Ronak Mukesh Patel - Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

02/03/2026

Small shoulder tendon tear? You might heal with therapy and rest.

Complete tear or persistent pain? Dr. Patel can perform minimally invasive surgery:
· Remove damaged tendon fragments
· Reconstruct tendon with a graft
· Biceps tenodesis to reposition the tendon

Every plan is tailored to your needs.

What are the shoulder tendons? Tendons are connective tissue bands that connect muscles and bones together and are responsible for distributing the force of muscle contractions to the bones for movement. There are several tendons found within the shoulder girdle but three tendons are more commonly r...

01/30/2026

Who’s at risk for a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury?

Athletes are most susceptible. Sports like football (side tackles), basketball (jumps & quick cuts), soccer (stop-and-go), gymnastics, cheerleading, and skiing all involve motions that can strain the LCL.

What is a lateral collateral ligament injury? There are two collateral ligaments within the knee complex that are located outside of the knee joint (extra-articular). The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is found along the outer edge of the knee and emanates from the lateral epicondyle, a bony prom...

01/28/2026

At just 21, Ilia Malinin is perfecting nearly impossible moves, staying undefeated for two years, and carving a path toward Olympic gold. Team USA’s Quad God is redefining what’s possible on ice. ⛸️

A two-time world champion who has gone undefeated for two-plus years, the history-making 21-year-old is paving his way towards Olympic gold.

01/27/2026

After a synovectomy:
1️⃣ Avoid full weight-bearing for 4–6 weeks
2️⃣ Follow PT-guided hip movements
3️⃣ Focus on strengthening surrounding muscles
4️⃣ Expect a return to daily activities in ~3–4 months

Active participation in rehab is key!

What is pigmented villonodular synovitis - PVNS? All of the mobile joints of the body are lined with a thin layer of tissue (synovial membrane) that helps to reduce friction with joint movement through the secretion of a thick viscous fluid into the joint space. The synovial membrane in some individ...

01/23/2026

Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Recovery Timeline:
1️⃣ 0–6 weeks: Knee immobilized, limited weight-bearing
2️⃣ 6 weeks onward: Gradual increase in activity, guided physical therapy
3️⃣ 3–4 months: Return to non-impact activities
4️⃣ 6–8 months: Full recovery to normal activity

What is patellar instability? The knee joint is formed by the connection of the lower femur (thigh bone), upper tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap). The patella is a sesamoid bone that is anchored within the anterior knee by the quadriceps tendon extending from the femur and the patellar tendon...

01/22/2026

01/20/2026

Step into the toughest office in sports: Athletic Director.

Balance NIL, boosters, and budgets while navigating the transfer portal. Can you lead your school to glory?

01/15/2026

Who should have an open Latarjet procedure?

The goal of an open Latarjet procedure is to restore shoulder stability and reduce the risk of future dislocations. It is typically recommended for patients who experience:
• Anterior (front) glenoid bone loss from recurrent shoulder dislocations
• Severe or complex dislocations where the humeral head cannot be easily repositioned
• Chronic shoulder instability after multiple dislocations

This procedure works by deepening the shoulder socket and creating a tendon “sling” to improve stability.

What does an open Latarjet procedure treat? Dr. Michel Latarjet, a French surgeon, first described a surgical procedure for treating recurrent shoulder dislocations in 1954. The shoulder has the largest range of motion of any joint in the body due to the ball-and-socket joint arrangement of the hume...

01/13/2026

Dealing with hip pain from subspine impingement?

The good news: surgery isn’t always needed. Many people improve with physical therapy, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medication. However, if pain persists or limits movement, subspine decompression surgery may be necessary to restore motion and eliminate discomfort.

What is subspine impingement? The anterior-inferior iliac spine (AIIS) is a bony eminence found on the outside border of the ilium wing (upper pelvis). This extra-articular structure is located just outside of the hip joint and is the site of attachment for the iliofemoral ligament and re**us femori...

01/12/2026

History in the making! Amber Glenn is set to defend her national title and could become the oldest U.S. women’s Olympic skater in nearly a century.

01/09/2026

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) is a rare joint condition caused by overgrowth of the synovial membrane which is the tissue lining your joints.

There are two main types:
1️⃣ Localized (Nodular) PVNS – Growth is limited to one area of the knee joint. Pain and inflammation are confined, making it generally easier to treat.
2️⃣ Diffuse (Non-localized) PVNS – Affects the entire knee joint and can be more aggressive. Treatment can be more challenging due to the spread and complex symptoms.

What is pigmented villonodular synovitis? The weight-bearing joints of the body (knees, hips, and ankles) contain a thin layer of tissue that secretes a thick viscous fluid into the joint space. The ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), which together form the knee joint, are blanket...