Andre TaylorDealing with persistent joint pain, a nagging sports injury, or the prospect of needing a joint replacement can be a significant challenge. You need an expert who is both highly skilled and genuinely cares about getting you back to living your life to the fullest.
Indianapolis is home to some incredible orthopedic specialists, but finding the right fit for your specific needs is crucial. We have compiled a list of the top practitioners and centers in the area.
This guide is designed to inform your selection by highlighting what each one does best, so you can choose the specialist who is perfectly aligned with your recovery goals.
How much does orthopedic care cost in Indianapolis?
The cost for specialized orthopedic care in Indianapolis can vary quite a bit, so it is helpful to know what to expect. If you’re paying cash, price-estimate tools suggest a basic orthopedic surgeon visit in Indiana may run about $92–$167, depending on whether you’re a new or returning patient and where it’s billed (office/urgent care vs. hospital/surgery center). Some self-pay marketplaces list orthopedic office-visit prices in Indiana roughly in the $127–$385 range. For instance, an athlete with a sudden knee sprain will likely pay near the lower end for an initial diagnostic visit, while an adult starting the journey toward joint replacement might see costs toward the higher end for a comprehensive surgical work-up. These numbers are averages, and actual costs will depend on your insurance, the complexity of the visit, and the facility itself.
Greenwood Orthopaedics
Website: https://www.greenwoodortho.com/
Address: 1550 E County Line Rd #200, Indianapolis
Contact: +1 317-497-6497
Hours:
- Mon – Thu: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Fri: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sat: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
If you have a sudden injury, Greenwood Orthopaedics truly stands out for its dedicated Walk-In Clinic for all ages. This is great for parents with a child’s sudden fracture or an athlete with a new sprain who doesn’t want the hassle of an emergency room visit.
The medical team treats pediatric orthopedic conditions and sports injuries, while also handling workers’ compensation cases.
Patients frequently commend Dr. Julian’s commitment to thorough patient education and compassionate communication, which really highlights the “caring” aspect of this practice.
Moreover, the clinic is all about extensive patient convenience, offered through early morning and Saturday hours, making it much easier to fit an appointment around a busy work schedule.
Plus, they also provide free valet parking, so if you have on-site bracing and casting procedures done, this makes the overall experience a little more convenient.
The only drawback, though, is their single physical location, which means patients from outside the greater Indianapolis area may need to do a longer drive.
Customer Reviews
Dr. Julian was amazing. He was the second surgeon I went to after the first surgeon was very short and I felt he didn’t have time for me. Dr. Julian was the complete opposite. He made sure to answer any questions I had and made sure he explained everything. I can’t say enough about how great the visits were, surgery experience, and after visits…
- Justin Gill | Google Review
I saw Kelsey -PA-C and she was excellent. I was nervous about what was going on with my shoulder and she put me at ease. Very professional and thorough. I highly recommend seeing her. The entire staff was great, quick, efficient.
- Tina Zorlu | Google Review
IU Health Physicians Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Website: https://iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/orthopedics
Address: 1801 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis
Contact: +1 317-944-9400
Hours: Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Contact for exact hours)
IU Health Physicians is a leading medical center with an international reputation for excellence in joint replacement.
Their team of highly specialized, fellowship-trained surgeons attracts patients from around the world seeking advanced orthopedic care.
With a vast and well-established system, they provide end-to-end treatment that spans initial consultation, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up.
This makes them especially well-suited for patients facing complex cases and high-risk procedures, or traumatic injuries, supported by one of the largest orthopedic trauma programs in the nation.
Patients can also feel confident knowing that non-surgical treatment options are carefully considered before surgery is recommended.
As a large, high-volume medical center, patients may have to take more initiative in coordinating follow-up appointments and rehabilitation services
Customer Reviews
The Drs NP and staff are all very caring and put the patient first in all they do. So very thankful for the care given to my son over the past 15 months.
- Connie Smith | Google Review
I had an amazing experience with the receptionist Cassandra. She was thorough, kind, caring, and an amazing sense of humor. IU is blessed to have such a phenomenal human being working for them.
- cody eastwood | Google Review
Mark Hood, M.D.
Website: https://www.markhoodmd.com/
Address: 7930 Shadeland Ave Ste 100, Indianapolis
Contact: +1 317-355-8326
Schedule: Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dr. Mark Hood’s practice is defined by its deep commitment to Advanced Robotic Surgical Technology for joint replacement.
If you need a new hip or knee, Dr. Hood uses state-of-the-art systems like VELYS and MAKO to perform surgery with incredible precision.
His specialty is the direct anterior total hip replacement, which is a highly-touted minimally invasive procedure designed to replace the joint without having to cut through muscle. This technique is widely recognized for facilitating a potentially faster recovery with reduced post-operative pain.
On top of that, the practice’s big draw for many is the option for outpatient joint replacement, meaning you can have major surgery and recover in your own home without an overnight hospital stay.
A necessary consideration is that their highly specialized scope focuses exclusively on hip and knee surgery, so if your issue is a shoulder or spine problem, you’ll most likely benefit more from a different specialist.
Customer Reviews
Dr Mark Hood is an excellent ortho doctor along with being an amazing listener and communicates extonishingly well with his patients, or at least with me and my family. I recently had a knee replacement and all his advice has helped me heal quicker than I imagined. Of course it’s a process and doing the therapy is a must. I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing the other knee when it’s time. His staff is remarkable too.
- Regina Huber | Google Review
Dr Hood has been awesome throughout this whole experience. He took the time to address any questions or concerns about the surgery. He also explained what would happen during the surgery. If I could give him and his staff a higher rating I would as they were all fantastic. Feel like anew man since the surgery.
- Michael Mast | Google Review
Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
Website: https://forteortho.com/
Address: 1401 W County Line Rd, Greenwood
Contact: +1 317-817-1200
Schedule:
- Mon – Thu: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Forté is the go-to specialist if you are an athlete or simply need quick attention for an injury, as they offer Forté Fast Orthopedic Urgent Care.
This service is fantastic for treating those acute sprains, strains, or suspected fractures right away without the long wait and high cost of an emergency room.
Their reputation for high-level trust and expertise is solidified by serving as the official sports medicine physicians for the Indianapolis Colts and Purdue University athletes.
I also like that they use an Integrated “One-Stop Shop” Care Model, which means you can get your initial check-up, X-ray, physical therapy, and even surgery all under one roof.
The one minor challenge to keep in mind is that their main office hours are limited to weekdays, so weekend treatments may also mean having to go straight to ER.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely fantastic. I will always utilize their services. Receptionist was extremely friendly, nurse was very clear and concise, and Dr. Slabaugh was wonderful!! I am 100% happy my brother, Gary Falconbury, suggested this facility!
- Marla McFarland | Google Review
Everyone was nice. The Dr explained everything and I understood. The Dr saw me today had me admitted to hospital for surgery tomorrow. The whole staff was great.
- Darlene Soto | Google Review
Midwest Center for Joint Replacement
Website: https://www.mcjr.com/
Address: 6920 Gatwick Dr #200, Indianapolis
Contact: +1 317-455-1064
Schedule: Mon – Thu: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Midwest Center for Joint Replacement (MCJR) is a powerhouse that is hyper-focused on one thing: joint replacement, including complex revision surgeries.
They are national leaders and educators in implant design and minimally invasive techniques, and a huge part of their expertise is their high volume of outpatient procedures. They proudly perform over 80% of their surgeries in an outpatient setting.
This specialized focus shows how well they can do what they do, achieving results like an infection rate that is below the national average.
For anyone needing a new hip, knee, or shoulder, their commitment to a personalized patient journey is one of the best, as they proactively try to remove barriers to care and offer personalized surgeon guidance.
While they do have multiple locations, their limited geographic access within Indiana can be a travel barrier for patients coming from outside the immediate Indianapolis region.
Customer Reviews
Responsive to questions both before and after surgery for my left knee partial replacement. Dr Carter and his group are very knowledgeable, & arguably are some of the best in their profession. The entire group is well organized and staffed by competent, caring people. By following the instructions for medicine and for the stretching exercises, I’m ahead of expectations for flexibility. Another positive experience with MCJR– 7+ years after my right knee surgery for a partial.
- John Walthall | Google Review
First time being there. I must say it was a very pleasant experience from the start. All of the staff are super kind and helpful. And my first impression of Dr.Carter was excellent. He took the time to talk me through everything that I will need to do ahead of time and what to expect afterwards. Sometimes you just have the feeling from the start that you are in the right place. This definitely is the Right place!
- Don Harding | Google Review
