Roger Chams, MD

Dr. Roger Chams is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult and pediatric sports medicine, with a focus on knee and shoulder disorders. He completed a prestigious fellowship at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute, where he received specialized training in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery for complex knee and shoulder conditions and sports-related injuries. Following his fellowship, Dr. Chams introduced many of these advanced surgical techniques—previously unavailable—to the region.

Dr. Chams is the most experienced sports medicine physician at IBJI and one of the most accomplished orthopedic sports medicine surgeons in the country. He is the most experienced arthroscopic surgeon in the Chicago area, having performed over 40,000 minimally invasive knee and shoulder surgeries during his 25+ years in practice. His annual caseload includes more than 300 ACL reconstructions, 800 knee arthroscopies, and 900 shoulder arthroscopic procedures, including rotator cuff repairs and labral/instability procedures.

Respected and trusted by medical professionals, physical therapists, athletic trainers, coaches, and athletes alike, Dr. Chams is the leading referral choice throughout the area. He also has extensive experience with revision surgeries, independent medical evaluations (IMEs), workers’ compensation cases, and second opinions. An innovator in the field of arthroscopy, Dr. Chams serves as a physician consultant, working closely with industry partners and engineers to develop new surgical technologies.

He is especially committed to joint preservation and is among a select group of physicians in the Midwest offering cutting-edge treatments such as articular cartilage restoration/cloning, meniscal transplantation, ACL repair with BEAR technique, advanced ACL revision surgery, shoulder cartilage/bone augmentation, and orthobiologic-assisted rotator cuff repair. He also brings advanced expertise in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and is at the forefront of cartilage transplantation techniques.

Dr. Chams performs all surgical procedures himself—without the use of residents or fellows—and ensures that every arthroscopic surgery is digitally recorded for patient and physical therapist use, enhancing education and rehabilitation. He offers patients the most advanced surgical and non-surgical treatment options, collaborating closely with patients and their advocates to support informed, individualized decision-making.

With decades of experience treating professional, NCAA, and amateur athletes, Dr. Chams also serves the unique needs of the “industrial athlete” through his work in workers' compensation. He is the longstanding team physician for Lake Forest College and numerous area high schools, including Lake Forest, Libertyville, Carmel, Warren Township, Vernon Hills, Grayslake Central, Lakes, and several club sports organizations.

Dr. Chams has served as team physician for the U.S. Soccer Federation Men’s and Women’s National Teams, accompanying them on multiple international trips. From 2014 to 2023, he was the medical director and head team physician for the Chicago Stars FC (formerly Red Stars) of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), where he treated some of the world’s most elite athletes.

As a respected educator and thought leader, Dr. Chams has presented at national conferences, published numerous journal articles and instructional videos, and authored a textbook chapter on advanced shoulder arthroscopy. He serves as a faculty fellow for the Arthroscopic Association of North America (AANA) and is an active member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He regularly teaches the latest surgical techniques to physicians, residents, fellows, physical therapists, and athletic trainers, including at the AANA Academy Learning Center.

Dr. Chams has been honored with multiple accolades, including:

• Top Tier MD
• Chicago’s Top Doctor
• Patient’s Choice Award (American Registry)
• Outstanding Knee Surgeon (Becker’s Orthopedic Review)
• America’s Top Orthopedists (Consumer Research Council of America – annually for 20 years)

He has built an exceptional care team including certified athletic trainers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, an orthopedic surgical assistant, and experienced medical assistants. Dr. Chams strongly values collaboration and open communication between the surgeon, physical therapist, athletic trainer, coaches, and family to ensure optimal outcomes for every patient.

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“Previous to having surgery done by Dr. Chams, I had two others by another surgeon. For years I experienced pain and instability. My previous surgeon was not listening to concerns after my second surgery. Dr. Chams not only listened but fit me into his schedule as soon as possible. He repaired my labrum about a year ago. My labrum was so destroyed from my first two shoulder surgeries that he had to basically recreate it from shreds. For the last year I have been working with Dr. Chams and a physical therapist near my college to strengthen my shoulder. After previous surgeries, I felt instability after just a month or two, but with this one I feel confident to use my shoulder and I feel hopeful for the things I am still working toward. I am so grateful for Dr. Chams and his team. They corrected the work of a previous surgeon and made a ligament from shreds.” – Abigail H.

“He is the most caring, concerned and best in the field of Orthopedic doctors.”

“I trust Dr. Chams. It’s really great to know a Doctor that truly cares about his surgeries and making sure people can get back to the best possible life.”

“Chams is the best. Always makes me feel important.”

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