Ronak Mukesh Patel - Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

04/17/2026

As a knee surgeon, Dr Patel often hears: “My knee popped, is it serious?”

Knee popping is common, but a sudden pop with severe pain, swelling, or instability is concerning for an ACL injury.

Key signs:
· Pop at the moment of injury
· Pain along the joint line
· Buckling or difficulty bearing weight
· Swelling & bruising

Early assessment and treatment are essential to protect your knee long-term.

Knee Popping, Locking, and Buckling Specialist Do your knees sound like a breakfast cereal with a lot of snapping, crackling and popping? If so, you may have a knee injury that can be treated either surgically or non-surgically, depending on the severity. Knee expert, Doctor Ronak Mukesh Patel, prov...

04/15/2026

Did you know a shoulder surgery can use an ankle bone?

In distal tibial allograft glenoid reconstruction, a cadaver distal tibia restores the shoulder socket. It matches the joint’s shape and cartilage for smooth movement.

Steps:
· Surgery prep & anesthesia
· Measure & place graft
· Anchor with screws
· Close capsule → shoulder stability restored

Complex surgery, precise results!

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)...

04/14/2026

Hip pain bothering you? It could be trochanteric bursitis, the #1 cause of outer hip discomfort.

🔹 Causes include:
▪️Hip injury or trauma
▪️Chronic pressure from walking, running, or standing
▪️Tendon tears (gluteus medius)
▪️Gout & urate crystal buildup
▪️Women aged 40–60 are more prone

Gentle stretching, rest, and early evaluation can help!

What is trochanteric bursitis? Throughout the joints of the human body are fluid-filled sacs known as bursae. These sacs are important joint structures for preventing inflammation by minimizing the friction between the tissues that occurs with joint movement. The hip joint, formed by the coupling of...

04/10/2026

As an orthopedic shoulder surgeon, Dr. Patel often sees patients frustrated by repeated shoulder dislocations.

Arthroscopic stabilization allows me to repair damaged ligaments and tissue through a tiny camera, using surgical anchors to restore stability while minimizing recovery time.

For patients with chronic instability, poor tissue quality, or multiple dislocations, he may recommend open repair for a more comprehensive approach. Every shoulder is unique, and he tailors surgery to your needs.

What causes shoulder instability? The shoulder is one of the more complex joints in the body and is comprised of three separate joints: the acromioclavicular, the glenohumeral, and the sternoclavicular joints. The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket type joint that is formed by the articulation....

04/09/2026

MCL Reconstruction Recovery:
1️⃣ Knee brace for immobilization
2️⃣ Rest, ice & pain meds as prescribed
3️⃣ Physical therapy: stretching → strengthening
⏱ Most patients return to normal activities in 6–8 weeks

Consistency = success!

What is a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury? The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the two collateral ligaments located within the knee complex. This strong ligament originates from the medial epicondyle, a bony prominence on the inner femur; and attaches to the medial condyle, a bony...

04/07/2026

Hip pain isn’t always just “wear and tear.” Sometimes, it’s femoroacetabular impingement (FAI):
· Cam impingement: Extra bone on the femur hits the socket
· Pincer impingement: Extra bone on the socket pinches the femur

Both can lead to pain, reduced mobility, and hip damage. Early recognition = better outcomes!

CAM Hip Deformity Specialist Hip cam impingement is a type of FAI or femoroacetabular hip impingement. It is characterized by pain that develops in the groin area and worsens when sitting for long periods of time. Running, squatting and even tying your shoes can become painful. Cam impingement is qu...

04/02/2026

Recovering from a patellar tendon repair takes time, but full return to daily activities is typically 4–6 months.

Key steps in recovery:
✅ Knee immobilized for ~8 weeks
✅ Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory meds for pain control
✅ Dedicated physical therapy for strength and mobility

What is a patellar tendon injury? The patellar tendon anchors the patella (kneecap) in place by attaching to the bottom of the patella and the tibial tubercle, a bony prominence near the top of the tibia (shin bone). The patellar tendon functions to straighten the leg with the help of the quadriceps...

04/01/2026

Hip pain is a silent career-ender for many equestrians. Riders often push through discomfort, thinking it’s just tight muscles or posture issues, but persistent hip, groin, or deep hip pain is almost never “just soreness."

In Dr. Patel's practice, he sees active riders with no arthritis who struggle to ride pain-free. The underlying causes are consistent and identifiable and early evaluation is key to keeping athletes in the saddle.

Hip Pain Specialist for Equestrians If you’re experiencing hip pain while horseback riding, don’t wait for it to worsen or limit your time in the saddle. Early evaluation can prevent long-term damage and protect your ability to train, compete, and enjoy the sport you love. Dr. Ronak Mukesh Patel...

03/31/2026

03/26/2026

Did you know that Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) often requires surgery.

Non-surgical options aren’t effective. Arthroscopic or open procedures remove the synovial lining. The approach is tailored to the hip, patient age, and recovery goals.

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...

03/25/2026

A meniscal transplant isn’t just surgery; it’s a highly specialized procedure that restores your knee’s cushioning and stability.

Using a cadaver graft shaped to your knee, Dr. Patel carefully removes damaged tissue and implants the new meniscus with precise sutures and fixation. Arthroscopy allows me to ensure perfect alignment and function.

This procedure is complex, but when performed by a skilled surgeon, it can relieve pain, improve mobility, and protect your knee for years to come.

What is a meniscal injury? Between the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) are two crescent-shaped discs of tough, rubbery connective tissue known as the meniscus. These discs act as shock absorbers to evenly distribute weight across the tibial surface. The medial meniscus absorbs u...

03/24/2026

Who should consider an open Latarjet procedure?
✅ Recurrent shoulder dislocations causing anterior bone loss
✅ Severe dislocations where the humeral head won’t stay in place
✅ Chronic shoulder instability

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...