About me
Michael W. Kessler, MD, MPH, FAOA, is the chief, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Hand Surgery of the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute and performs surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. A highly skilled and double Board Certified (Orthopaedic Surgery & Hand Surgery) hand and upper extremity surgeon, he completed his orthopaedic residency at North Shore/Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, where he was elected academic chief resident and obtained extensive training managing a broad spectrum of orthopaedic cases. He then completed a hand, microvascular, and upper extremity surgery fellowship at the Philadelphia Hand Center and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he gained specialized training in the surgical and nonsurgical management of various hand and upper extremity conditions.
During his training, Dr. Michael Kessler has cared for a variety of professional sports organizations, including the New Jersey Devils, Association of Tennis Professionals, Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers. Dr. Kessler has been a consulting hand surgeon for the D.C. United, and currently works with the Georgetown University Athletic Department and as a consultant for the Marymount University, Catholic University and Gallaudet University Athletic departments. He also serves as a consultant to the Washington D.C. Police & Fire Clinic. Dr. Kessler has received multiple awards for his clinical and basic science research, including the prestigious Joseph H. Boyes Award from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand in 2009.
Dr. Kessler serves as the Orthopaedic Residency Program Director at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and as Medical Director of the OT/Certified Hand Therapy (CHT) program at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital.
With a patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Michael Kessler's areas of expertise include:
- Hand and wrist conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome
- Elbow conditions
- Advanced arthroscopic techniques
- Complex reconstructions
- Tendon and nerve lacerations
- Care of traumatic injuries including fractures and joint dislocations
Dr. Kessler's Philosophy of Care
Not all patients who come to my office require surgery. However, they all require well thought out, respectful, and individualized care. During the course of an office visit, we will come to understand the nature of their problem or injury, its anatomic basis, and its effect on the individual's activities. Nonoperative treatment is often sufficient and is begun at that first office visit. When surgery is indicated, it is tailored to the individual, their underlying diagnosis, and the demands of their daily lives. Maximizing function, minimizing recovery time, and assuring a durable reconstruction remain the goals for all of my patients whether they be avid gardeners, or professional athletes.
Michael W. Kessler, MD, MPH, FAOA, Fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association
We congratulate fellowship-trained hand surgeon Michael W. Kessler, MD, MPH, FAOA, newly inducted as a Fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association on June 27, 2019.
The American Orthopaedic Association is the oldest and most distinguished orthopedic association in the world. The FAOA designation after a surgeon’s name means the surgeon has achieved recognition for exceptional accomplishments and leadership within their orthopedic specialty. Membership is earned, and comes at the end of a stringent peer-reviewed process. Fewer than 10% of practicing orthopedic surgeons have achieved AOA membership.
Clinical areas of focus
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Elbow Arthritis
- Flexor Tendon Repair
- Hand Arthritis
- Minimally Invasive Surgery Of The Hand
- Reconstructive Surgery Of The Hand
- Scaphoid Fracture
- Tendinitis Of The Hand
- Wrist Fracture
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Animal Bite Of The Hand
- Avascular Necrosis Of Scaphoid
- Avascular Necrosis Of The Fingers
- Avascular Necrosis Of The Hand
- Avascular Necrosis Of The Lunate
- Avascular Necrosis Of The Wrist
- Basal Joint Arthritis
- Boutonniere Deformity
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Bursitis Of The Elbow
- Bursitis Of The Hand
- Bursitis Of The Wrist
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Carpometacarpal Boss
- Cat Bite Of Hand
- Claw Hand
- Colles Fracture
- Congenital Hand Deformities
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervain Tendinitis
- Degenerative Joint Disease Of The Hand
- Developmental And Congenital Hand Deformities
- Developmental Hand Deformities
- Digital Mucous Cysts
- Distal Biceps Tendon Problem
- Dog Bite Of Hand
- Dupuytren Contracture
- Ectrodactyly
- Elbow Arthritis
- Elbow Bone Spur
- Elbow Dislocation
- Elbow Fracture
- Elbow Injury
- Elbow Tendonitis
- Epicondylitis
- Extensor Tendon Laceration
- Felon Infection
- Finger Abscess
- Finger Arthritis
- Finger Deformity
- Finger Fracture
- Finger Osteoarthritis
- Finger Pain
- Finger Sprain
- Frostbite Of Finger
- Gamekeeper's Thumb
- Ganglion Cyst
- Giant Cell Tumor Of Tendon Sheath Of Hand
- Glomangioma
- Glomus Tumor
- Gout Of The Hand
- Gout Of The Wrist
- Gymnast Wrist
- Hand Arthritis
- Hand Fracture
- Hand Infection
- Hand Injury
- Hand Mass
- Hand Osteoarthritis
- Hand Pain
- Hand Tendon Injury
- Hand Tendonitis
- Hand Wound
- Human Bite Of The Hand
- Humerus Fracture
- Lateral Epicondylitis
- Lesion Of Ulnar Nerve
- Lunate Fracture
- Madelung Deformity
- Mallet Finger
- Malunion Fracture Of The Hand
- Medial Epicondylitis
- Median Neuropathy
- Melanoma On Finger
- Melanoma On Hand
- Monteggia Fracture
- Mp Joint Arthritis
- Nail Injury
- Nonunion Fracture Of The Wrist
- Oligodactyly Hand
- Osteochondral Lesions Of The Hand And Wrist
- Osteonecrosis Of The Hand
- Palmar Fasciitis
- Peripheral Nerve Injury
- Polydactyly Foot
- Polydactyly Hand
- Postraumatic Radioulnar Synostosis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Radial Club Hand
- Radial Head Subluxation
- Radial Nerve Neuropathy
- Radial Pseudoarthrosis Nonunion
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Scaphoid Fracture
- Sports Related Injury
- Swan Neck Deformity
- Symbrachydactyly
- Syndactyly
- Tendinitis Of The Hand
- Tendinitis Of The Wrist
- Tendonitis
- Tenosynovitis
- Tenosynovitis Of Hand
- Thumb Dislocation
- Thumb Fracture
- Thumb Hypoplasia
- Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury
- Trigger Finger
- Trigger Thumb
- Ulnar Claw
- Ulnar Club Hand
- Ulnar Fracture
- Ulnar Nerve Compression
- Ulnar Nerve Injury
- Ulnar Nerve Subluxation
- Ulnar Pseudo Arthrosis Non Union
- Ulnar Variance
- Ulnocarpal Abutment Syndrome
- Upper Extremity Neuropathy
- Wrist Arthritis
- Wrist Dislocation
- Wrist Fracture
- Wrist Instability
- Wrist Pain
Procedures I perform
- Amputation Of The Finger Surgery
- Amputation Of The Thumb Surgery
- Arthroplasty Wrist
- Arthroscopy Of Elbow
- Arthroscopy Of Wrist
- Basal Joint Arthritis Surgery
- Benign Tumor Removal Of The Hand
- Bursectomy Of Hand
- Cancerous Tumor Removal Of The Hand
- Carpal Sequestrectomy
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery
- Cmc Thumb Arthroplasty
- Correction Of Syndactyly
- Cyst Removal
- Digital Nerve Repair
- Elbow Injection
- Elbow Joint Replacement
- Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
- Extensor Tendon Repair
- Fasciotomy Of Hand
- Finger Injection
- Finger Reattachment
- Flexor Tendon Repair
- Ganglion Cyst Removal
- Hand Steroid Injection
- Hand Tendon Repair
- Hand Tendon Transfer
- Joint Surgery Of Hand
- Joint Surgery Of The Wrist
- Metacarpal Sequestrectomy
- Metacarpophalangeal Fusion
- Microsurgery Of The Hand
- Microsurgical Replantation Of The Hand
- Minimally Invasive Surgery Of The Hand
- Minimally Invasive Surgery Of The Wrist
- Nail Bed Surgery
- Nerve Reconstruction
- Pollicization
- Reconstructive Surgery Of The Hand
- Repair Mallet Finger
- Replantation Of Extremities
- Surgery For De Quervain Tenosynovitis
- Synovectomy Of Wrist
- Tendon Pulley Reconstruction
- Tendon Repair Surgery
- Thumb Reattachment
- Thumb Surgery
- Total Elbow Replacement, Age Greater Than 50
- Total Elbow Replacement, Age Less Than 50
- Trigger Finger Surgery
- Trigger Thumb Surgery
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair
- Ulnar Nerve Decompression
- Ulnar Nerve Surgery
- Wrist Fusion
- Wrist Reconstruction
- Wrist Surgery
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.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select (aka Senior Advantage)
- Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans/ UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans HMO, POS, PPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv/Special Needs Plans
- UHC Community Plan of MD
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- Medicare Fee for Service
- Kaiser Virginia Premier
- Kaiser PermanenteSelect-Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS
- Kaiser MD Medicaid MCO
- CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- CFBCBS EPO
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO
- Innovation Health: POS
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- POS OA & OA Plus
- CIGNA HMO Open Access (OA)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Innovation Health: PPO
- Choice POS & Choice POS II
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Opoen HMO Option
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna HMO
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- BlueChoice Open Access
- PPO and PPO Plus
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Open HMO
- Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Open POS II
- Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Network OA
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- United Student Resources
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
- Tricare Prime
- FIRST HEALTH
- First Health PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
- CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgery of the Hand
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Program: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (2011)
Residency Program: North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center (2010)
Internship Program: North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center (2006)
Medical School: Albany Medical College (2005)
Awards
- Bethesda Magazine 2023 Top Doctor
- Washingtonian Top Doctor in Hand Surgery, 2015-2023
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors, 2022-2023
- Marquis Who's Who, 2020
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- MedStar Georgetown Orthopaedist Shuts Down Spasticity
- A Symphony of Success: Lisa Emenheiser’s Story
- Wide Awake Surgery (NBC4) - June 2015
- Doctors Issue Warning After Boy Bitten by Snake (NBC4) - May 2015
- Dr. Kessler was listed as a Washingtonian Top Doctor - 2015-2023
- Dr. Kessler was selected as an Orthopaedic Surgeon to know by Marquis Who's Who in 2020
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24346815
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24113650
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23123150
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21553790
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21050966
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19011557
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19279712
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17314652
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16199935
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15614057