Portrait: Gautam Malhotra

Gautam Malhotra

MD
Professional Focus Dr. Gautam Malhotra is a highly accomplished physiatrist specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neuromuscular Medicine, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Brain Injury Medicine. He has extensive expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and neurologic disorders. His clinical practice emphasizes comprehensive patient education, empowering individuals to understand the underlying causes of their conditions while developing personalized treatment strategies that optimize function, recovery, and long-term health.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Rutgers University, Dr. Malhotra received his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine followed by residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation through Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, with clinical training at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, the Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, Children's Specialized Hospital, Rehabilitation Institute of Morris Memorial, and Overlook Hospital.

Dr. Malhotra currently serves as the Director of Physiatry at Fortera Health, where he leads and continues to expand a multidisciplinary outpatient practice focused on musculoskeletal medicine, neuromuscular disorders, electrodiagnostic medicine, and general physiatry. He also serves as Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he is deeply involved in medical student and resident education, procedural training, curriculum development, and faculty mentorship.

Prior to joining Fortera Health, Dr. Malhotra dedicated nearly 17 years to the Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, where he served as an attending physiatrist and held numerous regional and national leadership roles in polytrauma, traumatic brain injury, amputee rehabilitation, telehealth, rehabilitation systems development, and strategic planning. His contributions helped shape clinical programs, rehabilitation policy, and educational initiatives within the VA system while advancing patient care for veterans with complex rehabilitation needs.

Dr. Malhotra's clinical expertise encompasses electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG and nerve conduction studies), peripheral nerve disorders, neuromuscular disease, musculoskeletal injuries, spine and joint disorders, traumatic brain injury, concussion, amputee rehabilitation, prosthetics and orthotics, spasticity management, rehabilitation following neurologic injury, and functional recovery. He is also recognized for his expertise in complex diagnostic evaluations when the etiology of pain, weakness, numbness, or functional impairment remains unclear.

A Fellow of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), Dr. Malhotra has served in numerous national leadership positions, including Chair of the PM&R Membership Taskforce and current member of the AANEM State Liaison Committee. He also serves as Rutgers' liaison to AANEM for electrodiagnostic medicine training and remains actively involved in graduate medical education, curriculum development, and resident assessment. His longstanding commitment to education has earned him numerous honors, including Teacher of the Year, Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award, Castle Connolly Top Doctor recognition, and multiple teaching excellence awards.

Member Feedback:
"Dr. Malhotra was incredibly knowledgeable and most helpful. I feel that he read all the notes and was well-informed about me before we started our conversation. He was very easy to talk to, caring, and compassionate. He explained everything in complete detail. So much more thorough than the doctor I saw in person. I very much appreciated his expert advice."
Honors & Awards Selected Awards:

Top AAPI Doctors, Castle Connolly | 2022-2026

Top Doctor, Castle Connolly | 2022-2026

Abstract Of The Year for "Scapular Winging Following Cervicothoracic Fusion: A Case Report", American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine | 2022

Department Appreciation Award, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School | 2022

Teacher Of The Year, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School | 2018
Research & Publications Selected Publications:

Howard IM, Tan FC, Malhotra G, et al. Anomalous education: You can’t bypass electrodiagnostic training in PM&R residency. PM&R. 2025;17(3):347-348. doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13281

Abu-Mahfouz A, Vocelle AR, Reyes A, Craig C, Malhotra G, Andary1,2, MT, Seidel GK. Comparison of Electrodiagnostic Findings of Focal Tibial Mononeuropathy (Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome) to Peripheral Polyneuropathy. American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 10/2025.

Hearn SL, Stino AM, Howard IM, Malhotra G, Robinson L. Serial electrodiagnostic testing: Utility and indications in adult neurological disorders. Muscle & Nerve. 2024; 1-12. doi:10.1002/mus.28083.

Dimant O, Malhotra G, Ma R, Knightly J. Scapular Winging Following Cervicothoracic Fusion: A Case Report. American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 9/2022

Edmond A, Malhotra G, Ma R. Isolated Trapezius Weakness after Lipoma Resection Association of Academic Physiatrists Meeting Orlando, FL. 3/2020

Conditions
Achilles pain
Achilles tendinitis
Adhesive capsulitis
Ankle sprain
Anterior cruciate ligament injury ( ACL )
Carpal tunnel syndrome ( CTS )
Cerebrovascular accident ( CVA )
Cervical radiculopathy
Cervical stenosis
Contractures
Cubital tunnel syndrome
De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Dropped head syndrome ( DHS )
Elbow bursitis
Facial nerve problems
Frozen shoulder
Golfer's elbow
Hip bursitis
Hip labral tears
Iliotibial ( IT ) band syndrome
Injured meniscus
Ischial bursitis
Joint arthritis
Joint injuries
Jumper's knee
Knee bursitis
Knee sprain
Lateral epicondylitis
Low back pain
Lumbar radiculopathy
Lumbar stenosis
Medial epicondylitis
Motor neuron disease
Musculoskeletal issues related to past traumatic brain injuries ( TBI )
Musculoskeletal pain
Neck pain
Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
Neurological disability
Neuromuscular pain
Pain related to amputation
Performing arts injuries (mainly musicians)
Posterior cruciate ligament injury ( PCL )
Radiculitis
Radiculopathy
Rotator cuff tear
Rotator cuff tendinosis
Sacroiliac ( SI ) joint pain
Scapular winging
Sciatica
Shoulder labral tears
Spasticity
Spinal stenosis
Tendinitis
Tendinosis
Tendon injuries
Tennis elbow
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Thoracic radiculopathy
Thoracic stenosis
Torn meniscus
Trochanteric bursitis
Veterans navigating the VA
Winged scapula
Procedures
Amputee rehabilitation
Arthrocentesis
Botox injections
Carpal tunnel injections
Chemodenervation
Concussion management
Contracture prevention
Cortisone injections
Electromyogram ( EMG )
Gait analysis
Hyaluronic acid injections
Injections of soft tissues and joints
Joint aspiration
Joint injections
Ligament injections
Nerve blocks
Nerve conduction velocity test ( NCV )
Nerve injections
Neurological rehabilitation
Orthotics
Osteoporotic compression fracture rehabilitation
Piezoelectric impulse therapy
Prosthetics
Rehabilitation after joint replacement surgery
Rehabilitation after spinal surgery
Rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury ( TBI )
Sacroiliac ( SI ) joint injections
Spasticity management
Steroid injections
Synvisc injections
Tendon injections
Trigger point injections ( TPI )
Trigger point injections
Viscosupplementation
UMDNJ Rutgers University | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Residency
UMDNJ Rutgers University | Internal Medicine
Internship
UMDNJ Rutgers Medical School
Medical School
Board Certifications
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Brain Injury Medicine
Neuromuscular Medicine
Other Certifications
American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine ( ABEM )
Place of Work
Director | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry) | Maxim Brain and Spine | Large group (8+), Office based | Current
Clinical Professor | Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) | Academic | Current
Languages
English
Links