James Robert Ficke, MD
Orthopedic SurgeryFoot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgery
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
MaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About James Robert Ficke
Professional Titles
- Robert A. Robinson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Director, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Orthopaedist-in-Chief, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Colonel James Ficke, M.D., is Robert A. Robinson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also orthopaedist-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is nationally renowned as an expert on the treatment of complex foot and ankle patients, lower extremity trauma patients and amputees.
Dr. Ficke received his M.D. from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in 1987. He completed a transitional internship at Madigan Army Medical Center, and finished his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center. He also completed an AO fellowship in Trauma in Munich Germany, and a foot and ankle fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Ficke was chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the San Antonio Military Medical Center. He also served the U.S. Army Surgeon General as the senior advisor on policy and personnel for orthopaedics and extremity injuries for seven years.
During his deployment as deputy commander of clinical services at the 228th Combat Support Hospital in Mosul, Iraq, from 2004 to 2005, he was the senior orthopedic surgeon, treating more than 600 U.S. soldiers and Iraqi patients for war injuries.
Dr. Ficke has received numerous awards for his skills as a surgeon and educator, as well as two dozen military decorations and awards including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals. His service earned him the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons’ prestigious 2010 Colonel Brian Allgood Memorial Leadership Award, and The Surgeon General's 2010 Major General Lewis Aspey Mologne Award.
He has served as the co-chair of the Extremity War Injury Symposium sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons since 2005.
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Videos
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
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‘We play to win’: The strategy powering Johns Hopkins orthopedics | Becker's Spine Review (November 2025)
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Webinar: Seasonal Running and Injury Prevention | Johns Hopkins Medicine (October 2017)
Research Interests
Lower Extremity Trauma Outcomes, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Research Summary
Over the course of his career, Dr. Ficke has focused much of his research and practice on amputation and limb salvage, and the treatment of foot and ankle trauma and post-traumatic arthritis.
PubMed - Publications
Research Gate - Research Profile
Selected Publications
Genova RC, Box RL, Ficke JR. Accessibility, accountability, affordability: healthcare policy in orthopaedic trauma. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2017 Jun;10(2):258-264.PMID: 28417338
Khanuja HS, Naseer ZA, Jones LC, Ficke JR, Burney Iii DW. Implementation of TeamSTEPPS in Orthopaedic Surgery. Instr Course Lect. 2017 Feb 15;66:635-645. PMID: 28594533
Stinner DJ, Johnson AE, Pollak A, MacKenzie E, Ficke JR, Mabry RL, Czarnik J, Schmidt A. "Zero Preventable Deaths and Minimizing Disability"-The Challenge Set Forth by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. J Orthop Trauma. 2017 Apr;31(4):e110-e115. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000000806.
Stinner DJ, Wenke JC, Ficke JR, Gordon W, Toledano J, Carlini AR, Scharfstein DO, MacKenzie EJ, Bosse MJ, Hsu JR; Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC). Military and Civilian Collaboration: The Power of Numbers. Mil Med. 2017 Mar;182(S1):10-17. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00138.
Tintle SM, LeBrun C, Ficke JR, Potter BK. What Is New in Trauma-Related Amputations.J Orthop Trauma. 2016 Oct;30 Suppl 3:S16-S20. PMID: 27661421
Honors
- 2017 Baltimore Magazine Top Doctor
- COL Brian Allgood Award for Military Orthopaedic Leadership, 1/1/10
- MG Louis A. Mologne Award, US Army Surgeon General, 1/1/10
- Order of St Maurice - Legionaire #02018, 1/1/07
- Order of Military Medical Merit #6921, 1/1/04
- Outstanding Outside Faculty Educator, 1/1/03
- Outstanding Outside Faculty Educator, 1/1/01
- Outstanding Resident Educator, 1/1/94
Memberships
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons
- American Orthopaedic Association
- American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
- AO Alumni Association
- Orthopaedic Trauma Association
- Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
Professional Activities
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Board of Directors, 3/15/19
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Central Program Committee
- American Orthopaedic Association, Leadership Development Committee
Locations
- Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Suite 5009, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 410-614-1451
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Baylor University Medical Center, 2000
- Residency: Tripler Army Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1994
- Fellowship: Ludwig Maximilians University School of Medicine, 1993
- Medical Education: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, MD, 1987
Board Certifications
- Orthopaedic Surgery: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1996
Insurance
- 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
80 ratings, 28 reviewsThe 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.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/16/2026
Terrific. Clearly explained options and did a very thorough exam. Was great with teaching the fellow and 4th yr. Med Student.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/9/2026
Attentive, asked questions, provided excellent feedback & explanation of upcoming surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/18/2026
Always a true professional and listens to all my con and questions
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/16/2026
My doctor is a good provider and he tells me straight but I need to know about my problem and I appreciate the time that he takes to make sure that I understand everything before I leave the exam room because I'm a man that is slow and understanding
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/16/2026
I've been very happy with Dr. Ficke. He is very knowledgeable and does a great job of communicating.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/26/2026
Excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/12/2026
The kindkest most informative doctor I every went to
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/5/2026
Dr.Ficke was amazing and genuinely caring. He has the best bedside manner and also knows what he is doing. 10 out 10 great provider!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/5/2026
Very professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/22/2025
Outstanding care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/15/2025
My experience with Johns Hopkins in this provider was absolutely perfect. Before I even sat down I was called. My mother was with me she's in her 60s and she's never had such a great experience with everybody being friendly. I was doctoring for my issue for months and got no help and I came in here within 5 minutes that doctor gave me some hope. I just can't say enough good things.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/8/2025
Good doctor...long waiting times
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
Dr Ficke was very straight forward which I liked.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
Dr. Ficke is a model physician. He clearly thinks carefully about the best course of action, communicates it patiently, and includes all necessary details supporting his recommendation. I have yet to meet a physician (and specifically a surgeon) who instills this level of confidence.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
Dr Ficke is an amazing surgeon and my surgical results are fantastic.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/29/2025
Exceptional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/25/2025
I feel so blessed to be Dr. Ficke's patient. He is an incredible person and an amazing doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/25/2025
Dr Ficke is a concerned and professional provider. He made sure I understood the issue for which I saw him, and made sure I was connected with another surgeon that day for an unrelated problem.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/25/2025
Great job
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/18/2025
Excellent and efficient. Great bedside manner
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/28/2025
Dr. Ficke and his resident were very good and responded to my questions and concerns.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/24/2025
I feel I had the best possible surgeon for my complex problem. I think he kept my best interests in mind in the choices he made for reconstruction. I am most appreciative of his skill and experience.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/14/2025
Dr. Ficke listened to my description of my ankle problem and did a great job of describing his recommended course of action. Also, he was very tactful at addressing the need for me to lose a significant amount of weight to improve my chances for a successful recovery when he fuses my ankle.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/16/2025
Best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/2/2025
Dr Ficke is exceptional. He is simply world class, and I have referred numerous patients to him. I have nothing but respect and trust for / in Dr Ficke
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/2/2025
My provider performed a thorough assessment. He made a reasonable treatment plan.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/12/2025
Dr. Ficke is a very kind and knowledgeble provider who is genuinly interested in finding the best solution for me as a patient. He makes you feel very comfortable and takes time to listes to you.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/21/2025
Excellent