Craig J Finlayson

Craig J Finlayson, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, specializing in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery with primary focus on sports injuries in young athletes, particularly anterior cruciate ligament tears and arthroscopic surgery.

His educational background includes:

• MD from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2003)
• General Surgery Residency at University of Illinois at Chicago (2004)
• Orthopaedic Surgery Internship at University of Illinois at Chicago (2008)
• Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship at Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago (2009)
• Sports Medicine Fellowship at Children's Hospital, Boston (2010)

Dr. Finlayson's research centers on Sports Medicine and Pediatric Orthopedics, with emphasis on youth sports injuries, arthroscopic techniques, and quality improvement initiatives. His work addresses critical clinical challenges in pediatric sports medicine through evidence-based approaches.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong focus on multicenter studies and consensus guidelines for discoid lateral meniscus management and patellar dislocation in adolescents, highlighting collaborative research efforts to standardize care for young athletes.

His honors include:

• Asok Ray Academic Achievement Award, University of Illinois-Chicago (2008)
• Resident Leadership Forum, American Orthopaedic Association (2007)
• Martin Dale '53 Award, Princeton University (1996)
• Pyka Prize in Physics, Princeton University (1995)

Dr. Finlayson actively contributes to professional development through editorial roles (Guest Editor for Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine) and society leadership. He maintains clinical practice at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with expertise in pediatric orthopedic conditions.

He participates in key research consortia including the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society Meniscus Research Group and Patellofemoral Research Group, driving national collaborative studies on pediatric sports injuries.