Dr. Cort Lawton is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder.
Dr. Cort Lawton is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder.
I sincerely appreciate that you have selected me to provide your orthopedic care, and would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I’ve also had my fair share of personal injuries. Growing up in Polo, Illinois I participated in wrestling and boxing – both activities leading to visits with sports medicine physicians. Through this perspective, I understand the frustration associated with being injured, and the hurdles experienced along the path to recovery. As a result of this exposure, I developed a strong interest in sports medicine, and desire to assist patients in overcoming their injuries.
My early interest in sports medicine and passion for athletics remained strong throughout my pursuit of a career in this field. I attended medical school at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences: Chicago Medical School, and did my orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University Fienberg School of Medicine. During residency I gained experience working as a sports medicine physician in the Chicago area, assisting with coverage for the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team, NBA Combine, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball March Madness Tournament, NCAA Division I Wrestling Tournaments, and Chicago public high school and youth football games.
I finished my subspecialty training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, where I completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship. This fellowship allowed me to focus strictly on honing my skills and experience in arthroscopic and open surgical procedures to treat injuries to the hip, knee, and shoulder. Furthermore, I added to my experience as a sports medicine physician working with the New York Rangers NHL team, New York Liberty WNBA team, New York Guardians XFL professional football team, RUNY professional rugby team, and the UFC.
My practice at Ortho Illinois focuses on youth and adult injuries to the hip, knee, and shoulder, with a special interest in arthroscopic procedures to the hip.
My own athletic background guided not only my career choice, but also my care philosophy. Modeling after the passion and example provided by the sports medicine physicians who treated me, I am equally dedicated to my patients. You can feel confident that I will always be in your corner working to help you meet your return to competition goals, desired athletic activities, or to overcome your disabilities.
Outside of my medical practice, I continue to remain active golfing, wrestling, boxing, fishing, and spending quality time with my family.
I look forward to meeting you and becoming the newest member of your team on your road to recovery.
Sincerely,
Cort Lawton, MD
Bachelor's Degree: University of Iowa
Medical Degree: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences: Chicago Medical School
Residency: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago
Sports Medicine Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
Memberships:
Board eligible, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Hospital Affiliations:
Northwestern Medicine Hospital
Advocate Sherman Hospital
Algonquin Road Surgery Center
Conditions & Treatments:
Anterior Knee Pain
Bicep Tendon Tears
Frozen Shoulder
Hip and Thigh Muscle Strains
Knee Arthroscopy
Patellar Instability
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Labral Tears
Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Dr. Lawton has been tremendously helpful to me in managing my hip and knee issues. He really listened to my concerns and my goals and together we came up with a plan. Many doctors say that you need to hold off on surgery as long as possible. The issue is how to manage pain and mobility while holding off on surgery. Dr. Lawton comes up with options to make waiting a viable option whereas most doctors just leave you stuck. I really trust him and value his thorough opinion. He is a true partner in patient care!
Very straight forward, ask if you have questions, listens to you and is very friendly.
Very patient when answering my questions; a great teacher when explaining everything. I completely appreciated his optimistic and down to earth approach. His demeanor put me at ease.
Dr Lawton is always very professional and easy to understand.
He was so kind and extremely patient. Highly recommend!!
Dr. Lawton is a consummate professional and his bedside manner is just as good as his surgical skills. Honestly, the best part is his ability to recognize concerns and put them at ease, both pre and post-op.
He is an amazing doctor and surgeon. He takes time to hear your questions and answer them and make you feel confident in your recovery.
Excellent
Explained everything.
Great doc that knows his stuff!