Dr. Christopher R. Ropiak, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Christopher R. Ropiak, who serves patients throughout the State of New Jersey.

A renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ropiak is affiliated with Union County Orthopedic Group, serving patients in the Clark, Linden, and Union areas. He is proud to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for a wide range of orthopedic injuries and ailments. His aim is to use a team approach with each patient to tailor a treatment plan that best suits the needs of each patient—whether that treatment plan includes surgery or non-operative interventions.

The physicians at Union County Orthopedic Group have been the trusted choice for referring physicians and their patients since 1966. Their staff is caring, helpful, and concerned about their patients. They work hard to ensure that patients’ experience with them is both comprehensive and convenient. Their mission is to make a lasting difference in patients’ health and life.

A native of Staten Island, New York, Dr. Ropiak graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He then attended the New York University School of Medicine where he received his medical degree. After medical school, he completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, which ranks among the top residency programs in the country. While there, he earned the distinction of being selected by the faculty and administration to serve as an Executive Chief Resident.

During his residency, the doctor received a wide range of orthopedic training from nationally and internationally recognized orthopedic surgeons considered leaders in their fields. While in his fourth year of residency, he also completed further specialized training in orthopedic trauma surgery at Tampa General Hospital, which routinely treats numerous high-speed, poly-trauma patients. He also worked with the Harkness Dance Center Injuries during his residency training in New York City, providing care to injured New York City dancers, including professional dancers for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.

Subsequently, Dr. Ropiak took his subspecialty interest in the treatment of sports-related injuries and completed a fellowship in sports orthopedic surgery at the distinguished Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. While there, he assisted in the game, office, and surgical care of many professional athletic teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and Los Angeles Sparks. He also assisted in the care of the athletic teams at the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University. 

Working among pioneers and leaders in the field of sports medicine, he has been trained in cutting-edge arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. His year in Los Angeles was capped off by winning a research award for his work with youth and adolescent baseball players.

With an unwavering commitment to his specialty, the doctor is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

Among his most notable achievements, Dr. Ropiak has been the recipient of the Compassionate Doctor Recognition in 2016.

Recommended Articles

• The Function of Joints

  Skeletal systemOur musculoskeletal system is made of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, and bursae. When impulse stimulates, the muscles contract and these muscles are attached to the ligaments. Most of the skeletal system is made of bones and cartilage. The cartilage or ligaments are...

• What Is Blount’s Disease: Symptoms and Treatment

  Blount's DiseaseBlount's disease is a growth disorder that causes the lower leg bones to bow outward. Although this disorder can affect people any time during growth stages, it is more commonly seen in adolescents and children who are younger than 4 years old.It is important to note that Blount’s...

• Different Types of Physicians Explained

  Doctors or physicians are categorized according to different factors including medical specialties and subspecialties. Most doctors specialize in a specific area of medicine. This article provides a summary of the different types of doctors in the medical field. AllergistsAllergists are also...

• What Is the Xiphoid Process?

  Introduction The xiphoid process is the smallest part or structure of the breastbone. The structure is made of cartilage at birth, but tends to develop into a bony structure when an individual reaches adulthood. It is situated from where the lower ribs are attached to the breastbone. The pointed end...

• Pain Between the Shoulder Blades

  IntroductionPain between the shoulder blades is also known as interscapular pain. It is a symptom that is often caused by minor issues, such as a muscle strain. However, being aware of such symptom is also very important since it may also be a sign of more serious conditions, such as lung cancer...

• What are metatarsal bones?

  The five long bones of the metatarsus of the foot are known as the metatarsals. Just as metacarpals of the hand are made of different components, similarly, metatarsals are made of different components such as a proximal base, shaft, and distal head. Arches of the foot are formed by the metatarsal...