I am a fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in the surgical and non-surgical care of the foot and ankle. I have a special interest in the management of complex foot deformities and total ankle replacement. The problems I take care of include sports injuries, ligament/tendon tears, arthritis, flat feet, cavus feet, deformity after trauma, and bunions/hammertoes. This includes some arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques. Additionally, I provide general orthopaedic care for traumatic injuries and fractures, with a focus on lower extremity fractures.

My goals are to help patients return to activities they enjoy, improve function, and reduce pain to improve patient quality of life. Even when surgery isn’t needed, I work closely with our team of physical therapists, expert orthotists/prosthetists, and other physicians to help patients meet their recovery goals. I take pride in my role educating residents to be the next generation of physicians, and in my collaborative work with our team of researchers to help further understand the problems we see every day.

Certified Specialties

Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Surgery, Beaumont Hospital - Royal Oak. 2019 - 2020

Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2015 - 2019

Internship, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2014 - 2015

Education

MD | SUNY at Buffalo-School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (USA). 2014

Awards

Carl M Harris Award – Commitment to Patient Care and Education. 2019

Kenneth DeHaven Award – Outstanding Graduation Thesis Presentation. 2019

C. McCollister Evarts Resident Leadership Forum Nominee. 2018

AOFAS Resident Scholar. 2017

Louis Goldstein Orthopaedic Research Award. 2017

Summa Cum Laude. 2014

Obletz Award in Orthopaedics. 2014

Alpha Omega Alpha. 2013

Summa Cum Laude. 2010

Phi Beta Kappa. 2010

Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. 2008

Research

I am active in both clinical and basic science research, with a focus on better understanding lower extremity anatomy and function to improve reconstructive surgical outcomes. My work has included biomechanical studies on reconstruction of flatfoot deformity, outcomes research on fracture treatment, and the development of Achilles tendinitis. I look forward to continue working to answer questions that affect patients and orthopaedic surgeons every day. I see research as an excellent opportunity for an orthopaedic surgeon to stay up to date with innovation, and also a chance to help even more patients outside of our own practice.

Publications

Journal Articles

Tibial torsion correlates with talar morphology.

Ciufo DJ, Baker EA, Gehrke CK, Vaupel ZM, Fortin PT

Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.. 2021 April 18 Epub 04/18/2021.

Proximal Femoral Shortening and Varus Collapse After Fixation of "Stable" Pertrochanteric Femur Fractures.

Ciufo DJ, Ketz JP

Journal of orthopaedic trauma.. 2021 February 135 (2):87-91. Epub 1900 01 01.

In response.

Ciufo DJ

Journal of orthopaedic trauma.. 2020 September 4 Epub 09/04/2020.

Peritalar Kinematics With Combined Deltoid-Spring Ligament Reconstruction in Simulated Advanced Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity.

MacDonald A, Ciufo D, Vess E, Knapp E, Awad HA, Ketz JP, Flemister AS, Oh I

Foot & ankle international.. 2020 June 4 :1071100720929004. Epub 06/04/2020.

Proximal Femoral Shortening and Varus Collapse after Fixation of "Stable" Pertrochanteric Femur Fractures

Ciufo, DJ; Ketz, JP.

Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020; .

Impact of Knee Scooter Flexion Position on Venous Flow Rate.

Ciufo DJ, Anderson MR, Baumhauer JF

Foot & ankle international.. 2019 January 40 (1):80-84. Epub 09/03/2018.

Risk factors for reoperation, readmission, and early complications after below knee amputation.

Ciufo DJ, Thirukumaran CP, Marchese R, Oh I

Injury.. 2018 October 30 Epub 10/30/2018.

In response.

Ciufo DJ, Ketz JP

Journal of orthopaedic trauma.. 2018 September 32 (9):e382-e385. Epub 1900 01 01.

In response.

Ciufo DJ

Journal of orthopaedic trauma.. 2018 September 32 (9):e386. Epub 1900 01 01.

Risk Factors Associated With Cephalomedullary Nail Cutout in the Treatment of Trochanteric Hip Fractures.

Ciufo DJ, Zaruta DA, Lipof JS, Judd KT, Gorczyca JT, Ketz JP

Journal of orthopaedic trauma.. 2017 November 31 (11):583-588. Epub 1900 01 01.

Topical rosiglitazone is an effective anti-scarring agent in the cornea.

Huxlin KR, Hindman HB, Jeon KI, Bühren J, Macrae S, Demagistris M, Ciufo D, Sime PJ, Phipps RP

PloS one.. 2013 8 (8):e70785. Epub 08/05/2013.

Books

AO Manual of Fracture Management – Foot and Ankle (2020)

Chapter: Staged Treatment of Pilon Fracture – Posterior to Anterior

Authors: Ciufo D, Ketz J.

Publisher: Thieme 2020

Orthopaedic Hand Trauma (2019)

Chapter: How to Remove a Tight Ring

Authors: Ciufo D, Elfar JC

Publisher: WoltersKluwer 2019

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.9

Patient Comments

5.0

[...] was very impressed that Dr. Ciufo. He was able to break medical terms down so that she could understand what he was saying. It is very rare to find a specialist that has the ability to do this. Most use medical terms that she cannot follow.

Feb 28, 2024

5.0

Dr. Ciufo did a phenomenal job on my bunion surgery.

Feb 28, 2024

5.0

Dr. Ciufo - excellent on every level. I highly recommend him.

Feb 13, 2024

5.0

Personable, listened and answered all the questions I had. It was not a rushed visit.

Feb 07, 2024

5.0

Dr. Ciufo came highly recommended. Very nice guy and explained everything in detail in a way anyone could easily understand. Definitely satisfied!!!

Jan 19, 2024

Dr Ciufo helped reduce my anxiety about my upcoming surgery by answering all my questions, giving me choices and helping me to see the whole picture.

Nov 04, 2023

5.0

Dr. Ciufo is a personable and very knowledgeable doctor. He is easy to talk to, discuss concerns, and treatment.

Oct 25, 2023

5.0

Dr Ciufo is vey knowledgeable and was both a good listener and explained things well. Very good communicator and I have full confidence in him. Best part is he scheduled a follow up in 4 weeks to check my progress in PT for my ruptured Achilles to ensure it is healing properly, rather than waiting to see what happens. Really appreciate that proactiveness

Aug 24, 2023

5.0

I really like Dr. Ciufo and his team very much.

Aug 21, 2023

5.0

Very good to all.

Jul 30, 2023

5.0

Dr. Ciufo is a fantastic human being. Ms. Kent, the nurse practitioner was as well! I don't even have the words to explain what a wonderful team they make. They are so incredibly warm and welcoming. They immediately make you feel at ease. As soon as they walked in the room they knew EVERYTHING! Then still listened to every single word I had to say. They explained everything so well, stopped to make sure I understood or if I had my own questions. Dr. Ciufo wasn't there to just push surgery, he really wanted to find anything to help and brainstormed WITH me so I was involved. It meant so much.

Jul 29, 2023

5.0

I would highly recommend Dr. Ciufo and his team.

Jul 28, 2023

5.0

Love Dr. Ciufo......very competent

Jun 12, 2023

5.0

Dr. Ciufo was great.

May 05, 2023

5.0

It was hard. To relate to exactly what the experience of wearing a post op boot would be like when they discussed what I should and should not do. Might want to put the boot on first . [...]

Apr 28, 2023

5.0

Dr. Ciufo is a specialist in feet and ankles. 7 months after initial onset and other orthopedics he fixed the problem.

Mar 25, 2023

5.0

Great visit! I felt he had reviewed my records before he walked in the room. He explained the problem, which I had never heard of, in a way I could understand. He offered four ways of treatment, explaining the risks and benefits of each and answered every question without making me feel rushed and helped me pick the best for now and said he would be available for video visits if I had more questions or decided to move to the next step.

Mar 07, 2023

5.0

I scheduled surgery with Dr Ciufo I have complete confidence in him

Jan 14, 2023

5.0

Dr. Ciufo is very patient-centered and takes the time to listen and explain everything. He is patient and kind. He is friendly which made me confident in him and relax a bit before my surgery and during followup visits.

Dec 31, 2022

5.0

Dr. Ciufo and Dr. Lawlor explained a lot about my feet. Furthermore, Dr. Ciufo went over the pros and cons of possible treatments, including those which could affect my running biomechanics. Dr. Ciufo totally understands runners! I am grateful and relieved to know I'm good to go without treatment!

Nov 30, 2022

5.0

Dr. Ciufo was wonderful. So thoughtful in his interactions and coming up with a plan to help me. Included me in all decisions and explained everything in a way that made sense and helped to make the right plan of care. I appreciate the time he spent and the fact that he never made me feel rushed at any point. Great experience and will certainly recommend him to any friends or family in need of his care.

Oct 28, 2022

5.0

Very great doctor the best ever and he dervsed so much prise because he is such a great doctor and cares so much for all his paients so I will keep seeing him for all my needs and I hope that he keeps up the great work because he does such a great and awesome job as a doctor and BEST DOCTOR EVER!!!!!

Oct 08, 2022

5.0

Dr Ciufo is wonderful. He did an amazing job repairing my injury. He showed concern and walked me through surgery options. Very Patient and listens. He explains everything without talking down to me. He walked me through my xrays and CT scan so I completely understood what was going on with my injury. I had a new concern that was addressed immediately. I highly recommend him. I feel that he will take me through the complete healing process as my champion who truly cars about my health and recovery success.

Aug 11, 2022

5.0

Options were explained thoroughly including applicability to my specific problem given it's current state.

Jul 27, 2022

5.0

Dr. Ciufo is one of the best physicians I have ever had. He is personable, caring and a very knowledgeable doctor regarding my condition.

Jun 30, 2022

5.0

Ciufo is highly competent and thorough. I was very fortunate to gain his association through nothing but chance at the time of my ankle injury.

May 28, 2022

4.0

This doctor was outstanding in all aspects.

Feb 16, 2022

5.0

Dr.Ciufo addressed my concerns about my torn achilles tendon and physical therapy. He explained why I still had some pain and said that my recovery was progressing well. I feel very fortunate to be under his care.

Feb 11, 2022