"My favorite thing is to ask patients two months after joint replacement surgery - 'How does it feel compared to two months ago?' Their faces light up because they once again have function and no pain."

Dr. Ritter specializes in joint replacement of the knee and shoulder, as well as less invasive arthroscopic surgeries and sports medicine. After completing medical school at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Ritter met Dr. Chad Waits during their residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center. The two became friends and went on to complete fellowship training together in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery at Wellington Orthopedics/University of Cincinnati. It was in Cincinnati where the pair worked with the Cincinnati Bengals and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.

"People often ask 'How do I know when it's time for surgery?' Everyone is different, but my answer is always the same. When you are ready to start doing the activities you love again, it's time for surgery. I ask people to visualize their future without surgery, and then to visualize their quality of life after surgery. They almost always choose to get their active life back and elect to have surgery."

"I love this community because it has a small-town feel - great values, friendships, and character. But it also provides big-city opportunities - like quality education, wonderful sports facilities, and access to the highest-quality health care."

When not in surgery, Dr. Ritter loves to take care of our community's high school athletes - you can usually find him on the sidelines at Plainfield High School games. He coaches youth sports, including his own kids (son and daughter) in basketball and baseball, and also enjoys golf, travel, movies and community events.