
Overview
I am an orthopaedic surgeon who is the chief of hand surgery at Duke. Although we are referred to as “hand surgeons,” I treat many people with wrist and elbow conditions. Because the hand is so complex, patients who see me can have complaints that range from numbness and weakness to issues with range of motion. My grandfather, my grandmother, my mother and my father were all health care workers. I have wanted to be a surgeon since I watched M*A*S*H on the television as a child. I obtain great satisfaction from treating someone who has a very severe hand or arm injury, reconstructing the part and restoring its basic function. Duke has been the strongest hand surgery program in the country for the past 50 to 75 years. As chair of the program, I want patients to know that the best and the brightest providers are seeing them when they come to Duke.
Dr. Ruch is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Rhizarthrosis, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.
His clinical research consists of co-authoring 111 peer reviewed articles and participating in 2 clinical trials. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years. In particular, he has co-authored 3 articles in the study of Tendinitis.
Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- POS
- PPO
- OTHER MEDICAID
- STATE MEDICAID
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- HMO
- POS
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Locations
2400 Pratt St, Durham, NC 27710
Additional Areas of Focus
Dr. Ruch has provided the following conditions as areas of focus. Please note that we may not have enough data to validate their experience in some of these conditions.
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
2 Clinical Trials
North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic
I am an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in upper extremity conditions. My focus is on treating orthopaedic issues related to the shoulder and elbow, including arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, frozen shoulder, sports injuries, fractures, tendon injuries, and cubital tunnel syndrome. I offer both conservative and surgical treatment options, collaborating with each patient to determine the best plan of care based on their individual goals. My expertise includes various shoulder surgeries such as reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, anatomic shoulder arthroplasty, and shoulder hemiarthroplasty, as well as procedures like rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral reconstruction, and shoulder arthroscopy. Additionally, I address upper extremity fractures, including those of the shoulder, clavicle, humeral shaft, and elbow. My personal experience with injuries has shaped my approach, allowing me to empathize with patients and treat them with compassion and respect. I am actively involved in research, with a specific focus on the shoulder. The collaborative research environment at Duke Health is unparalleled, and I find great satisfaction in helping patients regain their desired level of activity. Dr. Klifto is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Hypermobile Joints, Tendinitis, Tenotomy, and Osteotomy.
Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic PA
Tyler Watters is an Orthopedics provider in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Watters is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Bursitis, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Watters is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Orthopaedics Arringdon
I pursued the specialty of Orthopaedic surgery as I was drawn to the opportunity to care for patients on their journey to maintain or return to an active and healthy lifestyle. In particular, the subspecialty of foot and ankle surgery was especially appealing as the foot and ankle serve as the foundation for the entire musculoskeletal system, with a broad array of pathology and patient populations being affected. I have the honor of caring for patients of all walks of life including all ages and activity levels. Dr. Robert is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tendinitis. His top areas of expertise are Tendinitis, Achilles Tendon Rupture, Foot Drop, High Arch, and Osteotomy.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Distinguished
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeDr. Ruch isDistinguished. Learn about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Tennis ElbowDr. Ruch isDistinguished. Learn about Tennis Elbow.
- Advanced
- Mononeuritis MultiplexDr. Ruch isAdvanced. Learn about Mononeuritis Multiplex.
- OsteoarthritisDr. Ruch isAdvanced. Learn about Osteoarthritis.
- OsteotomyDr. Ruch isAdvanced. Learn about Osteotomy.
- RhizarthrosisDr. Ruch isAdvanced. Learn about Rhizarthrosis.
- Scaphoid Non-UnionDr. Ruch isAdvanced. Learn about Scaphoid Non-Union.
- TendinitisDr. Ruch isAdvanced. Learn about Tendinitis.
- Experienced
- ArthritisDr. Ruch isExperienced. Learn about Arthritis.
- Axillary Nerve DysfunctionDr. Ruch isExperienced. Learn about Axillary Nerve Dysfunction.
- Bone GraftDr. Ruch isExperienced. Learn about Bone Graft.
- Brachial PlexopathyDr. Ruch isExperienced. Learn about Brachial Plexopathy.
- BursitisDr. Ruch isExperienced. Learn about Bursitis.
- Distal Median Nerve DysfunctionDr. Ruch isExperienced. Learn about Distal Median Nerve Dysfunction.


