Douglas R. Dirschl, MD, is a highly accomplished surgeon and an expert in orthopaedics. He specializes in caring for patients with musculoskeletal trauma and fractures, as well as other injuries and diseases of the bones, joints and muscles.
Dr. Dirschl's research focuses on the assessment of factors that influence reliability in classifying fractures. He has studied the quality of radiographs, as well as the use of decision-making strategies to enhance reliability (the extent to which various physicians classify a fracture in the same way). Dr. Dirschl also studies the biological basis of surgery, including the relationship between hemorrhage in pelvic fractures and pelvic bleeding. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
A leader in medical education and health policy, Dr. Dirschl teaches medical students, residents and physicians about orthopaedic trauma, musculoskeletal pathophysiology and fractures. He has authored three books, more than 30 book chapters, and more than 75 peer-reviewed scholarly articles. In addition, Dr. Dirschl sits on editorial and review boards for several notable scientific journals, including the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, and Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Dr. Dirschl previously served as president of the American Orthopaedic Association.
Chicago Booth School of Business
Chicago, IL
AOA-Booth Leadership Series
2015
Kellogg School of Management
Chicago, IL
AOA-Kellogg Leadership SerieAOA-Kellogg Leadership Series
2009
Sloan School of Management
Wellesley, MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2000
Kenan-Flagler Graduate School of Business
Chapel Hill, NC
Physicians Medical Management Program
1998
University of North Carolina Hospitals
Chapel Hill, NC
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery
1993
University of North Carolina Hospitals
Chapel Hill, NC
Internship in General Surgery
1989
Oregon Health Sciences University
Portland, OR
Doctor of Medicine
1988
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Bachelor of Sciences, with DistinctionChemical Engineering
1984
Post-fracture care programs for prevention of subsequent fragility fractures: a literature assessment of current trends.
Åkesson KE, Ganda K, Deignan C, Oates MK, Volpert A, Brooks K, Lee D, Dirschl DR, Singer AJ. Post-fracture care programs for prevention of subsequent fragility fractures: a literature assessment of current trends. Osteoporos Int. 2022 Aug; 33(8):1659-1676.
PMID: 35325260
Best Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Osteoporosis in Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Spinal Reconstruction.
Sardar ZM, Coury JR, Cerpa M, DeWald CJ, Ames CP, Shuhart C, Watkins C, Polly DW, Dirschl DR, Klineberg EO, Dimar JR, Krohn KD, Kebaish KM, Tosi LL, Kelly M, Lane NE, Binkley NC, Berven SH, Lee NJ, Anderson P, Angevine PD, Lehman RA, Lenke LG. Best Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Osteoporosis in Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Spinal Reconstruction. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2022 Jan 15; 47(2):128-135.
PMID: 34690329
Impact of Level of Evidence on Citation of Orthopaedic Articles.
Scott BL, Dirschl DR, Landy DC. Impact of Level of Evidence on Citation of Orthopaedic Articles. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021 Dec 01; 29(23):e1274-e1281.
PMID: 33826545
Ballistic Supracondylar Distal Femur Fractures Have Lower Rates of Intra-articular Extension Than Blunt Distal Femur Fractures.
Portney DA, Reddy M, Baker HP, Dillman DB, Dirschl DR, Strelzow JA. Ballistic Supracondylar Distal Femur Fractures Have Lower Rates of Intra-articular Extension Than Blunt Distal Femur Fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2021 07 01; 35(7):361-365.
PMID: 33177432
Setting Standards.
Sanders R, Dirschl D. Setting Standards. J Orthop Trauma. 2021 05 01; 35(5):225-226.
PMID: 33844662
Ballistic Supracondylar Distal Femur Fractures Have Lower Rates of Intra-Articular Extension than Blunt Distal Femur Fractures.
Portney DA, Reddy M, Baker HP, Dillman DB, Dirschl DR, Strelzow JA. Ballistic Supracondylar Distal Femur Fractures Have Lower Rates of Intra-Articular Extension than Blunt Distal Femur Fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2020 Nov 09.
PMID: 33177432
Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations From a Multistakeholder Coalition.
Conley RB, Adib G, Adler RA, Åkesson KE, Alexander IM, Amenta KC, Blank RD, Brox WT, Carmody EE, Chapman-Novakofski K, Clarke BL, Cody KM, Cooper C, Crandall CJ, Dirschl DR, Eagen TJ, Elderkin AL, Fujita M, Greenspan SL, Halbout P, Hochberg MC, Javaid M, Jeray KJ, Kearns AE, King T, Koinis TF, Koontz JS, Kužma M, Lindsey C, Lorentzon M, Lyritis GP, Michaud LB, Miciano A, Morin SN, Mujahid N, Napoli N, Olenginski TP, Puzas JE, Rizou S, Rosen CJ, Saag K, Thompson E, Tosi LL, Tracer H, Khosla S, Kiel DP. Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations From a Multistakeholder Coalition. Orthop Nurs. 2020 May/Jun; 39(3):145-161.
PMID: 32443087
Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations from a Multistakeholder Coalition.
Conley RB, Adib G, Adler RA, Åkesson KE, Alexander IM, Amenta KC, Blank RD, Brox WT, Carmody EE, Chapman-Novakofski K, Clarke BL, Cody KM, Cooper C, Crandall CJ, Dirschl DR, Eagen TJ, Elderkin AL, Fujita M, Greenspan SL, Halbout P, Hochberg MC, Javaid M, Jeray KJ, Kearns AE, King T, Koinis TF, Koontz JS, Kužma M, Lindsey C, Lorentzon M, Lyritis GP, Michaud LB, Miciano A, Morin SN, Mujahid N, Napoli N, Olenginski TP, Puzas JE, Rizou S, Rosen CJ, Saag K, Thompson E, Tosi LL, Tracer H, Khosla S, Kiel DP. Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations from a Multistakeholder Coalition. J Orthop Trauma. 2020 Apr; 34(4):e125-e141.
PMID: 32195892
Financial Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Surgical Treatment of Foot and Ankle Osteomyelitis.
Lee CS, Divi SN, Dirschl DR, Hynes KK. Financial Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Surgical Treatment of Foot and Ankle Osteomyelitis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2020 Jan - Feb; 59(1):69-74.
PMID: 31882152
Do 30-Day Reoperation Rates Adequately Measure Quality in Orthopedic Surgery?
Adams OE, Cruz SA, Balach T, Dirschl DR, Shi LL, Lee MJ. Do 30-Day Reoperation Rates Adequately Measure Quality in Orthopedic Surgery? Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2020 02; 46(2):72-80.
PMID: 31899155
President
Foundation for Orthopaedic Trauma
2018
Elite Reviewer
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
2017
Bucksbaum Institute Master Clinician
Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence
2014
Best Doctors in America
2013 - 2017
Lowell T. Coggeshall Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Endowed professorship in recognition of outstanding scientific and
2013
Village Pride Award – Hometown Hero
2011
Presidential Line, American Orthopaedic Association
2009 - 2014
Village Pride Award – Hometown Hero
2009
Frank C. Wilson Faculty Teaching Award
2005
Recipient, Musculoskeletal Cup for Outstanding Instruction
2004
Best Doctors in North Carolina
2004 - 2013
2000 Recipient, 2001American British and Canadian Traveling Fellowship, American Orthopaedic Associa
2000
Recipient, Junior Faculty Development Award
1999
Frank C. Wilson Faculty Teaching Award
1998
Edwin J. Bovill, Jr., MD, Memorial Lecturer
1998
Treasurer, Medical Staff, Wake Medical Center
1998 - 1999
Teaching Scholar, UNC School of Medicine
1997 - 1999
Member, AO Faculty
1997 - 2001
Finalist, Battle Clinical Sciences Distinguished Excellence Award
1994
Recipient, Musculoskeletal Cup for Outstanding Instruction
1994
Nathan Womack Scholar; Outstanding Chief Resident,
1993
Teaching Award for Outstanding Instruction
1990
Lange Book Award for Academic Excellence
1986