Ronak Mukesh Patel - Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

08/15/2025

What are the symptoms of a patellar tendon injury? This type of injury often presents with very distinct signs—especially pain located just below the kneecap. Here are some other common symptoms:
· Knee tenderness
· Bruising over the patella or upper tibia
· Cramping in the injured knee
· Trouble walking or bearing weight
· Visible dislocation of the kneecap
· A “floating” patella that can shift easily

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, especially after a jump or awkward landing—don’t wait. Get evaluated by a knee specialist.

What is a patellar tendon injury? Because tendons are strong fibrous tissue cords that connect muscles to bones, the patellar tendon name can be misleading as it is actually a ligament that connects two bones. The patellar tendon anchors the patella (kneecap) to the tibia (shin bone) by attaching to...

08/13/2025

Think of your shoulder like a rusty hinge—if it doesn’t move, it stiffens. Frozen shoulder risk rises with:
· Age (especially women over 40)
· Diabetes
· Shoulder immobility
· Certain health conditions

Keep those hinges moving! https://medilink.us/2ubj

What is a frozen shoulder? The connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint can thicken and tighten resulting in scar tissue or “adhesions” in a condition known as frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis. The tissue thickening can develop into symptoms of pain and stiffness that worsen over t...

08/12/2025

Are there different types of subspine impingement?

Yes—there are three distinct types, classified by the shape and location of the bony overgrowth.
🔹 Type I – Normal bone surface, no impingement
🔹 Type II – Bony growth near the socket rim
🔹 Type III – Hook-like spur below the socket

Type II & III can limit hip flexion and cause more symptoms.

What is subspine impingement? Along the outside border of the ilium wing (upper pelvis) is a bony prominence known as the anterior-inferior iliac spine (AIIS). This bony eminence serves as the attachment site for the re**us femoris muscle and the iliofemoral ligament. Because of its location to the....

08/11/2025

Belichick: The GOAT coach.
Eli: The Giants' ironman.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 could be stacked.
Who do YOU think should be inducted next?

After just four players were inducted this year, the 2026 Hall of Fame class figures to be larger. We break down who's in the running.

08/08/2025

Why use a distal tibia to fix a shoulder socket?
✅ Same shape as glenoid
✅ Has articular cartilage
✅ Restores smooth shoulder motion

Distal tibial allograft glenoid reconstruction is game-changing for complex instability. Learn more ⬇️

What causes shoulder instability? The acromioclavicular, glenohumeral, and sternoclavicular are three distinct joints within the shoulder girdle that are susceptible to separation injuries. The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket arrangement consisting of the head of the humerus (upper arm bone)...

08/07/2025

Shoulder fractures are usually trauma-related—but who’s most at risk?

· Kids & teens (10–19): rapid growth = lower bone density
· Older adults: age-related bone loss
· Athletes: high-impact collisions

Different ages. Same vulnerability.

What is a shoulder fracture? A shoulder fracture occurs when one, or more, of the three major shoulder bones is broken: the proximal humerus (top of the upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), or the clavicle (collarbone). Proximal Humerus Fracture The humerus is the upper arm bone found betw...

08/05/2025

08/01/2025

The anterolateral ligament (ALL)—a lesser-known structure in the knee—plays a critical role in stabilizing the joint during pivoting movements.

Recent studies have shown that injuries to the ALL often accompany ACL tears, especially in patients with high levels of knee instability.

Reconstruction of the ALL involves arthroscopic techniques, autograft or allograft tissue, and careful tunnel placement to recreate the native biomechanics.

ALL reconstruction is frequently performed alongside ACL reconstruction to improve rotational stability and reduce the risk of reinjury.

Recovery protocols mirror those of ACL surgery, with early mobilization and guided physical therapy.

For patients with persistent knee instability or high-demand pivoting sports, the ALL may be the missing piece of the puzzle.

What is a complex revision or ACL reconstruction in the knee? Knee injuries seldomly result in damage to only one ligament or structure. This is because the amount of force needed to injure any of the knee ligaments often results in damage to other structures within the knee complex. There are speci...

07/31/2025

This list is counting down the greatest college football players by jersey number, from 1️⃣ to 2️⃣5️⃣.
Legends. Heisman winners. Game-changers.
Let the debates begin…

College football players take pride in their jersey numbers, but who has ultimate bragging rights? Here are the greatest players in college football history to wear Nos. 1-25!

07/29/2025

Common symptoms of a hip labral tear:
▪️Groin or side hip pain
▪️Locking/clicking with movement
▪️Pain with walking or sitting
▪️Stiffness or instability

Surprisingly, some people have no symptoms at all. Learn more 👇

Schedule an Appointment with a Hip Labrum Specialist If you believe you are suffering from an acute labral tear requiring an urgent appointment, we will do our best to provide a same-day or next business day appointment. (Learn more about the benefits of seeing a board certified orthopedic surgeon

07/25/2025

Is it a pulled muscle... or something more?

Pectoralis major tendon injuries can be tricky to diagnose — and easy to miss. Dr. Patel takes a deep-dive approach:
· Step 1: Medical history + prior shoulder injuries
· Step 2: Hands-on physical exam
· Step 3: Classification into one of four injury types
· Step 4: Imaging like X-ray or MRI (if needed)

Not all chest/shoulder injuries are the same — and neither are the treatment paths.

What is a pectoralis major tendon injury? The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor are large fan-shaped muscles that line the chest wall. Both the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles are responsible for strengthening and stabilizing the shoulder when lifting heavy objects. The pectoralis....

07/23/2025

Want your medical poster to turn heads at the next conference? Try these 4 game-changing tips:
1️⃣ Clear, concise visuals
2️⃣ Strong, focused message
3️⃣ Engaging storytelling
4️⃣ Confident delivery

Stand out with science — and style!

What does it take for a medical student or resident to make a standout poster presentation? These four tips are a good starting point.