• Board-Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
• Partner at Hinsdale Orthopaedic Associates, a Division of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
• President of the Illinois Center for Orthopaedic Research & Education; a non-profit dedicated to research and education in the field of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Ronak M. Patel is a fellowship-trained Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon with an interest in minimally invasive procedures and joint preservation of the knee and shoulder. He treats all sports injuries with a particular interest in anatomic ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, and patellar stabilization of the knee.

Originally from Chicago, Dr. Patel was one of a small group of students selected nationally into Northwestern University’s prestigious Honors Program in Medical Education, allowing him to complete his pre-medical education and B.A. in Economics in three years and then attend Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Engaged in Orthopaedic research and establishing mentors at Northwestern, Dr. Patel stayed at Northwestern for his Orthopaedic Residency. His care of patients, work ethic and teaching abilities earned him the honorable notion of Chief Resident. He completed his training in Sports Medicine at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, learning the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures, tending to professional athletes from the Cavaliers (NBA), Browns (NFL) and the Indians (MLB), and most importantly, helping patients function without pain. At Hinsdale Orthopaedics, Dr. Patel brings world-renown care back to his hometown.

Dr. Patel’s approach to patient care is individualized, based on each patient’s injury and their level of function. He believes in practicing evidence-based Orthopaedic Surgery, giving the patient the best chance for success. Dr. Patel has published over 40 publications and book chapters and has presented his research over 70 times nationally and internationally. He is actively involved in research and academic meetings to provide the most current care to his patients.

Dr. Patel is among a small number of physicians in the Chicagoland area performing advanced cartilage restoration and meniscal transplantation procedures. He also performs anatomic ACL reconstructions enabling optimal performance and allowing athletes to return to their preinjury activity and sports. He is extensively trained in arthroscopic management of shoulder problems including impingement, rotator cuff tears, labral tears and biceps tendonitis.

Dr. Patel believes that in sports medicine, it is essential to know when ‘not to operate’. His focus is on prolonging the life of the native joint as long as possible. To that end, he uses cartilage restoration, osteotomies to reduce stress on the joint, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection therapy and other orthobiologic techniques to promote tissue healing and joint longevity. Favoring non-surgical rehab therapy whenever appropriate, Dr. Patel works closely with therapists to help restore patients to maximal function.

Education/Training

• Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL MD (2004 – 2008)
• Northwestern University, Evanston, IL – Bachelor of Arts, Major: Economics, Honors Program in Medical Education (Accelerated (7yr) BA-MD Program) (2001 – 2004)
• The London School of Economics, London, England – Economics of European Integration (06/2003 – 08/2003)
• Sports Medicine Fellowship. Mark Schickendantz, MD, Program Director The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH (2013 – 2014)
• Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery. Michael F. Schafer, MD, Program DirectorFeinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (2009 – 2013)
• Internship in General Surgery. Nathaniel J. Soper, MD, Chairman Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (2008)