Meet Your Shoulder, Elbow & Hand Specialist
Dr. David Ratliff, MD, FAAOS
Double Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon — Shoulder to Hand, Adult & Pediatric
A double board-certified orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgeon, focused on individualized care for patients of all ages with shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand conditions.
Dr. David Ratliff is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training and certification in hand and upper extremity surgery. He treats patients of all ages for problems of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder — using up-to-date and advanced techniques for fractures and trauma, soft-tissue injuries, and nerve problems.
Dr. Ratliff believes strongly that every person deserves the time and attention of their physician. Every patient is different, and every problem is different. With Dr. Ratliff, not every problem needs surgery — surgery is used as a last resort, and only when necessary to help patients achieve their goals.
Training & Credentials
Where Dr. Ratliff trained.
Double board-certified, with subspecialty training and certification in hand and upper extremity surgery — and active teaching at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Specialty
Orthopaedic Surgeon — Hand, Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder
Double Board-Certified · FAAOS · Adult and pediatric
Fellowship
University of Pittsburgh
Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery
Residency & Medical Doctorate
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Orthopaedic Surgery — residency and Doctor of Medicine
Undergraduate & Teaching
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Professional Memberships
Dr. Ratliff's professional memberships help show his connection to orthopaedic, hand-surgery, and New Jersey communities dedicated to education, research, and advancing patient care.
Hospital affiliations available upon request.
What sets him apart
Why Patients Choose Dr. Ratliff
Every person deserves the time and attention of their physician. Every patient is different — and every plan is built to match.
He gives every patient time and attention
Dr. Ratliff believes strongly that every person deserves the time and attention of their physician — not a rushed visit and a template plan.
He uses surgery as a last resort
With Dr. Ratliff, not every problem needs surgery. Surgery is reserved for when it is necessary to help patients achieve their goals.
He is double board-certified and fellowship-trained
Subspecialty training and certification in hand and upper extremity surgery, plus fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh — brought to every case.
He understands active patients
An active runner himself, Dr. Ratliff understands the drive to get back to the activities you love — and is committed to helping you do it.
Care philosophy
How Dr. Ratliff approaches upper-extremity care
Individualized care, surgery only when necessary.
Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand problems are rarely the same from one patient to the next. Dr. Ratliff's approach is to give each patient the time and attention to understand the full picture — and then to build a plan that fits the person, not just the diagnosis.
“Every person deserves the time and attention of their physician. Every patient is different, and every problem is different — and the plan should reflect that.”
Listen
Dr. Ratliff starts by giving you the time to walk through the full story — where the pain or limitation is, how it affects your day, what you have already tried, and what you are hoping to get back to.
Diagnose
Through careful consideration and diagnosis — exam, imaging, and history reviewed together — an individualized treatment plan is built around your shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand condition.
Treat
Not every problem needs surgery. Conservative care is considered first when appropriate. When surgery is necessary, Dr. Ratliff performs microsurgery, reconstructive surgery, fracture treatment, and arthroscopic and minimally invasive procedures of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Why it matters
Why upper-extremity care matters
An active runner himself, Dr. Ratliff understands the drive of sports-minded patients — the runner with elbow pain, the climber with a torn ligament, the parent who just wants to pick up their child without pain. A shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand problem can quietly take over daily life.
Dr. Ratliff's commitment is to give every patient the time, attention, and individualized plan it takes to get back to doing what they love — not just treat the imaging.
Videos from Dr. Ratliff
Surgeon Videos
Helpful shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand care videos, patient education, and answers to common questions.
Meet Dr. David Ratliff
Golfer's Elbow Isn't Just for Golfers
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Dislocations Aren't Just for Elite Athletes
Request an Appointment
Tell us what's going on.
Share a few details and our team will help guide the next step — whether that's an evaluation, a second opinion, or pointing you to the right kind of care.
Second Opinions
Told you need shoulder, elbow, or hand surgery? Get clarity first.
If surgery has been recommended for your shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand, Dr. Ratliff can review your symptoms, imaging, and prior recommendations to help you understand whether surgery is necessary, whether conservative care may still be appropriate, and what the safest next step may be.
A second opinion is not just about confirming surgery. It is about understanding the problem clearly enough to make the right decision.
Next step
Ready to get back to
what you love?
Start with a careful evaluation. Dr. Ratliff can help you understand what is happening with your shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand, what options may be appropriate, and whether conservative care, further evaluation, or surgery should be part of the conversation.
What it is
Why it matters
Patient takeaway
Professional memberships are one part of a physician's overall training, experience, and approach to care.