Karl M. Schweitzer Jr., MD
Accepting New Patients
Duke Health Provider question
It is my responsibility and privilege to empower my patients.
– Karl M. Schweitzer Jr., MD

Karl M. Schweitzer Jr., MD

Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeon

Duke Health Provider question
Accepting New Patients
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
Where I See Patients
Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center Arringdon - Morrisville, NC
Duke Orthopaedics of Cary - Cary, NC
Duke Orthopaedics of Raleigh - Raleigh, NC
Duke Raleigh Hospital - Raleigh, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
It is my responsibility and privilege to empower my patients.
– Karl M. Schweitzer Jr., MD

About Me

My pursuit of a career in orthopaedics has come as no surprise to those around me. Growing up on our family horse farm in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, afforded me many mechanical tasks. Foot and ankle orthopaedics was an obvious choice: the diverse patient population, challenging surgeries, and the ability to help my patients get back to the activities they enjoy most. As medical missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by the spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” It is my responsibility, but also privilege as a surgeon, to empower my patients with ‘that light’, through optimism, knowledge and ultimately relief, through both non-operative and surgical means. I perform a variety of reconstructive procedures, including: fore/midfoot surgeries, ankle arthroscopy and cartilage restorative surgery, tendon/ligament repair/reconstruction, lower extremity fracture care, ankle replacement and fusion, diabetic Charcot reconstruction (including use of Ilizarov thin-wire frame techniques) and advanced deformity reconstruction for conditions related to arthritic, neurologic, congenital or acquired conditions.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English

Call for an Appointment

Areas of Expertise

  • Foot and ankle sports injuries/fractures
  • Osteochondral lesions
  • Ankle/subtalar arthroscopy
  • Ankle instability
  • Total ankle replacement (primary and revision)
  • Custom implants/total talus replacement
  • Complex foot/ankle deformity and reconstruction
  • Talar avascular necrosis
  • Drop foot and tendon transfer reconstruction
  • Forefoot reconstruction (bunion/hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities)

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.

Overall Provider Rating
4.69 out of 5
742 ratings, 80 reviews

Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship
Foot and Ankle Surgery, OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute (North Carolina), 2014
Residency
Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, 2013
Education
MD, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University (Pennsylvania), 2008

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

As an orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist, I believe research, whether benchtop or clinical, is essential to advance the field, in order to improve patient care and outcomes. I enjoy participating in clinical research, which thus far has focused on ankle arthritis, total ankle replacement including functional outcomes, and foot and ankle trauma.

Publications and Grants

Insurance Accepted

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.

    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.

    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Healthgram
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • Healthy Blue
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.
  • Arthrex, Inc.
  • Ibex, Inc
  • Restor3D, inc
  • Stryker Orthopaedics
  • Tayco Brace, Inc.