Biographical summary
Nicholas Pulos, M.D., is an orthopedic hand and microvascular surgeon with special interest in pediatric upper extremity injuries and congenital differences. His clinical focus includes:
- Providing comprehensive evaluation and surgical management of congenital hand and upper extremity differences.
- Upper extremity reconstruction in patients with brachial plexus injuries.
- Expertise in the management of complex upper extremity bone, soft tissue and nerve injuries.
- Promoting wide awake hand surgery in a variety of procedures.
- Using multimodal pain strategies to maximize comfort and minimize opioid use following surgery.
As a hand surgeon in United States Navy Reserves, Dr. Pulos previously served at Naval Medical Center San Diego and deployed to Afghanistan as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission.
Dr. Pulos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics has authored several journal articles and book chapters on the treatment of adult and pediatric upper extremity conditions.
Dr. Pulos is a candidate member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) and the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS). He is passionate about resident education, mentoring and training the next generation of orthopedic and hand surgeons.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
- Arthroscopy
- Brachial plexus exploration
- Brachial plexus reconstruction
- Brachial plexus surgery
- Clubhand reconstruction
- Free muscle transfer
- Hand fracture treatment
- Hypoplastic thumb reconstruction
- Joint replacement surgery
- Microvascular surgery
- Polydactyly reconstruction
- Syndactyly reconstruction
- Vascularized bone grafting
- Wrist fracture treatment
- Wrist reconstruction
Interests
- Reconstruction of brachial plexus birth palsies and traumatic brachial plexus injuries
- Management of fracture nonunions with vascularized bone grafts
- Peripheral nerve surgery
- Wide awake hand surgery
- Multimodal pain strategies
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2018
Fellow - A.C. and Eleanor M. Garison Fellowship in Hand and Upper Limb TreatmentTexas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
- 2017
FellowHand Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2016
Resident - Orthopedic SurgeryHospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- 2012
Internship - General SurgeryHospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- 2011
MDUniversity of Pennsylvania
- 2006
BA - Urban Studies, EconomicsUniversity of Pennsylvania
Activities and honors
Awards and honors
- 2022
Best Oral Poster AwardAmerican Society for Peripheral Nerve (ASPN) Annual Meeting
- 2021
Young Leaders 2021American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- 2021
Navy Achievement MedalUnited States Navy
- 2020
Navy Commendation MedalUnited States Navy
- 2020
Navy Achievement MedalUnited States Navy
- 2018
Navy Achievement MedalUnited States Navy
- 2017
Alice D. Jensen Fellowship in Hand Surgery Honoring Dr. Julian BrunerMayo Clinic
- 2016
DeForest P. Willard Award for Outstanding Senior Orthopaedic ResidentUniversity of Pennsylvania
- 2006
Departmental Honors, Urban StudiesUniversity of Pennsylvania
- 2006
Magna Cum LaudeUniversity of Pennsylvania
- 2005
Tutor of the YearUniversity of Pennsylvania
- 2005
Dean's ListUniversity of Pennsylvania
Professional memberships
- 2021 - present
MemberMinnesota Orthopedic Society
- 2021 - present
Advisory Board MemberMayo Clinic Center for Military Medicine
- 2020 - present
Program Evaluation Committee MemberDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
- 2020 - present
MemberAMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals
- 2020 - present
Steering CommitteeMayo Foundation, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) Physician Champion
- 2019 - present
Candidate MemberPediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
- 2019 - present
Clinical Competency Committee MemberDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
- 2017 - present
Candidate MemberAmerican Association for Hand Surgery
- 2015 - present
Emerging Leader MemberAmerican Orthopaedic Association
- 2014 - present
Candidate MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
- 2013 - present
MemberAO Trauma
- 2013 - present
MemberSociety of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
- 2011 - present
Candidate MemberAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Publications
Research activities