Dr. Ronak Patel
Medical Director – Joint Preservation Clinic
Dr. Ronak M. Patel is a double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with a national reputation for treating complex knee and shoulder conditions. As the Medical Director of the Joint Preservation Clinic, Dr. Patel oversees the clinical protocols, orthobiologic treatment programs, and patient care philosophy that guide the clinic’s focus on advanced non-surgical joint preservation.
Dr. Patel founded the Joint Preservation Clinic to provide patients with cutting-edge biologic and non-operative treatment options designed to reduce pain, improve function, and prolong the life of the native joint. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that the best orthopedic care begins with understanding when surgery is not necessary and prioritizing treatments that support the body’s natural healing processes.
Through the clinic, Dr. Patel leads a specialized team of advanced practice providers who perform consultations and orthobiologic procedures including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow concentrate injections, and other orthobiologic therapies. These treatments are designed to address joint degeneration, sports injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal pain while helping patients stay active and avoid surgery whenever possible.
Dr. Patel’s expertise in joint preservation comes from years of experience managing complex orthopedic conditions. He is among a select group of physicians in the Midwest performing advanced cartilage restoration and meniscal transplantation procedures and has dedicated much of his career to developing strategies that preserve joint function and delay joint replacement.
Originally from Chicago, Dr. Patel was selected for Northwestern University’s prestigious Honors Program in Medical Education, allowing him to complete his undergraduate studies in economics before attending Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He remained at Northwestern for his orthopaedic residency, where he served as Chief Resident, and later completed fellowship training in sports medicine at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, caring for professional athletes from the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Patel is an active researcher and educator. He has authored over 50 publications and book chapters, presented research internationally, and has served as an associate editor for multiple peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Cartilage and Joint Preservation, helping advance the science of joint-preserving treatments.
At the Joint Preservation Clinic, Dr. Patel’s mission is to provide patients with thoughtful, evidence-based care that prioritizes joint longevity, mobility, and quality of life.
