Christopher A. Makarewich
( out of 161 reviews )

Christopher A. Makarewich, MD

Clinical Locations

Idaho Falls Community Hospital

Pediatric Specialty Center
Idaho Falls
801-662-5600

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Orthopaedics
Salt Lake City
801-662-5600

Shriners Hospital for Children

Salt Lake City
801-536-3600

  • Christopher Makarewich, MD is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and Instructor in the University of Utah Department of Orthopaedics, seeing patients at Primary Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children – Salt Lake City.

    Dr. Makarewich specializes in limb lengthening and reconstruction for limb deformities of any cause, including trauma, infection, congenital differences, and genetic/syndromic disorders. In addition, he also focuses on hip disorders including hip dysplasia, Legg-Calves-Perthes disease, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis, as well as pediatric orthopaedic trauma. He finds the process of restoring a child’s function and ability to stay or become active to be incredibly rewarding.

    Dr. Makarewich graduated cum laude from Colby College in Maine. He received his medical degree with honors from Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and received the Freddie H. Fu, MD Outstanding Student Award in Orthopaedics as well as the Frederick P. Lord Award in Anatomy. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Utah and went on to a pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He then continued to further subspecialize in pediatric limb lengthening and reconstructive surgery through a fellowship with the International Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction at the Rubin Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, and the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society.

    When Dr. Makarewich is not working he can be found spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors while hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

    Patient Rating

    4.7 /5
    ( out of 161 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    March 12, 2025
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    He is wonderful!

    February 26, 2025
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    My son is the most important person in my life and I truly felt like Dr Makarewich understood that without needing to be told. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the education we needed about his current issue, and he even took time to listen to a previous issue that we had an referred us to a colleague who might be able to help. I trust that we are in good hands, which means more to a mom than anything else.

    December 10, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    He is an amazing doctor

    December 10, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr. Makarewich was friendly and took the time to answer our questions without feeling rushed.

    November 02, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Muy amable el dr

    October 01, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Muy amable y profesional

    October 01, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Muy acertivo con U.S. diagnóstico

    July 23, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Such a kind doctor. My daughter felt comfortable through the whole process. He answered all my questions. His bedside manner was great.

    July 09, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Seemed inconvienced when I asked questions. Didn't really take time to explain things. The whole process was rushed and he didn't seem to care.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Christopher Makarewich, MD is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and Instructor in the University of Utah Department of Orthopaedics, seeing patients at Primary Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children – Salt Lake City.

    Dr. Makarewich specializes in limb lengthening and reconstruction for limb deformities of any cause, including trauma, infection, congenital differences, and genetic/syndromic disorders. In addition, he also focuses on hip disorders including hip dysplasia, Legg-Calves-Perthes disease, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis, as well as pediatric orthopaedic trauma. He finds the process of restoring a child’s function and ability to stay or become active to be incredibly rewarding.

    Dr. Makarewich graduated cum laude from Colby College in Maine. He received his medical degree with honors from Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and received the Freddie H. Fu, MD Outstanding Student Award in Orthopaedics as well as the Frederick P. Lord Award in Anatomy. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Utah and went on to a pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He then continued to further subspecialize in pediatric limb lengthening and reconstructive surgery through a fellowship with the International Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction at the Rubin Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, and the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society.

    When Dr. Makarewich is not working he can be found spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors while hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Orthopaedics -Assistant Professor
    Board Certification
    American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

    Education history

    Fellowship Limb lengthening and reconstruction - International Center for Limb Lengthening, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopaedics, Sinai Hospital Fellow
    Fellowship Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Fellow
    Residency Orthopaedic Surgery - University of Utah Resident
    Professional Medical Medicine - Dartmouth Medical School MD
    Undergraduate Concentration in Environmental Science - Colby College B.A. (Hons)

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Makarewich CA, Stephens SE, Njoku NC, Zhang E, Torrez TW (2025). The fate of hemiepiphysiodesis implants left in place after skeletal maturity in patients with idiopathic genu valgum. J Pediatr Orthop B, 34(3), 282-284. (Read full article)
    2. Torrez TW, Amick M, Njoku N, Zhang E, Stephens SE, Makarewich CA (2024). Removal of the Metaphyseal Screw From Tension Band Constructs After Hemiepiphysiodesis: High Rates of Physeal Tethering and Subsequent Implant Removal. J Pediatr Orthop. (Read full article)
    3. Nguyen CV, Makarewich CA, Poon SC, Cho RH, Hennessey TA (2024). Long-term Outcomes of Intramedullary Nails in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Fewer Surgeries and Longer Survival Times With Telescoping Rods in Patients With Over Ten Years Follow-up. J Pediatr Orthop. (Read full article)
    4. Siebert MJ, Zhang E, Stephens SE, Wey AJ, Eppich K, Presson AP, Holmes SM, Makarewich CA (2024). Screw Diameter and Use of a Washer Affect Symptomatic Implant Removal Rates in Pediatric Medial Epicondyle Fractures. J Pediatr Orthop, 44(7), 427-432. (Read full article)
    5. Swarup I, Makarewich C, Blumberg TJ, Pandya NK (2023). Hip Pain in Adolescent Patients. Instr Course Lect, 73, 471-486. (Read full article)
    6. Makarewich CA, Zhang E, Stevens PM (2023). Hemiepiphysiodesis for Lower Extremity Coronal Plane Angular Correction in the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia in Children With Achondroplasia. J Pediatr Orthop, 43(8), e639-e642. (Read full article)
    7. Makarewich CA, Cheminant JR, Biddle NC, Brennan JN, San Juan A (2023). Telehealth follow-up in the postoperative care of surgically treated pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. J Pediatr Orthop B, 33(2), 192-197. (Read full article)
    8. Makarewich CA (2022). Efficacy and Safety of "Sleeper Plate" in Temporary Hemiepiphysiodesis and the Observation of "Tethering": Are the Benefits Worth the Risks? J Pediatr Orthop, 42, e1018-e1019. (Read full article)
    9. Makarewich CA, McNeely LW, Gohel S, Baldwin KD (2022). Open Fractures in Pediatric Orthopaedics-Can Pathways Improve Care? A 1-Year Pre and Postimplementation Analysis. J Pediatr Orthop, 42, e937-e942. (Read full article)
    10. Siebert MJ, Makarewich CA (2022). Anterolateral Tibial Bowing and Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of the Tibia: Current Concept Review and Future Directions. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med, 5(6), 438-446. (Read full article)
    11. Spence DD, Wiskerchen S, Makarewich CA, Mansour AA, Selberg CM, Oleas-Santillan GF, Schiller JR, Hogue GD, POSNA QSVI HipLower Extremity Committee (2022). Coding Challenges in Common Pediatric and Adolescent Hip Preservation Procedures. JPOSNA, 4(2), 1-5.
    12. Nahm NJ, Makarewich CA, Rosenwasser KA, Herzenberg JE, McClure PK (2022). Does An Osteotomy Performed in Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia Heal? J Pediatr Orthop, 42, e630-e635. (Read full article)
    13. Makarewich CA, Wait ES, Fedorak GT, MacWilliams BA (2022). Factors Affecting Slip Progression After In Situ Screw Fixation of Stable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. J Pediatr Orthop, 42, e414-e420. (Read full article)
    14. Williams BA, Magee LC, Makarewich CA, Swarup I, McNeely LW, Shah AS (2022). Preoperative Opioid Informed Consent and Prescribing Practices in Children Undergoing Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev, 6(1). (Read full article)
    15. Makarewich CA, Talwar D, Baldwin KD, Swarup I (2021). Response to: Flexible Intramedullary Nailing of Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children Weighing ≥40 kg: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pediatr Orthop, 41(6), e479-e480. (Read full article)
    16. ONeill DC, Dekeyser GJ, Mortensen AJ, Makarewich CA (2021). Adolescent Fat Embolism Syndrome after Closed Tibial Shaft Fracture: Treatment with Emergent External Fixation. Case Rep Orthop, 2021, 5585085. (Read full article)
    17. Williams BA, Makarewich CA, Montoya-Williams DC, Krakow A, Lioy J, Horn BD (2020). Epidemiology and management of appendicular fractures occurring in neonatal intensive care patients. Acta Paediatr, 110(2), 489-494. (Read full article)
    18. Makarewich CA, Talwar D, Baldwin KD, Swarup I (2020). Flexible Intramedullary Nailing of Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children Weighing ≥40 kg: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Pediatr Orthop, 40(10), 562-568. (Read full article)
    19. Wey A, Makarewich CA, Whiting PS, Schiffern A, Woiczik M (Novermber 2020). Trends in Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship. JPOSNA, 2(3).
    20. Hughes MS, Swarup I, Makarewich CA, Williams BA, Talwar D, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM, Anari JB (2019). Expert Consensus for Early Onset Scoliosis Surgery. J Pediatr Orthop, 40(7), e621-e628. (Read full article)
    21. Makarewich CA, Swarup I, Davidson RS (2020). A simple approach for determining tendon limb length in open Achilles lengthening: technical note. J Pediatr Orthop B, 29(4), 359-362. (Read full article)
    22. Makarewich CA, Herzenberg JE, McClure PK (2020). Latest Advances in Limb Lengthening Using Magnetically Controlled Intramedullary Lengthening Nails. Surg Technol Int, 36, 404-411. (Read full article)
    23. Makarewich CA, Stotts AK, Yoo M, Nelson RE, Rothberg DL (2019). Inpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment of Gartland Type II Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: A Cost and Safety Comparison. J Pediatr Orthop, 40(5), 211-217. (Read full article)
    24. Rothberg DL, Makarewich CA (2019). Fat Embolism and Fat Embolism Syndrome. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 27(8), e346-e355. (Read full article)
    25. Makarewich CA, Anderson MB, Gililland JM, Pelt CE, Peters CL (2018). Ten-year survivorship of primary total hip arthroplasty in patients 30 years of age or younger. Bone Joint J, 100-B(7), 867-874. (Read full article)
    26. Makarewich CA, Lang P, Hutchinson DT (2017). Digital Ischemia After Application of Self-Adherent Elastic Wrap Dressing: A Case Series. Pediatrics, 141(1). (Read full article)
    27. Wylie JD, Makarewich CA, Working ZM, Jacobson L, Schmidt RL, Crim JR, Burks RT (2017). Findings Associated With Knee Pathology on MRI in Patients Without Osteoarthritis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 25(11), 780-786. (Read full article)
    28. Montanez A, Makarewich CA, Burks RT, Henninger HB (2016). The Medial Stitch in Transosseous-Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair: Vertical or Horizontal Mattress? Am J Sports Med, 44(9), 2225-30. (Read full article)
    29. Makarewich CA, Hutchinson DT (2016). Tendon Transfers for Combined Peripheral Nerve Injuries. Hand Clin, 32(3), 377-87. (Read full article)
    30. Makarewich CA, Dwyer KW, Cantu RV (2015). Severe neurologic manifestations of fat embolism syndrome in a polytrauma patient. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ), 44(1), E25-8. (Read full article)

    Book Chapter

    1. Makarewich, CA (2021). Fractures of the Growth Plate. In Anari, JB (Eds.), Orthopaedia: Pediatrics (pp. 2-8). Haverford, PA: The Codman Group/United States Bone and Joint Initiative.

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Makarewich CA (2023). Peds Ortho: Lit. [Video]. POSNAcademy. Available: https://www.posnacademy.org/media/Peds+OrthoA+Lit.+Update+with+Chris+Makarewich%2C+MD/1_8m6s5oxw.

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