Dr. Michael Lawson Swank
Minimally Invasive Hip + Knee Replacement Specialist
Dr. Michael Swank is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive, muscle-sparing, outpatient total hip and knee replacement surgery. He completed both medical school and residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, before going on to receive fellowships in Adult Reconstructive Surgery and Reconstructive Spinal Surgery.
Dr. Swank is a pioneer in minimally invasive, computer and robotic-assisted hip and knee surgery. He currently serves as President and Medical Director of the Cincinnati Orthopaedic Research Institute. He developed the MasterFit™ Knee and Rapid Restore™ clinical pathways, which emphasize muscle-sparing exposure, balanced ligament tensioning, and accelerated rehabilitation. In addition to his surgical practice, he has lectured internationally on minimally invasive techniques, computer-assisted surgery, and program development.
He has been recognized as a Health Care Hero for Innovation by the Cincinnati Business Courier, named a Top Doctor by Cincy Magazine for multiple years (most recently in 2025), and honored with a Healthcare Award from Venue Magazine. Newsweek, in partnership with Statista, ranked him among America’s Best Orthopedic Surgeons at #5 in Hip Replacement and #26 in Knee Replacement. He is the only U.S. surgeon to receive recognition in both categories.
Residency
Medical School Northwestern University Chicago, IL
B. S., English and Psychology Georgetown University Washington, D.C.
Honors College Preparatory Saint Xavier Cincinnati, OH
Residency
Northwestern University:
Department of Orthopedics
1987-1992
Fellowships
Spinal Reconstructive Surgery
Chester Sutterlin, M.D.
Florida Fellowship in Reconstructive Spinal Surgery
Gainesville, FL
1993-1994
Adult Reconstructive Surgery
Charles Engh, M.D.
Anderson Orthopaedic Institute
Arlington, Virginia
1992-1993
Private Practice
Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
500 E Business Way, Sharonville, OH 45241
2019 – Present
Reconstructive Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Inc.
8099 Cornell Rd.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
2009-2019
Freiberg Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine
Cincinnati, OH 45245
1994 – 2009
State Medical License
Ohio
Kentucky
Florida
Board Certified
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery: 1996
Recertification: 2005
Recertification: 2015
Recertification: 2025
Medical Associations
American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Medical Association
Professional Appointments
President and Medical Director of Cincinnati Orthopaedic Research Institute
Medical Director of Beacon Orthopaedics Ambulatory Surgery Center
Awards:
- Arthritis Foundation – Walk to Cure Arthritis Medical Honoree 2025
- Arthritis Foundation – Bone Bash Medical Honoree 2023
- Cincinnati Top Doctors 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025: www.cincinnatimagazine.com/topdocs
- Healthcare Award Winner by Venue Magazine
- Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2012
- Business Courier, Health Care Heroes: Innovator of the Year award winner 2008
- Top MD, Consumers Checkbook
- Best Clinical Poster CAOS International 2006 “Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery With Ligament Balancing Technique Using An Internal Tension meter Lowers Manipulation Rate in Total Knee Replacement” M. Swank, L.Korbee
Orthopaedic Research:
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