After decades of leadership in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, Dr. Anthony A. Romeo has launched Romeo Orthopaedics, an independent specialty clinic focused on shoulder and elbow care. 

Located in Burr Ridge, Illinois, the new practice reflects Dr. Romeo’s long-standing commitment to delivering highly personalized orthopedic care while advancing innovation in shoulder and elbow surgery.

For patients across the Chicago region - from competitive athletes to adults dealing with chronic joint pain - the launch of Romeo Orthopaedics represents the return of one of the most respected names in orthopedic surgery to the local medical community.

A Chicago Career in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Dr. Anthony A. Romeo is widely recognized as one of the leading shoulder and elbow surgeons in the United States. Over the course of more than three decades, he has helped shape the field through clinical care, research, and surgical innovation.

Dr. Romeo’s career includes leadership roles in:

• Academic medicine
• Professional sports
• Orthopedic research 

He previously served as a professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where he trained numerous surgeons through the institution’s shoulder and elbow fellowship program.

Dr. Romeo has also worked closely with professional athletes throughout his career, including serving as a team physician for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls. His experience treating elite athletes has informed new surgical techniques and rehabilitation approaches that now benefit patients of all activity levels.

Today, Dr. Romeo has authored more than 450 peer-reviewed scientific publications, delivered hundreds of lectures worldwide, and contributed to multiple orthopedic textbooks. These contributions have advanced the understanding and treatment of complex shoulder and elbow injuries.

Returning to Independent Practice

The creation of Romeo Orthopaedics marks a purposeful evolution in Dr. Romeo’s career. After decades of distinguished service in major health systems and leading academic institutions, where he advanced shoulder and elbow surgery through research, education, medical device innovation, and high-volume complex care, he chose to return to an independent practice model designed entirely around patient-centered care.

In many large healthcare organizations, physicians face growing administrative pressures, rising patient volume, and financially driven standardized protocols that limit time for individualized patient attention. 

By founding Romeo Orthopaedics, Dr. Romeo created an environment free from those constraints, allowing him to focus more fully on individualized care, including evidence-based personalized treatment plans, shared decision-making, and optimal long-term outcomes for each patient.

For Dr. Romeo, independence offers an opportunity to design every aspect of the patient experience - from scheduling and communication to coordinated surgical care and recovery - all tailored to each patient's unique goals.

The result is a practice that emphasizes direct access to the surgeon, clear communication, and a highly coordinated care team. Referring physicians appreciate the collaboration, timely communication, and shared commitment to improving patients' quality of life. This model reflects Dr. Romeo’s enduring dedication to delivering the highest standard of orthopaedic care in a setting that truly puts the patient first. 

Launching Romeo Orthopaedics in Burr Ridge

Romeo Orthopaedics officially opened its doors in Burr Ridge, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. The practice focuses exclusively on shoulder, elbow, and sports-related injuries, allowing the team to develop deep expertise in these areas.

The clinic offers a range of services designed to streamline care for patients, including:

• Evaluation and treatment of shoulder and elbow injuries
• Care for arthritis, tendon injuries, and sports injuries
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays
• Medical equipment and brace fittings
• Telemedicine visits when appropriate

By concentrating on a narrow specialty, Romeo Orthopaedics aims to deliver highly specialized care while minimizing the fragmentation that patients often experience in larger health systems.

Dr. Romeo’s practice welcomes a wide range of patients - from elite athletes recovering from injuries to older adults dealing with degenerative shoulder conditions.

A Patient-First Approach to Orthopedic Care

At the center of Romeo Orthopaedics is a philosophy that places the patient experience at the forefront of every decision.

Patients often report frustration with modern healthcare systems, where short appointments and complex administrative processes make it difficult to feel heard. Dr. Romeo designed his practice specifically to address these concerns.

Key elements of the practice include:

• Direct access to the surgeon: Patients work closely with Dr. Romeo and his team throughout the diagnostic and treatment process.
• Shared decision-making: Treatment plans are developed collaboratively to ensure patients understand their options and expected outcomes.
• Coordinated care: From the first consultation through rehabilitation, the team works together to guide patients through every stage of recovery.

This model allows Dr. Romeo to focus on what he believes matters most: helping patients restore function, reduce pain, and return to the activities they love.

Expertise Built Through Research and Innovation

One of the defining aspects of Dr. Romeo’s career is his role as a researcher and innovator in orthopedic surgery.

Throughout his career, he has helped develop new surgical techniques, instruments, and implants used in shoulder and elbow procedures. His research continues to influence how orthopedic surgeons worldwide approach complex injuries and joint reconstruction.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Romeo remains deeply involved in orthopedic education. He serves as the Chief Medical Editor of Orthopedics Today and contributes to research focused on athlete health and injury prevention.

This ongoing engagement with research ensures that patients at Romeo Orthopaedics benefit from the latest advances in orthopedic science.

Serving the Chicago Community Again

For many patients in the Chicago region, Dr. Romeo’s return represents more than the opening of a new clinic - it marks the continuation of a long legacy of orthopedic leadership in the city.

Over the years, he has treated thousands of patients from across the Midwest and beyond, many of whom continue to seek his expertise for complex shoulder and elbow conditions.

With the opening of Romeo Orthopaedics, Dr. Romeo is once again able to focus his full attention on delivering specialized care to the community where much of his career began.

Patients in Chicago, the western suburbs, and surrounding regions now have access to a practice built around specialization, research-driven treatment, and personalized care.

Looking Ahead

The launch of Romeo Orthopaedics signals an exciting new chapter for Dr. Anthony A. Romeo and for patients seeking advanced orthopedic care in the Chicago area.

By combining decades of surgical experience with a modern, patient-centered practice model, Romeo Orthopaedics aims to provide an environment where patients receive thoughtful, specialized care for shoulder and elbow conditions.

As the practice grows, Dr. Romeo continues to pursue the same goal that has guided his career for more than thirty years: helping people move better, recover faster, and return to the activities that define their lives.

For patients seeking a Chicago shoulder and elbow specialist, Romeo Orthopaedics offers a focused approach to orthopedic care grounded in experience, innovation, and a commitment to patient outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Anthony A. Romeo and Romeo Orthopaedics

Who is Dr. Romeo?

Dr. Anthony A. Romeo is a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow, and sports medicine conditions. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has published hundreds of scientific papers and helped develop surgical techniques used by orthopedic surgeons worldwide.

He has also served as a team physician for professional sports organizations, including the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls.

Where is Romeo Orthopaedics located?

Romeo Orthopaedics is located in Burr Ridge, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. The practice provides specialized care for patients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area who need treatment for shoulder, elbow, and sports-related injuries.

What conditions does Dr. Romeo treat?

Dr. Romeo treats a wide range of shoulder and elbow conditions, including:

• Rotator cuff tears
• Shoulder arthritis
• Labral tears
• Shoulder instability
• Elbow ligament injuries
• Tendon ruptures
• Sports-related shoulder and elbow injuries

The practice focuses exclusively on shoulder and elbow disorders, allowing for highly specialized diagnosis and treatment.

Why did Dr. Romeo start an independent orthopedic practice?

After many years of working in academic medicine and large healthcare systems, Dr. Romeo chose to create an independent practice to prioritize personalized patient care and greater physician autonomy.

Independent practice allows him to design clinical workflows, communication systems, and treatment approaches that focus on patient outcomes, transparency, and shared decision-making.

What makes Romeo Orthopaedics different?

Romeo Orthopaedics is designed around a patient-first care model. Key features include:

• Direct access to the surgeon and care team
• Clear communication and shared decision-making
• Specialized focus on shoulder and elbow conditions
• Integrated diagnostic and treatment services
• Personalized treatment plans based on patient goals

This model allows patients to receive highly specialized orthopedic care in a focused clinical environment.

Who should see a shoulder and elbow specialist?

Patients should consider seeing a shoulder and elbow specialist if they experience:

• Persistent shoulder or elbow pain
• Limited range of motion
• Weakness when lifting or throwing
• Shoulder instability or repeated dislocations
• Difficulty performing daily activities due to joint pain

Early evaluation by a specialist can help determine whether treatment should include physical therapy, non-surgical care, or surgical intervention.