Mary Claire Manske, MD, MAS, FAOA

Mary Claire Manske, MD, MAS, FAOA, is an attending orthopedic surgeon in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Orthopedics Center, Hand and Arm Disorders Program, Brachial Plexus Injury Program and Cerebral Palsy Program. Dr. Manske brings nearly a decade of experience as a pediatric hand and upper extremity surgeon and is nationally recognized for her clinical expertise and contributions to research in this field. She specializes in caring for children born with congenital hand and arm differences; nerve and muscle (neuromuscular) conditions that affect how the arm works (like brachial plexus birth injuries, cerebral palsy and others); systemic conditions that affect the hand and arm as well as the rest of the body (skeletal disorders like multiple osteochondromas or enchondromas); and traumatic injuries like broken bones, cuts and damage to tendons or nerves. 

Training and expertise

Before joining CHOP, Dr. Manske practiced at the Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California and the University of California, Davis. She earned her medical degree and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine. She then completed fellowships in Hand and Microvascular Surgery at the University of Washington and Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at the Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California. In addition, she holds a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Clinical Research from the University of California, Davis, reflecting her dedication to advancing care based on the best available research and proven results.

Philosophy of care

An early love of books shaped Dr. Manske’s path to medicine. Growing up in St. Louis, she dreamed of becoming a librarian before discovering her calling in medicine. As a history and political science major in college, she nurtured her curiosity for stories and a desire to improve lives before channeling that same curiosity and motivation into the science of healing. After years of training and practice, she continues to be inspired by the determination and resilience of her young patients and the families who support them.

Dr. Manske is a compassionate physician and surgeon who treats each patient and family based on their individual circumstances. Her goal is to educate families, caregivers and patients who are old enough to understand about their condition. She guides them in making treatment choices that fit their goals and future needs. While surgery is one tool to improve hand and arm function, she explores all possible options to both enhance function and allow patients to accomplish their goals as they move through childhood into adulthood.

Dedication to research

Dr. Manske is committed to advancing clinical care through research. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has been awarded several competitive research grants, reflecting the clinical importance of her work. She has been recognized with awards and honors from national organizations including the American Orthopedic Association and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Her research focuses on improving outcomes for children with congenital upper limb differences and enhancing function and quality of life for children with neuromuscular conditions. She is especially interested in understanding risk factors and learning how to prevent these conditions so future infants and children can avoid surgery. She works together with a group of surgeon researchers who believe, “it is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

Life beyond the hospital

When she isn’t in the clinic or operating room, Dr. Manske enjoys being outdoors with her family and dogs, hiking, swimming long distances and unwinding with a good nonfiction book. These activities reflect her philosophy of care: that strength, balance and persistence can help children rediscover independence and confidence in their everyday lives.