Practice Locations
Affiliated Hospitals
- Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
- Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago
- Evanston Hospital - NorthShore University Health System
- Glenbrook Hospital - NorthShore University Health System
- Highland Park Hospital - NorthShore University Health System
Areas of Expertise
- Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
- Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery – Adult & Pediatric
- Nerve Problems
- Tendon & Muscle Repair
- Trauma (Broken Bones)
- Upper Extremity Joint Replacement (Wrist, Elbow, Shoulder)
- Workers’ Compensation
- Independent Medical Evaluations (IME)
Biography
Dr. Leon S. Benson began his medical career in Evanston, Illinois, the town where he was born and raised. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, he continued as a chemistry major at Northwestern University. In 1981, he began medical school at Northwestern University in downtown Chicago and completed a five-year residency in orthopedic surgery at Northwestern before pursuing an extra year of specialty training in hand and upper extremity surgery at Harvard. Dr. Benson returned from Boston in 1991 and has practiced with the same orthopedic group ever since. He is currently Chief of the Division of Hand Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem, which is a four-hospital system in the northern Chicago suburbs and includes a physician staff of over 2,400 doctors. NorthShore also serves as the northern teaching campus for the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Benson holds an appointment as senior attending within the NorthShore system and is currently president of the NorthShore Professional Staff.
He has additionally been active in clinical research relating to hand surgery. His scholarly production includes more than 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals, a single-authored text on teaching orthopedics, ten book chapters, and more than 40 scientific presentations to national audiences. Dr. Benson also serves as an associate editor for The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume), and he writes a regular column for a national hand surgery newsletter. Dr. Benson does academic consulting work for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery by writing questions for the national certifying examination in orthopedic surgery as well as for the certifying examination in hand surgery. He currently holds the rank of Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
Dr. Benson spends much of his free time training his Portuguese Water Dog, Cruise. In addition to training his owner, Cruise participates in the sports of dog agility, obedience, water work, lure-coursing, and also works in the clinical setting as a certified therapy dog.
Technical expertise is just part of my job. I believe in building relationships, which means understanding patient concerns and creating an environment of mutual respect. To me, serving as a physician is a privilege that involves not only managing disease processes, but also treating the whole patient — mind, body, and spirit. Having a good sense of humor often makes the health journey a little bit easier, and fortunately that’s part of my personality.”
Leon Benson, MD, CMOEducation
Medical School
Northwestern University Medical School
Residency
Northwestern University Hospital - Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship
Harvard University, Boston MA - Hand and Upper Extremity
- “Orthopaedic Pearls: A Practical Guide for the Efficient Houseofficer” by Leon S. Benson, M.D. Published by F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. First printing June, 1999. 402 pages. Second printing July, 2000.
- “History and Physical Examination of the Hand,” in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiler III, M.D. Published by the American Society for Surgery for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, Illinois, 2004.
- “Lateral Epicondylitis”, in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiiler III, M.D. Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, Illinois, 2004.
- “Medial Epicondylitis”, in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiiler III, M.D. Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, Illinois, 2004.
- “Trigger Finger”, in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiiler III, M.D. Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, Illinois, 2004.
- “Carpal Instability”, in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiiler III, M.D. Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, Illinois, 2004.
- “Physical Examination of the Hand”, published in: Essentials of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiiler III, M.D. Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, Illinois, 2004.
- “Vascular Disorders: Cannulation Injuries,” in: Master Cases on Hand and Wrist Surgery, edited by Plancher and Bennett. Published by Thieme Company, New York, New York, 2004, pages 152-7.
- “Vascular Disorders: Extravasation Injuries,” in: Master Cases on Hand and Wrist Surgery, edited by Plancher and Bennett. Published by Thieme Company, New York, New York, pages 158-64.
- “Fragment Specific Fixation of the Distal Radius”, in Distal Radius Fractures and Carpal Injury: The Cutting Edge, edited by Slutsky and Osterman. Published by Elsevier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in press, 2008
- Benson LS, Minihane K, Stern LD, Eller E, Desai R. The outcome of intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with fragment specific fixation. Journal of Hand Surgery. 31A: 2006, 1333-1339.
- Benson LS, Bare A, Nagle DJ, Harder VL, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. Complications of endoscopic and open carpal tunnel release. Arthroscopy. 9; 2006, 919-924.
- Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Journal of Hand Surgery. 31A: 2006, 468-473.
- Visotsky JL, Benson LS. Eponyms in orthopaedics. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 83A: 2002, Supplement 2, Part 2, 123-127.
- Hartigan BJ, Benson LS. Myositis ossificans after a supracondylar fracture of the distal humerus in a child. American Journal of Orthopaedics. 2: 2001, 152-154.
- Benson LS, Waters PM, Meier SW, Visotsky JL, Williams CS. Pediatric hand injuries due to home exercycles. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 20:1, 2000, 34-39.
- Benson LS, Williams CS, Kahle M. Dupuytren’s contracture. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 6:1, 1998, 24-35.
- Chase JM, Light TR, Benson LS. Coronal fracture of the hamate body. American Journal of Orthopaedics. 25:8, 1997, 568-571.
- Benson LS, Ptaszek AJ. Injection versus surgery in the treatment of trigger finger. Journal of Hand Surgery. 22A, 1997, 138-144.
- Benson LS, Bailie DS. Treatment and complications of proximal interphalangeal joint injuries of the hand. American Journal of Orthopedics. 25:8, 1996, 527-530.
- Bailie DS, Benson LS, Marymont JV. Anatomy and diagnosis of proximal interphalangeal joints injuries of the hand. American Journal of Orthopedics. 25:7, 1996, 474-477.
- Benson LS, Sathy M, Port R. Forearm compartment syndrome due to automated injection of CT contrast material. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 10:6, 1996, 433-435.
- Benson LS, Waters PM, Kamil NI, Simmons BP, Upton J. Camptodactyly: classification and results of non-operative treatment. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 14: 6, 1994, 814-819.
- Waters PM, Benson LS. Fracture dislocation of the distal phalangeal epiphysis in toddlers. Journal of Hand Surgery. 18A:4, 1993, 581-585.
- Nagle DJ, Benson LS. Wrist arthroscopy: indications and results. Arthroscopy. Vol. 8, No. 2, 1992, 198-203.
- Benson LS, Donaldson JS, Carroll NC. Use of ultrasound in management of posterior sternoclavicular dislocation: a case report. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. Vol. 10, No. 2, 1991, 155-158.
- Nagle DJ, Benson LS. Eighty-four wrist arthroscopies: clinical indications and results. Orthopaedic Transactions. Vol. 14, No. 3, 1990, 629.
- Kaeding CC, Hill JA, Katz J, Benson LS. Bupivicaine use after knee arthroscopy: pharmacokinetics and pain control study. Arthroscopy. Vol. 6, No. 1, 1990, 33-39.
- Adams MA, Benson LS, Pasternak JF, Gardner TG. Mean arterial blood pressure in the first 48 hours of life in premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage. Pediatric Research. Vol. 18, No. 4, Part 2, April, 1984, 308A.
- Benson MD, Brodsky IG, Benson LS. A prototype voluntary community service program for students in the health professions. Journal of Medical Education. Vol. 57, December,1982, 942-944.
- Graduated Valedictorian, Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL
- Phi Beta Kappa in Chemistry, Northwestern University, 1981
- Honorable Mention in the 1983 Competition of the U.S. Secretary’s Award for Innovations in Health Promotion and Disease
- CIBA Community Service Award, Northwestern University Medical School, 1983
- Anatomy Award, Northwestern University Orthopaedic Residency Anatomy Examination, 1990
- James K. Stack Teaching Award, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, 1995
- Scientific Exhibit Awarded “Best Presentation and Layout” and “Best Scientific Content,” 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (“Pressure Measurements in the Wrist After Proximal Row Carpectomy”)
- Scientific Exhibit Awarded “Best Presentation and Layout,” 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (“Plate Fixation of Unstable Olecranon Fractures”)
- Invited participant, Symposium on Leadership in Professional Organizations, 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Phoenix, Arizona, October 2, 2002
- Past President, Chicago Society for Surgery of the Hand, 2004-2006
- Graduate of the Leadership Fellows Program of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Class of 2005-2006
- Course Director, Wrist Injuries Course #3205, sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, May 16-17, 2008, Rosemont, Illinois
- Nominated for membership to the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
- Vice Chairman of Academic Affairs, NorthShore University Health System Department of Orthopaedics
- Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637
- Chief, Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northshore University Healthsystem
- President, Professional Staff, Northshore University Healthsystem
- Associate Editor, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Volume
- Vice Chairman, Communications Cabinet, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Consultant for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery (CAQHS), Examination Writing Committee
- Consultant for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Certification in Orthopaedic Surgery Written Examination, Question Writing Task Force
- Course Director, Hand and Upper Extremity Conference, Northshore University Healthsystem
- Chairman, Education Programming Committee, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northshore University Healthsystem
- Vice President, Illinois Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Chairman, Graduate Medical Education Committee, Northshore University Healthsystem
- Co-Chair, Coding Subcommittee, CPT/RUC Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Member, Executive Committee, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
- Officer of the Professional Staff, Medical Executive Committee, Northshore University Healthsystem
- Consultant Reviewer, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Comprehensive Review
- Member, CPT/RUC Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (1998 – present)
- Member, Board of Directors, Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
- Member, Executive Committee, Northshore University Healthsystem, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Media Spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
View Dr. Benson's Media
29 IBJI Physicians Chosen as "Top Docs" by Chicago Magazine
IBJI Physicians Named to Chicago Magazine's 2020 List of "Top Docs for Fitness Junkies"
Carpal Tunnel Treatment: 9 Things You Need to Know About Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Why Am I Still On Crutches? Why Baby Boomer Injuries Heal More Slowly
Patient Feedback
Want to share your patient story for Dr. Benson? Complete this form.
Additional Patient Feedback
“Dr. Benson is a genius. He has helped me solve problems relating to the function of my hands in a professional, compassionate manner. I highly recommend him to friends, colleagues, and family.”
“The entire staff, from the front desk, to the person who interviewed me, x-ray tech and finally the doctor, everything was incredible, very well run process, and the doctor was very nice and professional.”