Mark S Cohen, MD

I don’t want to make a review too long but I have a lot to say about this AWESOME Doctor. I came to Dr. Cohen distraught. I had had 3 prior surgeries with a doctor that couldn’t fix my issue. He was very upfront and honest with me from the very beginning. He explained that my issue was something that he would work his hardest to try and correct. He performed surgery on my arm and walked me through the healing process. He fixed me!!! He was always available and he even got on me when I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to. Dr. Cohen really really is an amazing Doctor. His staff was excellent! I love love love Reena she is an amazing woman! There is really no words good enough for the care this staff provided for me! I can’t say thank you enough. If you are ever looking for an elbow or orthopedic specialist Dr. Cohen and his staff is the one. He is very straight forward but HE WILL get the job done. You will also get all the information needed regarding your process!!!

I realize Dr. Cohen is, apparently, a great high level surgeon. If that’s what you need, then fine, and if you are rich and famous then even better. However if you have a more mundane problem then you are better off avoiding him. Honestly I had a terrible experience. I realize he is probably doing great things for other people, and I don’t mean to downplay that. I just want to give fair warning to people who might have less interesting problems — it’s probably not going to be a good experience for you. You will see him for five minutes and he will dismiss you, in my case while I was still asking questions.

I cannot say enough great things about Dr Cohen and his team. I had elbow issues for years from working out with weights and it was always classified as tendonitis. Every doctor I saw said the same thing. Ice, rest, don’t do anything that hurts and you will be fine. Problem was — I was never fine. Then I had a mixed blessing of events that led to my introduction to Dr Cohen. I dove in a company softball game (I know, I take it way too serious) and tore my medial collateral ligament in my elbow. I was in San Francisco at the time in 2010 consulting so I went to UCSF to the best elbow surgeon they had. After an MRI I was told I could be in surgery next week to repair the damage with a «Tommy John» procedure and some cleanup that needed to be done. I’d be out of commission for a few months and if all went well hopefully I’d be able to lift weights again but most likely my elbow would never be the same. I received a similar opinion from a 2^nd surgeon in the area. This was very concerning since part of my income comes from fitness modeling and relies on my ability to stay in peak physical condition requiring me to workout with weights 5 – 6 days a week. None of these doctors seemed to understand that and didn’t seem to care or believe me when I said, «I need to be able to lift weights and stay in top shape.» Confused and upset at the prospect of surgery and the uncertainty of ever being able to lift weights again I looked for a third opinion from someone that works with top athletes and is used to getting people back in peak physical form ASAP and understands the need to return to top form. I couldn’t deal with a question mark in terms of my future.
Through another doctor I know in the Chicagoland area I got a recommendation for Dr Cohen. I made an appointment and flew into Chicago just for the appointment. Dr Cohen didn’t actually perform a procedure and ironically he didn’t really do anything except keep me out of the operating room. He urged me not to have surgery and instead rehab my injury. He insisted I’d be able to return to my previous lifting form.
I was skeptical but Dr Cohen has a very calming presence and his assistants do a great of job of communicating with you even over the phone to inspire confidence. I was put into a physical therapy program and although it was a long road back I’m happy to say that I’m lifting the same weights I was pre-​injury without surgery. Within one year of my injury I was back in top shape, lifting weights like normal, and I shot a full workout with Men’s Fitness — no problem. In doing nothing, Dr Cohen actually did so much. He could have easily taken a much more modern day and proactive approach that so many surgeons take today and rushed me into surgery where he could «fix» my problem but he didn’t. He profited far less from me as a patient by putting me into physical therapy because he knew that would provide me with the best benefit and he put my wants and needs far above his own which is what any great physician should do.
It’s hard to explain but Dr Cohen listens, understands, exhibits compassion for you and your situation, then instills complete confidence in you that he knows what is best for you and that it WILL work. And he does this in a short meeting that lasts only a few minutes. I was impressed that he is able to create a connection with a patient so quickly and do all of this in such a short amount of time, but I’m glad he does otherwise I might never have gotten in to see him. He is a model of effective time management and efficiency and I would HIGHLY recommend his services to anyone with an elbow injury. Go see Dr Cohen; you will not regret it.
I saw another post mention his short appointments as a negative but I have to disagree. He gets all the information he needs and only the information he needs. He provides you with everything you need to know and never rushes you allowing you to ask questions as well. If you want small talk or chitchat then get a friend. If you want the best medical care money can buy, go see Dr Cohen.

ok, so I’ll start by saying that I literally spoke with Dr. Cohen for only about 65 secs. that’s it. and I think that may be being generous. Hence only 3 stars. All the research, reviews, etc., that i read talked about what a great doctor he is, particularly for hand and wrist problems. However, if most appts are like mine, then i don’t know how anyone determines that he’s great. I’ve had wrist issues for years, and they started bothering me again about a month ago. made an appt with Dr Cohen (first time seeing him) — had some xrays taken and then I was brought into the exam room. A PA came in — she took a few measurements, said xrays look fine, you probably overworked it, but I’ll have the dr come in. Dr cohen came in, intro’d the intern he was with, said a few niceties, held my wrist and said «this doesn’t hurt does it? yep, probably just overworked.» ok, have a good one. huh? No further questions about my background and history of wrist issues? No further insight? Nothing as to why I’ve had wrist issues for years and why things that don’t bother most others seem to aggravate my wrist? No recommended actions, exercises, something that may aid and alleviate? I can’t give 1 star because that wouldn’t be fair sicne it was such a brief encounter, but definitely can’t give 4 or 5.

Dr. Cohen was the second orthopedic I went to. I liked that he tried conservative measures first before performing surgery. He is extremely intelligent and explained everything to me which made me go with Dr. Cohen. He is a very well known surgeon and I have no doubt the reason why. He is a true gem who actually listens to his patients. I haven’t had any problems since my surgery.