Francis Y. Lee, MD

Francis Y. Lee, MD, PhD, is an orthopaedic surgeon with extensive expertise treating both adults and children. Committed to providing care of the highest quality, Dr. Lee works with a range of musculoskeletal problems, from fractures and limb deformities to musculoskeletal tumors and infections. He is an expert in complex musculoskeletal reconstruction.

A professor in the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Lee has a secondary appointment in the Department of Pathology. He holds the rare distinction of being both an orthopaedic surgeon and a musculoskeletal scientist scholar working with National Institutes of Health (NIH) research programs. Dr. Lee conducts extensive research into such areas as fracture healing and bone metastasis. Dr. Lee has been a pioneer in developing minimally invasive Ablation-Osteoplasty-Reinforcement-Internal Fixation (AORIF) that is specially designed for patients with cancer that has spread to bone. This paradigm-shifting ambulatory procedure provides local cancer control, decreases pain, and improves ambulatory function.

Dr. Lee says he especially enjoys interacting with patients and their families. He draws upon his research background to approach each case with a sense of discovery and innovation. “I will provide care for you and your family as if I were treating my own family members and friends,” he says.

Dr. Lee also serves as a Presidential Line Officer (2022-2023: Treasurer; 2023-2034: Secretary; 2024-2025: President-Elect; 2025-2026: President) for the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, a premier professional organization for musculoskeletal tumor surgeons.