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Scott Lifchez, MD
Plastic Surgery
Hand Surgery
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
4.9 of 5 stars
127 Ratings, 45 ReviewsLanguages
- Spanish
- English
14 Insurances Accepted
View allGender
MaleAbout Scott Lifchez
Professional Titles
- Director, Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery Service, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Chief, Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Program Director, Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland Plastic Surgery Residency
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Background
Dr. Scott D. Lifchez is a professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery and orthopaedic surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as director of Hand Surgery Service and section chief of Plastic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He specializes in surgical treatments for injuries and chronic conditions of the hands and fingers.
Dr. Lifchez received his medical training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago in 1999. He conducted a residency in plastic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 2005, and in 2006 completed a fellowship in hand surgery at Curtis National Hand Center of Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.
He is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Council of Educators in Plastic Surgery, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Lifchez has been recognized as a 2023 faculty inductee into the Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence.
Centers and Institutes
Clinical Trial Keywords
Thumb arthritis, denervation, Competency-based education, Raynaud's Scleroderma botulinum toxin
Videos
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Research Interests
Assessing the role of denervation versus traditional arthroplasty in the treatment of primary osteoarthritis of the thumb CMC joint, effect of botulinum toxin A on vasospasm in scleroderma., improving efficiency and effectiveness of teaching and assessing plastic surgery trainees in a competency-based training model, management of hand conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and other rheumatologic conditions
Research Summary
In his research and clinical practice, Dr. Lifchez focuses on the surgical treatments, particularly plastic and reconstructive surgeries, for injuries and chronic conditions of the hands and fingers, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, nerve damage and compression in the hands and fingers, congenital hand anomalies and tendonitis. Dr. Lifchez has a particular interest in hand conditions associated with rheumatologic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
Selected Publications
- Bello RJ, Cooney CM, Melamed E, Follmar K, Yenokyan G, Leatherman G, Shah AA, Wigley FM, Hummers LK, Lifchez SD. The Therapeutic Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Treating Scleroderma-Associated Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017 Aug;69(8):1661-1669.
- Cooney CM, Cooney DS, Bello RJ, Bojovic B, Redett RJ, Lifchez SD. Comprehensive Observations of Resident Evolution: A Novel Method for Assessing Procedure-Based Residency Training. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Feb;137(2):673-8.
- Frost CM, Suresh V, Padovano W, Luck JD, Quan A, Aravind P, Ingari JV, Laporte DM, Shores JT, Lifchez SD. Selective Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Denervation Versus Trapeziectomy and Ligament Reconstruction With Tendon Interposition for Painful Arthritis: A Prospective Study With 2 Years of Follow-Up. J Hand Surg Am. 2023 Sep;48(9):853-860. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.05.015. Epub 2023 Jul 15. PMID: 37452814
- Lifchez SD, Friedrich JB, Hultman CS. The scope of practice of hand surgery within plastic surgery: the ACAPS national survey to assess current practice and develop educational guidelines. Ann Plast Surg. 2015 Jan;74(1):89-92. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000365. PMID: 25275477
- Williams AA, Carl HM, Lifchez SD. The Scleroderma Hand: Manifestations of Disease and Approach to Management. J Hand Surg Am. 2018 Jun;43(6):550-557
Honors
- Perioperative Services Cardinal Award, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Greatest Supporter Award, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence
- Top Doc in Hand Surgery, Baltimore Magazine, 11/1/11
Memberships
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons
- American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Community Physicians - Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center, White Marsh
- 4924 Campbell Boulevard, Suite 130, Nottingham, MD 21236
- phone: 443-997-9466
- fax: 410-367-2022
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- 4940 Eastern Avenue, Bayview Medical Offices, Level 01 (M), MSK, Baltimore, MD 21224
- phone: 443-997-9466
- fax: 410-367-2022
Expertise
Education
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
Fellowship, Hand Surgery, 2006Medical College of Wisconsin
Residency, Plastic Surgery, 2005University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1999Board Certifications
Surgery of the Hand
American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2008Plastic Surgery
American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2007Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
127 ratings, 45 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2025
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2025
Great.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2025
Very informative
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/13/2024
Dr Lifchez is an excellent physician
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/10/2024
Very satisfied with the good care by my doctor and nurses
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2024
Wonderful doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2024
Very polite- informative- all around good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/26/2024
Very professional and comfortable to discuss issues without any confusion.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/22/2024
Excellent Doctor, was very gentle with my hand and explained everything clearly!!! 10/10
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2024
All my fears & questions were quickly abandoned immediately after meeting my doctor. He is very attentive to his patients needs.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2024
Wound is almost completely healed. A big thanks.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2024
Very good attention understood me and knew how to explain things to me in Spanish because I don't speak English 100 out of 100
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/11/2024
My provider was very professional n courteous...
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
Dr Lifchez and his team were professional, informative and decisive w/ decisions to move forward w/ surgery. I was very impressed w/ their genuine concern of my wrists arthritis and pain.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
An excellent provider. Fixed my problem. It was great surgery for me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
Good person very professional and respectful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/13/2024
Very nice and good understanding
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2024
Very professional as always. Explains things in detail
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/30/2024
He's the best!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2024
Met first with PA and then Dr. Lifchez. Comprehensive. Answered all questions. Did injection. Very happy with visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/23/2024
He is patient, respectful and a good listener. I am treated like a guest and am really appreciative of that.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/23/2024
The physician was terrific- easy to understand, personable and candid.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2024
Answered my concerns thoroughly, I did not feel rushed; and he explained in detail the surgery and necessary pt; also detailed the precautions to take after surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Excellent. Thorough and unrushed..
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Felt very well cared for at all times.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Excellent care for the human being Very professional everyone who attended me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2024
Excellent! Explained everything very well, was warm, articulate and thorough!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/30/2024
Smart, kind, efficient
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/30/2024
He was very professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/12/2024
Complete exam with explanation
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
Very thorough. My hand surgery went very well & it was the second time. I will not need to go back but my experience was great.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2024
Dr. Lifchez, has provided excellent care for myself as well as my husband in the past. I was suprised Dr remembered my husband.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/28/2024
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/28/2024
Dr. Was excellent!
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/18/2024
Long delay in getting appt with Dr, after having 2 appts with NP. Had to call NP for f/u after testing.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/11/2024
Very knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/28/2024
He seems genuinely caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2024
I am impressed with the depth of knowledge and experience conveyed during the examination to inform me of the situation he observed and my options for treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/22/2024
Dr Lifchez makes you feel very comfortable and explains things well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/22/2024
Excellent physician
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2024
Dr Lifchez is an excellent doctor in all ways.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/8/2024
Very friendly, personable and accommodating.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/8/2024
He Knew what he was doing,
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/8/2024
Dr lifchez always concerned about pain, progression of function, easy to talk to and ask questions. Takes time needed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/8/2024
I have full trust in him