Christopher Lee Forthman, MD| Shoulder And Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Hand Surgery | MedStar Health
About me
Dr. Forthman trained in orthopaedic surgery at Harvard and cultivated a great interest in surgery of the entire upper extremity. His specialties are; arthroscopic treatment of shoulder disorders (e.g. rotator cuff tears and instability), shoulder and elbow joint replacement, reverse shoulder replacement, complex fractures of the shoulder, elbow and wrist and reconstructive surgery.
In 2023, he was named a Top Doctor by Baltimore magazine."
Clinical areas of focus
- Club Hand Reconstruction
- Lateral Meniscus Injury
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Hand
- Tendonitis Of The Hand
- Wrist Instability Reconstruction
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acantholytic Disorders
- Acquired Absence Of Limb
- Acquired Finger Deformity
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Amputation Of Fingers
- Arm Fracture
- Arthropathy
- Benign Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage
- Benign Tumor
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bone Discontinuity
- Bone Disorders
- Bone Infection (OSTEOMYELITIS)
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Broken Collarbone
- Bursopathy
- Complications Of Reattachment And Amputation
- Congenital Malformations Of Limb
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities
- Crush Injury Of The Hand
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- Early Complications Of Trauma
- Elbow And Forearm Injury
- Elbow Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
- Finger And Hand Amputation
- Finger Injury
- Finger Sprains
- Finger, Hand, And Wrist Open Wound
- Flexor Tendon Rupture
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Forearm Blood Vessel Injury
- Forearm Fracture
- Forearm Tendon Injury
- Ganglion Cysts
- Gout
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Hand Infection
- Hand Joint And Ligament Sprain
- Joint Derangement
- Joint Derangement In The Hand
- Joint Disorder
- Lateral Meniscus Injury
- Limb Deformity
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Connective And Soft Tissue
- Muscle Disorders
- Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
- Olecranon Bursitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis Of First Carpometacarpal Joint
- Osteoarthritis Of The Finger
- Osteochondropathies
- Osteonecrosis
- Paralytic Syndrome
- Patella Dislocation
- Presence Of Functional Implants
- Radial Nerve Entrapment
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Hand
- Rheumatoid Arthritis With Rheumatoid Factor
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Blood Vessel Injury
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Muscle, Fascia, And Tendon Injury
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Tendon Injury
- Syndactyly
- Synovium And Tendon Disorder
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendinous Disorders
- Tendonitis Of The Hand
- Tendonitis Of The Shoulder
- Tennis Elbow
- Tenosynovitis Of The Wrist
- Thumb Arthritis
- Thumb Synovitis
- Toe Amputation
- Trigger Finger
- Wrist And Hand Amputation
- Wrist And Hand Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
- Wrist And Hand Tendon Injury
- Wrist Blood Vessel Injury
- Wrist Joint Dislocation
- Wrist, Hand, And Finger Crushing Injury
Procedures I perform
- Bone Graft
- Bursitis Treatment
- Calcific Tendonitis Treatment
- Carpal Bone Fracture Treatment
- Carpectomy Of All Bones Of Proximal Row
- Carpometacarpal Dislocation Treatment
- Cartilage Transplant
- Celiac Plexus Block
- Club Hand Reconstruction
- Detachment At Left Middle Finger
- Digital Neuroplasty
- Elbow Arthroscopy
- Elbow Dislocation Reduction
- Elbow Joint Replacement
- Elbow Ligament Repair
- Elbow Pain Treatment
- Elbow Replacement
- Extensor Tendon Grafting
- Extensor Tendon Sheath Incision
- Filleted Finger Or Toe Flap
- Finger Arthroscopy
- Finger Contracture Release
- Finger Nail Repair
- Finger Phalangeal Joint Fusion
- Finger Phalanx Excision
- Hand Drainage
- Hand Fracture External Fixation
- Hand Skin Excision
- Hand Subcutaneous Tissue And Fascia Drainage
- Hand Tendon Excision
- Hand Tendon Repair
- Hand Transplantation
- Internal Lengthening Nail
- Interphalangeal Joint Capsulectomy
- Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation Treatment
- Iontophoresis For Medication Delivery
- Joint Drainage
- Lateral Epicondyle Release
- Left Ulnar Artery Repair
- Medial Epicondyle Release
- Median Nerve Decompression
- Median Nerve Release
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplant
- Metacarpal Joint Arthrodesis
- Metacarpal Joint Replacement
- Metacarpophalangeal Dislocation Treatment
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty
- Minimally Invasive Hand Surgery
- Muscle Flap
- Nerve Graft
- Neuromuscular Reeducation For Muscle Control
- Neuroplasty
- Occupational Therapy Evaluation
- Opponensplasty
- Osteochondritis Dissecans Treatment
- Proximal Humerus Fracture Treatment
- Proximal Phalanx Osteotomy
- Radial Nerve Excision
- Radial Nerve Release
- Reconstructive Surgery Of The Hand
- Repair Left Hand Vein
- Right Ulnar Artery Repair
- Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment
- Scaphoid Fracture Treatment
- Short Arm Splint
- Skin Substitute Grafting
- Skin Transplant
- Soft Tissue Graft
- Surgical Repair Of Flexor Tendon
- Tendinitis Treatment
- Tendon Lengthening
- Tendon Sheath Drainage
- Tendon Transplantation
- Tenolysis
- Thumb Phalanx Reposition With Internal Fixation
- Tommy John Surgery
- Ulnar Nerve Release
- Ulnar Nerve Supplement
- Visian Icl
- Wrist Instability Reconstruction
- Wrist Instability Treatment
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
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Choice POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst EPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CIGNA EPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- TRICARE East Prime
- IH-EPO Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- TRICARE for Life East
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Sentara Health
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Choice POS II
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CareFirst NASCO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- IH-POS
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Medicare FFS
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-Network Only Plus
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- POS OA
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-PPO
- IH-Open POS II
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Student Resources
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna HMO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- IH-POS Plus
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Optimum Choice
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CIGNA PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- IH-Indemnity
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- UHC Passport
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- IH-Open HMO Option
- HighMark
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- IH-Open HMO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Navigate
- IH-HMO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- OA Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Network OA
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
Education
Board Certification:
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand Surgery
Fellowship: MedStar Union Memorial Hospital at Baltimore (2006)
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (2005)
Internship: Massachusetts General Hospital (2001)
Graduate: Baylor College of Medicine (2000)
Awards
- Top Doctor by Baltimore magazine: 2023, 2025