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David Simms Ruch

Virginia Flowers Baker Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
5601 Arringdon Park Dr., Suite 300, Morrisville, NC 27560
5601 Arringdon Park Dr., Suite 300, Morrisville, NC 27560

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Virginia Flowers Baker Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery · 2022 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery · 2005 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in the Department of Surgery · 2018 - Present Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Surgery

In the News


Published February 14, 2025
Back on the Bike Following Hand Surgery at Duke
Published May 18, 2022
University Awards 24 New Distinguished Professorships
Published June 9, 2016
N.C.'s first hand transplant goes to man from Texas

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Recent Publications


A standardized fluoroscopic sequence to reveal residual MCL instability after repair of the LUCL in elbow injury.

Journal Article Injury · November 2025 BACKGROUND: Indications for stabilization of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) after repair of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) remain controversial. Here, we propose a standardized fluoroscopic sequence to reveal residual medial elbow insta ... Full text Link to item Cite

Does Weightbearing Affect Radiographic or Clinical Outcomes in Distal Radius Fractures Treated With Dorsal Bridge Plate Fixation?

Journal Article Hand (N Y) · September 7, 2025 BACKGROUND: Dorsal wrist spanning plate (DWSP) fixation in distal radius fractures (DRFs) has been proposed to allow earlier mobilization in polytraumatized patients by enabling early weightbearing (WB) through the injured wrist. The purpose of this study ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


A Biomechanical Evaluation of Nitinol Memory Staple Augmentation for Internal Fixation of Transverse Humeral Shaft Fractures

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by Piedmont Orthopedic Foundation · 2021 - 2025

Dorsal Lunate Facet and Dorsal Carpal Subluxation: A Biomechanical Study

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by Piedmont Orthopedic Foundation · 2021 - 2023

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Education, Training & Certifications


Wake Forest University · 1988 M.D.