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David J. Mitten, M.D.

David J. Mitten, M.D.

Orthopaedics & Physical Performance

5 out of 5 stars
UR Medicine Faculty The University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19 departments. URMFG is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Accountable Health Partner Accountable Health Partners (AHP) is a network of over 2,000 community and UR medical faculty and a dozen leading hospitals throughout the region. AHP offers a full range of care.
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About Me

I care for people of all ages who have conditions that affect the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. These include fractures and dislocations, tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, nerve and blood vessel injuries, and tumors. I manage common conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger f...
I care for people of all ages who have conditions that affect the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. These include fractures and dislocations, tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, nerve and blood vessel injuries, and tumors. I manage common conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger, as well as rare ones, such as congenital hand deformities.

Orthopedic surgeries require a high level of technical expertise and experience in managing challenging conditions. My patients may be infants with congenital malformations, older adults with incapacitating osteoarthritis, professional athletes with sports injuries, classical musicians with overuse syndromes, or workers injured in occupational accidents.

I work closely with patients to create a treatment plan that will lead to a quick recovery. Often, treatment simply consists of therapy, a cast or splint, or an injection. If surgery is required, I use the convenient and efficient Clinton Crossings Procedure Rooms for outpatient surgical procedures when possible. The Procedure Room team of nurses and technicians that assist me are experts in the care of patients undergoing outpatient procedures. I also work closely with our specially trained hand and upper extremity therapists in the Hand Rehabilitation program to direct your post-surgical care and to ensure a fast and successful recovery. When bracing is ordered, our hand therapists are prepared to fashion custom orthoses on site the same day as your appointment.

At the UR Medicine, we get to know our patients, so we can personalize our approach and tailor treatment to each individual. I try to impart to residents and fellows the importance of making a connection with patients. Listening to my patients helps me to better understand their needs and expectations.

Certified Specialties

Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA Medical Center. 1997 - 1999

Residency, Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center. 1993 - 1997

Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), University of Rochester Medical Center. 1992 - 1993

Education

MD | University of Rochester School of Medicine/Dentistry (USA). 1992

Awards

2017 Sherman Award for Excellence in Patient Engagement (for innovation in Healthcare). 2017

Meliora Award - PROMIS Team. 2016

AOA. 1992

Doctor of Medicine with Honor. 1992

Tau Beta Pi. 1988

Research

I perform hundreds of surgeries a year and am committed to research and education. I stay up to date on the latest advances in treatment through professional society membership. I have presented academic work at national conferences and have published numerous journal articles. My goal is to help pa...
I perform hundreds of surgeries a year and am committed to research and education. I stay up to date on the latest advances in treatment through professional society membership. I have presented academic work at national conferences and have published numerous journal articles. My goal is to help patients recover quickly and safely. I pride myself on ensuring that patients understand their condition and all treatment options, so they can make informed decisions. I aim to individualize care for my patients.

Publications

Journal Articles

The Cost of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Medicine

Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, MPH, Christopher Dasilva, BS, David Mitten, MD, Paul Rubery, MD & Michael Rotondo, MD.

New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst. 2018; .

Efficacy of PROMIS Pain Interference and Likert Pain Scores to Assess Physical Function.

St John MJ, Mitten D, Hammert WC

The Journal of hand surgery.. 2017 September 42 (9):705-710. Epub 07/12/2017.

Large-scale clinical implementation of PROMIS computer adaptive testing with direct incorporation into the electronic medical record

M. O. Papuga C. Dasilva A. McIntyre D. Mitten S. Kates J. F. Baumhauer.

Health Systems. 2017; 6(15): 1-13.

Google Glass as an Alternative to Standard Fluoroscopic Visualization for Percutaneous Fixation of Hand Fractures: A Pilot Study.

Chimenti PC, Mitten DJ

Plastic and reconstructive surgery.. 2015 August 136 (2):328-330. Epub 1900 01 01.

The effect of informed consent on results of a standard upper extremity intake questionnaire.

Buckley T, Mitten D, Elfar J

The Journal of hand surgery.. 2013 February 38 (2):366-71. Epub 01/03/2013.

Remodeling of murine intrasynovial tendon adhesions following injury: MMP and neotendon gene expression.

Loiselle AE, Bragdon GA, Jacobson JA, Hasslund S, Cortes ZE, Schwarz EM, Mitten DJ, Awad HA, O'Keefe RJ

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2009 June 27 (6):833-40. Epub 1900 01 01.

Adhesions in a murine flexor tendon graft model: autograft versus allograft reconstruction.

Hasslund S, Jacobson JA, Dadali T, Basile P, Ulrich-Vinther M, Søballe K, Schwarz EM, O'Keefe RJ, Mitten DJ, Awad HA

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2008 June 26 (6):824-33. Epub 1900 01 01.

Freeze-dried tendon allografts as tissue-engineering scaffolds for Gdf5 gene delivery.

Basile P, Dadali T, Jacobson J, Hasslund S, Ulrich-Vinther M, Søballe K, Nishio Y, Drissi MH, Langstein HN, Mitten DJ, O'Keefe RJ, Schwarz EM, Awad HA

Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy.. 2008 March 16 (3):466-73. Epub 01/08/2008.

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: is there a role for local corticosteroid injection?

Gooch CL, Mitten DJ

Neurology.. 2005 June 2864 (12):2006-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Cost of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Medicine

Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, MPH, Christopher Dasilva, BS, David Mitten, MD, Paul Rubery, MD & Michael Rotondo, MD.

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Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.9 stars

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

5.0 stars

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

5.0 stars

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

5.0 stars

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

5.0 stars

Patient Comments

Very knowledgeable

Jul 28, 2024

Excellent care

Jul 24, 2024

I love Dr. David Mitten. He is always concerned about me, treats me so well and explains things that you can understand. He has a great sense of humor too (love that)!

Jul 22, 2024

5.0 stars

Dr Mitten is the best. I'm so fortunate to have as one of my Drs

Jun 29, 2024

5.0 stars

Awesome doctor

Jun 24, 2024

5.0 stars

My experience was amazing!

Jun 22, 2024

4.2 stars

Provider did not take timw to go over test results

Jun 20, 2024

5.0 stars

I was very pleased with my provider. We need to wait 3 months to see how my hand feels.

Jun 16, 2024

5.0 stars

Dr. Mitten was very caring and concerned.

May 25, 2024

5.0 stars

Good

May 21, 2024

5.0

Excellent

May 18, 2024

5.0

Dr Mitten was wonderful and worth the wait to see him.

May 18, 2024

5.0

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Mitten! He was thorough in his examination of my hands, explained about carpel tunnel and the procedure fully and what I could expect. He was very personable and funny and treated me like we were long time friends.

May 14, 2024

5.0

Good

Apr 27, 2024

5.0

Superb.

Apr 22, 2024

5.0

Dr. Mitten is the Best

Apr 20, 2024

5.0

Dr. Mitten so easy to understand, so friendly, concerned [...]

Apr 19, 2024

5.0

Excellent

Mar 31, 2024

5.0

Dr Mitten is the best of the best!

Mar 24, 2024

5.0

He is the best! Well rounded individual who really cares and is also an excellent Surgeon

Mar 24, 2024

5.0

AgainI didn't really see the doctor He came in when I was leaving checked my finger, explained what the OA already told me Until it becomes a problem just wear a splintWas very easy to chat with

Mar 22, 2024

5.0

Dr Mitten took the time to discuss each of the three options, Including pros and cons, with me.

Feb 09, 2024

5.0

So thankful I was able to have this appointment.

Jan 29, 2024

5.0

I would recommend Dr. Mitten in a heartbeat [...]

Jan 24, 2024

5.0

Dr Mitten is a great doctor!

Jan 13, 2024

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an outstanding surgeon with an excellent bedside manner!!!

Jan 11, 2024

5.0

Dr. Mitten provide excellent, knowledgeable and compassionate care to resolve my medical problem.

Jan 02, 2024

5.0

A+ service!

Dec 26, 2023

5.0

Dr Mitten is not only a great doctor but also a caring compassionate one with a wonderful bedside manner. We need more doctors like him.

Dec 20, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is one of the best providers I've ever seen and I've already recommended my mother in law!

Dec 05, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten and his assistant were amazing. Probably the best medical professionals I have dealt with. Sorry they are specialists and not doctor/assistant I would see on a regular basis

Nov 17, 2023

5.0

Dr Mitten should teach a master class on how to engage and treat patients. He absolutely sets a standard of care and concern.

Nov 11, 2023

5.0

[...] He is one of the best surgeons I have ever worked with or had surgery with.

Nov 10, 2023

5.0

I have already recommended Dr Mitten to family and friends.

Oct 27, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten his assistant, Kristina were very thorough and listened intently to my concerns. I have a bleeding disorder that makes coordinating any care I receive from any specialists challenging. They were intent in listening to my concerns, had acceptable responses to the concerns I expressed and agreed to be in touch with my hematologist to coordinate care for my upcoming procedure. I feel very confident in their abilities.

Oct 15, 2023

5.0

Dr Mitten has been excellent with me throughout this experience with thumb surgery. It has been a slow recovery but Dr. Mitten has been incredibly supportive and my results are improving tremendously. I am very happy with the decision to have Dr. Mitten do this procedure.

Oct 14, 2023

5.0

Explained surgery and recovery in detail. Discussed all options and outcomes I easily understood terms

Oct 11, 2023

Dr. Mitten is very easy to talk to and takes the time to listen to my concerns

Oct 06, 2023

5.0

Overall good

Oct 05, 2023

5.0

The amount of time Dr. Mitten gave me and his thoroughness during the appointment was superior compared to another doctor I had seen previously for the same condition. I left the appointment with peace of mind and confidence that Dr. Mitten was the right and best doctor to do my surgery.

Sep 30, 2023

5.0

I am continually impressed and grateful for thr high level of skill, expertise and commitment shown to me as Dr Mitten's patient by Dr Mitten and his staff. I am deeply impressed by the level of collaboration that exists between Dr Mitten and the PA's and nurses in the practice. This makes for an effective and responsive treatment team. Despite how busy they are I always feel listened to and heard. And I am so impressed by the degree of careful attention and focus that they bring to each examination. I feel lucky to be a patient of this practice. Thank you Dr Mitten, Kristen. (Megan until she moved) and Kourtney! And all of the support staff.

Sep 20, 2023

5.0

LOVED Dr. Mitten!! One of the best experiences I've had. Patient, kind, he took the time to explain everything.

Sep 18, 2023

5.0

I have needed several surgeries on both hands over the past three years, Dr Mitten explains everything and makes sure any and all my questions are answered so that I understand every possible outcome before I leave

Sep 08, 2023

5.0

The provider showed concern and took interest in my well being, explained in detail about my issue and gave me great input into deciding how to treat my condition. He gave me a follow up appointment to make sure the issue was resolved. I would highly recommend this provider. Very helpful and respectful as well as personable and attentive.

Aug 30, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten spent significant time with me to assess the nerve pain I am experiencing post wrist surgery in Florida. He assessed past radiology reports, did an x-ray, and walked me through what he observed while doing an ultrasound on my hand and wrist. He listened to my concerns as well as explained the physiology. I was completely impressed with the time and attention he provided me on this visit.

Jul 15, 2023

5.0

Excellent.

Jul 13, 2023

5.0

I feel Dr. Mitten is a hands on surgeon which I trust in his work.

Jul 09, 2023

5.0

I have had 12 surgeries by Dr. Mitten and my husband [...] has had 3. I have very fortunate to have him as my hand surgeon and UR Medicine is also fortunate. That is my opinion.

Jul 08, 2023

5.0

Dr Mitten is absolutely fantastic, Dr Mitten is what a doctor should be. He cares and will take the time with his patients. I am very thankful that he is my doctor. I could not ask for any better because he is at the top!

Jun 24, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten and Kristen Swallow are the best hands down!

Jun 23, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an excellent doctor in all regards-knowledgeable and genial, a skilled surgeon and caring physician who takes all the time needed during my visits to ensure that my questions and concerns are addressed. I wish all my doctors were like him!

Jun 18, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is a wonderful doctor! He is very friendly and takes time to listen and talk with patients. He has an incredible positive attitude. I trust Dr. Mitten completely and feel very lucky to have him as one of my doctors.

Jun 16, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an amazing practitioner! He is an expert in his field. He cares about his patients and is concerned about them feeling better. I am very fortunate to have him as one of my physicians.

Jun 12, 2023

5.0

Both Dr. Mitten and Chief Resident David were very thorough and took time to explain what they were doing and to find out what was going of with my wrist.

Jun 11, 2023

5.0

Excellent care and treatment!

May 11, 2023

Dr Mitten has been my hand Dr for almost 20 years. A++. He's the best in the business.

May 05, 2023

5.0

The entire visit with Dr. Mitten & his staff was superb.

May 01, 2023

5.0

Excellent

Apr 30, 2023

5.0

I already recommended a friend to the doctor for a similar condition

Apr 27, 2023

5.0

Concerned and excellent communicator.

Apr 22, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an absolutely outstanding clinician in every way.

Apr 09, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten was an excellent communicator, he took time to get to know me, he wasn't rushed and he thoroughly explained everything including all options, including me in decisions.

Apr 07, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten has performed 10 hand surgeries on me and I am scheduled for number 11 on [...]. I have recommended him to family (my husband) and friends. As far as I am concerned he is the best and I trust him.

Mar 31, 2023

5.0

I appreciated Dr. Mitten's attentiveness, explanations and possible corrective actions. He also took the time I felt necessary for this appointment

Mar 18, 2023

5.0

Excellent care so far.

Feb 24, 2023

5.0

Excellent. Thoroughly explained problem to me, causes, spectrum of ways to address. Quickly and efficiently delivered the treatment I opted for.

Feb 24, 2023

5.0

I have never had a doctor that cared so much for his patients as did Dr. Mitten. He is an amazing doctor.

Feb 11, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an excellent doctor in every way.

Feb 04, 2023

5.0

Have already recommended Dr. Mitten.

Feb 01, 2023

5.0

100 % satisfied with Dr. Mitten. I have referred friends and my husband to Dr. Mitten for surgery.

Jan 27, 2023

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an awesome human being.....goes out of his way to take care of his patients!!!

Jan 05, 2023

5.0

A great Doctor and great staff that, believe are outstanding in practice of Medicine and the art of healing.

Dec 22, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten is AWESOME!

Dec 14, 2022

5.0

From first contact The doctor has been amazing

Dec 09, 2022

5.0

Not only did Dr. Mitten explain the situation to me he also explained it to my teenage son in a manner that he could understand. Exceptionally good communication

Oct 28, 2022

5.0

Dr Mitten understands that hands/fingers for a blind person are of the upmost necessity, he has been a great orthopedic surgeon for me. He understands all my other health issues while caring for my hands.

Oct 01, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten and his staff are caring and compassionate

Sep 23, 2022

5.0

Good

Sep 07, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten has been very caring, answered all my questions for me, very easy to understand, an outstanding hand surgeon and doctor and fixed my hand so I can use my hand again, so Thankful

Aug 27, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten & his staff are always very kind & helpful...it just takes some time to get an appointment.

Aug 26, 2022

5.0

Dr.Mitten was very personable as well as professional. Easy to talk to and to understand.

Aug 22, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten was as good as it gets he listened to me and looked at my exrays and came back in to follow up he was great

Aug 01, 2022

5.0

I was told by numerous people to see Dr. Mitten for my issue. I was forewarned that I might have to wait to see him, but that it would be worth the wait. So far, I am in complete agreement and glad that I waited to see him.

Jul 30, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten is an outstanding doctor in every way who genuinely cares about his patients. We are lucky to have him here. Don't lose him!!!

Jul 23, 2022

5.0

I have been a patient of Dr. Mitten for over 13 years. There is no better hand surgeon.

Jul 17, 2022

5.0

Dr Mitten is a wonderful dr

Jul 17, 2022

5.0

I am very pleased with Dr Mitten's care.

Jul 10, 2022

5.0

Dr Mitten is awesome took time listen and explained everything very nicely

Jun 12, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten was very kind and answered all my questions

Jun 10, 2022

5.0

I've always been concerned about being told I have to have surgery and when discussing hand surgery (or further hand surgery) with Dr. Mitten, he completely understands my concerns.

Apr 08, 2022

5.0

Dr. Mitten is outstanding in every way...a keeper! [...].

Apr 02, 2022

5.0

All meetings with Dr. Mitten and staff were very good.

Mar 27, 2022

5.0

Dr Mitten was very kind, respectful and made me feel at ease.

Feb 19, 2022

5.0

Listened, concerned, friendly wonderful experience.

Feb 02, 2022