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Leigh Hanke, MD, MS, BA

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
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Contact Info

Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

P.O. Box 208071

New Haven, CT 06520-8071

United States

About

Titles

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

Biography

Dr. Leigh Hanke is a physiatrist who specializes in Interventional Spine and Sports Medicine, focusing on non-operative treatments of the hip, spine, and other peripheral joints. She performs selective injections for the spine and peripheral joints using corticosteroid, viscosupplementation, platlet-rich-plasma (PRP), and mesenchymal stem cells under fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance with goal of optimizing function and reducing pain for her patients.

She received her undergraduate degree at Duke University and later earned her masters degree in nutritional science at Columbia University’s Human Institute of Nutrition. She then attended Tulane University Medical School, completed her residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, and followed it with a fellowship in Interventional Spine and Sports Medicine at Hospital for Special Surgery.

Dr. Hanke is an active member of several professional organizations including American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Society of Sports Medicine, Spine Intervention Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and the American Society of Clinical Nutrition.

Her clinical and research interests focus on the use of regenerative medicine (PRP and stem cells) for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as tendinopathy and osteoarthritis. As a former lacrosse player and marathon runner herself, she also has a special interest in the care of active and athletic women, integrating her nutritional background with injury prevention and treatment.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellow in Interventional Spine and Sports Medicine
Hospital for Special Surgery (2017)
Resident
New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell (2016)
MD
Tulane University School of Medicine, Medicine (2012)
MS
Columbia University, Nutrition (2008)
BA
Duke University, History/Chemistry (2005)

Research

Publications

2015

Clinical Care

Overview

A former lacrosse player and marathon runner, Leigh Hanke, MD, MS, has a special interest in helping athletes and others suffering from an injury or condition that make it hard to participate in their regular activities. She is a physiatrist (a doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation or PM&R), who emphasizes treatment of the “whole person,” because pain or injury in one part of the body can often impact other areas as well. She emphasizes nonsurgical treatment approaches, with the goal of helping patients to optimize their function and enjoy a better quality of life.

“I want to make sure you can be as active as possible, no matter what your age is, whether you want to play a tennis tournament or work outside in the garden,” says Dr. Hanke. She focuses on helping people with problems affecting the spine, hips and other peripheral joints. Surgery doesn’t necessarily solve all problems that are limiting one’s function, she says. “You can have a technically perfect hip replacement, but if the muscles around your hip remain weak, you may not be able to fully return to doing the things you enjoy. That’s where I come in,and evaluate how everything is connected and were we can make improvements.”

Dr. Hanke provides a range of treatments. These include selective injections, medications, and individualized physical therapy or exercise programs. She uses such treatments such as corticosteroids, visco-supplementation, and platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), which is a way to use to patient’s own blood to stimulate healing. She performs minimally invasive procedures for the spine and peripheral joints using fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance. Dr. Hanke also has specialized training in nutrition and often gives her patients tailored nutritional guidance.

When she meets a new patient, her first step is to take a detailed history, perform a physical examination and then establish a working diagnosis. She makes sure patients are as knowledgeable as possible about their conditions. If a person needs treatment beyond what a PM&R physician can provide, Dr. Hanke can quickly connect them with a neurosurgeon, orthopaedist, rheumatologist or other specialist.

Dr. Hanke advises patients who are concerned about a new musculoskeletal problem, as well as those who are dealing with chronic issues, to make an appointment with a physiatrist early. Musculoskeletal problems commonly resolve on their own, she says. “But what happens when pain doesn’t go away? You gradually become functionally limited. We can address these issues early, before they become a chronic problem, and help you stay active and healthy.”

Clinical Specialties

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Sports Medicine

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

    Certification Organization
    AB of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    Original Certification Date
    2017

Yale Medicine News

Get In Touch

Contacts

Academic Office Number
Appointment Number
Clinic Fax Number
Mailing Address

Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

P.O. Box 208071

New Haven, CT 06520-8071

United States

Locations

  • Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

    Academic Office

    47 College Street

    New Haven, CT 06510

  • Patient Care Locations

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