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Benedict F. DiGiovanni, M.D.

Benedict F. DiGiovanni, M.D.

Orthopaedics & Physical Performance

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About Me

I am a board-certified Orthopaedist and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons who sees adolescent and adult patients for a wide range of foot and ankle problems. I have been practicing at the University of Rochester since 1999. I am a Professor of Orthopaedics and in this role I...
I am a board-certified Orthopaedist and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons who sees adolescent and adult patients for a wide range of foot and ankle problems. I have been practicing at the University of Rochester since 1999. I am a Professor of Orthopaedics and in this role I see patients in the clinic, teach medical students and orthopaedic surgery residents, and conduct research to find ways to improve the treatment of foot and ankle disorders. My special area of expertise include: arthritic conditions, sports injuries and fractures and dislocatiions of the foot and ankle. I have a particular interest in foot and ankle sports medicine, and research-based expertise in the areas of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis and tendonopathy, athletic ankle injuries, and chronic ankle pain in the athlete.

My goal is to deliver excellent medical care that produces optimal outcomes for all of my patients. Partnering and sharing knowledge and decision making with my patients helps me make the best decisions for patients to achieve active and fulfilling lifestyles.

Certified Specialties

Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Surgery, American Sports Medicine Institute. 1996 - 1997

Fellowship, Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin. 1996 - 1996

Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University. 1992 - 1996

Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), Case Western Reserve University. 1990 - 1991

Education

MD | Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. 1990

Awards

Selected for/ Nominated to : Medical Student Promotions and Review Board (MSPRB). 2016

J Leonard Goldner Award for Best Basic Science Paper "Can Initial PROMIS Scores Predict Outcomes for Foot & Ankle Patients?". 2016

Selected for / Nominated to: Advisory Committee Dean's Teaching Fellowship Program. 2014

Selected for / Nominated to: Medical School Admissions Committee. 2013 - 2016

Recipient of Louis A. and Mildred M. Goldstein Scholarship Award; Research Grant Awarded. 2012 - 2014

Elected To Membership. 2011

Promotion to Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation (Teacher-Clinician-Scholar Tract). 2011

2nd Prize, Outstanding Research Poster. 2010

2011 Patient and Family Centered Care Award: For achieving the 90th % or above on inpatient satisfaction scores. 2010 - 2011

Appointed Director of Musculoskeletal Curriculum, Directorship of Medical Student Years 1-4. 2009

Program Director, Orthopaedic Surgery Foot and Ankle Fellowship. 2008 - 2013

Guide to America's Top Orthopaedists, 2007 edition. 2007

Awarded 2007-2009 Dean's Teaching Fellowship. 2007 - 2009

Marshal A. Lichtman Dean's Teaching Fellow. 2007 - 2009

Selected member of Editorial Review Board. 2005

Promotion to Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation (Teacher-Clinician-Scholar Tract). 2005

Elected Fellow. 2001

Selected member of Editorial Review Board. 2001

Finalist, Roger A. Mann, MD Award. 1997

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. 1990

First Prize, Paul H. Curtiss, Jr., MD Musculoskeletal Essay Competition. 1988

Magna Cum Laude Graduate. 1986

James B. Angell Scholar, Awarded for consecutive semesters of 4.0 GPA. 1984 - 1985

Research

In addition to treating patients as an active clinician, I am a researcher and medical educator who has trained over 100 Orthopaedic residents and foot and ankle Fellows. I have researched and published in numerous books and medical journals including reporting on methods for enhancing the quality o...
In addition to treating patients as an active clinician, I am a researcher and medical educator who has trained over 100 Orthopaedic residents and foot and ankle Fellows. I have researched and published in numerous books and medical journals including reporting on methods for enhancing the quality of Orthopaedic medical education. I have a number of educational leadership roles at the University of Rochester including Director of Orthopaedic Intern Education and Director of the Musculoskeletal Curriculum at the medical school. In 2011, I was recognized for my national leadership role in the field of Orthopaedics by being inducted into the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA).

Publications

Journal Articles

Operative Anatomy of the Medial Gastrocnemius Recession vs the Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Recession.

Kaplan N, Fowler X, Maqsoodi N, DiGiovanni B, Oh I

Foot & ankle international.. 2017 April 38 (4):424-429. Epub 12/01/2016.

Preoperative PROMIS Scores Predict Postoperative Success in Foot and Ankle Patients.

Ho B, Houck JR, Flemister AS, Ketz J, Oh I, DiGiovanni BF, Baumhauer JF

Foot & ankle international.. 2016 September 37 (9):911-8. Epub 08/16/2016.

Ankle Power and Endurance Outcomes Following Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession for Achilles Tendinopathy.

Nawoczenski DA, DiLiberto FE, Cantor MS, Tome JM, DiGiovanni BF

Foot & ankle international.. 2016 July 37 (7):766-75. Epub 03/17/2016.

Musculoskeletal Medicine Is Underrepresented in the American Medical School Clinical Curriculum.

DiGiovanni BF, Sundem LT, Southgate RD, Lambert DR

Clinical orthopaedics and related research.. 2016 April 474 (4):901-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Isolated gastrocnemius recession for achilles tendinopathy: strength and functional outcomes.

Nawoczenski DA, Barske H, Tome J, Dawson LK, Zlotnicki JP, DiGiovanni BF

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2015 January 2197 (2):99-105. Epub 1900 01 01.

Foot and Ankle Fragility Fractures.

Serna F, DiGiovanni BF.

Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, 2nd edition (Steven Kates, MD and Simon Mears, MD,PhD editors). 2015; volume 6(2);58-120.

Factors impacting musculoskeletal knowledge and clinical confidence in graduating medical students.

DiGiovanni BF, Southgate RD, Mooney CJ, Chu JY, Lambert DR, O'Keefe RJ.

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2014;96 (21):e185. PMID: 25378518. 2014; .

Open surgical treatment of an acute, unstable bony mallet injury of the hallux.

Martin EA, Barske HL, DiGiovanni BF

Foot & ankle international.. 2013 February 34 (2):295-8. Epub 01/11/2013.

Current concepts review: isolated gastrocnemius contracture and gastrocnemius recession.

Barske HL, DiGiovanni BF, Douglass M, Nawoczenski DA

Foot & ankle international.. 2012 October 33 (10):915-21. Epub 1900 01 01.

Non-Operative and Surgical Management of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Preferences Among a Subgroup Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

DiGiovanni BF, Moore AM#, Pinney S.

Foot and Ankle International. 2012; 33: 507-512.

Maturation of Medical Students Musculoskeletal Medicine Knowledge and Confidence - research Article.

DiGiovanni BF, Chu JY*, Mooney CJ, Lambert DR.

Medical Education OnLine. 2012; 17: 17092.

Isolated Gastrocnemius Contracture and Gastrocnemius Recession: Current Concepts.

Barske H, DiGiovanni BF, Douglass M, Nawoczenski DA.

Foot and Ankle International. 2012; 33: 915-921.

Peripheral nerve entrapments of the lower leg, ankle, and foot.

Flanigan RM, DiGiovanni BF

Foot and ankle clinics.. 2011 June 16 (2):255-74. Epub 1900 01 01.

Complications of ankle arthroscopy utilizing a contemporary noninvasive distraction technique.

Young BH, Flanigan RM, DiGiovanni BF

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2011 May 1893 (10):963-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Association between plantar fasciitis and isolated contracture of the gastrocnemius.

Patel A, DiGiovanni B

Foot & ankle international.. 2011 January 32 (1):5-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

A guide to improving the care of patients with fragility fractures.

Bukata SV, Digiovanni BF, Friedman SM, Hoyen H, Kates A, Kates SL, Mears SC, Mendelson DA, Serna FH, Sieber FE, Tyler WK

Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation.. 2011 January 2 (1):5-37. Epub 1900 01 01.

Process of Discovery: A Fourth-Year Translational Science Course.

Medical Education Online. 2011; 16: 8443.

Midfoot arthritis.

Patel A, Rao S, Nawoczenski D, Flemister AS, DiGiovanni B, Baumhauer JF

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.. 2010 July 18 (7):417-25. Epub 1900 01 01.

Foot and Ankle Experience in Orthopaedic Residency - An Update.

Aronow, M.; Panchbhavi, V.; DiGiovanni, B.; et al.

Foot and Ankle International. 2010; 31: 10-13.

Distraction arthroplasty.

Morse KR, Flemister AS, Baumhauer JF, DiGiovanni BF

Foot and ankle clinics.. 2007 March 12 (1):29-39. Epub 1900 01 01.

Exposure to Direct and Scatter Radiation with Use of Mini C-Arm Fluoroscopy.

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2007; : 948-952.

The Influence of Foot Position on Stretching of the Plantar Fascia.

Foot and Ankle International. 2007; 28: 815-822.

Using resident input to identify and integrate essential components of a foot and ankle rotation.

DiGiovanni BF, Gillespie BT, Flemister AS, Baumhauer JF

Foot & ankle international.. 2006 September 27 (9):728-33. Epub 1900 01 01.

Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise improves outcomes in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. A prospective clinical trial with two-year follow-up.

Digiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, Malay DP, Graci PA, Williams TT, Wilding GE, Baumhauer JF

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2006 August 88 (8):1775-81. Epub 1900 01 01.

Reliability and Validity of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Clinical Rating Scale: A Pilot Study for the Hallux and Lesser Toes.

Baumhauer, J.; Nawoczenski, D.; DiGiovanni, B.; Wilding, G.

Foot and Ankle International. 2006; 27: 1014-19.

The role of extracorporeal shock wave on plantar fasciitis.

Roehrig GJ, Baumhauer J, DiGiovanni BF, Flemister AS

Foot and ankle clinics.. 2005 December 10 (4):699-712, ix. Epub 1900 01 01.

Acute ankle injury and chronic lateral instability in the athlete.

DiGiovanni BF, Partal G, Baumhauer JF

Clinics in sports medicine.. 2004 January 23 (1):1-19, v. Epub 1900 01 01.

Ankle pain and peroneal tendon pathology.

Baumhauer JF, Nawoczenski DA, DiGiovanni BF, Flemister AS

Clinics in sports medicine.. 2004 January 23 (1):21-34. Epub 1900 01 01.

Tissue-specific plantar fascia-stretching exercise enhances outcomes in patients with chronic heel pain. A prospective, randomized study.

DiGiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, Lintal ME, Moore EA, Murray JC, Wilding GE, Baumhauer JF

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2003 July 85-A (7):1270-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Foot and ankle experience in orthopaedic residency.

Pinzur MS, Mikolyzk D, Aronow MS, DiGiovanni BF, Mizel MS, Pinney SJ, Saltzman CL, Temple HT

Foot & ankle international.. 2003 July 24 (7):567-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Plantar Fascia Release with Proximal and Distal Tarsal Tunnel Release: A Surgical Approach to Chronic, Disabling Plantar Fasciitis with Associated Nerve Pain.

Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2003; 2: 254-261.

Subtalar arthrodesis with flexor digitorum longus transfer and spring ligament repair for treatment of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency.

Johnson JE, Cohen BE, DiGiovanni BF, Lamdan R

Foot & ankle international.. 2000 September 21 (9):722-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Associated Injuries Found in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability.

DiGiovanni, B; Fraga C; Cohen B; Shereff, M.

Foot and Ankle International. 2000; 21: 809-815.

Treatment of Perilunate and Transscaphoid Perilunate Dislocations of the Wrist

DiGiovanni, B; Shaffer, J.

The American Journal of Orthopaedics. 1995; 24: 818-826.

Vertebral alterations in Scheuermann's kyphosis.

Scoles PV, Latimer BM, DigIovanni BF, Vargo E, Bauza S, Jellema LM

Spine.. 1991 May 16 (5):509-15. Epub 1900 01 01.

Anterior extension of the thoracic vertebral bodies in Scheuermann's kyphosis. An anatomic study.

Digiovanni BF, Scoles PV, Latimer BM

Spine.. 1989 July 14 (7):712-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Vertebral body and posterior element morphology: the normal spine in middle life.

Scoles PV, Linton AE, Latimer B, Levy ME, Digiovanni BF

Spine.. 1988 October 13 (10):1082-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery, 2nd edition (textbook chapter) (2015)

Chapter: Chronic Plantar Fasciitis with Distal Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: An Operative Technique

Authors: Gould JS, DiGiovanni BF

Publisher: Lippincott 2015

Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Resident Curriculum. (2014)

Chapter: Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain. Lecture: Core On Line Publication

Authors: DiGiovanni BF

Publisher: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 2014

In Surgery of the Foot and Ankle (2014)

Chapter: Plantar Heel Pain

Authors: Dawson L, DiGiovanni BF, Baumhauer J

Publisher: Saunders 2014

AAOS Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review (2014)

Chapter: Arthroscopy of the Ankle

Authors: DiGiovanni BF

Publisher: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2014

Orthopaedic Resident Review Course (2014)

Chapter: Limb Salvage of the Foot and Ankle

Authors: DiGiovanni BF

Publisher: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2014

Resident Review Course: Core Curriculum (2013)

Chapter: Limb Salvage of the Foot and Ankle

Authors: DiGiovanni, BF

Publisher: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 2013

Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery (2010)

Chapter: Chronic Plantar Fascia with Distal Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: An Operative Technique.

Authors: Gould JS, DiGiovanni BF.

Publisher: Lippincott 2010

AAOS Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review (2009)

Chapter: Arthroscopy of the Ankle

Authors: DiGiovanni BF.

Publisher: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2009

Foot and Ankle Clinics (2003)

Chapter: Salvage of First Metatatsophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty Complications

Authors: Baumhauer JF, DiGiovanni BF.

Publisher: Saunders 2003

The Foot. CD-ROM. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2003)

Chapter: Selective Exposures in Orthopaedic Surgery:

Authors: Baumhauer JF (editor), DiGiovanni BF (faculty), Flemister AS (faculty).

Publisher: AAOS, Rosemont , IL 2003

Foot and Ankle 3. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2003)

Chapter: Fractures and Dislocations of the Talus and Subtalar Joint. Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: Rosemont, Illinois,.

Authors: DiGiovanni BF, Baumhauer JB:.

Publisher: AAOS, Rosemont, IL 2003

AOFAS 2003 Resident Lecture Series, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (2003)

Chapter: Foot and Ankle Core Curriculum. Syllabus and CD-ROM.

Authors: Pinney SF (series editor), DiGiovanni BF (faculty / contributor)

Publisher: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Seattle, Washington 2003

Journal of Muscuoloskeletal Medicine (2002)

Chapter: Plantar Heel Pain: Making a Difficult Diagnosis

Authors: Voloshin I, DiGiovanni BF, Baumhauer BF.

Publisher: AAOS 2002

Foot and Ankle Clinics (2002)

Chapter: Arthrodesis of the Infected Ankle and Subtalar Joints

Authors: Baumhauer JF, Lu A, DiGiovanni BF.

Publisher: Saunders 2002

Foot and Ankle Clinics (2001)

Chapter: Osteotomies of the Fifth Metatarsal.

Authors: Baumhauer JF, DiGiovanni BF.

Publisher: Saunders 2001

Foot and Ankle Clinics (1998)

Chapter: Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and Related Entities. 3:405-426, 1998

Authors: DiGiovanni BF, Gould JS.

Publisher: Saunders 1998

Foot and Ankle Clinics (1997)

Chapter: Achilles Tendinitis and Posterior Heel Disorders.

Authors: DiGiovanni BF, Gould JS:

Publisher: Saunders 1997

Ratings & Reviews

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