Dr. Christopher L. Forthman, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a certificate of added qualifications in hand surgery. Dr. Forthman earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He completed his general surgery internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard, where he served as a chief resident with an emphasis on complex shoulder, hand, and elbow surgery.
Dr. Christopher L. Forthman, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a certificate of added qualifications in hand surgery. Dr. Forthman earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He completed his general surgery internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard, where he served as a chief resident with an emphasis on complex shoulder, hand, and elbow surgery.
Dr. Christopher L. Forthman, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a certificate of added qualifications in hand surgery. Dr. Forthman earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He completed his general surgery internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard, where he served as a chief resident with an emphasis on complex shoulder, hand, and elbow surgery.
Dr. Forthman performed a hand and upper extremity fellowship at the Raymond M. Curtis National Hand Center at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He has received numerous professional awards and honors, including:
The Leonard Marmor Award for Highest In-Training Scores in the Harvard Orthopedic Program
Outstanding Research in Orthopaedic Surgery by the International Board of Shoulder Surgery, Washington, DC
Baylor Outstanding Achievement in Orthopaedic Research
Michael E. DeBakey Scholar Award
Dr. Forthman serves on clinical operations, emergency services, and research committees at Curtis National Hand Center. He hosts a weekly indications conference with orthopedic and plastic surgeons to review the management of complex upper extremity disorders.
Dr. Forthman has authored various book chapters and his many research studies are published in prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals. He presents locally and nationally on problems of the shoulder, hand and elbow.
Dr. Forthman is distinguished as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and as an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. He is also a member of the Maryland Orthopaedic Association.

I was glad to see Dr. Forthman for my left shoulder. He fixed my right rotator cuff in 2023 with excellent results and my efforts to follow the exercises he gave me. I can now do upper body weight bearing exercises to stave off muscle loss. Now my left rotator cuff is causing pain and weakness. I'm unable to lift even 2 lb weights at times. A steroid shot and PT help for 5 months, but now it's back to square one with intermittent deep ache and weakness upon exertion of certain movements. Rather than another injection, he has ordered an MRI. I trust he will steer me in the right direction based on MRI results. He has a gentle, friendly and kind bedside manner. He's very accomplished in his field. A friend of mine told me that he fixed her son's severely damaged hand and she is forever grateful. I am, too, for my right shoulder health.
Very friendly. Explained my procedure to be done.
Dr Forthman is an extraordinary surgeon and doctor
Answered my question and was professional and nice.
Excellent Surgeon! Has a great bedside manner. Highly recommend!
Dr. Forthman is awesome! Thank you for repairing my badly damaged shoulder! Everything has been great!
Excellent service and appreciated not having to come back for treatment. My issue was resolved immediately.
Provided great information and great care.
Always kind and explains things well!
Bed side manner is great. He understood my concerns and was very personable.