Karl E. Rathjen, M.D.

Assistant Chief of Staff

Karl E. Rathjen, M.D., is an assistant chief of staff and pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Scottish Rite for Children and sees patients at our Dallas campus. He also serves at the organization's Foundation President.

Specialties:

Scoliosis and Spine Disorders
Lower extremity reconstruction in patients with neuromuscular and syndromic diagnoses

"Dr. Rathjen is [our] family’s hero! He made it possible for our daughter to live pain-free, maximize her independence and – most importantly to her – to wear pretty shoes. We can never thank him enough."

Academic Appointments

UT Southwestern Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor

Hospital Affiliations

Scottish Rite for Children
Children’s Health Dallas
Parkland Health & Hospital System
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Cook Children’s Medical Center - Prosper

Education and Training

Education

The University of Texas, Tau Beta Pi
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Alpha Omega Alpha

Internship

UT Southwestern Medical Center General Surgery

Residency

UT Southwestern Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship

Children’s Hospital of San Diego, University of California, San Diego Pediatric Orthopaedics

Honors and Awards

Alpha Omega Alpha, 1989
University of Texas College of Engineering, Outstanding Student, Runner-Up, 1986
University of Texas Cactus Yearbook Goodfellow, 1986
Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 1986

Board Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1998; recertified, 2019

Professional Organizations

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
- Development Committee, 2011-2014; chair, 2012
- Quality, Value and Safety Committee, 2011-2013
- Public Education and Media Relations Committee, 2011-2014
- COUR Committee, 2010-2011
- Advocacy Committee, 2008-2010; chair, 2010
- Trauma Committee, 2004-2006
Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
- Development Committee, 2008-2011
- Bylaws Committee, 2011-2012; chair, 2015
- Morbidity and Mortality Committee, 2011-2015
- Governance Council, 2014-2015, 2018-2019
- Health Policy, 2018-2019
American Orthopaedic Association
The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons
Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society of North America (ASAMI-NA)
- Immediate past president, July 2017-July 2018
- President, 2016-July 2017
- Board of Directors, 2010-2018
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
Pediatric Trauma Society, 2011-2014
Spina Bifida Association of America
- Professional Advisory Committee, 2003-2007
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, associate editor
Spine, consultant reviewer
Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, consultant reviewer
Tachdjian’s Pediatric Orthopaedics, Fourth Edition and Sixth Edition, contributing author
US News and World Report, America’s Best Children’s Hospitals, Member Orthopaedic Working Group 2010-2022