Richard A. Berger, MD

Chicagoans are fortunate to have access to one of the world’s foremost orthopedic surgeons known for his minimally invasive, outpatient hip and knee replacement surgery. Richard Berger, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center, has performed more outpatient joint replacements than any other U.S orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Berger holds a mechanical engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has a reputation for performing hip and knee replacements on politicians, celebrities, and elite athletes. An article in the Chicago Tribune indicated that retired New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, actor John Slattery of “Mad Men,” and even former U.S. President George W. Bush had joint-replacement surgery from Dr. Berger.

However, Dr. Berger modestly admits that he and his proficient medical team provide the same undivided attention and concierge approach to every patient. “I get the most satisfaction from helping a teacher return to her classroom and a carpenter continue building houses,” Dr. Berger admits. “In their post-surgery visits, my patients often thank me for giving them their lives back.”

Dr. Berger’s innovative surgical techniques, which are performed in an outpatient setting, emanate from his unique background in mechanical engineering. What makes Dr. Berger’s minimally invasive procedures so novel is that they eliminate the need to cut muscle, ligaments, and tendons, thus allowing for a faster and more complete recovery. To date, he has performed more than 20,000 outpatient hip and knee replacements, more than any other surgeon in the country.

Efficient Staff

Dr. Berger admits that his kind and compassionate staff is what makes the difference for patients. “From the moment patients call my office, to their post-surgical consultation, my medical team provides a concierge approach to practicing medicine,” Dr. Berger says. Team members, including physician assistants, nurses, managers, and assistants, spend time informing and educating patients about what to expect before, during and after surgery, including recovery and rehabilitation.

Meet Dana F. Potts

Hinsdale resident Dana F. Potts — an elite athlete, running coach and former competitor in national and world Track and Field competitions — struggled with hip pain while exercising. Potts was told by several orthopedic surgeons that he needed hip replacement, after which his running days would be over. However, that all changed after a consultation with Dr. Richard Berger. Dr. Berger told Potts that hip replacement wouldn’t restrict him from doing what he loves. After surgery with Dr. Berger, Potts was able to return to work in a week and he began training for the Senior Olympic Games six months later. Potts seized gold medals in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races at Illinois Senior Olympics State Meets after undergoing Dr. Berger’s minimally invasive hip replacement. Says Potts, “Thanks to Dr. Berger I was able to compete again.”

Potts is just one of many elite athletes, including golfers, wrestlers, and mountain climbers, who reached new heights after joint replacement surgery from Dr. Berger. You can read the remarkable recovery stories of Dana F. Potts and other active individuals in the “Patients” section: outpatienthipandknee.com.