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Sami H. Tuffaha

Sami H. Tuffaha, MD

Plastic Surgery

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking

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 Sami H. Tuffaha

Professional Titles

  • Director, Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Johns Hopkins Physician

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Background

Dr. Sami Tuffaha is an Associate Professor in Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Tuffaha completed his residency training in the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland Plastic and Reconstructive Training Program. He then completed additional fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity surgery at the Mayo Clinic, with an emphasis on Microsurgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery.

Dr. Tuffaha has expertise in treating hand and wrist trauma, arthritis, vascular disorders, and tendon injuries. He has a particular interest and expertise in disorders affecting the peripheral nerves. He has helped establish a multidisciplinary peripheral nerve center at Johns Hopkins that seamlessly integrates many experts from the departments of plastic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurology, pain medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. He also has a special interest in surgery to improve extremity function in patients with paralysis and spasticity arising from spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, stroke and other disorders affecting the central nervous system.

Dr. Tuffaha also leads a complimentary basic, translational and clinical research program aimed at developing strategies to enhance nerve regeneration and advance the care of patients with peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries. These efforts include an ongoing clinical trial assessing the efficacy of therapeutic and diagnostic agents stemming from work he performed in the lab.

His work has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards and honors including the J. Leonard Goldner Pioneer Research Award and Gelberman Scholar Award from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the Johns Hopkins Discovery Award. He has co-chaired the annual meetings of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve and the American Association for Hand Surgery. 

Centers and Institutes

Peripheral Nerve Surgery Center

Find a Clinical Trial

View all trials by this principal investigator.

Recent News Articles and Media Coverage

  • "This is really weird. Who wakes up and their hand doesn’t work?" Washington Post (Sept. 3, 2022)

Research Interests

Developing novel therapies to enhance functional recovery from nerve injuries, Peripheral nerve regeneration, Treatment and prevention of symptomatic neuromas.

Selected Publications

  • Tuffaha S, Budihardjo J, Sarhane K, Khusheim, M, Song D, Broyles J, Salvatori R, Means K, Higgins J, Shores J, Cooney D, Hoke A, Lee WPA, Brandacher G. Growth hormone therapy accelerates axonal regeneration, promotes motor reinnervation, and reduces muscle atrophy following peripheral nerve injury. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jun;137(6):1771-80.

  • Orlando N, Azad C, Qiu C, Focas M, Lubelski D, Belzberg A, Tuffaha S. Supinator to Anterior Interosseous Nerve Transfer to Restore Digital Flexion after Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerve Injury. J Hand Surg Am. 2024 Oct;49(10):992-999

  • Calotta N, Hanwright P, Giladi A, Tuffaha S. Vascularized, Denervated Muscle Targets for Treatment of Symptomatic Neuromas in the Upper Extremity: Description of Operative Technique. Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.  2021 Nov 24. doi: 10.1097

  • Hanwright P, Qiu C, Rath J, von Guionneau N, Malapati H, Hoke A, Mao HQ, Tuffaha S. IGF-1 nanoparticles to ameliorate the effects of chronic denervation and improve functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Biomaterials. 2021 Nov 12:121244. doi: 10.1016

  • Sarhane S, Slavin B, Hricz N, Malapati H, Guo Y, Grzelak M, Chang I, Shappell H, von Guionneau N, Wong A, Mi R, Hoke A, Tuffaha S. Defining the Relative Impact of Muscle versus Schwann Cell Denervation on Functional Recovery after Delayed Nerve Repair. Exp Neurol. 2021 May;339:113650

Honors

  • J. Leonard Goldner Pioneer Research Award, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (2016)
  • Adrian Flatt Basic Science Research Award, American Federation for Surgery of the Hand (2016)
  • Discovery Award, Johns Hopkins University (2018)
  • Dr. Chi-Tsung Su, M.D., Memorial Research Award, Johns Hopkins Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2018)
  • Scholarly Concentrations Excellence in Mentoring Award, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2020)
  • Discovery Award, Johns Hopkins University (2020)
  • Cohen Translational Engineering Award (2021)
  • Gelberman Scholar Award, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (2022)
  • ASPN Travelling Fellowship, American Society for Peripheral Nerve (2022)

Memberships

  • American Association for Hand Surgery, Program Co-Chair (2020 Annual Meeting)
  • American Society for Peripheral Nerve, Program Co-Chair (2023 Annual Meeting)
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • Plastic Surgery Research Council
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Locations

  1. Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Hand Surgery, 2019
  • Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Medical Education: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, MD, 2011

Board Certifications

  • Plastic Surgery: American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2020

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

4.7 out of 5

59 ratings, 25 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.

Overall Rating by Patient
Provider Listened Carefully
Provider Explained Things Clearly
Provider Knew Medical History
Provider Showed Respect
Provider Spent Enough Time
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/25/2026

    Awesome

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/11/2026

    Dr. Tuffaha is a world expert in nerve transfer surgery, and I feel very fortunate that he agreed to take on my case after my left axillary nerve was damaged from previous reverse shoulder replacement surgery. I feel like his nerve transfer brought life back into my arm! I can now do most of the important functions that I couldn't do after my axillary nerve was damaged.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/25/2026

    Listened well & encouraging

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/25/2026

    I am extremely grateful to have Dr Tuffaha fix the nerve problem in my left leg. I have been in pain for more than two years- and he fixed it.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/11/2026

    Very knowledgable and professional

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/28/2026

    I'm a new patient. Johns Hopkins has given me hope!!!! I've had numerous opinions. Everyone said no. There's nothing that can be done and dr tuffaha has said YES, there is hope!!!! God I'm so grateful. To our lord and to you guys!!! I can go on and on. Thank you guys!!!!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/14/2026

    He is the best provider and spends most time with patients and advises the best for patient.

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

    Dr. Tuffaha is great and really helped reduce my pain. He's very knowledgeable and adept at passing on that knowledge.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/17/2025

    Great physician!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/3/2025

    Dr. Tuffaha was very thorough during my visit. He listened and asked questions. Suggested an alternate treatment plan and made arrangements for additional test and follow up visit with a colleague. I was very pleased.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/3/2025

    I am so grateful for Dr. Tuffaha's surgery on my damaged left arm axillary nerve, both the scar decompression and the nerve transfer. He is extremely skilled in this cutting-edge complex surgery that demands precision. Hopefully he knows how much patients like me appreciate him and all the work that went into making him the world-class surgeon that he is.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/12/2025

    I highly recommend Dr. Tuffaha, he Is very professional and a very good doctor

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

    Appreciated being seen by Dr Tuffaha.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/22/2025

    Always listens to what I have to say

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

    Pleasant and knowledgeable

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/17/2025

    Dr.Tuffaha and Johns Hopkins occupational therapist, [staff], saved my wrist and hand from an accident and previous surgery by another provider, which was inadequate.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/17/2025

    He toughed out a twelve hour surgery and did everything he could do.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/3/2025

    I have total trust in Dr Tuffaha. He listens, takes excellent care, is a fantastic surgeon, friendly and helpful. Just a wonderful professional

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/27/2025

    Very motivating to talk to really help changed my mood!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/13/2025

    This is my second surgery with provider, I was able to walk because of providers surgery to my leg in 2024The recent surgery boosted my confidence that I can use my left hand effectively soon.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/9/2025

    As a result of Dr Tuffaha's help , I regained function in my foot and calf after an accident caused nerve damage. His work has improved my function and my independence and made my life better. I came from Canada where there was no plan in place for me. He was outstanding right from the start . My walking has improved , my balance has improved and the results of his surgery has given me confidence to continue to work as a front line police officer .

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/9/2025

    I feel very lucky Dr. Tuffaha performed end-to-side nerve transfer and scar decompression to address my left axillary nerve, damaged from a reverse total shoulder replacement. He is an excellent surgeon and, as I wait hopefully for the nerve transfer to kick in, my left arm already Is better just from the scar decompression. I am so thankful to Dr. Tuffaha for the improvement and hope his skill and surgery has given me!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/18/2025

    He was outstanding. Wish I could have seen him sooner

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/11/2025

    Dr. Sami is a great doctor. He and his team have helped me a lot. I would recommend him 100 percent.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/30/2025

    I'm so grateful John Hopkins has Dr. Tuffaha !