Nathan Mesko, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic OncologyReconstructive Orthopedic SurgeryHip and Knee Orthopedic SurgeryOrthopedic Oncology
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Nathan Mesko
Biography
Dr. Mesko was born an Indiana Hoosier, and after a 3-year stint living on an Airforce Force base (Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota) as a young child, his family settled in Lansing, MI. After completing his college education at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), Dr. Mesko attended Loyola School of Medicine (Maywood, IL) for medical school, where he was named to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He continued his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at Cleveland Clinic, followed by a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). Here, he received extensive training in benign and malignant bone and soft tissue lesions, metastatic bone and soft tissue cancer, bone and soft tissue sarcoma excision and reconstruction techniques, and complex total hip and total knee primary and revision arthroplasty. After completing his training in Nashville, Dr. Mesko was the recipient of the Hatcher Pathology Fellowship from the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and spent time at various high volume sarcoma centers around the world, including Mt. Sinai (Toronto), Rizzoli (Bologna, Italy), the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore, UK) and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham (Birmingham, UK). After returning from England, Dr. Mesko joined the faculty of Cleveland Clinic in 2014.
Since returning to Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Mesko has specialized in bone & soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis and treatment, and he works closely in conjunction with a large multi-disciplinary team of surgeons, physicians, therapists, social workers, and nurses to care for those individuals with these rare diagnoses. In addition, he also specializes in the treatment of metastatic and benign tumor conditions, innovations and treatment surrounding amputee care, as well as osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis requiring total joint arthroplasty – including the Hip Resurfacing procedure. Finding synergy with his tumor practice, Dr. Mesko also enjoys the complexity surrounding total joint revision surgery, in the setting of a failed prosthetic joint and prosthetic joint infection.
Dr. Mesko’s research interests include clinical outcomes with bone and soft tissue sarcoma treatments, as well as working to improve educational efforts to increase sarcoma awareness. The Sarcoma team at Cleveland Clinic has been a founding institution for the Musculoskeletal Tumor Registry (MsTR) since 2019 – the first collaborative national sarcoma registry in the United States created with the purpose to improve functional and cancer outcomes in this rare malignancy. He is perhaps most passionate about leadership – breaking down barriers that hinder efficient and innovative healthcare delivery and empowering others to achieve their goals.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Mesko and his wife (Jenn), raise 3 daughters and a Rhodesian ridgeback. In addition, he considers a strong formative experience throughout his life as being that of serving in the role of medical missions around the world in Africa, Haiti and Central America. He particularly enjoys helping to teach and provide orthopaedic care to areas where appropriate musculoskeletal care is lacking. He has spent time at Hospital Shalom (Flores, Guatemala), Tenwek Hospital (Bomet, Kenya), Kijabe CURE International Hospital (Kijabe, Kenya), and Hospital Lumiere (Bonne Fin, Haiti). He enjoys cycling, downhill skiing and bourbon collecting as his hobbies. Him and his wife are members at Bay Presbyterian Church.
Locations
- Fairview Hospital
- 18101 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44111
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- A Building - Crile Building
- 2049 East 100th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106
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- CA Building - Taussig Cancer Center
- 10201 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2014
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic, 2013
- Medical Education: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, 2008
- Undergraduate: Wheaton College, 2004
Board Certifications
- Orthopaedic Surgery: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2016
Professional Highlights
- Vice Chair of Global Clinical Operations for Orthopaedic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
- Center Director for Orthopaedic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic
- Holds a Dual appointment in the Orthopaedic Department (Integrated Surgical Institute) and the Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cleveland Clinic
- Associate Professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.
- Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
- Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
- Active Member Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS)
- Active member Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons (ABJS)
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society member
- Past Cleveland Clinic Enterprise Sarcoma Director, 2016-2024
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2026-01-06, Dr. Mesko has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below.
Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Mesko receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:
- Onkos Surgical, Inc.
- Stryker Corporation
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
Insurances Accepted
Video
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
233 ratings, 34 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/10/2026
Rachel and Dr Mesko are the absolute BEST
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/6/2026
Dr. Mesko listens attentively and speaks concisely in an easy to understand manner.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/23/2026
Dr Mesko is without question the best, as an orthopedic surgeon but as a human being. Our world needs inherently good people like Dr Mesko. I am so deeply grateful he is my orthopedic surgeon/ specialist! Thank you Dr Mesko
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/23/2026
Great staff, kind compassionate patient, knowledgeable CNP Cassie, and the absolute all around best orthopedic surgeon ever Dr Mesko.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2026
As far as I am concerned, Dr. Mesko one of the most skilled surgeons in the world. I am, no doubt, alive today because of him. He has been wonderfully compassionate and caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2026
I''m lucky to be on Dr. Mesco'' Team hands. Thank you
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/24/2026
Outstanding physician and outstanding human being
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/16/2026
Dr. Mesko was very kind and straightforward with me about treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/6/2026
Excellent, difficult decisions to be made, Dr. Mesko was very understanding and honest about prognosis of options.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/29/2026
Dr.Mesko and his team are top notch. They care deeply.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/12/2026
Dr. Mesko's staff worked together to provide me with the best care at the hospital and during my post-op appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/12/2026
Easy to get in to see the doctor. No long waiting for an appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/12/2026
My experience was all good during my stay at the hospital after my surgery and during my post-op appointment withDr. Mesko discussed my In-home physical therapy progress and what I needed to achieve before our next appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/29/2025
Dr Mesko is outstanding in his surgical and clinical care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
Dr is the best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
Dr. Mesko and his staff are the Best!!!
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/10/2025
First time dr operated he was excellent this time he made me feel dirty and not worth his time
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2025
Through Dr. Mesko's expertise, my hip issues are corrected and I am very grateful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/23/2025
Dr. Mesko showed his care in a concise, straightforward approach, which is easy to understand & follow.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2025
I think that Dr. Mesko walks on water. His intervention with my very rare, very large, cancerous tumor was World Class. I doubt that anyone anywhere in the world could have done it with more skill. I will be forever grateful for him. In addition, Dr. Mesko's colleague, Dr. Jacob Scott deserves great credit as well because the radiation regimen he designed perfectly encapsulated the tumor. When It was removed it was over 80% dead tissue, an unexpected result I owe my life to both of them.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2025
Already have recommended Dr. Mesko to multipole people.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
Dr Mesko is excellent!! Would recommend to anyone.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
I definitely would recommend Dr Mesko to my friends.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
Dr.Mesko and his team are the best. Caring, concerned and put patient care a top priority.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/29/2025
Dr. Mesko and his staff are top notch! I haven't felt this good in years and would recommend him over and over again to other patients!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/22/2025
Excellent Nursing and Doctor staff
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/15/2025
Very good experience. I feel Dr Mesko will do everything he can do to help me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/15/2025
Wanderful team! I am so Thankful for Dr. Mesko ! God Bless him!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/23/2025
I came in for a consult concerning a hip resurfacing. My doctor started off discussing a THP without ever addressing why or why not I wasn't a candidate for a hip resurfacing.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/22/2025
I have recommended Dr Mesko to many people already. He was excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/13/2025
As always the very best care from this excellent physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/13/2025
Excellent care was provided by Dr M and his staff. I appreciate the time taken to understand my situation & concerns, time spent looking at radiology and pointing out detail to me and providing a clear explanation of follow-up recommendations.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/4/2025
Outstanding surgeon, outstanding care provider, exceptional surgical outcome. I have recommended Dr Mesko to several people.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/28/2025
I would like to thank Dr. Mesko for doing an excellent job with giving me my quality of life back due to bilateral hip replacement. I also; would like to thank nurse Rachel for assisting me with my appointments.