Traveling for Surgery
Do patients travel from out of state to have surgery with Dr. Chahla?
Dr. Chahla commonly works with patients traveling from out of state for his care. Approximately 20% of Dr. Chahla’s practice consists of patients traveling to the Chicagoland area for his minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, approach to overall joint preservation, and reduced post-operative recovery time that accelerates his patients’ return to the activities they love.
Can I send my x-rays and medical history to Dr. Chahla before traveling to Chicago for an appointment?
Yes, and we appreciate the value you place in Dr. Chahla’s opinion and consultation. To begin the process of submitting clinical information/imaging prior to a scheduled office visit, please contact Dr. Chahla’s administrative team at 312.432.2531 or chahlaadmin@rushortho.com.
Dr. Chahla also performs virtual clinical case and imaging review for patients seeking a second opinion without scheduling an in-person consultation with Dr. Chahla. Dr. Chahla welcomes this request for a fee of $300.00. Please note that this fee will not be billed to insurance, nor will it be applicable towards any future service with our office. Again, please contact Dr. Chahla’s administrative team at the contact information above to learn more about this process, obtain a packet that you will be asked to complete, and receive instructions for submitting medical records to be reviewed. Additional information is also available at the following link: Clinical Case/Imaging Review.
How many trips do I need to take to Chicago for appointments and surgery?
Patients traveling to Chicago for surgery with Dr. Chahla have two options:
Option 1: Includes two trips to Chicago with the option for a potential third trip.
- 1st Trip: Initial Consultation with Dr. Chahla
- 2nd Trip: Surgery and Initial Post-Operative Visit/Suture Removal
- Optional 3rd Trip: Follow-up Appointment at a later date agreed upon with Dr. Chahla if needed based off of progress during initial 3 months following surgery.
Option 2: Includes one trip to Chicago with the option for a potential second trip.
- Only Trip: Pre-operative In-person Office Visit with Dr. Chahla, Surgery, and Initial Post-Operative Visit/Suture Removal
- Note: This option typically involves a virtual initial consultation with Dr. Chahla. The pre-operative in-person office visit allows Dr. Chahla to perform a physical examination and confirm diagnosis/surgical plan.
- Optional 2nd Trip: Follow-up Appointment at a later date agreed upon with Dr. Chahla if needed based off of progress during initial 3 months following surgery.
How does physical therapy work post-operatively if I live out of state?
For most of Dr. Chahla’s surgical procedures, it is recommended that you begin physical therapy 1-2 days following your surgery. This recommendation will be confirmed and discussed extensively with you at the time of your consultation with Dr. Chahla, surgery sign-up with Dr. Chahla’s administrative team, pre-operative phone consultation with one of Dr. Chahla’s Physician Assistants, and in your post-operative instructions. Dr. Chahla recommends that you begin physical therapy per your procedure’s post-operative protocol during your stay while in Chicago.
After traveling home, you can then transition to attending physical therapy at a local facility in your hometown. Dr. Chahla strongly recommends coordinating your hometown physical therapy as soon as you confirm your surgical date and travel itinerary. Due to medical licensing, some states will require a physical therapy order from a local healthcare provider. This can sometimes take time to obtain. Therefore, please contact your preferred local physical therapist as soon as possible to confirm.
To see a full list of the physical therapy facilities at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, please click on the following link: [insert link to “Physical Therapy Department” page].
How long do I need to stay in Chicago following my surgery?
If you are flying home, Dr. Chahla prefers for you to stay in Chicago/Chicagoland area for at least 2 weeks following your surgery. Some exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the procedure performed, length of flight home, and any co-morbidities that may further increase the risk of blood clot following surgery.
If you are driving more than 6 hours home after surgery, you will need to stay in Chicago/Chicagoland area for 48 hours due to increased risk of post-operative blood clot associated with driving long distance. Additionally, Dr. Chahla will ask that you stop for frequent breaks during your drive home.
Do I need a follow-up appointment after my surgery?
Yes. You will need to schedule an initial post-operative visit with Dr. Chahla’s team. Based off your exact surgical procedure, this initial post-operative visit will be either the day after your surgery or 10-14 days following your surgery.
Sutures are removed 10-14 days after all surgeries. Dr. Chahla recommends staying in Chicago until your sutures are removed by a member of Dr. Chahla’s clinical staff. If you choose to travel home before having your sutures removed, you will be responsible for coordinating removal of the sutures by a local healthcare professional. Do not plan to remove your own sutures, as there is an increased risk of infection associated with doing so.
Additional post-operative visits are typically scheduled at 6 weeks post-op, 3 months post-op, 4.5 months post-op, 6 months post-op, and 9 months post-op depending on your surgical procedure and post-operative progress. These appointments may be in person or virtual depending on your preference.
Do I need to have someone travel with me to Chicago for my surgery?
Yes. It is important to have a friend or family member with you pre-operatively and post-operatively, including travel to and from Chicago. You will not be released from the surgery center following surgery unless a friend or family member is present.
Where should I stay while I’m in Chicago?
While in town for surgery with Dr. Chahla, for your convenience, we recommend staying at a hotel that is close in proximity to the location of your scheduled surgery and/or post-operative visits. Dr. Chahla performs surgeries in Oak Brook, Oak Park, and Chicago, Illinois as well as Munster, Indiana. Dr. Chahla holds clinic in Naperville, Oak Brook, and Chicago, Illinois as well as Munster, Indiana. Please see page 7 in Dr. Chahla’s Surgical Booklet for a complete list of the surgery and clinic sites that Dr. Chahla operates out of.
Our office can assist you with hotel recommendations or you may view a list of hotels below, some offering special rates to Dr. Chahla’s patients and their families:
Oak Brook
Hyatt House
210 W 22nd Street Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 590-1200
www.hyatt.com
The Drake Hotel Oak Brook
2301 York Rd Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 571-0000
DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago – Oak Brook
1909 Spring Rd Oak Brook, IL
Phone: (630) 472-6000
Chicago Marriott Oak Brook
1401 W 22nd St. Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 573-8555
*To ensure the best rate, reference the negotiated “Rush Rate”
Oak Park
Carleton Hotel and Motor Inn
1110 Pleasant Street Oak Park, IL 60302
Phone: (708) 848-5000
www.carletonhotel.com
The Write Inn
211 N. Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, IL 60302
Phone: 708-383-4800
Fax: (708) 383-4875
www.writeinn.com
B R Guest House
1044 N. Humphrey Avenue Oak Park, IL 60302
Phone: (708) 383-9977
Email: brguest@brguesthouse.com
Munster
Hampton Inn and Suites Munster
8936 Calumet Ave Munster, IN 46321
Phone: (219) 836-5555
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Southeast/Hammond
7730 Corinne Dr. Hammond, IN 46323
Phone: (219) 845-6350
Comfort Inn
7813 Indianapolis Blvd. Hammond, IN 43234
Phone: (219) 845-4678
Chicago-Rush University Medical Center
Johnston R. Bowman Guest Accommodations
710 South Paulina Street Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 942-6893
*Located in Rush University Medical Center
Illinois Medical District Guest House
1926 West Harrison Street Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 563-3900
www.imdguesthouse.org
*Located 1 block West of Rush University Medical Center
Marriott Chicago at Medical District / UIC
625 South Ashland Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 491-1234
www.marriott.com
*To ensure the best rate, reference the negotiated “Rush Rate”
*Located 0.1 miles from Rush University Medical Center
Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro
733 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 829-5000
www.thechicagometro.com
*To ensure the best rate, reference the negotiated “Rush Rate”
*Located 1.2 miles from Rush University Medical Center
La Quinta Inn & Suites Chicago
One South Franklin Street Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 558-1020
www.lq.com
*Located 1.7 miles from Rush University Medical Center
Chicago-Gold Coast
The Ritz Carlton
160 East Pearson Street Chicago Il, 60611
Phone: (312) 266-1000
The Peninsula Chicago
108 East Superior Street Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (866) 382-8388
*Located 0.1 miles from Water Tower Place
Park Hyatt Chicago
800 N. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 335-1234
*Located 0.1 miles from Water Tower Place
Hilton Suites Chicago-Magnificent Mile
198 E. Delaware Place Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 664-1100
*Located 0.1 miles from Water Tower Place
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
909 N. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (866) 716-8104
*Located 0.1 miles from Water Tower Place
Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
20 East Chestnut St. Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 324-4000
*Located 0.2 miles from Water Tower Place
Residence Inn (Marriott) Chicago Downtown
201 E. Walton Place Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 943-9800
*Located 0.3 miles from Water Tower Place
The Whitehall
105 East Delaware Place Chicago IL, 60611
Phone: (312) 944-6300
*Negotiated rate for surgical patients: $179.00/night
The Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
160 East Huron Street Chicago IL, 60611
Phone: (312) 706-0888
*Located 0.2 miles from Water Tower Place
*Negotiated rate for surgical patients varies: Inquire about the “Rush Rate” when booking.
Best Western River North
125 W Ohio St Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 467-0800
*To ensure the best rate, reference the negotiated “Medical Rate”.
At a Glance
Dr. Jorge Chahla
- Triple fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon
- Performs over 800 surgeries per year
- Associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush University
- Learn more