Christopher Ernst Attinger, MD| Limb Preservation, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery | MedStar Health
Christopher Ernst Attinger

Christopher Ernst Attinger, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.8 out of 5 (719 reviews)

Specialties: Limb Preservation, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Surgical Wound Care

Languages: French, Spanish, German, English

202-444-0300

About me

Christopher E. Attinger, MD, is board certified plastic surgeon, located at our MedStar Georgetown University Hospital location. Dr. Attinger is Director of the Center for Wound Healing and Professor for our MedStar Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department.

His experience during his two tours of duty in the Vietnam War led Dr. Attinger to his career in medicine. The complexity and challenges of healing wounds while preserving function is the key to his continued focus within reconstructive surgery and wound care.

As a wound care specialist and surgeon, he focuses on using limb-saving techniques and amputation to give patients the ability to take full advantage of their physical capabilities.

He leads a team that specializes in preventing and treating lower extremity complications caused by trauma, vascular disease, and Diabetes. The team includes Vascular, Plastic, Podiatric and Orthopedic Surgeons, as well as Prosthetitists, Hyperbarists, Hospitalists, Rheumatologists, Dermatologists and Infectious Disease specialists, who provide seamless care and expertise that is tailored to returning patients to their optimal function.

Read details about Dr. Attinger's background and accomplishments.

Clinical areas of focus

  • Amputation Above The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Below The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Of The Foot Surgery
  • Amputation Revision Surgery
  • Complex Wound Management
  • Diabetic Foot Infection
  • Diabetic Limb Salvage
  • Diabetic Ulcer
  • Flap Surgery
  • Foot Wound
  • Lower Extremity Reconstruction
  • Non Healing Wound
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Skin Graft
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Diabetic Foot Infection
  • Diabetic Ulcer
  • Foot Ulcer
  • Foot Wound
  • Non Healing Wound
  • Osteomyelitis
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Procedures I perform

  • Amputation Above The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Below The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Of The Foot Surgery
  • Amputation Revision Surgery
  • Complex Wound Management
  • Diabetic Limb Salvage
  • Flap Surgery
  • Lower Extremity Reconstruction
  • Lower Limb Preservation
  • Musculocutaneous Flap
  • Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
  • Skin Graft
  • Upper Limb Preservation
  • Wound Care
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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

3800 Reservoir Road Northwest
Bles Bldg
Washington, DC, 20007

202-444-9686

Fax 202-444-0300

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-444-0300

Insurance

MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
    • Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
    • Cigna HMO Open Access
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
    • Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
    • D-SNP)
    • Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
    • Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
    • United Select Plus (POS)
    • Medicaid - Virginia
    • Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
    • Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
    • Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
    • Beech Street PPO
    • Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
    • HealthyBlue PPO
    • CareFirst Administrators
    • Medicaid - Maryland
    • United AARP Medicare Complete
    • Cigna EPO
    • Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
    • United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
    • United Erickson Advantage Plans
    • Innovation Health: POS
    • Innovation Health: POS Plus
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
    • Kaiser Flexible Choice
    • Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
    • Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
    • United Choice
    • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
    • Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
    • Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
    • HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
    • United Navigate
    • I-SNP
    • Virginia Premier
    • Cigna POS/Network POS
    • Cigna Choice Fund PPO
    • UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
    • United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
    • United Core Essential (HMO)
    • Kaiser Medicare Plus
    • Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
    • Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
    • Kaiser Select-Added Choice
    • United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
    • United Mamsi Life & Health
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
    • Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
    • Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
    • CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
    • Innovation Health: PPO
    • WellPoint Maryland
    • Tricare Reserve Select
    • Kaiser Select
    • Innovation Health: Indemnity
    • HumanaChoice PPO
    • Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
    • Employee Health Plan (EHP)
    • United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
    • CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
    • Medicaid - District of Columbia
    • Police and Fire Clinic
    • United MD IPA (HMO)
    • Cigna Network Open Access
    • United Optimum Choice
    • United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
    • United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
    • Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
    • Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
    • Aetna HMO
    • Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
    • Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
    • WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
    • Tricare East Prime
    • Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
    • CareFirst NASCO
    • United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
    • CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
    • Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
    • United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
    • CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
    • Cigna Preferred Medicare
    • United Choice Plus
    • Carefirst EPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
    • CareFirst MedStar PPO
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
    • Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
    • Tricare East Select
    • Innovation Health: Open POS II
    • Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
    • Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
    • Cigna Indemnity
    • Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
    • Kaiser Signature
    • Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
    • United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
    • United Student Resources
    • CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
    • United Golden Rule
    • Tricare for Life East
    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
    • Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
    • Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
    • MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
    • First Health PPO
    • Coventry Health Care of Virginia

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery

Residency Program: New York University Medical Center (1989)

Fellowship Program: Brigham and Womens Hospital (1987)

Residency Program: Brigham and Womens Hospital (1986)

Internship Program: Brigham and Womens Hospital (1982)

Medical School: Yale University (1981)

News and publications

MyGeorgetownMD - Health Newsletter (Winter 2017) Novel Heel Surgery Saves Patient's Foot for the Across the Bay 10K

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.8
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.8
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.8
  • Care provider’s efforts to include you in decisions about your care

    4.8
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.9
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.9
  • Jun 24, 2024

    Very good experience

  • Jun 24, 2024

    Dr. Attinger is amazing. He is an excellent physician who not only cares about his patients - but those who care for them. He spends a lot of time with my mom. Recalls conversations from past visits, asks questions - thanks the caregivers down their excellent care of his patient - is reachable every day with his cell phone. Has a wonderful bedside manner. Follows up. Is comforting to myself and my family every day. He has more energy and care than any physician my mom has seen in a long time. Thank you Dr. Attinger. You give us hope.

  • Jun 15, 2024

    Great as always