Overview
About the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery offers expert diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment for any injury or disease of the bones and joints, from simple fractures to complex tumors. Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.
Our surgeons perform more than 7,000 hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow, wrist and finger joint replacements per year – one of the highest volumes in the United States – for severe osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and other conditions. Cleveland Clinic orthopaedic specialists have pioneered innovative techniques and technologies that are now used worldwide for a range of orthopaedic problems including:
- Developing advanced techniques for fracture-healing
- Expanding the uses of arthroscopic surgery in the hip
- Building better artificial hip, knee, shoulder and ankle joints
- Creating improved orthotics to treat diabetic foot problems
- Tissue-engineering and biological enhancement to heal and repair cartilage and ligament
- Multidisciplinary approach to health problems linked to sports injuries
To make an appointment with any Orthopaedic specialist, please call 866.275.7496.
About the Department of Rheumatology
Cleveland Clinic's Department of Rheumatology is committed to providing state-of-the-art diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for adults and children with rheumatic and immunologic diseases. These diseases vary from the simple to complex and mild to life-threatening. They include bursitis/tendonitis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout and multiple other forms of arthritis, systemic lupus, vasculitis, fibromyalgia and others.
In every instance, there are opportunities to improve the quality of life and enhance longevity. Achieving disease control is almost always within our grasp, but cures are more elusive. That is why we are engaged in research that explores mechanisms of disease, innovative treatments and studies of outcomes that measure the success of new diagnostic tools and therapies.
It is critical that the physician thought-leaders in our Department pass on their knowledge to the next generation of doctors. Consequently, our efforts to provide excellent care are duplicated in state-of-the-art training for our students at the Lerner College of Medicine, residents, subspecialty fellows and our most advanced post-doctoral care trainees.
Mission Statement
The mission of Cleveland Clinic’s Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute is to provide world-class, compassionate care and service to all patients seeking bone, muscle and joint care. Our institute is also dedicated to the education and training of residents and fellows, as well as colleagues both within and outside of Cleveland Clinic. We are also devoted to the development of new knowledge and innovation through both basic science and clinical research activities.
Leadership
Thomas Mroz, MD
Chairman, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute at Cleveland Clinic
Director, Spine Research
Thomas E. Mroz, MD is the Chairman, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute at Cleveland Clinic and Director of Spine Research at Cleveland Clinic. He is a board-certified Spine Surgeon in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurological Surgery and the Center for Spine Health at Cleveland Clinic. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio. Thereafter, he completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. He then completed two spinal surgery fellowships, one at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the other in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. His focus of the second fellowship was minimally invasive spine surgery.
Dr. Mroz specializes in all aspects of spinal surgery, and has a dedicated interest in minimally invasive surgery and cervical (neck) spine surgery, including radiculopathy, myelopathy, stenosis, disc herniations, cervical disc replacement, revision cervical surgery, cervical infections, cervical tumors and cervical deformity.
He is very active in research, and has lectured nationally and internationally on minimally invasive surgery and cervical spine surgery. He has authored numerous research articles and textbook chapters, and serves as a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals. He is a member in good standing in the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He continues to have a very active role in the education of medical students, residents and fellows.
Abby Abelson, MD, FACR
Chair, Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases
Dr. Abby Goulder Abelson is a very familiar face within the Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University where she has served as the Co-Course Director since 2005. She is also a Physician Advisor to the students, the Rheumatology Elective Rotation Coordinator and a Basic Science Education Committee member.
Dr. Abelson is the Chair of the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic. She is also Vice Chairman for Education for the Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute, as well as Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director.
Dr. Abelson grew up in Shaker Heights, and received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Abelson completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, where she was chosen to be Chief Resident. She stayed within the Cleveland area, and completed her Rheumatology fellowship training locally at University Hospitals.
