Brian Bear, MD, FAAOS
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you more about myself and my experience in health care. Originally from Winnetka, Illinois, I attended Northwestern University graduating in 1987, cum laude, president of Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and a member of Phi Betta Kappa. I continued my studies at Northwestern University School of Medicine, receiving my medical degree in 1991 as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Following my graduation, I pursued advanced orthopedic training at Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery, which is ranked as the top orthopedic hospital in the United States. In addition, I completed a specialized training fellowship program in elbow and hand surgery at the Mayo Clinic.
My practice is focused on shoulder, elbow, hand, microvascular, traumatic, and reconstructive surgery. It is my mission to provide you compassionate care with expertise comparable to any major university center. I am humbled by my inclusion in two prestigious quality health care listings: as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, and the Best DoctorsR list. Earning a place on either list is a result of being nominated by other physicians and a thorough review by the listing organization into my background, professional achievements, patient satisfaction and positive treatment record. Inclusion on the Best Doctor list is a direct result of other doctors selecting me as the person they would choose to treat themselves or a family member. These are honors I take very seriously and I am committed to maintaining the high standards they represent with all my patients.
I am actively involved in continuing education, have given numerous lectures, and published many orthopedic articles. As Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, I have been awarded the Golden Apple teaching award and the Excellence in Teaching award. I am a reviewer for the acclaimed Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and currently serve as a faculty member at the Orthopedic Learning Center, where I teach other surgeons the latest techniques of hand, elbow and shoulder surgery. I hold Associate and Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery positions respectively at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago where I help train medical students, family practice residents, and orthopedic surgery residents.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to further improve your experience at OrthoIllinois. My goal is to provide the best medical care available to help you return to an active and pain-free lifestyle.
- Basal Joint Arthritis
- Biceps Tendon Disorders
- Biceps Tendon Tears
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Circulation Problems
- Congential hand conditions
- Cubital Tunnel
- Distal Radius Fracture
- Elbow Fracture
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Fractures
- Frozen Shoulder
- Ganglion Cysts
- Golf Elbow/medial epicondylitis
- Hand Numbness and Tingling
- Hand or Arm Pain
- Joint Replacements
- Lacerations, including Tendons and Nerves
- Mallet Finger
- Nerve Problems in the Upper Extremity
- Osteoarthritis of the Hand
- Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement
- Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Labral Tears
- Sprains and Strains
- Tendon and Ligament Injuries
- Tennis Elbow/Lateral Epicondylitis
- Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injuries
- Trigger Thumb
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) injury
BACHELOR’S DEGREE | Northwestern University |
MEDICAL DEGREE | Northwestern University |
RESIDENCY | Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery |
FELLOWSHIP | Shoulder, Elbow, Hand, and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship, Mayo Clinic |
Insurance Questions?
Dr. Bear and Ortho Illinois accept multiple insurance providers. To see a list of insurances accepted click here. Contact your insurance carrier for you specific plan details.
Memberships
- Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Clinical Associate Professor, University of Illinois School of Medicine, Rockford
- Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery – Rush University Medical Center
- Review editor for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Illinois Assoc. of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Mid-America Orthopaedic Association
- Chicago Hand Society
- Winnebago County Medical Society
Hospital Affiliations
- Ortho Illinois Surgery Center
- OSF St. Anthony Medical Center
- Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center
- UW Health Northern Illinois / SwedishAmerican Hospital
- Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital
- Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital