team physician and consultant for the Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the Chicago Bulls (NBA).

In his free time, Dr. Cohen enjoys playing tennis.

Dr. Cohen's Videos
  • Carolyn Vermett Lives a Full Life Again After Elbow Reconstruction
  • Edin Seferovic Shares His
    Story after Elbow Surgery
  • Collegiate Baseball Pitcher, Tony Cantelo,
    Gets Back on the Mound after Elbow Surgery
  • Longlife Athlete, Ed Chen,
    Is Back in Action After Wrist Surgery
  • Back to CrossFit
    After Elbow Surgery
  • Man's Best Friend & Hand Injuries
View All Videos
Patient Stories
  • Patient Stories - 1
    Patient Stories
    Back to CrossFit After Elbow Surgery

    When elbow pain limited Tommy Menzer's ability to workout, he knew it was time to see a specialist.

    View More
  • Patient Stories - 2
    Patient Stories
    Dr. Cohen 'Aces' Treatment of Young Tennis Player with Elbow Overuse Injury

    Elmhurst tennis player returns to the court pain-free.

    View More
View All Patient Stories

Clinical Support Staff

Education / Certifications
  • Medical School
    Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
  • Residency
    Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA
  • Fellowship
    Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Fellowship, Indiana Hand Center, Indianapolis, IN
  • Professional Certifications
    Orthopaedic Surgery Hand Surgery
Disclosures

AAOS Record of Disclosures

Research & Publications

The incidence and decompression rates of median and ulnar neuropathies following shoulder surgery.
Dua K, Kazi O, Hoy J, Xu B, Verma NN, Wysocki RW, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Simcock XC.
JSES Int. 2024 May 31;8(5):1110-1114. doi: 10.1016/j.jseint.2024.05.011. eCollection 2024 Sep.
PMID: 39280141 Free PMC article.

Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review on Current Nonoperative and Operative Treatment Modalities.
Kim JH, Hoy JF, Smith SR, Sabet A, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW, Simcock XC.
JBJS Rev. 2024 Aug 6;12(8). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.24.00059. eCollection 2024 Aug 1.
PMID: 39106325

The Complication and Safety Profile of Utilizing Kirschner Wires in Four Corner Fusions.
Smith SR, Dua K, Wysocki RW, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Simcock XC.
J Wrist Surg. 2024 Jan 25;14(2):121-127. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1778084. eCollection 2025 Apr.
PMID: 40151774 Free PMC article.

Carpal Joint Malalignment With Distal Radius Malunion and Factors in Correction After Distal Radius Osteotomy.
Doarn M, Xu B, Winterton M, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW.
J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2023 Jul 27;5(6):722-727. doi: 10.1016/
j.jhsg.2023.06.008. eCollection 2023 Nov.
PMID: 38106951 Free PMC article.

Relationship Between Preoperative and Postoperative Motion After Four-Corner Wrist Fusion for Osteoarthritis: Clustering and Regression Analyses.
Ahmad F, Ayala S, Smith S, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Simcock XC, Wysocki RW.
J Hand Surg Am. 2022 Sep;47(9):874-880. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.06.011.
PMID: 36058565

Traction Tenolysis for Flexor Tendon Adhesions: Outcomes in 97 Patients.
Ahmad F, Fitch A, Obioha OA, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Simcock X, Wysocki RW.
J Hand Surg Am. 2024 Jan;49(1):65.e1-65.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.05.017. Epub 2022 Aug 6.
PMID: 35940997

The use of tranexamic acid in open elbow release surgery.
Goyal N, Wilson DJ, Wysocki RW, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS.
Shoulder Elbow. 2022 Apr;14(2):189-193. doi: 10.1177/1758573220976055. Epub 2020 Dec 6.
PMID: 35265185 Free PMC article.

Return to work following distal triceps repair.
Agarwalla A, Gowd AK, Jan K, Liu JN, Garcia GH, Naami E, Wysocki RW, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Verma NN.
J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2021 Apr;30(4):906-912. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2020.07.036. Epub 2020 Aug 6.
PMID: 32771606

Anatomic Restoration of the Biceps Brachii Insertion Through a Single Anterior Incision.
Goyal N, Wilson DJ, Wysocki RW, Cohen MS, Fernandez JJ.
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2020 Dec;24(4):159-165. doi: 10.1097/BTH.0000000000000289.
PMID: 32349097

Restoration of peak strength and endurance following distal biceps reconstruction with allograft for chronic ruptures.
Goyal N, Wilson DJ, Salzano MB, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW.
J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020 Apr;29(4):853-858. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2019.12.016.
PMID: 32197770

Index Finger Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis With a Dorsal Locking Plate.
Goyal N, Wilson DJ, Salzano MB, Wysocki RW, Cohen MS, Fernandez JJ.
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2020 Mar;24(1):47-52. doi: 10.1097/BTH.0000000000000270.
PMID: 31693572

Saline Load Test for Detecting Traumatic Arthrotomy in the Wrist.
Goyal N, Bohl DD, Frank RM, Slikker W 3rd, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW.
J Wrist Surg. 2019 Jun;8(3):221-225. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1683365. Epub 2019 Mar 8.
PMID: 31192044 Free PMC article.

Surgical Repair of Distal Triceps Tendon Injuries: Short-term to Midterm Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factors for Perioperative Complications.
Waterman BR, Dean RS, Veera S, Cole BJ, Romeo AA, Wysocki RW, Cohen MS, Fernandez JJ, Verma NN.
Orthop J Sports Med. 2019 Apr 30;7(4):2325967119839998. doi: 10.1177/2325967119839998. eCollection 2019 Apr.
PMID: 31069242 Free PMC article.

Physician Extenders in Hand Surgery: The Patient's Perspective.
Manning BT, Bohl DD, Luchetti TJ, Christian DR, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW.
Hand (N Y). 2019 Jan;14(1):127-132. doi: 10.1177/1558944718795303. Epub 2018 Aug 22.
PMID: 30132712 Free PMC article.

Fixation of proximal pole scaphoid nonunion with non-vascularized cancellous autograft.
Luchetti TJ, Rao AJ, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW.
J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2018 Jan;43(1):66-72. doi: 10.1177/1753193417743438. Epub 2017 Nov 22.
PMID: 29165014

The morphology of proximal pole scaphoid fractures: implications for optimal screw placement.
Luchetti TJ, Hedroug Y, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS, Wysocki RW.
J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2018 Jan;43(1):73-79. doi: 10.1177/1753193417739546. Epub 2017 Nov 6.
PMID: 29105589

Local and regional flaps for hand coverage.
Biswas D, Wysocki RW, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS.
J Hand Surg Am. 2014 May;39(5):992-1004. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.09.027.
PMID: 24766831 Review.

Radioscapholunate arthrodesis with compression screws and local autograft.
Biswas D, Wysocki RW, Cohen MS, Fernandez JJ.
J Hand Surg Am. 2013 Apr;38(4):788-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.01.026.
PMID: 23537444 Review.

Thumb carpometacarpal suspension arthroplasty using interference screw fixation: surgical technique and clinical results.
Wysocki RW, Cohen MS, Shott S, Fernandez JJ.
J Hand Surg Am. 2010 Jun;35(6):913-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.03.013.
PMID: 20513573

Posterior elbow coverage using whole and split flexor carpi ulnaris flaps: a cadaveric study.
Wysocki RW, Gray RL, Fernandez JJ, Cohen MS.
J Hand Surg Am. 2008 Dec;33(10):1807-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.08.019.
PMID: 19084183

Partial olecranon excision: the relationship between triceps insertion site and extension strength of the elbow.
Didonna ML, Fernandez JJ, Lim TH, Hastings H 2nd, Cohen MS.
J Hand Surg Am. 2003 Jan;28(1):117-22. doi: 10.1053/jhsu.2003.50036.
PMID: 12563647

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