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Asif Ilyas

Asif Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS

Academic Chair of Orthopedic Surgery; Associate Dean of Clinical Research; Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics


Department: Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatrics

Education

  • BS in Biology - Wilkes University (1997)
  • MD - Drexel University College of Medicine (2001)
  • MBA - Brown University (2020)

Awards & Honors

  • Orthopedic Surgery Research All‑Star, Avant-Garde Health (2025)
  • Distinguished Service Award, Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society (2024)
  • Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society Best Paper Award (2021)
  • Orthopedics Blue Ribbon Awards (2020, 2021)
  • John J. Gartland Award, Jefferson University (2019)
  • Sumner L. Koch Award, Chicago Society for Surgery of Hand (2019)

Memberships / Professional Affiliations

  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Orthopaedic Association
  • American Orthopaedic Association – Emerging Leaders Program
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • American Association for Hand Surgery, Member, Board of Directors, January 2024-December 2025
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Association
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • AO North America
  • MGH Hand Club
  • Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society
  • Journal of Hand & Microsurgery, Member of Editorial Board

Asif Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS, is a practicing orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, upper extremity, and orthopedic trauma surgery as a member of the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Bryn Mawr Hospital.

  • Named "Top Doctor" by Philadelphia magazine (2024)

Internships

  • General Surgery - Temple University Hospital (2002)

Residencies

  • Orthopedic Surgery - Temple University Hospital (2006)

Fellowships

  • Hand, Upper Extremity and Microsurgery - Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital (2007)

Affiliated Hospitals

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

Asif M. Ilyas, MD ’01, MBA, FACS, is professor of orthopedic surgery and pediatrics, associate dean of clinical research, and the academic chair of orthopedic surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine. 

After earning his medical degree from Drexel in 2001, Dr. Ilyas completed residency training in general and orthopedic surgery at Temple University, followed by a fellowship in hand, upper extremity and microsurgery at Harvard. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Drexel and practices at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute. He also serves as president of the Rothman Opioid Foundation and is a past president of the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society. 

In his capacity as associate dean of clinical research, Dr. Ilyas is charged with growing clinical research at the College of Medicine, especially among our regional campuses and clinical affiliates. He will be focused on improving MD student access to research opportunities, increasing faculty engagement with clinical research, and driving presentations and publications. The overall mission of his role is to grow the reputation of the College’s clinical research efforts on the regional and national stage.

In his capacity as the academic chair of orthopedic surgery, Dr. Ilyas is committed to carrying the tradition of orthopedic excellence while advancing the education of Drexel’s medical students in their musculoskeletal training and research. 

Beyond his clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Ilyas also serves as the consulting hand surgeon for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76ers and assists in supporting the care of student athletes at Drexel University.

Research

A prolific researcher, Dr. Ilyas has over 250 peer-reviewed publications in academic journals and authored or co-authored over 20 book chapters. He also serves as the editor of the two-volume text, titled Contemporary Surgical Management of Fractures & Complications. He is a sought-after speaker on orthopedic injuries, pain management, and wide-awake hand surgery.

Dr. Ilyas holds numerous editorial positions and reviews for several prestigious journals. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Hand & Microsurgery as well as HAND. Dr. Ilyas also is the founder of SurgiColl, an open access journal dedicated to advancing the surgical specialties. 

In the Media

“Medical Cannabis Reduces Pain and Opioid Pill Use, Preserves Cognition, Study Reveals”
mychesco (May 22, 2025)

“Philadelphia’s Silent Crisis: The Alarming Rise of ‘Tranq’ Wounds and the Fight to Save Lives”
My ChesCo (February 19, 2025)

“HMN 2025: What are the challenges in treating ‘tranq’ wounds amid Philadelphia’s Xylazine disaster”
Health Medicine Network (February 18, 2025)

“Xylazine: the latest drug to join the opioid crisis”
WPHL-TV (PHL-17) (December 10, 2024)

“Xylazine is a new threat that demands swift action using lessons from the past | Opinion”
Penn Live (October 7, 2024)

Additional articles...

“Study Reveals Simple Video Can Cut Opioid Use After Knee Surgery”
MyChesCo (July 18, 2024)

“Medical Cannabis Gains Ground as Alternative for Chronic Pain Relief”
MyChesCo (July 18, 2024)

“Drexel University College of Medicine Faculty Named Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors™ for 2024”
(April 22, 2024)

“This is a call to action to address the danger of leftover opioids in too many homes | Opinion”
Penn Live (April 20, 2024)

“Asif Ilyas: An unrecognized source of the opioid crisis”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (October 20, 2023)

"Dr. Asif Ilyas: Education needed for opioid prescribing in Appalachia"
TribLive (July 24, 2023)

Asif Ilyas, MD, associate dean of clinical research at the College of Medicine, wrote an April 30 Triblive letter to the editor about Pittsburgh grappling with a surge in overdoses related to the misuse of xylazine, a veterinary sedative.

The $1 billion settlement is important, but the opioid addiction crisis continues | Opinion
PennLive, March 1, 2022

"This new law on opioid prescribing will save lives | Opinion"
Penn Live, November 6, 2018

"Sixer’s Shake Milton out after undergoing surgery on hand fractured"
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 12, 2019

"Sixer’s Covington undergoes successful surgery on damaged tendon in hand"
Philly Voice, May 17, 2018

"Here’s something that curbs opioid use: Pre-Surgical counseling"
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 31, 2017

"Going Under the Knife, With Eyes and Ears Wide Open"
New York Times, March 25, 2017

"Volunteering: One Surgeon’s Dedication and Enthusiasm"
Orthopedics This Week, January 26, 2017

Publications

Rasmussen ST, Shaik K, Dong K, Demetriou Z, Fillingham YA, Ilyas AM. Impact of Preexisting Dementia on Mortality, Readmissions, and Complications After Surgical Repair of Hip Fractures: A Cohort Analysis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2026 Jul 31;10(8):e26.00177. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-26-00177. PMID: 42554723; PMCID: PMC13395499.

Syed AZ, Shamith S, Kellish A, Mahmoud Y, Ilyas AM. Effect of Comorbidities on Short-Term Postoperative Complications Following total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A TriNetX Study. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2026 Jul 1;10(7):e25.00113. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00113. PMID: 42430791; PMCID: PMC13313638.

Sun C, Tecce ER, Dong K, Giakas AM, Ryan W, Ilyas AM. Understanding One-year Mortality Rates and Comorbidity Burden in Older Adults Following Hip Fracture. Orthopedics. 2026 Jul 8:1-9. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20260608-01. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42412073.

Sun C, Campbell H, Demetriou Z, Castro A, Jones CM, Ilyas AM. Epidemiology, Treatment Patterns, and Comorbidities of Trigger Finger: A Contemporary Population-Based Analysis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2026 Aug 1;34(15):e2148-e2153. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-26-00223. Epub 2026 Apr 27. PMID: 42357875.

Kothari SK, Nemirov D, Shamith S, Kothari NK, Ilyas AM. The Open Versus Closed Access Publication Advantage in Orthopaedic Surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2026 May 13. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-25-00915. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42133992.

Dong K, Davis DE, Ilyas AM. The impact of nicotine dependence on postoperative complications following humeral shaft fracture repair. JSES Rev Rep Tech. 2026 Mar 23;6(3):100732. doi: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2026.100732. PMID: 42064268; PMCID: PMC13126484.

Li T, Pirzada WU, Syed A, Shamith S, Dong K, Ilyas AM, Bishop M. Fracture incidence in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A retrospective cohort analysis. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2026 Apr 9;77:103433. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2026.103433. PMID: 42058776; PMCID: PMC13122238.

Ponna AK, Giakas A, Khoudary AA, Uggla SN, Ramtin S, Soliman YA, Ilyas AM. Increasing Utilization Trends of Robotic Assistance in Orthopaedic Surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2026 Mar 27;10(4):e26.00028. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-26-00028. PMID: 41945716; PMCID: PMC13034973.

Ponna AK, Giakas A, Khoudary AA, Uggla SN, Ramtin S, Soliman YA, Ilyas AM. Increasing Utilization Trends of Robotic Assistance in Orthopaedic Surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2026 Mar 27;10(4):e26.00028. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-26-00028. PMID: 41945716; PMCID: PMC13034973.

Soliman Y, Giakas A, Ramtin S, Ilyas AM. Understanding early reoperation rates following thumb basal joint arthroplasty. J Hand Microsurg. 2025 Dec 24;18(2):100402. doi: 10.1016/j.jham.2025.100402. PMID: 41550119; PMCID: PMC12804017.

Reinoso T, Rowe E, Kirby D, Ramtin S, Ilyas AM. Changing trends in peripheral nerve repair: A two-decade TriNetX analysis of grafting techniques and the ascendancy of allografts. J Hand Microsurg. 2025 Dec 6;18(1):100395. doi: 10.1016/j.jham.2025.100395. PMID: 41480576; PMCID: PMC12754199.

Rasmussen ST, Ilyas AM. Glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist use is not associated with increased reoperation risk following rotator cuff repair. J Orthop. 2025 Aug 7;70:235-240. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2025.08.016. PMID: 40895356; PMCID: PMC12391505.

Ramtin S, Ilyas AM. Clinical Outcomes Following Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release With the Arthrex NanoScopic Release System-A Single Surgeon Experience. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2025 Aug 13;7(5):100780. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2025.100780. PMID: 40837491; PMCID: PMC12362099.

Connors G, Rasmussen S, Mahmoud Y, Kellish A, Ilyas AM. Changing Demographic and Treatment Trends of Proximal Humerus Fractures: A TriNetX Analysis of 74,781 Patients. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2025 Aug 18;9(8):e24.00356. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00356. PMID: 40824696; PMCID: PMC12363446.

Cha RC, Chung JS, Ramtin S, Ilyas AM. Determining Risk Factors and Rate of Surgery After Collagenase Injections for Dupuytren Contracture. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2025 Jun 30;7(5):100768. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2025.100768. PMID: 40688815; PMCID: PMC12271883.

Mahmoud Y, Ramtin S, Quindlen CE, Chung J, Kellish AS, Ilyas AM, Davis DE. The role of medical comorbidities in rotator cuff retear after arthroscopic repair: a TriNetX database review of 98,844 patients. JSES Int. 2025 Jan 6;9(3):678-682. doi: 10.1016/j.jseint.2024.11.024. PMID: 40486784; PMCID: PMC12145033.

Pirzada WU, Shamith S, Le T, Thomas TL, Ramtin S, Ilyas AM. Application and Analysis of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Opioid Prescription Protocol in Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty Patients. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2025 May 15;33(10):e583-e592. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-24-01232. Epub 2025 Mar 25. PMID: 40127220.

Fano AN, Graham JG, Dang J, Kasper A, Ilyas AM. Reoperation Rate Following Thumb Basal Joint Arthroplasty: A Minimum Follow-Up Period of 5 Years. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2024 Feb 8;6(3):268-272. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2023.12.013. PMID: 39780946; PMCID: PMC11707801.

Ilyas AM, Kirby DJ, Kasper A, Levin LS, Isaacs J. Cold Intolerance Following Digital Nerve Injury: A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Comparison of Decellularized Nerve Allograft Versus Nerve Conduits. Hand (N Y). 2026 Feb;21(2):186-193. doi: 10.1177/15589447241288252. Epub 2024 Nov 26. PMID: 39588804; PMCID: PMC11590073.

Tosti R, Hozack BA, Tulipan JE, Criner-Woozley KT, Ilyas AM. Xylazine-Associated Wounds of the Upper Extremity: Evaluation and Algorithmic Surgical Strategy. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2024 Jun 19;6(5):605-609. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.05.003. PMID: 39381381; PMCID: PMC11456669.

Fones L, Kasper A, Milano M, Ilyas AM. Incidental Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Changes on Wrist MRI. Hand (N Y). 2025 Nov;20(8):1292-1297. doi: 10.1177/15589447241277846. Epub 2024 Sep 27. PMID: 39340139; PMCID: PMC11559745.

Mahmoud Y, Chung J, Pirzada W, Ilyas AM. Understanding Changing Demographic and Treatment Trends of Distal Radius Fractures: A TriNetX Database Contemporary Analysis of 32,912 Patients. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2024 Feb 19;6(4):477-483. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.01.005. PMID: 39166207; PMCID: PMC11331155.

Plusch KJ, Miller C, Wood K, Alfonsi S, Kachooei AR, Matzon JL, Ilyas AM. The Effect of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Medications on Wide-Awake Hand Surgery: An Analysis of 2,162 Cases. J Hand Surg Am. 2024 Oct;49(10):966-970. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.04.010. Epub 2024 Jul 17. PMID: 39023501.

Justice W, Adams A, Kasper A, Takagi-Stewart J, Ilyas AM. Forearm Fracture Fixation with Locking Plates: Does Size Matter? J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2024 Feb 19;6(3):319-322. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.01.007. PMID: 38817769; PMCID: PMC11133845.

Chung J, Mahmoud Y, Ilyas AM. Incidence and Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Following Distal Radius Fractures: A TriNetX Analysis of 39,603 Patients. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2024 Apr 5;6(3):308-312. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.01.004. PMID: 38817743; PMCID: PMC11133837.

Rowe ET, Takagi-Stewart J, Ramtin S, Pennington M, Ilyas AM. The Effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Union Rates Following Joint Arthrodesis: A Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2024 Mar 17;16(3):e56312. doi: 10.7759/cureus.56312. PMID: 38629002; PMCID: PMC11020629.

Thomas TL, Muchintala R, Crutchfield CR, Plusch K, Jones CM, Ilyas AM. Outcomes Following Fully Threaded Intramedullary Nailing of Metacarpal Fractures. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2023 Nov 11;6(1):85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2023.10.003. PMID: 38313619; PMCID: PMC10837302.

Ilyas AM, Sundaram P, Plusch K, Kasper A, Jones CM. Multimodal Pain Management After Outpatient Orthopedic Hand Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Trial. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2023 Oct 1;6(1):16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2023.07.021. PMID: 38313605; PMCID: PMC10837162.

Kistler JM, Munn M, McEntee R, Ilyas AM. Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Clean Hand Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Analysis of Major and Minor Complications. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2023 Apr 21;5(4):421-425. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2023.03.011. PMID: 37521558; PMCID: PMC10382872.

Campbell BR, Rengifo S, Wickes CB, Amer KM, Ilyas AM. Radial Head Arthroplasty for Fracture: Implant Survivorship and Outcomes at Mean Follow-Up of 8 Years. J Hand Surg Am. 2025 Jan;50(1):97.e1-97.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.04.020. Epub 2023 Jun 22. PMID: 37354192.

How Patients Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioids: A Survey of over 300 Postoperative Patients

Talebi R, Miller C, Abboudi J, Brahmabhatt S, Emper W, Lonner J, Kistler J, Mazur D, Pedowitz D, Ilyas AM.
Cureus. 2022 Aug 17;14(8):e28111. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28111. eCollection 2022 Aug.PMID: 36134102

Trends in Opioid Prescribing Following Pennsylvania Statewide Implementation of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Miller C, Ilyas AM
Cureus. 2022 Aug 11;14(8):e27879. doi: 10.7759/cureus.27879. eCollection 2022 Aug.PMID: 36110459

Perspectives of Orthopedic Patients on Medical Cannabis: A Survey of More Than 2500 Patients
Townsend CB, Liss F, Langman C, Mazur D, Stache SA, Sharma S, Stolzenberg DS, Srinivasan M, Pedowitz D, Namdari S, Wang ML, Greis AC, Ilyas AM
Orthopedics. 2022 Sep 13:1-6. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20220907-05. Online ahead of print.PMID: 36098574

Scaphoid Nonunion: A Review of Surgical Strategies
Van Nest D, Ilyas AM
Orthopedics. 2022 Sep-Oct;45(5):e235-e242. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20220608-03. Epub 2022 Jun 13.PMID: 35700430

Use of Triggers to Detect Adverse Events After Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery at a Single Ambulatory Surgery Center
Calem DB, Horan DP, Taylor MT, McEntee RM, Pedowitz DI, Emper WD, Ilyas AM
Orthopedics. 2022 Mar-Apr;45(2):116-121. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20220105-07. Epub 2022 Jan 12.PMID: 35021026

Additional publications...

Baseball Injuries of the Hand and Wrist
Gallant GG, Tulipan JE, Rivlin M, Ilyas AM
J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021 Aug 1;29(15):648-658. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00101.PMID: 34037556

Polyethylene Glycol Fusion of Nerve Injuries: Review of the Technique and Clinical Applicability
Van Nest DS, Kahan DM, Ilyas AM
J Hand Microsurg. 2021 Apr;13(2):49-54. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1718651. Epub 2020 Dec 10.PMID: 33867761

The Effect of Preoperative Opioid Education on Opioid Consumption After Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Ilyas AM, Chapman T, Zmistowski B, Sandrowski K, Graham J, Hammoud S
Orthopedics. 2021 Mar-Apr;44(2):123-127. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20210201-07. Epub 2021 Feb 10.PMID: 33561870

Wide-Awake Surgery With Local Anesthesia and Epinephrine Is Safe
Ilyas AM, Jennings JD, Banner L, Matzon JL
Orthopedics. 2020 Nov 1;43(6):e529-e532. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20200827-03. Epub 2020 Sep 3.PMID: 32882049

Diagnosis and Management of Common Hand Infections
Bilolikar VK, Seigerman DA, Ilyas AM
JBJS Rev. 2020 Apr;8(4):e0188. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.19.00188.PMID: 32304499

Radial Nerve Palsy Recovery With Fractures of the Humerus: An Updated Systematic Review
Ilyas AM, Mangan JJ, Graham J
J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2020 Mar 15;28(6):e263-e269. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-18-00142.PMID: 31714418

Sensory Outcomes in Digital Nerve Repair Techniques: An Updated Meta-analysis and Systematic Review
Herman ZJ, Ilyas AM
Hand (NY). 2020 Mar;15(2):157-164. doi: 10.1177/1558944719844346. Epub 2019 May 1.PMID: 31043071

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial Comparing Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Oxycodone for Pain Management After Hand Surgery
Ilyas AM, Miller AJ, Graham JG, Matzon J
Orthopedics. 2019 Mar 1;42(2):110-115. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20190221-02. Epub 2019 Feb 27.PMID: 30810754

Wide-Awake Hand Surgery: Principles and Techniques
Warrender WJ, Lucasti CJ, Ilyas AM
JBJS Rev. 2018 May;6(5):e8. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.17.00142.PMID: 29787451

A Prospective Evaluation of Opioid Utilization After Upper-Extremity Surgical Procedures: Identifying Consumption Patterns and Determining Prescribing Guidelines
Kim N, Matzon JL, Abboudi J, Jones C, Kirkpatrick W, Leinberry CF, Liss FE, Lutsky KF, Wang ML, Maltenfort M, Ilyas AM
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Oct 19;98(20):e89. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.15.00614.PMID: 27869630

Open Fractures of the Hand: Review of Pathogenesis and Introduction of a New Classification System
Tulipan JE, Ilyas AM
Orthop Clin North Am. 2016 Jan;47(1):245-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2015.08.021.PMID: 26614938

Emerging multidrug resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hand infections
Tosti R, Samuelsen BT, Bender S, Fowler JR, Gaughan J, Schaffer AA, Ilyas AM
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2014 Sep 17;96(18):1535-40. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.M.01159.PMID: 25232077

Prospective evaluation of pronator quadratus repair following volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures
Tosti R, Ilyas AM
J Hand Surg Am. 2013 Sep;38(9):1678-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.06.006. Epub 2013 Aug 2.PMID: 23916193

Radiocarpal fracture-dislocations
Ilyas AM, Mudgal CS
J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 Nov;16(11):647-55. doi: 10.5435/00124635-200811000-00005.PMID: 18978287

* This physician's clinical practice is independent of Drexel University.


Contact Information


Rothman Institute
925 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 610.755.3711