Ian Chow, M.D.

Ian Chow, MD is a board-eligible plastic and reconstructive surgeon, fellowship-trained in hand and upper extremity surgery. His areas of specialization include management of all conditions of the hand, wrist, and forearm, with special emphasis on microvascular upper and lower extremity reconstruction and limb salvage.

Through his training, Dr. Chow has had extensive experience with upper and lower extremity nerve reconstruction, including the management and reconstruction of the brachial plexus, other peripheral nerve injuries throughout the body, and the management of neuropathic pain following amputation. He is proud to offer a variety of procedures under WALANT (wide-awake local anesthetic with no tourniquet) to maximize patient comfort and return to function while minimizing the risk of general anesthesia.

His practice philosophy is to work with the patient in developing a treatment plan that is best suited to their goals and desires while providing care in a safe, ethical, and evidence-focused fashion.

Dr. Chow received his undergraduate degree in economics from Northwestern University, graduating cum laude, then matriculating to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for his medical degree as a member of the Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME). He completed a research year while in medical school, performing basic science research under an Armed Forces in Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM) grant studying tissue engineering while also performing clinical outcomes research. After Dr. Chow graduated from medical school (summa cum laude with an additional honor in research, magna cum laude in scientia experimental), he went on to complete his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

He completed his hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery fellowship at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, under the direction of Dr. R. Glenn Gaston, a former graduate of the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center's fellowship program. During his fellowship, Dr. Chow was awarded the Daniel Lewis Blue Collar Award in recognition of being the hardest-working fellow of his fellowship class, and he looks forward to working tirelessly for his patients to help them achieve the best possible outcomes possible.

Dr. Chow is an avid researcher with over 27 peer-reviewed publications and 50 presentations on the local, regional, and national stages. He has received numerous awards for his research work and has written multiple book chapters, including work on the management of wrist arthritis and the ideal treatment algorithms for patients undergoing trans-radial amputation.

Dr. Chow is passionate about education and is excited to be joining as faculty of IHTSC's training program for specialization in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery. He recently traveled to Madrid, Spain, to work with Dr. Paco Piñal, a world-renowned expert in thumb reconstruction, to learn more about free tissue transplantation.

Dr. Chow is excited to move back to the Midwest after completion of his post-graduate medical training, and he is excited to make Indiana his home. Outside of work, Dr. Chow enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, and wine. A self-avowed nerd, he also enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction.