Meet Dr. Jonathan Chae, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine physician at Central Indiana Orthopedics Muncie and Marion offices. Dr. Chae joined CIO in 2018 and specializes in treating a variety of shoulder and knee conditions from sports injuries to arthritis. His surgical expertise includes minimally invasive surgery for shoulders and knees and shoulder reconstruction and replacement.
Dr. Chae became interested in orthopedics when he was in college. “I tore my ACL and had to have knee surgery,” Dr. Chae said. “That entire experience was eye-opening to the world of orthopedics. Everything from evaluating a sports injury to surgery to rehabilitation. It got me excited to be part of that process and helping take care of patients.”
Knowing that he wanted to pursue medicine, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Wright State University in Beavercreek, Ohio. He went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and then pursued a sports medicine fellowship from William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Dr. Chae chose to focus on orthopedics, and more specifically sports medicine, because of his passion for sports. Throughout his career, he’s had the privilege of working alongside elite athletes during team physician coverage of the Detroit Lions, as well as several high schools and universities. He also enjoys the hands-on approach to patient care. “I love treating patients and getting them back to their functional level,” Dr. Chae said. “It’s a joy for me to see that a patient is happy and we’ve met expectations, whether that’s getting back to work or getting back to playing their sport. I believe with a combination of non-operative and operative treatment, we can get the patient back to where they need to be.”
We asked Dr. Chae what three words describe him best. “Honest, professional and approachable,” said Dr. Chae. “It’s my desire to lead with these characteristics during each patient interaction, and I hope patients experience those qualities when they meet me for the first time.”
When Dr. Chae isn’t seeing patients, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids (they are expecting their fourth child in June 2023!), going on walks, hiking and playing golf and tennis. Learn more about Dr. Chae and his approach to patient care in the video below. To schedule an appointment, call 800-622-6575 or request an appointment online.