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Michael J. Polydefkis

Michael J. Polydefkis, MD

Neurology

Accepting New Patients

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Infant 0-2
  • Child 3-12
  • Adolescent 13-17
  • Young Adult 18-25
  • Adult 26-64
  • Older Adult 65+

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About Michael J. Polydefkis

Professional Titles

  • Director, Cutaneous Nerve Lab

Primary Academic Title

Professor of Neurology

Johns Hopkins Physician

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Background

Dr. Michael Polydefkis focuses on neuromuscular diseases, particularly peripheral nerve diseases. He has a special interest in diabetic and HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy. His expertise includes nerve conduction studies, electromyography and nerve, skin and muscle biopsy reading.

Dr. Michael Polydefkis received his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He then became a Howard Hughes Medical Institute research fellow before returning to Johns Hopkins to complete an internship and residency in internal medicine, residency in neurology and a fellowship in neuromuscular diseases.

Find a Clinical Trial

View all trials by this principal investigator.

Research Interests

Clinical trial design and biomarker development, Clinical trials in peripheral neuropathy, Developing treatments for nerve regeneration and neuroprotection in human subjects, Mechanisms of peripheral neuropathies

Honors

  • Junior Investigator Award in Diabetic Neuropathy, Peripheral Nerve Society
  • Clinician Scientist Award, Johns Hopkins University, USA
  • Resident Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins University, USA

Memberships

  • American Academy of Neurology
  • American Diabetes Association
  • American Neurological Association
  • Peripheral Nerve Society
  • Society for Neuroscience

Locations

  1. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurology, 2000
  • Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurology, 1998
  • Medical Education: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, 1993

Insurance

Search plans
  • Aetna
  • CareFirst
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Geisinger Health Plan
  • HealthSmart/Accel
  • Johns Hopkins Health Plans
  • MultiPlan
  • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
  • Point Comfort Underwriters
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5

72 ratings, 28 reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2026

    Best Provider I have had in 67 years

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2026

    The best of the best, that is John Hopkins

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/16/2026

    Excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/3/2026

    Does an excellent job and seems to really care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/20/2026

    This doctor is above amazing! We were able to share personal experiences that brought us together. He showed incredible insight, compassion, understanding.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/18/2026

    He's great

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/12/2026

    I love Dr Polydefkis. He is the recognized expert in his field without question, but he is a remarkable caring person as well. He is holistic which I find unusual in specialized areas. He very kindly tactfully caused me toConsider how my thinking and emotions might be impacting my health. I am acting accordingly, and am seeking some professional help. He is going above and beyond to see if I can be seen by a specialist in a tangential area which is a very long and hard to get. This has not been my experience in the MedStar system.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/29/2026

    Dr. Polydefkis is the miost caring doctor I have ever seen. I would highly recommend him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/15/2026

    Very patient and competent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/7/2026

    Dr. Polydefkis was professional, Very knowledgeable, and extremely nice.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/1/2026

    Dr Polydefkis is straightforward and reliable

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/24/2026

    By reputation and credentials Dr Polydefkis is renowned in a field of too few experts. Johns Hopkins is one of few centers of excellence in the country, so I was expecting an extraordinary doctor. Dr Polydefkis was certainly that, but in addition he is an extraordinary compassionate human being.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/4/2026

    Dr. Polydefkis was very thorough, remembered every detail during our lengthy appointment, repeated back to me most every concern I had and replied and answered them thoroughly and methodically. I was very impressed and felt he understood my complex case.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2026

    Outstanding Doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2026

    Very good experience

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/18/2026

    Very thorough education given about my condition

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/16/2026

    Great!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/10/2026

    Dr Polydefkis is a wonderful asset to Hopkins

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/12/2026

    Great!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/7/2026

    Dr. Polydefkis is the best doctor with whom I have ever received care, and he one of best human beings:

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/9/2025

    He was genuinely pleasant, clearly excellent in his field and answered my questions clearly and succinctly. We discussed my diagnosis and expectations completely.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/9/2025

    Excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/11/2025

    Michael Polydefkis always addresses all my questions. He's very professional and patient listening to me. I know I'm in good hands for my treatment for HATTR Amyloidosis.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/11/2025

    Love Dr Polydefkis and [staff]

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/5/2025

    Good doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/28/2025

    Outstanding

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/15/2025

    THIS WAS MY INITIAL VISIT WITH DR. POLYDEFKIS AND HE WAS EXTREMELY THOROUGH. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY DOCTORS AND IT WAS IMPRESSIVE THAT HE WOULD SPEND SO MUCH TIME WITH ME TRYING TO GET ALL OF THE INFORMATION HE NEEDED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT DR. POLYDEFKIS WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING MY CHRONIC PAIN/PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN LINGERING FOR MANY YEARS.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/2/2025

    Very thorough knowledgeable and exceedingly thoughtful.