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Scott Lifchez

Scott Lifchez, MD

Plastic Surgery

Hand Surgery

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

Languages

  • Spanish
  • English

14 Insurances Accepted

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Gender

Male

About 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.

Clinical Trial Keywords

Thumb arthritis, denervation, Competency-based education, Raynaud's Scleroderma botulinum toxin

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

  1. Johns Hopkins Community Physicians - Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center, White Marsh
    • 4924 Campbell Boulevard, Suite 130, Nottingham, MD 21236
    • Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
      • 4940 Eastern Avenue, Bayview Medical Offices, Level 01 (M), MSK, Baltimore, MD 21224

      Expertise

      Education

      MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

      Fellowship, Hand Surgery, 2006

      Medical College of Wisconsin

      Residency, Plastic Surgery, 2005

      University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine

      Medical Education, MD, 1999

      Board Certifications

      Surgery of the Hand

      American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2008

      Plastic Surgery

      American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2007

      Insurance

      Johns Hopkins providers accept various commercial health insurance plans. However, they may not be included in all of an insurance company's plans or offerings. This may include Exchange, Medicaid, Medicare, and specific limited benefit plans. Exceptions to participation also exist based on your employer’s benefits package and the provider's location or specialty. Please contact your insurer directly to make sure your doctor is covered by your plan. For more details, please review our Insurance Information.
      Search plans
      • 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 reviews

      The 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.

      Overall Rating by Patient
      Average provider Overall Rating by Patient rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Listened Carefully
      Average provider Provider Listened Carefully rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Explained Things Clearly
      Average provider Provider Explained Things Clearly rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Knew Medical History
      Average provider Provider Knew Medical History rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Showed Respect
      Average provider Provider Showed Respect rating 5 out of 5 stars
      Provider Spent Enough Time
      Average provider Provider Spent Enough Time rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Search reviews
        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 2/4/2025

        Very good

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 2/4/2025

        Great.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 1/7/2025

        Very informative

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/13/2024

        Dr Lifchez is an excellent physician

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/10/2024

        Very satisfied with the good care by my doctor and nurses

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/3/2024

        Wonderful doctor

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/3/2024

        Very polite- informative- all around good

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/26/2024

        Very professional and comfortable to discuss issues without any confusion.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/22/2024

        Excellent Doctor, was very gentle with my hand and explained everything clearly!!! 10/10

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 11/5/2024

        Wound is almost completely healed. A big thanks.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 10/11/2024

        My provider was very professional n courteous...

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 10/1/2024

        An excellent provider. Fixed my problem. It was great surgery for me.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/1/2024

        Good person very professional and respectful

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/13/2024

        Very nice and good understanding

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/10/2024

        Very professional as always. Explains things in detail

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/30/2024

        He's the best!!!

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 8/23/2024

        The physician was terrific- easy to understand, personable and candid.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 8/13/2024

        Excellent. Thorough and unrushed..

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/13/2024

        Felt very well cared for at all times.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/13/2024

        Excellent care for the human being Very professional everyone who attended me

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/6/2024

        Excellent! Explained everything very well, was warm, articulate and thorough!

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/30/2024

        Smart, kind, efficient

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/30/2024

        He was very professional

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/12/2024

        Complete exam with explanation

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 6/28/2024

        Very good

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 6/28/2024

        Dr. Was excellent!

        3 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 6/11/2024

        Very knowledgeable

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 5/28/2024

        He seems genuinely caring.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 3/22/2024

        Dr Lifchez makes you feel very comfortable and explains things well.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/22/2024

        Excellent physician

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/13/2024

        Dr Lifchez is an excellent doctor in all ways.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/8/2024

        Very friendly, personable and accommodating.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/8/2024

        He Knew what he was doing,

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed 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 stars
        Reviewed on 3/8/2024

        I have full trust in him