Dr. Jorge Chahla
Chicago Sports Medicine Surgeon for the Knee, Hip and Shoulder
Dr. Jorge Chahla is a Chicago sports medicine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush who specializes in complex knee, hip and shoulder injuries. He cares for athletes at every level, from high school and weekend competitors to professionals, and performs more than 800 procedures each year. Dr. Chahla is an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, where he serves as Director of Biomechanical Research and Director of the International Fellowship Program, which brings surgeons from around the world to train and study at Rush.
Dr. Chahla is internationally recognized for his contributions to the field of orthopedic sports medicine through minimally invasive techniques, treatment of complex sports problems and as a pioneer in novel biologic treatments.
Team Physician for the Chicago Bulls, White Sox, US Soccer and the Joffrey Ballet
Dr. Chahla is a team physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA), the Chicago White Sox (MLB), US Soccer and the Joffrey Ballet. The return to sport standards he uses with professional athletes guide the care of every patient in his practice.
Personalized Treatment and Faster Return to Sport
Dr. Chahla’s approach is based on a philosophy that each procedure is specific and customized to the individual needs of each patient. He uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques so that recovery time is minimized. His focus is not only on a patient’s full recovery, but on the speed of that recovery and the return to sport. To accomplish this, his team coordinates comprehensive postoperative care, which includes objective assessments of motion and stability and close interaction with physical therapists, coaches and athletic trainers to ensure a return to preinjury performance.
Knee, Hip and Shoulder Procedures
Dr. Chahla treats the full range of sports injuries, with particular expertise in complex and revision cases:
- Knee surgery: ACL reconstruction and ACL repair, multiligament knee reconstruction (MCL, LCL, PCL and posterolateral corner), meniscus repair and meniscus transplantation, cartilage restoration and patellar instability surgery
- Hip arthroscopy: treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip labral repair and labral reconstruction, and revision of failed hip arthroscopy
- Shoulder surgery: rotator cuff repair and shoulder instability surgery
- Biologics: platelet rich plasma (PRP) and other orthobiologic injections
Training and Board Certification
Dr. Jorge Chahla earned his medical degree at Universidad Nacional de Tucumán in Argentina and his PhD in knee biomechanics, with Summa Cum Laude honors, at the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA). He completed his orthopedic residency at the Buenos Aires British Hospital, followed by three fellowships at leading programs in the United States: the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with subspecialty certification in orthopaedic sports medicine. A native Spanish speaker, Dr. Chahla sees patients in English and Spanish.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine Research
Dr. Chahla has dedicated significant time to the study of joint preservation and cartilage restoration, with more than 800 peer reviewed publications, over 60 book chapters and 8 edited books. He is regularly invited to present his research at national and international orthopaedic meetings, and his anatomical work has helped develop novel surgical techniques used by surgeons worldwide. In 2024, ScholarGPS ranked him first in the United States and fourth in the world for orthopedic surgery research. He serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, the Journal of ISAKOS and The Knee.
