Dr. Shawn Palmer, DO

Dr. Shawn W. Palmer, DO, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained joint replacement surgeon at OrthoIllinois, a division of OrthoMidwest. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Palmer has established a distinguished reputation for advancing joint care in the Midwest, particularly in outpatient anterior approach hip and total knee replacement surgery.

Dr. Palmer was a pioneer in the field of robotic-assisted joint surgery, becoming the first surgeon in Illinois to train on this technology in 2007. He traveled to Florida as a guest of the inventor of MAKO technology to learn advanced, robotic-assisted surgical techniques. In the years since, he has completed training on multiple systems, including Velys, OMNIBotics, T-Mini, and Lantern. Notably, Dr. Palmer is the original user of the Lantern system in Illinois, bringing unmatched experience to his patients.

With this extensive expertise, Dr. Palmer uniquely combines the latest technological advancements with a …traditional, patient-centered approach. In his practice, patients are encouraged to engage in open discussions to determine the best course of care, ranging from conservative non-operative treatments to the most advanced surgical options.

Throughout his career, Dr. Palmer has performed over 7,000 joint replacements for patients from around the world, delivering world-class service and care. Raised in a small town in East Texas, he values simplicity, integrity, and mutual respect. He received his surgical training at the University of Chicago and is a life member of the University of Chicago Surgical Society. Despite his impressive credentials, Dr. Palmer remains committed to treating each patient with the same honesty and personal attention that he learned growing up.

Having been a patient himself, Dr. Palmer understands firsthand the anxiety and uncertainty that can accompany surgery. His experiences as a collegiate athlete included overcoming a broken leg, a torn rotator cuff, and five back surgeries, giving him unique empathy for those facing similar challenges. He encourages patients to ask questions, seek second opinions, and participate in shared decision-making to achieve the best possible outcomes—whether through surgery or by focusing on fitness, diet, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Dr. Palmer’s greatest motivation and reward come from helping patients return to more active, pain-free lives and witnessing their satisfaction. He is dedicated to making the journey to restored mobility as straightforward and respectful as possible.