Skip to content

Research Institute

Leon S. Benson, MD

Leon S. Benson, MDDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery
Section Head, Hand & Upper Extremity

Education

  • Undergraduate: BA, Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Medical School: MD, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL
  • Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
  • Fellowship: Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship, Harvard University, Boston MA

Research Interests

Dr. Benson has published papers relating to carpal tunnel syndrome, trauma to the hand in adults and children, and a wide range of topics including Dupuytren's contracture, compartment syndrome, infections, congenital hand differences, and wrist arthroscopy.  His current research projects are focused upon wrist fracture surgery and patient safety issues in the operating room environment.

Current Academic and Administrative Appointments

  • Section Head, Hand & Upper Extremity, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2005 to present)
  • Officer of the Professional Staff, Medical Executive Committee, NorthShore University HealthSystem (November 2003 - present)
  • Immediate Past President, Chicago Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • Graduate, Leadership Fellows Program of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Class of 2006-2007
  • Course Director, Hand and Upper Extremity Conference, NorthShore University HealthSystem (1992 - present)
  • Chairman, Graduate Medical Education Committee, NorthShore University HealthSystem (2002 - present)
  • Chairman, Coding Subcommittee, CPT/RUC Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (2003 - present)
  • Member, Educational Curriculum Committee, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Program, Northwestern University Medical School (1993 - present)
  • Member, Editorial Review Board, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:  A Comprehensive Review (1995 - present)
  • Consultant Reviewer, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Volume Member, CPT/RUC Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (1998 -present)
  • Columnist, ("The Coding Corner"), Hand Surgery Quarterly, American Association of Hand Surgery, January 2003 through present.
  • Consultant Hand Surgeon, Northwestern University Athletics (1998 - present)
  • Member, Board of Directors, IL Bone and Joint Institute (1998 - present)
  • Member, Executive Committee, NorthShore University HealthSystem Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (2004 - present)
  • Member, Public Relations Oversight Group, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Consultant for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery (CAQHS), Examination Writing Committee
  • Media Spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Member, Local Host Committee, 2008 Annual Meeting, American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Honors and Awards

  • Accepted into Leadership Fellows Program of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Class of 2005-2006.
  • Invited participant, Symposium on Leadership in Professional Organizations, 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Phoenix AZ, October 2, 2002.
  • Scientific Exhibit Awarded "Best Presentation and  Layout" at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, October 4-7, 2000, Seattle, WA.  Scientific Exhibit was "Plate Fixation of Unstable Olecranon Fractures."
  • Scientific Exhibit Awarded "Best Presentation and Layout" at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, October 9-12, 1998, Minneapolis, MN.  Scientific Exhibit was "Pressure Measurements in the Wrist After Proximal Row Carpectomy."
  • Scientific Exhibit Awarded "Best Scientific Content" at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, October 9-12, 1998, Minneapolis, MN.  Scientific Exhibit was "Pressure Measurements in the Wrist After Proximal Row Carpectomy."
  • James K. Stack Teaching Award, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, May, 1995.
  • Anatomy Award; highest score on Orthopaedic Residency Anatomy Examination, May 1990.
  • CIBA Community Service Award, Northwestern University Medical School, September, 1983.
  • Received Honorable Mention in the 1983 Competition of the U.S. Secretary's Award for Innovations in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
  • Phi Beta Kappa in Chemistry; Northwestern University, June, 1981.
  • Awarded Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry "With Distinction", June, 1981.
  • Admitted to Three Year Bachelor of Arts Program by Northwestern Faculty Committee on Acceleration, September, 1978.
  • Valedictorian, Evanston Township High School, Class of 1978.

Professional Memberships/Affiliations/Activities

  • Chicago Medical Society (May 1989 to present)
  • Illinois State Medical Society (May 1989 to present)
  • American Medical Association (May 1989 to present)
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (November 1994 to present)
  • Harvard Hand Society (August 1991 to present)
  • Illinois Orthopaedic Society (November 1992 to present)
  • Chicago Society for Surgery of the Hand (September 1993 to present)
  • American Association of Hand Surgery (January 1995 to present)
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand (May 1995 to present)
  • Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (October 1995 to present)
  • Arthroscopy Association of North America (April 1996 to 2006)

Scholarly Work

Publications in Peer-Review Journals:

  1. 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, 2006.  31A:1333-1339.
  2. Benson LS, Bare A, Nagle DJ, Harder VL, Williams CS, Visotsky JL.  Complications of endoscopic and open carpal tunnel release.  Arthroscopy, 2006.  9:919-924.
  3. 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, 2006.  31A:468-473.
  4. Visotsky JL, Benson LS.  Eponyms in orthopaedics.  Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2002.  83A:Supplement 2, Part 2, 123-127. 
  5. Hartigan BJ, Benson LS.  Myositis ossificans after a supracondylar fracture of the distal humerus in a child.  American Journal of Orthopaedics, 2001.  2:152-154.
  6. Benson LS, Waters PM, Meier SW, Visotsky JL, Williams CS.  Pediatric hand injuries due to home exercycles.  Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2000.  20:1, 34-39.
  7. Benson LS, Williams CS, Kahle M.  Dupuytren's contracture.  Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 1998.  6:1, 24-35.
  8. Chase JM, Light TR, Benson LS.  Coronal fracture of the hamate body.  American Journal of Orthopaedics, 1997.  25:8, 568-571.
  9. Benson LS, Ptaszek AJ.  Injection versus surgery in the treatment of trigger finger.  Journal of Hand Surgery, 1997.  22A:138-144.
  10. Benson LS, Bailie DS.  Treatment and complications of proximal interphalangeal joint injuries of the hand.  American Journal of Orthopedics, 1996.  25:8, 527-530.
  11. Bailie DS, Benson LS, Marymont JV.  Anatomy and diagnosis of proximal interphalangeal joints injuries of the hand.  American Journal of Orthopedics, 1996.  25:7, 474-477.
  12. Benson LS, Sathy M, Port R.  Forearm compartment syndrome due to automated injection of CT contrast material.  Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 1996.  10:6,  433-435.
  13. Benson LS, Waters PM, Kamil NI, Simmons BP, Upton J.  Camptodactyly: classification and results of non-operative treatment.  Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 1994.  14:6, 814-819.
  14. Waters PM, Benson LS.  Fracture dislocation of the distal phalangeal epiphysis in toddlers.  Journal of Hand Surgery, 1993. 18A:4, 581-585.
  15. Nagle DJ, Benson LS.  Wrist arthroscopy: indications and results.  Arthroscopy, 1992. Vol. 8, No. 2, 198-203.
  16. Benson LS, Donaldson JS, Carroll NC.  Use of ultrasound in management of posterior sternoclavicular dislocation: a case report.  Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 1991.  Vol. 10, No. 2, 155-158.
  17. Nagle DJ, Benson LS.  Eighty-four wrist arthroscopies: clinical indications and results.  Orthopaedic Transactions, 1990.  Vol. 14, No. 3, 629.
  18. Kaeding CC, Hill JA, Katz J, Benson LS.  Bupivicaine use after knee arthroscopy: pharmacokinetics and pain control study.  Arthroscopy, 1990.  Vol. 6, No. 1, 33-39.
  19. 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, April, 1984.  Vol. 18, No. 4, Part 2, 308A.
  20. Benson MD, Brodsky IG, Benson LS.  A prototype voluntary community service program for students in the health professions.  Journal of Medical Education, December, 1982.  Vol. 57, 942-944.

Books:

  1. "Orthopaedic Pearls: A Practical Guide for the Efficient Houseofficer" by Leon S. Benson, M.D.   Published by F.A. Davis Company, Philadelpha, Pennsylvania.  First printing June, 1999.  402 pages.  Second printing July, 2000.

Book Chapters:

  1. "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 of the Hand, Rosemont, IL, 2004.
  2. "Lateral Epicondylitis," in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiler III, M.D.  Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, IL, 2004.
  3. "Medial Epicondylitis," in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiler III, M.D.  Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, IL, 2004.
  4. "Trigger Finger," in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiler III, M.D.  Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, IL, 2004.
  5. "Carpal Instability," in: Crucial Elements of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiler III, M.D.  Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, IL, 2004.
  6. "Physical Examination of the Hand," in: Essentials of Hand Surgery, edited by John Seiler III, M.D.  Published by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Rosemont, IL, 2002.
  7. "Vascular Disorders: Cannulation Injuries," in:  MasterCases on Hand and Wrist Surgery, edited by Plancher and Bennett.  Published by Thieme Company, New York,  NY, 2004, pages 152-7.
  8. "Vascular Disorders: Extravasation Injuries," in:  MasterCases on Hand and Wrist Surgery, edited by Plancher and Bennett.  Published by Thieme Company, New York,  NY, pages 158-64.
  9. "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, PA, in press.

Articles Selected for Reprints in Peer Review Anthologies:

  1. The Year Book of Orthopaedic Surgery: 1995 Edition.  Benson LS, Waters PM, Kamil NI, Simmons BP, Upton J.  Camptodactyly: classification and results of non-operative treatment.  Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics.  Vol. 14, No. 6, 1994, 814-819.
  2. The Year Book of Hand Surgery:  1996 Edition.  Benson LS, Waters PM, Kamil, NI, Simmons BP, Upton, J.  Camptodactyly: classification and results of non-operative treatment.  Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics.  Vol. 14, No. 6, 1994, 814-819.

Presentations:

Dr. Benson has presented over 40 scientific exhibits at national academic medicine meetings and has given more than 175 educational talks at local and national medical education audiences.