Benjamin R. Williams, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon Foot & Ankle Specialist

Benjamin R. Williams, M.D.

Orthopedic surgeon Foot & Ankle Specialist

Dr. Benjamin Williams is an orthopedic surgeon and foot and ankle specialist based in Bloomington, MN, affiliated with TRIA of HealthPartners and Park Nicollet. He received advanced fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Williams earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Williams has a particular interest in treating foot and ankle conditions such as flatfoot deformities and ankle arthritis. He enjoys caring for patients of all ages and treats a wide range of conditions from degenerative arthritis and sports injuries to complex conditions such as congenital tarsal coalition and trauma. His practice philosophy centers on the belief that each patient is unique, with individual needs and goals. Dr. Williams works closely with his patients to ensure they are well-informed and actively involved in making decisions about their treatment plan.

Background and Education

Education

Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School – 2015

Training

Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Hospital for Special Surgery – 2021
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery: University of Minnesota – 2020

Awards

Gustilo Research Award for Best Scientific Paper during residency
University of Minnesota, Resident Quality Improvement Award

Publications

Cunningham BP, Dugarte AJ, McCreary DL, Parikh HR, Lindell JS, Williams BR, Reams M, Pena FA, Immediate Weightbearing After Operative Treatment of Bimalleolar and Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures: Faster Return to Work for Patients with Nonsedentary Occupations. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2021 Jan-Feb;60(1):11-16
Williams BR, Kelly B, Calhoun A, Sembrano JN. Otospondylomegaepiphyseal Dysplasia: Clinical and Radiographic Findings and Literature Review. JBJS Case Connector. JBJS Case Connect. 2020 Oct 16;10(4):e20.00140
Williams BR, McCreary DL, Parikh HR, White M, Cunningham BP. Improvement in Functional Outcomes after Symptomatic Implant Removal: Upper versus Lower Extremity. JAAOS Global Research & Reviews. 2020 Sep;4(9):e20.00137
Bakker C, Wise KL, Williams BR, Swiontkowski MK. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Postoperative Pain: A Systematic Review. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 May 20;102 Suppl 1:S36-S46. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.19.01439.
Williams BR, Freking WG, Ridley TJ, Agel J, Swiontkowski MF. The Proportion of Abstracts Presented at the 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting Ultimately Published. Orthopedics. 2020 Apr 20;1-7. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20200415-02.
McCreary DL, Dugarte AJ, Vang S, Plowman B, Williams BR, Parikh HR, Cunningham BP. Patient-Level Value Analysis: An Innovative Approach to Optimize Care Delivery. J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Nov;33 Suppl 7:S49-S52.
2. MacCormick LM, Baynard T, Williams BR, Vang S, Xi M, Lafferty P. Procedural Sedation Compared to Intra-articular Block for Closed Reduction of Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Review. Foot Ankle Int. 2018;39(10):1162-1168. Epub 2018 Jun 2. 3. Williams BR, McCreary DL, Chau M, Pena F, Cunningham BP, Swiontkowski MF. Functional Outcomes of Symptomatic Implant Removal Following Ankle Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation. Foot Ankle Int. 2018 Jun;39(6):674-680.
4. Williams BR, MacCormick LA, McCreary DL, Dugarte AJ, Cunningham BP. Publication of Podium Presentations at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meetings: 2008-2012. J Orthop Trauma. 2018;32(5): e166-170
Bechtold JE, Williams BR, Weinstein SL, Polly DW, Pugely AJ, Buckwalter JA, Albanese S, McGowan J, Bozic K, Snyder B. The Pursuit of Scholarship – Why we should care about Resident Research and Best Practices to Achieve Maximal Impact. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017;15;99(22):e119.
Williams BR, Agel JA, Van Heest AE. Protected Time for Research During Orthopaedic Residency Correlates with an Increased Number of Resident Publications. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017;99(13):e73.
Williams BR, Thomas AJ, Collier RC, Anderson SA. Vitamin D Levels Do Not Predict Risk of Metatarsal Fractures. Foot Ankle Spec. 2018;11(1):37-43. [Epub Mar 2017].
Williams BR, Kunas GC, Deland JT, Ellis SJ. Publication Rates for Podium and Poster Presentations from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society: 2008-2012. Foot Ankle Int. 2017;38(5): 558-563.
Williams BR, Van Heest AE. Idiopathic Fenestrated Complex Syndactyly in a Unique Crisscross Fashion Running head: Surgical Separation of Complex Criss-cross Syndactyly. J Hand Surg Am. 2016;41(12):e485-e489.
Oh I, Imhauser CW, Choi D, Williams BR, Ellis SJ, Deland JT. Sensitivity of plantar pressure and talonavicular alignment to lateral column lengthening in flatfoot reconstruction. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013;95(12):1094-1100.
Chan J, Williams BR, Nair P, Young E, Sofka C, Deland JT, and Ellis SJ. The Contribution of Medializing Calcaneal Osteotomy on Hindfoot Alignment in the Reconstruction of the Stage II Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity. Foot Ankle Int. 2013;34(2):159-166.
Deland JT, Williams BR. Surgical Treatment of Hallux Rigidus. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012;20(6):347-358.
Ellis SJ, Williams BR, Garg R, Campbell G, Pavlov H, Deland JT. Incidence of plantar lateral foot pain before and after the use of trial metal wedges in lateral column lengthening. Foot Ankle Int. 2011;32(7):665-673.
Ellis SJ, Williams BR, Pavlov H, Deland JT. Results of Anatomic Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction with Tendon Allograft. HSS Journal 2011;7(2):134-140.
Oh, I Williams BR, Ellis SJ, Kwon DJ, Deland JT. Reconstruction of the Symptomatic Idiopathic Flatfoot in Adolescents and Young Adults. Foot Ankle Int. 2011;32(3):225-232.
Ellis SJ, Williams BR, Wagshul A, Pavlov H, Deland JT. Deltoid Ligament Reconstruction with Peroneus Longus Autograft in Flatfoot Deformity. Foot Ankle Int. 2010;31(9):781-789.
Williams BR, Ellis SJ, Yu JC, Deland JT. Stage IV Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Deltoid Ligament Reconstruction. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics 2010;20(3):183-189.
Ellis SJ, Williams BR, Yu JC, Deland JT. Spring Ligament Reconstruction for Advanced Flatfoot Deformity Using Achilles Allograft. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics 2010;20(3):175-182.
Williams BR, Ellis SJ, Deyer TW, Pavlov H, Deland JT. Reconstruction of the Spring Ligament using a Peroneus Longus Autograft Tendon Transfer. Foot Ankle Int. 2010;31(7):567-577.
Ellis SJ, Deyer T, Williams BR, Lehto S, Yu J, Pavlov H, Moderazo A, Deland JT. Assessment of Lateral Hindfoot Pain in Flatfoot Deformity Using Weightbearing Multiplanar Imagining. Foot Ankle Int. 2010;31(5):361-371.
Williams BR, Ellis SJ, Deland JT, Spring Ligament Reconstruction in Posterior Tibial Tendon Insufficiency. Current Orthopaedic Practice 2010;21(3):268-272.
Ellis SJ, Yu JC, Williams BR, Lee C, Chiu YL, Deland JT. New radiographic parameters assessing forefoot abduction in the adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Foot Ankle Int. 2009;30(12):1168-1176.

Medical Interests

Ankle arthroscopy including the use of BioCartilage
Ankle instability and ankle ligament reconstructive procedures
Cartilage restoration procedures
Flatfoot reconstructions and hindfoot reconstructive procedures
Total ankle arthroplasty (ankle replacement)

More About Me

Why did you become a doctor?

I always liked how the mechanics of the body worked. I realized that in orthopedics, a specific condition could be addressed to make a patient better.

What can patients expect if they choose you as their doctor?

If you choose me for your care, you can expect someone who will listen to your story and concerns. I will help you make an informed and well-educated decision on the plan of treatment.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?

When I’m not working, I enjoy rock climbing, biking, traveling and reading.

What are your favorite ways of staying healthy?

My favorite ways of staying healthy include biking and rock climbing.

Where is your hometown?

Pittsburgh, PA

How would your friends and family describe you?

My friends and family describe me as a listener. Someone people come to for advice.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was young, I wanted to be an Egyptologist or archeologist.

What’s a piece of advice you carry with you? And who shared it with you?

“Don’t take anything for granted.” My father shared this advice.

What is your favorite thing about living in Minnesota?

My favorite things in Minnesota are the parks and outdoor spaces.

What else would you like patients to know about you?

I did my undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences and Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University. Following college, I spent three years as a research assistant at the Hospital for Special Surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Deland, MD, and Scott Ellis, MD. It was here that my passion for orthopedics and specifically foot and ankle started. I went on to medical school at the University of Michigan and residency at the University of Minnesota. Following residency, I went back to New York City and completed my Foot and Ankle Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery. While in fellowship, I was trained by world experts in ankle replacements.

Benjamin R. Williams, M.D.