(September 20, 2025) When a swimmer who represented his state and competed at the national level trades the pool for the operating theater, athletic discipline finds a new arena. Dr. Ravi Teja Rudraraju brings that same focus and strategist’s foresight to his surgical practice. Today, this Hyderabad-based orthopedic specialist is rewriting the playbook for knee care, melding robotic precision, sports-medicine expertise, and entrepreneurial drive to push the boundaries of what joint surgery can achieve.
From training at the Cleveland Clinic and Melbourne’s cutting-edge robotic centers to guiding elite athletes back to championship form, Dr. Rudraraju embodies a new generation of surgeons who are technically pioneering, globally trained, and determined to deliver faster, smarter solutions for patients.
Dr Ravi Teja Rudraraju
Robotic knee replacement: Redefining joint care
One of the fields where Dr. Ravi Teja is considered a pioneer in India is robotic knee replacement surgery. Having performed hundreds of robotic procedures, he says it stands apart from conventional methods.
“Robotic surgery is patient-specific. It allows us to restore the native knee type with unmatched precision. Patients benefit with less pain, less blood loss, faster recovery, and a knee that feels more natural,” explains Dr. Ravi Teja, who has handled both straightforward and complex cases, including deformities that would be extremely challenging with traditional methods.
He notes that robotic knee replacements, though relatively new in India, are growing rapidly because of their success rate, precision, and outcomes. As for cost, he admits it is slightly more expensive than conventional surgery. “But the investment is in quality of life, faster recovery, and long-term outcomes. Patients increasingly understand this.”
Dr Ravi Teja Rudraraju with an overseas knee replacement patient
Tackling the toughest cases
A specialist in both sports medicine and robotic surgery, Dr. Ravi Teja handles a wide spectrum of cases. On the sports side, he treats high-performing athletes from Pro Kabaddi players to footballers and even an Indian Air Force pilot with serious knee injuries. “Multi-ligament knee injuries are some of the toughest to treat, but when these athletes return to peak performance, it is deeply satisfying,” he smiles.
On the robotic side, he has restored knees with severe deformities, achieving alignments that were once thought impossible. “The joy of seeing someone walk without pain after years of suffering makes all the effort worth it,” he remarks.
When asked whether complex surgeries ever make him nervous, he replies: “I enjoy knee surgeries. For me, the key is meticulous pre-planning. If I know the case inside out before I enter the OT, then execution becomes smooth. I stay calm, focus on doing a good job, and everything else falls into place.”
Dr Ravi Teja Rudraraju with an overseas sports medicine patient
Training at the world’s best centers
Dr. Ravi Teja’s journey has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious training centers, including the Cleveland Clinic and Pennsylvania, where he immersed himself in sports medicine and joint fellowships.
“Cleveland Clinic is ranked among the world’s best hospitals, and my experience there exposed me to complex cases, cutting-edge surgical approaches, and a global standard of patient care,” he says.
Later, he spent a year focusing on robotic training in Melbourne, Australia, becoming one of the first Indian surgeons to explore this field at such depth. He also trained in South Korea, specializing in joint preservation, robotic surgery, and sports medicine, with an emphasis on revision surgery for complex cases. “These fellowships weren’t just training programs. Each one sharpened a different aspect of me as a surgeon. They helped me understand how to merge precision with compassion, technology and human touch.”
Dr Ravi Teja Rudraraju receiving a recognition from Sydney Orthopaedic Research Institute
Beyond the operating theater: Research and entrepreneurship
Unlike many surgeons, Dr. Ravi Teja’s career does not stop in the operating theater. He is equally passionate about research, entrepreneurship, and strategic advising. With over 50 publications in high-index journals and contributions to books and reviews, he continues to push the boundaries of orthopedic science. His work often intersects with robotics and joint preservation.
Inspired by Indian-born American entrepreneur Naval Ravikant, Dr. Ravi Teja believes doctors must create value beyond the clinic. He advises startups, invests strategically in med-tech ventures, and helps nurture innovation in healthcare. He has participated in more than 100 conferences globally, and has received multiple academic and clinical excellence awards, including the Orthostar Award by TOSA and the Clinical Excellence Award from Apollo Hospitals.
A vision for the future of knee surgery
Looking ahead, Dr. Ravi Teja envisions AI-driven, patient-specific, and minimally invasive surgeries as the future. “Technology will allow us to customize every implant, every cut, every decision for the individual patient. That is where the world is heading,” he says.
When asked how India compares globally, he is optimistic. “India is catching up fast. Knee replacements are becoming increasingly common with estimates suggesting over 200,000 procedures annually in India alone. With technology and expertise, we are not far behind developed countries.”
Early life and inspirations
Born in Chennai and raised in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, Dr Ravi Teja credits his parents for instilling discipline and ambition. His father, involved in the medical business, inspired his career in medicine, while his mother nurtured values of humility and perseverance.
“My dad was a constant source of inspiration—a guide and a true friend. He instilled the value of educational excellence, while my mother taught me manners and discipline. They’ve been the bedrock of everything I have achieved,” he recalls. Dr. Ravi Teja’s early schooling was at Triplaar School of Learning, an institution he fondly remembers for teaching him sportsmanship, leadership, and academics.
Sports, NCC, and a spirit of discipline
Not only was he academically strong, but he also excelled in extracurriculars. He represented his state in multiple sports and was a national-level swimmer, specializing in breaststroke. “I never confined myself to just one sport and enjoyed skating, horse riding, and playing almost every game I could. Sport built discipline, endurance, and competitive spirit in me,” he says.
One of his proudest achievements as a student was his NCC journey. He attended 12 NCC camps and was even a part of one of the Republic Day Parades in New Delhi. This early exposure to discipline, leadership, and patriotism deeply shaped his outlook on life and medicine.
Choosing orthopedics, and the knee
Ravi Teja naturally gravitated to biology, anatomy, and human physiology. “It fascinated me how the human body worked—how structure and function were perfectly intertwined. Orthopedics, in particular, was fulfilling because it directly restores mobility and dignity to people’s lives,” he mentions.
Why knees? “The knee is the most mobile joint in the body. It carries the weight of our lives—literally. To give someone a pain-free, mobile knee is to return their freedom. I wanted to be the best at this one joint, and that’s why I became a knee specialist,” he explains.
Dr Ravi Teja Rudraraju with an overseas sports medicine patient
Family: His greatest support
Today, family remains his anchor. His wife, a periodontist, is both a strong support system and a dear friend. “Whatever I have achieved academically and professionally, a large part of the credit goes to her unwavering encouragement,” he says with gratitude. Together, they are raising two daughters, who he describes as his greatest joy and motivation. “No matter how hectic my surgical schedule is, being around my girls recharges me. They remind me why I do what I do.”
Life beyond the scalpel
Despite his demanding career, Dr. Ravi Teja makes time for fitness and family. His daily routine includes exercise, spending time with his daughters, and evening family outings. Outside of medicine, he loves traveling, swimming, and listening to inspiring stories. These are hobbies that keep him refreshed and constantly curious.
The road ahead
For the future, Dr. Ravi Teja wants to continue as a thought leader, innovator, and entrepreneur. His goal is to influence orthopedic practice globally, help develop cutting-edge technologies, and guide the next generation of surgeons. “My vision is to blend clinical practice with entrepreneurship, so that patients benefit from innovations faster, and surgeons are empowered with better tools,” he concludes.
- Follow Dr. Ravi Teja Rudrajau on LinkedIn
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