Brian Bear, M.D.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you more about myself and my experience in health care. Originally from Winnetka, Illinois, I attended Northwestern University graduating in 1987, cum laude, president of Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. I continued my studies at Northwestern University School of Medicine, receiving my medical degree in 1991 as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Following my graduation, I pursued advanced orthopedic training at Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery, which is ranked as the top orthopedic hospital in the United States. In addition, I completed a specialized training fellowship program in elbow and hand surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

My practice is focused on shoulder, elbow, hand, microvascular, traumatic, and reconstructive surgery. It is my mission to provide you compassionate care with expertise comparable to any major university center. I am humbled by my inclusion in two prestigious quality health care listings: as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, and the Best Doctors list. Earning a place on either list is a result of being nominated by other physicians and a thorough review by the listing organization into my background, professional achievements, patient satisfaction, and positive treatment record. Inclusion on the Best Doctor list is a direct result of other doctors selecting me as the person they would choose to treat themselves or a family member. These are honors I take very seriously and I am committed to maintaining the high standards they represent with all my patients.

I am actively involved in continuing education, have given numerous lectures, and published many orthopedic articles. As Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, I have been awarded the Golden Apple teaching award and the Excellence in Teaching award. I am a reviewer for the acclaimed Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and currently serve as a faculty member at the Orthopedic Learning Center, where I teach other surgeons the latest techniques of hand, elbow and shoulder surgery. I hold Associate and Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery positions respectively at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago where I help train medical students, family practice residents, and orthopedic surgery residents.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to further improve your experience at OrthoIllinois. My goal is to provide the best medical care available to help you return to an active and pain-free lifestyle.

Sincerely, Brian Bear, M.D.


Conditions and Treatments
Basil Joint Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Circulation Problems
Congential Hand Conditions
Cubital Tunnel
De Quevair's Tenosynovitis
Distal Radius Fracture
Dupuytren's Contracture
Elbow Fracture
Flexor Tendonitis
Fractures
Frozen Shoulder
Ganglion Cysts
Golf Elbow/Medial Epicondylitis
Hand or Arm Pain
Joint Replacements
Lacerations, including Tendons and Nerves
Mallet Finger
Nerve Problems in the Upper Extremity
Numbness and Tingling
Osteoarthritis of the and
Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand
Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder Arthroplasty
Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Labral Tears
Sprains and Strains
Tendon and Ligament Injuries
Tennis Elbow/Lateral Epicondylitis
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injuries
Trigger Finger
Trigger Thumb
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury

Training
Bachelor’s Degree, Northwestern University
Medical Degree, Northwestern University
Residency, Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery
Fellowship, Shoulder, Elbow, Hand, and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship, Mayo Clinic

Memberships
Board-certified: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Clinical Associate Professor: University of Illinois School of Medicine, Rockford
Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery: Rush University Medical Center
Review editor: The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Member: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Member: American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Member: Illinois Assoc. of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Member: Mid-America Orthopaedic Association
Member: Chicago Hand Society
Member: Winnebago County Medical Society

Hospital Affiliations
Ortho Illinois Surgery Center
OSF St. Anthony Medical Center
Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center
SwedishAmerican Hospital
Mercy Rockford Hospital
Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital