Charles L. Nelson, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery
Accepting new patients
Sees patients age 12 and up
Penn Orthopaedics University City - 8th Floor
View 2 additional locations
Schedule onlineCall 800-789-7366
Headshot of Charles L. Nelson, MD
Penn Medicine Provider

About me

  • Chief, Joint Replacement Service
  • President, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Nelson specializes in adult reconstructive surgery of the hip and knee, including joint preservation, minimally invasive hip and knee replacement, and complex revision surgery.

My education and training

  • Medical School: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  • Residency: University of Pennsylvania Health System
  • Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery

Watch video featuring Charles L. Nelson, MD on YouTube

Spoken languages

English
English

Reviews

Average Rating

1658 reviews

Comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Penn Medicine.

Anonymous
May 2026
i felt very comfortable and secure about my care
Anonymous
May 2026
excellent bedside manners and the dr was very compassionate
Anonymous
May 2026
visit is nice. i keep myself occupied while waiting.
Anonymous
May 2026
dr. nelson is a top doctor!!

Insurance accepted

Please contact the practice and/or the member services department of your insurance company for specific details before receiving services. Providers may participate in some, but not all, products offered by a health plan; providers may also accept plans at some practice locations but not others.

Locations

Penn Medicine hospital privileges

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
  • Pennsylvania Hospital: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
  • Penn Presbyterian Medical Center: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
Dr. Nelson is a Penn Medicine physician.

Qualifications and experience

Treatments and Conditions

Research

Publications

Nelson C. Periprosthetic Fractures of the Femur Following Hip Arthroplasty , American Journal of Orthopedics, 31: 2002,221-223

Nelson C. Cemented Femoral Revision, Technique and Outcome , American Journal of Orthopedics, 31: 2002,187-189

Konkle B., Nelson C., Forsyth A. and Hume E. Approaches to Successful Total Knee Arthroplasty in Hemophilia A Patients with Inhibitors , Hematology, 8(5): 2002,706-10

Nelson C. Cemented Cup Revision , American Journal of Orthopedics, 31: 2002

Lonner J., Battish R., Nelson C., Lotke P. Efficacy of Mail Surveys for Follow-Up of Total Knee Patients , Journal of Arthoplasty: 2001,267

Nelson C. Management of Severe Acetabular Bone Loss During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Role of Acetabular Reconstruction Cages , Seminars in Arthroplasty, Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty, 12(1): 2001,90-69

Nelson C. Primary and Delayed Exchange for Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty , American Journal of Knee Surgery, 14(1): 2001,60-64

Nelson C., Windsor R. Patella Fractures in Total Knee Arthroplasty , Complications, Pitfalls, and Salvage in Knee Surgery: 2001,413-419

Nelson C., Fitzgerald R. Correction of Arthritic Deformities of the Hip , Arthritis and Allied Conditions: 2001,1044-1060