Penn Medicine Provider
Orthopaedic Surgery
Charles L. Nelson, MD
4.8
(1141)
Accepting new patients
Sees patients age 12 and up
Penn Orthopaedics Pennsylvania Hospital - Cathcart Building
View 2 additional locations
Schedule onlineCall 800-789-7366

About me

  • Chief, Joint Replacement Service
  • 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.

Recognized in Philadelphia Magazine's annual Top Docs issues for 2002, 2020 and 2021

Recognized by Best Doctors in America - 2013 - 2018

Education and training

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

What my patients think about me

Average Rating
4.8

1146 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.

May 2025
5.0
5.0
awesome visit
May 2025
5.0
5.0
very attentive
May 2025
5.0
5.0
excellent doctor
May 2025
5.0
5.0
great experience

Insurance accepted

My Locations

Learn about location

Penn Orthopaedics Pennsylvania Hospital - Cathcart Building

Learn about location
Learn about location

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

My research

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