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Joseph Letzelter III, MD

Languages:
English, Spanish
Service: Bones, Joints, and Sports Medicine
Specialty/Profession:
Orthopaedic Surgery
Board Certifications:
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Eligible
Areas of Clinical Interest:
Upper Extremity Injuries, Congenital Hand Deformities, Neuromuscular Injuries (Spinal Cord Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Brachial Plexus Injuries), Nerve Injuries, Fractures
Education:
Undergraduate - Georgetown University (2008)
Medical School - Georgetown University (2012)
Internship - Georgetown University Hospital (2013)
Residency - Georgetown University Hospital (2017)
Fellowship - New York University Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship (2018); New Zealand Institute of Hand Surgery (2018); Shriners Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (2019)
Awards & Recognition:
String of Pearl Teach Award Nominee (2013, 2016)
Clinic Locations: Fairfax
Keystone Publications:

Letzelter J, Hill JB, Hacquebord J. An Overview of Skin Antiseptics Used in Orthopaedic Surgery Procedures.  Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2019 Aug 15;27(16):599-606.   (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30531238)

Goodwin D, Baecher N, Pitta M, Letzelter J, Marcel J, Argintar E. Driving after orthopedic surgery. Orthopedics. 2013 Jun;36(6):469-74.  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23746011)

Sherman T, Letzelter J, Ryan J, Schectel J, Postma W. Large Synovial Chondroma of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Prog Orthop Sci. 2016; 2(3): 23-29  (https://www.bibliomed.org/?mno=230897)

 
Service: Bones, Joints, and Sports Medicine
Where did you grow up?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Why did you become a doctor and why did you choose your specialty?
I chose to become a doctor because of the immediate impact I can make on the lives of patients as well as my love for being at the frontline of medicine. Orthopaedics combined my love for science and problem solving with the creativity of figuring out ways to make someone get back to activity.
How long have you practiced in the Washington, DC area and what do you like most about it?
I moved to DC for college when I was 18 and have called it home since. I love the fact that we live in an urban city but are surrounded by amazing outdoor activities at any time of the year.
What do you most enjoy doing outside of your clinical practice, when you’re not working?
I enjoy spending time with my family, running, reading novels, skiing, hiking, and exercising.
Describe your proudest accomplishment as a provider and/or in your personal life:
I get the most fulfillment from improving a patient’s life. Some of my most significant moments in medicine have been seeing my patients back after a procedure and seeing them be able to do something they weren’t able to do before.