Orthopaedic Physicians

Joel B. Nilsson, M.D., FAAOS

Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery

Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon

Member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Joel B. Nilsson, MD, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who has also specialized in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. He graduated with a BS in Biology from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.  He earned an MS in Physiology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and then went on to earn his MD also from Georgetown University’s School of Medicine.  Once his academic studies were completed, his 14 year career in the US Army began with a one year transitional internship in Hawaii. This is where Dr. Nilsson’s love for orthopedic surgery began, leading him ultimately to orthopedic residency in El Paso, Texas at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center/William Beaumont Army Medical Center combined program.  

Upon finishing residency Dr. Nilsson moved back to the Washington DC area for his Hand specialty training at the prestigious Curtis National Hand Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  The Army utilized Dr. Nilsson’s skills next at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky where some of the Army’s finest soldiers serve with the 101st Airborne Division, Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group.  These patients experience a wide range of sports related and general orthopedic injuries, which expanded Dr. Nilsson’s expertise greatly.  His service to these soldiers culminated with a tour of duty in Iraq at the onset of the war.  As part of the invasion force, Dr. Nilsson was recognized for treating more combat wounded patients than any other surgeon while maintaining the highest technical standards and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service with the 86th Combat Support Hospital.

 As a faculty member at a level 1 trauma center, Dr. Nilsson has had the privilege of caring for some of the most seriously injured soldiers returning from overseas as well as for those seriously injured from within our own community and the Southwest Texas region.  He has also been privileged to teach military doctors in residency here.  Dr. Nilsson and Dr. Cyr solidified their friendship and professional esteem with a second tour of duty (this time together) in Iraq at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad. Dr. Nilsson and his family are pleased to live in San Antonio.  He is happy to serve you with his dedication and experience at the Orthopaedic and Spine Institute.

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