Christopher A. Makarewich
( out of 208 reviews )

Christopher A. Makarewich, MD, FAAOS

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Idaho Falls Community Hospital

Pediatric Specialty Center
2330 Desoto St.
Idaho Falls , ID 83404
801-662-5600
Get Directions

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Orthopaedics
100 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-662-5600
Get Directions

Shriners Hospital for Children

Fairfax Road & Virginia
Salt Lake City , UT 84103
801-536-3600
Get Directions

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

Patients consistently describe Dr. Makarewich as kind, patient, and caring, noting that he listens carefully and takes time to answer questions thoroughly. Commenters emphasize his clear communication, thoughtful explanations, and apparent expertise, which helped them feel confident in their child’s care. Multiple reviews also highlight his professionalism and personable manner, with Spanish-language feedback reflecting the same positive themes.

Generated via Patient Reviews

4.8 /5
( out of 208 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.

Mar 05, 2026
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Makarewich was very thorough, very thoughtful and did a great job taking care of my child

Jan 10, 2026
EXTERNAL SITE

Dr. Makarewich is very knowledgeable and showed great concern in getting the care my child needed. He was polite and professional, but also personable and caring. He listen carefully to my concerns and thoroughly answered all my questions.

Dec 28, 2025
EXTERNAL SITE

Wonderful! Dr. Makawarewich was knowledgeable and competent and he helped me understand my child's diagnosis and what we needed to do going forward.

Nov 20, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Good experience, the doctor was very kind and answered all my questions very well. [TRANSLATED]

Nov 19, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

I trust this guy

Nov 17, 2025
EXTERNAL SITE

Thank you

May 13, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Makarewich was everything we hoped for. Extremely patient, kind, thoughtful, considerate and caring. He didn't rush us through our very long and emotional visit. He answered every question with time and detail. We couldn't ask for a better surgeon for our daughter. His resume and credentials are over-the-top impressive. We are beyond appreciative and full of thanks and gratitude.

Apr 23, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Great care, thanks!

Apr 09, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

He's is a wonderful caring and experienced doctor.

Apr 03, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Very good person and very kind [TRANSLATED]

Mar 12, 2025
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

He is wonderful!

Feb 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.

Dec 10, 2024
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

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

Dec 10, 2024
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

He is an amazing doctor

Nov 02, 2024
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Muy amable el dr

Oct 01, 2024
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Muy amable y profesional

Oct 01, 2024
PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

Muy acertivo con U.S. diagnóstico

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.

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. Johnson BT, Khalil AZ, Froerer DL, Metz AK, Hughes IX, Matter AL, Featherall J, Makarewich CA, Aoki SK (2026). Finding the physeal midpoint for distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis utilizing novel anatomic measurements. J Pediatr Orthop B.
  2. Johnson B, Metz A, Andra K, Featherall J, Makarewich C, Aoki SK (2026). Podium Abstracts Presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Arthroscopy, 42(S1), S30.
  3. Smith AC, Bellaire LL, Speirs JN, Turtle JD, MacWilliams BA, Makarewich CA (2026). The Reliability of Photograph-Based Digital Measurements for Assessing the Pediatric Elbow Range of Motion-A Pilot Study. Children (Basel), 13(3).
  4. Siebert MJ, Roper C, Amick M, Trutner ZD, MacWilliams BA, Makarewich CA (2026). The Effect of Transphyseal Rigid Tibial Nailing on Proximal Tibial Morphology in Pediatric Patients With at Least 1 Year of Growth Remaining. J Pediatr Orthop.
  5. Nguyen CV, Makarewich CA, Akula S, Poon SC, Cho RH (2026). Fixation Procedures of The Proximal Third Femur in Patients With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Location, Location, and High Revision Rates. J Pediatr Orthop.
  6. Roper C, Siebert MJ, Amick M, MacWilliams BA, Makarewich CA (2025). Response to: Risk Factors for Nonunion After Femoral Rotational Osteotomy for Idiopathic Anteversion and Retroversion in Adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop.
  7. Roper C, Siebert MJ, Amick M, MacWilliams BA, Makarewich CA (2025). Risk Factors for Nonunion After Femoral Rotational Osteotomy for Idiopathic Anteversion and Retroversion in Adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop, 46(1), e37-e42.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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).
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. Wey A, Makarewich CA, Whiting PS, Schiffern A, Woiczik M (Novermber 2020). Trends in Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship. JPOSNA, 2(3).
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. Makarewich CA, Herzenberg JE, McClure PK (2020). Latest Advances in Limb Lengthening Using Magnetically Controlled Intramedullary Lengthening Nails. Surg Technol Int, 36, 404-411.
  28. 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.
  29. Rothberg DL, Makarewich CA (2019). Fat Embolism and Fat Embolism Syndrome. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 27(8), e346-e355.
  30. 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.
  31. Makarewich CA, Lang P, Hutchinson DT (2017). Digital Ischemia After Application of Self-Adherent Elastic Wrap Dressing: A Case Series. Pediatrics, 141(1).
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. 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.
  35. Makarewich C, West DA (2012). Charles Bonnet syndrome-induced psychosis? Visual hallucinations with paranoid delusions in a visually-impaired man. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, 23(4), E6.
  36. Stenzler LM, Makarewich CACoulon A, Ardia DR, Lovette IJ, Winkler DW (2009). Subtle Edge-of-Range Genetic Structuring in Transcontinentally Distributed North American Tree Swallows. The Condor: Ornithological Applications, 111(3), 470-478.
  37. Rubin BE, Makarewich CA, Talaba AL, Stenzler L, Bogdanowicz SM, Lovette IJ (2009). Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from the acacia-ant Crematogaster mimosae. Mol Ecol Resour, 9(4), 1212-4.
  38. Makarewich CA, Stenzler LM, Ferretti V, Winkler DW, Lovette IJ (2009). Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from three species of swallows in the genus Tachycineta: T. albilinea, T. bicolor and T. leucorrhoa. Mol Ecol Resour, 9(2), 631-5.
  39. Cramer ER, Stenzler L, Talaba AL, Makarewich CA, Vehrencamp SL, Lovette IJ (2008). Isolation and characterization of SNP variation at 90 anonymous loci in the banded wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus). Conserv Genet, 9(6), 1657-1660.
  40. Coulon A, Fitzpatrick JW, Bowman R, Stith BM, Makarewich CA, Stenzler LM, Lovette IJ (2008). Congruent population structure inferred from dispersal behaviour and intensive genetic surveys of the threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). Mol Ecol, 17(7), 1685-701.

Book Chapter

  1. Swarup I, Makarewich C, Blumberg TJ, Pandya NK (2023). Hip Pain in Adolescent Patients. In Instr Course Lect (73, pp. 471-486). United States.
  2. Siebert MJ, Makarewich CA (2022). Anterolateral Tibial Bowing and Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of the Tibia: Current Concept Review and Future Directions. In Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med (5, pp. 438-446). United States.
  3. 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.
  4. Makarewich CA, Hutchinson DT (2016). Tendon Transfers for Combined Peripheral Nerve Injuries. In Hand Clin (32, pp. 377-87). United States.

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.

News & Podcasts

News