Geoffrey Van Thiel, M.D.

Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel’s orthopedic practice focuses on minimally invasive and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder. He has received extensive training from international experts and published significant literature regarding hip arthroscopy, cartilage restoration techniques, complex knee ligament surgery, and a variety of arthroscopic shoulder procedures.

Dr. Van Thiel attended UCLA Medical School in pursuit of his medical degree and concurrently completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the UCLA School of Business. Following medical and business school, Dr. Van Thiel completed his orthopedic and sports medicine training at one of the top programs in the country at Rush Medical Center in Chicago under the guidance of some of the country’s leading sports medicine surgeons. He remains a faculty member at Rush for both research and resident education.

Over the years, he has collaborated with world-renowned surgeons on research and development projects in a multitude of areas including hip arthroscopy and new techniques to treat labral tears; a comprehensive involvement with cartilage restoration and joint preserving surgical techniques of the knee, hip, and shoulder; as well as cutting edge procedures in shoulder arthroscopy. He has also had the opportunity to educate other surgeons in these specialty areas and is currently a member of the Multicenter Arthroscopic Study of the Hip (www.mashstudy.com) along with other prominent surgeons from around the country.

Dr. Van Thiel’s commitment to athletics and an active lifestyle is evident in both his personal belief that activity leads to better health and his involvement with sports teams. While at Rush, Dr. Van Thiel was an assistant team physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago White Sox (MLB). He is currently affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks Medical Network and is the head team physician for the AHL Ice Hogs. He is also a team physician with the US National Soccer Teams.

Dr. Van Thiel continues to have a passionate interest in research and education. He has authored over 60 textbook chapters and journal articles. His research has been included in over 80 international presentations with topics including: hip arthroscopy, hip labral tears, cartilage restoration, shoulder instability repair, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, and complex knee ligament reconstruction. Dr. Van Thiel currently sits on the editorial board of two major orthopedic sports medicine journals.

Although cutting edge care is essential for excellent patient outcomes, Dr. Van Thiel also believes that cutting edge care cannot be completed without compassion and humility.


Conditions & Treatments
Cartilage Restoration
Complex Knee Ligament Reconstruction (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL)
Femoral Acetabular Impingement and labral Tears
Frozen Shoulder
Gluteus Medius Tear
Hamstring Tears
Hip Arthroscopy
Hip Labral Tears
Hip and Thigh Muscle Strains
IP Band Syndrome
Knee Ligament Injuries
Meniscus Tear
Patellar Instability
Patellar and Quad Tendon Tear
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Labral Tears

Training
Bachelor’s Degree, University of Wisconsin
Medical Degree, UCLA Medical School
Masters in Business Administration, UCLA School of Business
Residency, Rush University Medical Center
Sports Medicine Fellowship, Rush University Medical Center

Memberships
Board-certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

Team Physician
Chicago Blackhawks Medical Network
Rockford Ice Hogs – The AHL
US National Soccer Teams

Hospital Affiliations
OSF St. Anthony Medical Center
SwedishAmerican Hospital
Mercy Rockford Hospital
Algonquin Road Surgery Center
Northwestern Hospital
Ortho Illinois Surgery Center
Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center