Joseph C. Brutzkus, MD | Northwestern Medicine

Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Arthritis
Athlete - Older Adult
Electrodiagnostic Testing
Joint Injections
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Nonsurgical Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine

Reasons to Schedule a Visit

This medical professional may be a good choice for you if you are looking for care for any of the following:

Achilles tendon rupture
Acl, meniscus, ligament tear
Ankle sprain
Arthritis
Biceps, triceps or pectoral problem
Calf or shin pain/strain
Concussion
Elbow pain
Foot drop
General pain

Hamstring or quadriceps problem or tendonitis
Hamstring rupture or avulsion
Labral (cartilage that cushions a joint) tear or hip impingement (problem with the hip bones)
Labral tear or hip impingement
Pain
Plantar fasciitis/heel pain
Suspected or known fracture or broken bone(s)
Tailbone non-surgical
Tendinitis
Tendonitis or tennis elbow

View More reasons to Schedule a Visit

Education

Medical Education:: MD, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine - 2019
Residency:: Rush University Medical Center - 2023
Fellowships:: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago - 2024

Board Certifications

American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Certified)
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Sports Medicine - Sports Medicine (Certified)

Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network

Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group
On Medical Staff At:: Central DuPage Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Surgery Center

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9

4.9

458 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 23, 2026

5.0

very knowledgeable and very nice. A great combination in a doctor.

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February 20, 2026

5.0

Extremely good communication skills, Listens to patient and develops plan to meet expectations and realistic outcomes.

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February 19, 2026

5.0

He's a great doctor. He really cares and provides the best evidence-based advice.

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February 19, 2026

5.0

Seems to be very open communicating my options regarding my knee pain.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Very knowledgeable

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February 17, 2026

5.0

He listens extremely well and takes the time to explain ( in understandable terms ) all your options.

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February 16, 2026

5.0

so friendly with options

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February 16, 2026

5.0

Caring, spent a lot of time discussing and answering questions and did not make me feel rushed.

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February 11, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus is a very nice person that takes time to explain and help you understand the problem and solution. He involves you in the decision making progress by giving the potential results and complications. You need more like him.

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Dr Brutzkus was new to me and I instantly liked him. Very professional but also approachable so i felt comfortable to ask him anything. Very rare to find a doctor with this bedside manner.

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February 07, 2026

5.0

Listened with empathy, explained potential treatments, answered all my questions

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February 07, 2026

5.0

quick visit. courteous dr.

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Explains everything i need to know and listens Provided me with treatment that helped me a lot

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January 29, 2026

5.0

Again, he is a king, patient listener and seemed to grasp all aspects of my blurry condition. He took my pain concerns seriously and quickly put together a logical plan of care.

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January 28, 2026

5.0

Dr. talked to me like I was actually sitting there. He listened and carefully explained everything so I could understand it. He took his time with me and I did not feel rushed.

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January 28, 2026

5.0

Dr Brutzkus was warm, professional, and made sure I understood everything involved in why I was there to see him.

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January 27, 2026

5.0

He knows his medicine and how to treat patients

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January 26, 2026

5.0

Dr was very thorough in his explanation of my issues. I now have a much better understanding of what medical care I will need in the near future.

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January 26, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus is an awesome doctor and person. He always considers my opinion and input. He offers options and keeps me involved in Healthcare decisions. We need more skilled doctors that involve patients in decisions.

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January 26, 2026

5.0

Very nice and explained things very well.

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January 23, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus was very thorough in explaining the procedure. He has very good bedside manner.

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January 22, 2026

5.0

"Bedside" manner and efficient

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January 21, 2026

5.0

Technique and manner

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January 20, 2026

5.0

I'm definitely going to recommend him,

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January 19, 2026

5.0

Very nice and informative, was not rushed at all. Lots of good information. I was Seen right away and it was Very easy to get an appointment that was convenient for me.

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January 17, 2026

5.0

Explained things well.

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January 15, 2026

5.0

Very through. Many options provided.

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January 13, 2026

4.0

quality doctor

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January 12, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus takes the time to explain and answer any questions. Never feel rushed during my appointment. Has always been on time. Clearly reviews my chart before appointment, didn't had to re-explain why I was there. Very friendly and pleasant!

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January 12, 2026

5.0

He is very nice and good communicator . Also very knowledgeable .

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January 09, 2026

5.0

Dr. Joseph Brutzkus is exceptional in his profession and has a warm "bed side" manner. He explained the procedure in detail and the next steps. He answered all of my questions in a manner that can be easily understood.

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January 08, 2026

5.0

Dr Brutzkus is a brilliant and compassionate doctor.

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January 07, 2026

5.0

Today was my first visit, and the doctor was clear, informative and took the time to explain my condition. He addressed my concerns, considered my diabetes in the treatment plan.

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January 06, 2026

5.0

He is amazing; very knowledgeable and up to date with best treatment options and has a great bedside manner

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January 05, 2026

5.0

He was excellent at explaining the upcoming procedure and made sure to answer any questions I had.

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January 02, 2026

5.0

Kind, thorough, knowledgeable, informative, supportive, considerate

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January 01, 2026

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus took his time, listened to my needs and concerns, and prescribed a course of action that helped toward my recovery.

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December 30, 2025

5.0

Professional, efficient, patient focused, conservative care.

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December 29, 2025

5.0

Caring, understanding, and professional!

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December 23, 2025

5.0

Honest and surgery was not his primary goal for my care. Patient,very professional and made me feel very comfortable with options for my diagnosis

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus is a really good person. He listens and explains. Fantastic.

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December 19, 2025

5.0

Professional, attentive, responsive - very glad he was able to see me. We shall see if prescribed medication has a positive effect.

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December 17, 2025

5.0

He listened, evaluated and recommended solutions for my problem(s). A compassionate doctor.

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December 17, 2025

5.0

Extremely kind and professional care. Did not rush me to decide on my health. I always felt like I was first. Thank you

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable

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December 12, 2025

4.0

For seeing me and recommending me to a different physician

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December 06, 2025

5.0

I trust what said about this occurrence. I was happy to hear that physical therapy was just what I needed for now.

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December 04, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable

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December 01, 2025

5.0

He was personable, knowledgeable and quick

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November 30, 2025

5.0

Doctor was highly professional. Listen to my complaints or my problems give me direction and follow up.

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November 24, 2025

5.0

Dr.Brutzkus is an amazing doctor. Your staff is always very polite professional and they really seem to care. I'm so happy that my health is in your hands.

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November 23, 2025

5.0

Very professional

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Good patient communication skills

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Highly recommended

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Cares about his patients, listening and is compassionate about their care.

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November 10, 2025

5.0

Excellent And has a sense of humor

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November 10, 2025

5.0

Professional and takes time to listen. He also have the friendly approach and making it a personal experience base on what I need with my health issue.

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November 10, 2025

5.0

Friendly, very thorough, sees the problem and works the solution

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November 07, 2025

5.0

Really caring doctor easy to get appointments

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November 06, 2025

5.0

Friendly explIaned everything i need.to know plans.n what to expect

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October 31, 2025

5.0

He's knowledgeable and caring. Spends time explaining and answering questions.

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Very thorough and personable. Explained everything that was going to be done and prepared me on what to expect.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

He is thorough, a good listener and very empathetic

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Thorough and thoughtful

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October 21, 2025

5.0

He was very informative. He answered questions I had. He gave me options to my situation in my back and leg.

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October 19, 2025

5.0

Very pleasant and productive visit. Appreciated Dr Brutzkus patience with explaining the various nonsurgical treatment options.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

He walked you through the process as far as what to expect for the testing I was getting done. Friendly and made me feel comfortable.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

Excellent people skills and communication skills are also outstanding

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October 15, 2025

5.0

Give me several options

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October 08, 2025

5.0

He's outstanding! I came to him for a second opinion for my daughters injury, and he was incredibly thorough, but most importantly, accurate. He truly understands athletes and sports parents!

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October 07, 2025

5.0

The doctor is wonderful, he listened to my problems and explained everything to me and offered best choices.

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October 05, 2025

5.0

very accommodating and he explain to me everything and not in a hurried manner. Very professional and approachable.

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October 05, 2025

5.0

He is patient & thorough. He clearly explains his treatment plan to me.

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October 02, 2025

5.0

Explained things and didn't suggest any treatments I don't need

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October 01, 2025

5.0

He was professional and friendly. I didn't feel rushed and my questions were all answered.

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September 30, 2025

5.0

Initial appointment, Doctor Brutzkus took his time explaining and showing me as we talked about "why" I was there.

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September 30, 2025

5.0

Didn't rush me. Gentle with injection. Explained options & future treatment.

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September 27, 2025

5.0

You have that feeling of trust.

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September 20, 2025

5.0

Great explanation of care and risks, great demeanor.

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September 18, 2025

5.0

He is excellent See above

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Again, very thorough and came up with a treatment plan to help me with my pain very easy to talk to

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Awesome doctor/patient Report

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September 15, 2025

5.0

He's very knowledgeable. He presented me with reasonable options and gave suggestions to help with recovery and rehab. He didn't dismiss me right away.

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September 13, 2025

5.0

Very helpful, professional friendly, answered all my questions.

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September 12, 2025

5.0

He was very professional

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September 10, 2025

5.0

He took his time and explained everything thoroughly

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September 10, 2025

5.0

As stated above. Also Dr B listens attentively and provides information about prevention

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September 10, 2025

5.0

Very professional. Made sure I understood everything.

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September 07, 2025

5.0

He cares for the whole person

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September 05, 2025

5.0

Excellent interpersonal skills and thorough with his evaluation of my condition

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Great bedside manner, communication and attention to detail

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August 27, 2025

5.0

Took time to explain the test and answer questions

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August 20, 2025

5.0

Friendly, professional, knowledgeable, explained everything.

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August 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus listened and suggested a reasonable treatment plan.

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August 14, 2025

5.0

He was knowledgeable, patient and respectful. I felt seen and heard, and was not rushed.

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August 12, 2025

5.0

Great. All. Is. Good

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August 12, 2025

5.0

Very informative and gave solutions

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August 11, 2025

5.0

He was very informative and thorough in his exam and assessment.

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August 08, 2025

5.0

Dr. Brutzkus was great. He listened and explained his diagnosis

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July 29, 2025

5.0

Attentive, knowledgeable, caring, and respectful

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Disclosures

Joseph C. Brutzkus, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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