
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 highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Rhizarthrosis, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.
His clinical research consists of co-authoring 109 peer reviewed articles and participating in 2 clinical trials. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years.
Graduate Institution
Specialties
Licenses
Board Certifications
Fellowships
Hospital Affiliations
Languages Spoken
Gender
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
Duke Spine Center - Clinic 1B/1C
Throughout my medical career, I have remained dedicated to improving my patients' quality of life. As a specialist in adult cervical and spinal deformity surgery, I understand the significant impact our interventions have on individuals suffering from debilitating pain and physical and mental health challenges. Spinal deformity surgery merges the complexities of spinal biomechanics with the needs of an aging population. My research focuses on spinal alignment, biomechanics, innovative surgical techniques, and health economics to ensure value-based care that enhances patient outcomes. Dr. Passias is highly rated in 23 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lordosis, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Osteotomy, and Spinal Fusion.
Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center Arringdon
I grew up in Durham and I am extremely proud to work here at Duke. All of my family members still call the Bull City home. Most of my education was completed in Durham, except for four years I spent down the road in Chapel Hill. I played football there and developed an interest in orthopaedic surgery that led me home. I specialize in hip and knee replacement and am very fortunate to do so. We have the ability to help so many people with these operations. It is extremely rewarding to help someone get back to doing the things they want to do with their life. Duke is the kind of place where you are challenged by the most difficult cases weekly and I appreciate that fact. We have great doctors in every field and we work as a team on every aspect of a patient's care once they enter the hospital. Dr. Bolognesi is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Acute Pain, Arthritis, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.
Duke Cancer Center
I am a cancer surgeon who specializes in treating patients with pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, stomach, and adrenal glands. I initially trained and practiced at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. During this time, I served one year on a forward surgical team in Iraq. Following this service, I practiced for 13 years as a surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. In 2018, I joined the faculty at Duke University and now serve as the chief of surgical oncology for Duke Health. I enjoy getting to know my patients and delivering the highest quality of cancer care. I am dedicated not only to treating and curing your cancer, but also providing you with the highest quality of life. Operations for cancers within the abdomen are a serious undertaking, and I am committed to making sure that they are performed with the highest level of expertise. Dr. Allen is highly rated in 33 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatectomy, and Hepatectomy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. David S. Ruch
How do I make an appointment with Dr. David S. Ruch?
You can book an appointment with Dr. David S. Ruch by calling their office at 919-668-2000. MediFind provides direct contact information so you can schedule visits, second opinions, or consultations without navigating third-party calendars.
Is Dr. David S. Ruch a top-rated expert for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
MediFind is an objective health platform that identifies experts based on real-world data. Dr. David S. Ruch is classified as an Distinguished expert for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, meaning they are among the top experts in the country for this condition. This ranking is based on their volume of patients, published research, and peer connections.
What conditions does Dr. David S. Ruch specialize in?
While Dr. David S. Ruch is a General Surgery, they have specific expertise in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, and Rhizarthrosis. MediFind analyzes a doctor's articles and referral patterns to identify their specific areas of focus within General Surgery.
Does Dr. David S. Ruch participate in research or clinical trials?
Yes. Dr. David S. Ruch has published 108 articles and abstracts on conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. You can view a list of Dr. David S. Ruch's latest peer-reviewed publications and clinical trial participation on their profile to see if they are active in new treatments.
Does Dr. David S. Ruch accept my insurance?
Dr. David S. Ruch accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna and Ambetter. We recommend calling the office directly at 919-668-2000 to verify that your specific plan is currently accepted before your visit.
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.



