Christopher Ernst Attinger, MD| Limb Preservation, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery | MedStar Health
Christopher Ernst Attinger

Christopher Ernst Attinger, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.9 out of 5 (796 reviews)

Specialties: Limb Preservation, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Surgical Wound Care

Languages: French, Spanish, German, English

202-444-0300

About me

Christopher E. Attinger, MD, is board certified plastic surgeon, located at our MedStar Georgetown University Hospital location. Dr. Attinger is Director of the Center for Wound Healing and Professor for our MedStar Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department.

His experience during his two tours of duty in the Vietnam War led Dr. Attinger to his career in medicine. The complexity and challenges of healing wounds while preserving function is the key to his continued focus within reconstructive surgery and wound care.

As a wound care specialist and surgeon, he focuses on using limb-saving techniques and amputation to give patients the ability to take full advantage of their physical capabilities.

He leads a team that specializes in preventing and treating lower extremity complications caused by trauma, vascular disease, and Diabetes. The team includes Vascular, Plastic, Podiatric and Orthopedic Surgeons, as well as Prosthetitists, Hyperbarists, Hospitalists, Rheumatologists, Dermatologists and Infectious Disease specialists, who provide seamless care and expertise that is tailored to returning patients to their optimal function.

Read details about Dr. Attinger's background and accomplishments.

Clinical areas of focus

  • Amputation Above The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Below The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Of The Foot Surgery
  • Amputation Revision Surgery
  • Complex Wound Management
  • Diabetic Foot Infection
  • Diabetic Limb Salvage
  • Diabetic Ulcer
  • Flap Surgery
  • Foot Wound
  • Lower Extremity Reconstruction
  • Non Healing Wound
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Skin Graft

Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Diabetic Foot Infection
  • Diabetic Ulcer
  • Foot Ulcer
  • Foot Wound
  • Non Healing Wound
  • Osteomyelitis
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Procedures I perform

  • Amputation Above The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Below The Knee Surgery
  • Amputation Of The Foot Surgery
  • Amputation Revision Surgery
  • Complex Wound Management
  • Diabetic Limb Salvage
  • Flap Surgery
  • Lower Extremity Reconstruction
  • Lower Limb Preservation
  • Musculocutaneous Flap
  • Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
  • Skin Graft
  • Upper Limb Preservation
  • Wound Care
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Practice locations

Distance from Enter your Location

3800 Reservoir Road Northwest
Bles Bldg
Washington, DC, 20007

202-444-9686

Fax 202-444-0300

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-444-0300

Insurance

MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.

    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)

      Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA

      Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus

      Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus

      Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II

      Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA

      Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus

      Innovation Health: Network Only Plus

      Innovation Health: POS

      Innovation Health: POS Plus

      Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)

      Innovation Health: Open POS Plus

      Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)

      Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA

      Aetna Student Health Insurance

      Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)

      Innovation Health: PPO

      Innovation Health: Indemnity

      Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)

      Aetna HMO

      Aetna Open Choice (PPO)

      Aetna Managed Choice (POS)

      Innovation Health: Open POS II

      Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network

      Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans

    • Cigna HMO Open Access

      Cigna EPO

      Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |

      Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)

      Cigna POS/Network POS

      Cigna Choice Fund PPO

      Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)

      Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)

      Cigna Network Open Access

      Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)

      Cigna Preferred Medicare

      Cigna PPO and PPO Plus

      Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)

      Cigna Indemnity

      Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus

      Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA

    • Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice

      Kaiser Flexible Choice

      Virginia Premier

      Kaiser Medicare Plus

      Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member

      Kaiser Select-Added Choice

      Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select

      Kaiser Select

      Kaiser Signature

    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)

    • D-SNP)

      United Select Plus (POS)

      United AARP Medicare Complete

      United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP

      United Erickson Advantage Plans

      United Choice

      United Navigate

      I-SNP

      UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans

      United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)

      United Core Essential (HMO)

      United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)

      United Mamsi Life & Health

      United Select HMO - EPO/NPP

      United MD IPA (HMO)

      United Optimum Choice

      United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose

      United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program

      United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia

      United MD IPA Preferred (POS)

      United Choice Plus

      United Group Medicare Advantage Plans

      United Student Resources

      United Golden Rule

    • Medicaid - Virginia

      Medicaid - Maryland

      Medicaid - District of Columbia

    • Beech Street PPO

    • Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)

    • HealthyBlue PPO

      CareFirst Administrators

      Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)

      CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO

      Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO

      CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity

      CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage

      Carefirst BlueChoice HMO

      CareFirst NASCO

      CareFirst MedStar Select PPO

      Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)

      CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)

      Carefirst EPO

      CareFirst MedStar PPO

      Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)

      Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access

      Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)

      Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access

      CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)

      CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced

    • Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)

      Employee Health Plan (EHP)

      Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice

    • HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO

      HumanaChoice PPO

    • WellPoint Maryland

    • Tricare Reserve Select

      Tricare East Prime

      Tricare East Select

      Tricare for Life East

    • Police and Fire Clinic

    • Traditional Medicare Fee for Service

    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network

    • WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice

    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)

    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families

      MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance

      MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice

    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO

      Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO

      First Health PPO

      Coventry Health Care of Virginia

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery

Residency: New York University School of Medicine (1989)

Fellowship: Brigham and Womens Hospital (1987)

Residency: Brigham and Womens Hospital (1986)

Internship: Brigham and Womens Hospital (1982)

Medical School: Yale University (1981)

News and publications

MyGeorgetownMD - Health Newsletter (Winter 2017) Novel Heel Surgery Saves Patient's Foot for the Across the Bay 10K

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.8
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.9
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.8
  • Provider included you in decisions

    4.8
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.9
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.9
  • Feb 6, 2025

    Very professional

  • Jan 25, 2025

    Dr Attinger and his team are always professional And knowledgeable!

  • Jan 13, 2025

    Dr. Attinger is a miracle worker. He has saved my mom from having any surgery and provided her with an improved quality of life. He is a caring and wonderful doctor and person. His upbeat bed side manner is wonderful. Wounds are serious and not a happy experience and he makes everything much better with his care. He always gives my family piece of mind - remembers our family and what is most important to us. We are so very grateful for him and his team.