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Sanjeev (Sanj) Kakar, M.D.

  1. Orthopedic Surgeon
  2. Sports Medicine Specialist

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

EnglishHindi

Sanj Kakar, M.D. is Professor of Orthopaedics, past Vice Chair of the Clinical Practice Committee within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Associate Medical Director for the Quality Academy and serves as the Medical Director for the Digital Platform within Continuous Professional Development at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. A graduate of St. Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, he received his surgical training at University College London, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and The Royal Free, before completing his Orthopaedic Residency at Boston University, Boston. After receiving his Master's in Business Administration from Babson College, he completed his Hand Surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Dr. Kakar is a specialist in disorders of the hand and wrist, in particular, arthroscopy, complex wrist reconstruction, trauma and sports injuries. He is a surgeon scientist and is Principal Investigator studying the role of four-dimensional CT scanning on wrist kinematics. Dr. Kakar has authored over 220 peer reviewed scientific papers, 45 book chapters and co-editor of four orthopaedic textbooks in the Hand and Wrist. He is principal investigator on several translational research grants, received the Marshall Urist Young Investigator award from the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, a member of the Emerging Leaders Program and a recipient of the North American Traveling Fellowship and American British Canadian Fellowship by the American Orthopaedic Association and the Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellow from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and a past Member at Large, both on The Council for Research and Quality at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Society for Surgery of The Hand. He currently serves as the Editor of Hand.e, the Digital Education Platform of the American Society for Surgery of The Hand and President of the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society from 2022-2023.

  1. Arthritis
  2. Broken hand
  3. Broken wrist
  4. Dupuytren's contracture
  5. Elbow instability
  6. Hand arthritis
  7. Nerve entrapment
  8. Neuropathy
  9. Nonunion
  10. Sports injury
  11. Tumors and masses
  1. Arthroplasty
  2. Arthroscopy
  3. Joint replacement surgery
  4. Vascularized bone grafting
  5. Wrist arthroscopy
  6. Wrist replacement
  • Management of sports injuries to the elbow, wrist and hand
  • Wrist arthroscopy
  • Upper extremity tumors and malignancies
  • Joint replacements (hand, wrist and elbow)
  • Wrist and scapholunate instability
  • Distal radioulnar joint arthritis and instability
  • Wrist, carpal and hand fractures
  • Wrist and hand arthritis and arthroplasty
  • Dupuytren's disease
  • Arthroscopy and TFCC injury
  • Compression neuropathies
  • Vascularized bone grafts for nonunions
  1. 2010
    Fellow - Orthopedic Surgery Hand & Upper ExtremityMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 2009
    Resident - Orthopaedic Surgery Residency ProgramBoston University School of Medicine
  3. 2009
    MBABabson College
  4. 1998
    MD - (MBBS)St. Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine & Dentistry
  5. 1995
    BSc - (honors)University College London

Certifications

  1. 2013
    Hand SurgeryAmerican Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  2. 2012
    Orthopedic SurgeryAmerican Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2021
    Clinical Pearl Award winner: Annual Meeting ePoster 08: Validation of the Clenched Fist View in Scapholunate Ligamentous Injury Presenting Author: Michael Fort Co-Authors: Christine Oh, MD and Sanjeev Kakar, MD, FAOA American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  2. 2021
    Annual Meeting ePoster 08: Validation of the Clenched Fist View in Scapholunate Ligamentous Injury Presenting Author: Michael Fort Co-Authors: Christine Oh, MD and Sanjeev Kakar, MD, FAOAAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  3. 2021
    ASSH Top Video Theatre Award a surgical video: Arthroscopic Foveal TFCC Repair by Sanjeev Kakar; Arthroscopic Assisted Fixation of a Distal Radius Fracture with Concomitant Scaphoid Fracture by Sanjeev Kakar; Arthroscopic Ulnotriquetral Ligament Repair by Sanjeev KakarAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  4. 2021
    Wendel Orthopaedic Surgery Translational Award “4DCT Imaging for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment of Disorders of the Distal Radioulnar Joint”Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  5. 2020
    Quality Improvement Project # 2581 titled POA - Hand Surgery Enhanced Care Recovery Optimization (HERO) Mayo Quality Fellows Silver project credit MOC Part IVMayo Clinic, Quality Academy, College of Medicine, Mayo Quality Fellows (MQF) Program
  6. 2019
    J.F. Murray Award for Excellence in Surgery of the Hand for presentation to the Society's 73rd Annual MeetingCanadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
  7. 2019
    Associate LevelMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Academy of Educational Excellence
  8. 2017
    2017 AAHS Annual Research Grant ($10,000) "The effect of hamate osteotomy on carpal kinematics"American Association for Hand Surgery, Research Grants Committee
  9. 2017
    Bunnell Fellowship 2017 recipientAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  10. 2016
    2016 Resident/Fellow Fast Track Grant ($5,000 to Ryan Greene, MD) "The effect of hamate osteotomy on carpal kinematics for Scaphoid Reconstruction" (Award 1279)American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand
  11. 2016
    2016 Patrick J. Kelly Research Award to Joshua Parry (S. Kakar P.I.) for "A Porous Poly (propylene fumerate) Wedge with rhBMP-2 Microspheres for Fixation of ACL Grafts in Rabbits".Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  12. 2015
    Best Poster: PCLF as a backbone for chondrocyte attachment and proliferation by platelet lysate (E Wagner, D Bravo, M Dadsetan, A van Wijnen, M Yaszemski, S Kakar)American Association for Hand Surgery Annual Meeting
  13. 2015
    One of Minnesota's Favorite PhysiciansVitals Patients' Choice Award
  14. 2014
    ABC Traveling FellowAmerican Orthopaedic Association
  15. 2014
    Top Scoring Poster: Does immediately following a dirty case with a clean case predict infection?Orthopaedic Research Society
  16. 2014
    Best Poster: Does Immediately Following a Dirty Case with a Clean Case Predict Infection?American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
  17. 2014
    New Member HonorsAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  18. 2014
    Early Investigator AwardMayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science
  19. 2014
    Obaid Research AwardMayo Clinic
  20. 2014
    American British Canadian Traveling FellowshipAmerican Orthopaedic Association
  21. 2013
    North American Traveling FellowshipThe American Orthopaedic Association
  22. 2013
    Accelerated Regenerative Medicine AwardMayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
  23. 2013
    Subspecialty Certificate in Surgery of the HandAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  24. 2012
    Highlighted Paper: "Scaphoid Malunion. Corrective Osteotomy Compared to Salvage Procedures."American Association for Hand Surgery
  25. 2011
    Best Scientific Paper: "Perilunate Dislocations: 25 Year Experience"Minnesota Orthopaedic Society
  26. 2009
    Chief Resident Research AwardDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston University
  27. 2008
    Resident Research AwardLahey Clinic
  28. 2006
    Kilfoyle AwardNew England Orthopaedic Society
  29. 2006
    Emerging Leaders ProgramAmerican Orthopaedic Association
  30. 2006
    First Place Award Recipient--New England Area Resident Research SymposiumOrthopaedic Research and Education Foundation -- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  31. 2006
    Clinician Scientist Development ProgramAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation and Orthopaedic Research Society
  32. 2006
    Resident Research Award "Anabolic Mechanisms of PTH During Fracture"Orthopaedic Trauma Association
  33. 2005
    Marshall F. Urist Resident AwardAssociation of Bone and Joint Surgeons of America
  34. 2005
    Best Scientific Paper Award20th Smith and Nephew Resident Research Competition
  35. 2004
    "Molecular Mechanisms of PTH-mediated Enhancement of Fracture Repair"Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
  36. 2004
    Resident Trauma Research Support Award "Molecular Mechanisms of PTH-mediated Enhancement of Fracture Repair"AO North America
  37. 2002
    Norman Capener Traveling Fellowship "Role of Angiogenesis in Distraction Osteogenesis"Royal College of Surgeons of England
  38. 2002
    Ethicon Traveling USA Fellowship "Role of Angiogenesis in Distraction Osteogeneis"Royal College of Surgeons of England
  39. 1999
    Culyer Scientific Foundation "Pull-out Strength of Cement Plugs in Total Hip Acetabular Fixation" and "Biochemical and Biomechanical Analysis of Osteochondral Autografts in MosaicplastyThe Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
  40. 1998
    Wishbone Trust "Modulation of Adhesion Formation Using 5 Fluorouracil"British Orthopaedic Association
  41. 1998
    Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery "Immunohistochemical Analysis of Flexor Tendon Healing"Phoenix Appeal
  42. 1994
    Anatomy/Dissection PrizeSt. Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine

Professional memberships

  1. 2023 - 2024
    Hand CommitteeInternational Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
  2. 2022
    Course Co-ChairAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand Precourse 01: Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pathology: Demystifying The Black Box of Wrist Surgery
  3. 2022 - 2025
    Committee MemberAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Hand and Wrist Committee
  4. 2022 - 2023
    MemberAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Editorial Review Board
  5. 2022 - 2024
    ChairHand and Wrist Instructional Course Committee, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  6. 2022 - 2023
    Hand Committee, Deputy ChairInternational Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
  7. 2022 - 2023
    PresidentMinnesota Orthopedic Society
  8. 2021
    Course Chair, Nanoscope PrecourseAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  9. 2021
    Co-ChairmanMayo Clinic Quality Conference
  10. 2021
    Course DirectorMayo Clinic, Quality Conference
  11. 2021
    Course ChairHow to Address Ulnar Wrist Disorders – Pain, Instability and Arthritis, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  12. 2021 - 2024
    Vice Chair & NATF Fellowships RepAOA Fellowship Taskforce, American Orthopedic Association
  13. 2021 - 2024
    Development/Donor Support CommitteeAmerican Orthopaedic Association
  14. 2021 - 2024
    Vice Chair & NATF Fellowships RepLeadership/Fellowships Committee, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  15. 2021 - present
    MemberAAPC Task Force, Department of Education Administration
  16. 2021 - 2022
    Vice PresidentMinnesota Orthopedic Society
  17. 2021
    Chair Search Committee Medical DirectorQuality Academy
  18. 2020 - present
    Medical Director - Digital Professional EducationMayo School of Continuous Professional Development
  19. 2020 - 2023
    MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand, Courses and Meetings Advisory Committee
  20. 2020 - 2021
    ChairBunnell Fellowship Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  21. 2020
    Course Co-Chair, Course: Case-Based International Approach to Ulnar Wrist PainAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  22. 2020 - 2023
    Fellowships Chair and NATF Fellowship RepLeadership/Fellowship Committee, North American Traveling Fellow, American Orthopaedic Association
  23. 2020 - present
    SponsorPOA Physician Sponsor (Midwest)
  24. 2020 - 2021
    TreasurerMinnesota Orthopedic Society
  25. 2020
    Course Chair, Wrist Arthroscopy CourseAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  26. 2020
    Hand and Education Committee MemberInternational Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
  27. 2019 - 2020
    Vice ChairBunnell Fellowship Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  28. 2019 - present
    Committee MemberBunnell Fellowship Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  29. 2019 - present
    Committee MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  30. 2019 - present
    Secretary GeneralInternational Society for Sport Traumatology of the Hand
  31. 2019 - 2020
    MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand;Fellowship Case Data Analysis Task Force
  32. 2019 - 2020
    Chair, Epic Working GroupAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  33. 2019 - 2020
    Chair, Arthroscopy Education TaskforceAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  34. 2019
    Co-DirectorJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Miller Review Course
  35. 2019
    Best LecturerJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Miller Review Course
  36. 2019
    Co-DirectorJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Miller Review Course
  37. 2019 - present
    MemberPractice Optimization and Acceleration Committee
  38. 2019 - present
    Co-ChairHand Surgery Enhances Recovery Optimization (HERO) Initiative, Practice Optimization and Acceleration Committee
  39. 2018 - present
    MemberInternational Bone Research Association
  40. 2018 - present
    Associate Medical DirectorMayo Clinic Quality Academy
  41. 2018 - 2020
    Member at LargeCouncil on Research and Quality, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  42. 2018 - 2020
    International DirectorJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Miller Review Course
  43. 2018 - 2020
    Director at LargeMinnesota Orthopedic Society
  44. 2018
    Committee Member2018 Weiland Medical Selection Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  45. 2017 - 2020
    MemberAmerican Foundation for Surgery of the Hand
  46. 2017 - 2020
    MemberProgram Advisory Group, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  47. 2017 - 2020
    Selection CommitteeGelberman Scholar Committee, American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand
  48. 2017
    Co-ChairClinical Consultation Corners, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  49. 2017 - 2020
    Co-ChairResearch Management Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  50. 2017 - present
    Committee MemberSimulation Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  51. 2017
    Abstract ReviewerOrthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting
  52. 2017 - 2020
    RepresentativeLeadership/Fellowship Committee, North American Traveling Fellow, American Orthopaedic Association
  53. 2017 - 2020
    RepresentativeAmerican-British-Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship Committee, American Orthopaedic Association
  54. 2017 - present
    ChairAOA Fellowship Taskforce, American Orthopedic Association
  55. 2017 - present
    Abstract Reviewer2018 Annual Meeting, American Association for Hand Surgery
  56. 2017 - present
    Workgroup MemberCommunity Hub Quality Reporting Workgroup, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  57. 2017
    Instructional Course ChairmanAmerican Association for Hand Surgery 2017 Annual Meeting
  58. 2017 - 2020
    Council Member-At-LargeAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  59. 2017 - 2019
    MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand, Hand-e
  60. 2017 - 2018
    Section EditorHand-e Editorial Board, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  61. 2017 - 2018
    LeadAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand;Affiliate Member Program
  62. 2017 - 2018
    2018 Annual Meeting Program ChairMinnesota Orthopedic Society
  63. 2017 - present
    Committee MemberBunnell Selection Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  64. 2017 - present
    ChairAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand, Physician Burnout Committee
  65. 2016 - present
    Career AdvisorMayo Medical School Advisory Program
  66. 2016 - 2019
    Committee MemberQuality Metrics Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  67. 2016 - 2017
    Education CaptainAnnual Giving Committee, American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand
  68. 2016 - present
    Research Committee - MemberThe Dupuytren Foundation
  69. 2016 - 2019
    RepresentativeAmerican Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Board of Specialty Societies (BOS), AAHS Health Policy Committee
  70. 2016
    Co-ChairClinical Consultation Corners, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  71. 2016 - present
    Committee Member2016 Linscheid-Dobyns Mayo Review Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  72. 2016 - 2018
    Council MemberCouncil on Research and Quality, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  73. 2015 - 2018
    MemberAnnual Meeting Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  74. 2015 - 2018
    Committee MemberCommercial Support Committee Update, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  75. 2015 - 2018
    MemberCourses and Meetings Advisory Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  76. 2015 - present
    Membership SecretaryInternational Wrist Investigators Workshop
  77. 2015
    Committee MemberCombined Meeting of ASSH and Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand Program Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  78. 2015
    ChairCombined Meeting of ASSH and Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand Golf Tournament, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  79. 2015
    Co-ChairComprehensive Hand Review Course at Annual Meeting, American Association for Hand Surgery
  80. 2015 - present
    Committee MemberMedical-Industry Relations Committee
  81. 2015 - present
    Workgroup MemberDistal Radius Fracture Pain Quality Improvement, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  82. 2015 - present
    Committee MemberQuality Review Board, School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic Education Committee
  83. 2015 - present
    Workgroup MemberWebinar Work Group, American Orthopaedic Association
  84. 2015 - present
    ChairOnline Consultation Corner, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  85. 2015 - present
    MemberMinnesota Orthopedic Society
  86. 2014
    ChairAdrian E. Flatt Residents and Fellows Conference, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  87. 2014
    Co-ChairComprehensive Hand Review Course at Annual Meeting, American Association for Hand Surgery
  88. 2014 - 2017
    MemberActive Membership Committee, American Association for Hand Surgery
  89. 2014 - 2015
    Section EditorHand-e Editorial Board, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  90. 2014
    Abstract ReviewerOrthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting
  91. 2014
    Examination WriterArthroscopy Association of North America
  92. 2014
    ReviewerAmerican Medical Association
  93. 2014
    Section EditorHand and Wrist ICL Lecture Series, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  94. 2014 - present
    LiaisonICD 10 Coding Initiative, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  95. 2014 - present
    AdvisorDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery
  96. 2014 - present
    ChairMark B. Coventry Clinical Research Award, Orthopedic Research Committee, Division Committees
  97. 2014 - present
    Vice ChairClinical Practice Committee, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  98. 2014 - present
    Faculty MemberMayo Clinic Cancer Center
  99. 2014 - present
    MemberInternational Society for Sport Traumatology of the Hand
  100. 2014 - present
    AdvisorMayo Clinic
  101. 2014 - present
    MemberEmerging Leader Program: 2015 Webinar Planning Work Group, American Medical Association
  102. 2014 - present
    MemberHand Surgery Quality Consortium, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  103. 2014 - present
    Active MemberAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  104. 2013
    Vice ChairAdrian E. Flatt Residents and Fellows Conference, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  105. 2013 - 2018
    ChairHand and Wrist Instructional Course Committee, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  106. 2013 - 2016
    MemberMembership Committee, American Association for Hand Surgery
  107. 2013 - 2014
    ChairResident and Fellows Conference, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  108. 2013
    Travel FellowNorth American Traveling Fellow, American Orthopaedic Association
  109. 2013
    Affiliate MemberMusculoskeletal Tumor Society
  110. 2013 - present
    MemberPractice Review Guidelines Committee, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine
  111. 2013 - present
    MemberDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery
  112. 2013 - present
    Department LiaisonCenter of Health Sciences for Patient Quality Improvement, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  113. 2013 - present
    MemberDivision of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  114. 2012 - 2015
    MemberInternational Relations Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  115. 2012 - 2013
    Vice ChairResident and Fellows Conference, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  116. 2012 - present
    MemberAsk Mayo Expert, Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities
  117. 2012 - present
    MemberInternational Task Force, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  118. 2011 - 2017
    MemberSelf Assessment Examination Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  119. 2011 - 2014
    MemberMembership Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  120. 2011 - 2014
    MemberAnnual Meeting Scientific Displays Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  121. 2011
    MemberYoung Leaders Program, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  122. 2011 - present
    AdvisorClinical Problem List and ICD-10, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees
  123. 2011 - present
    MemberOrthopedic Research Committee, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  124. 2011 - present
    MemberHand Surgery Fellowship Committee, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  125. 2011 - present
    MemberResident and Fellows Education Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  126. 2011 - present
    Committee MemberAmerican Orthopaedic Association
  127. 2011 - present
    MemberEuropean Wrist Arthroscopy Society
  128. 2010 - 2013
    MemberYoung Members Steering Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  129. 2010 - present
    Academic Conference DirectorDivision of Hand Surgery and Microvascular Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  130. 2010 - present
    Candidate MemberAmerican Association for Hand Surgery
  131. 2010 - present
    MemberIndian Society for Surgery of the Hand
  132. 2010 - present
    MemberInternational Wrist Investigators Workshop
  133. 2009 - present
    MemberAmerican Medical Association
  134. 2008 - present
    Candidate MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  135. 2006 - 2013
    Candidate MemberAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  136. 2006 - present
    MemberEmerging Leaders Program, American Orthopaedic Association
  137. 2002 - present
    MemberRoyal College of Surgeons of England
  138.  
    MemberMayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.