Raymond Thal, M.D.
Dr. Thal has been practicing orthopaedics since 1990 and is Board Certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Originally from Commack, New York, he earned his medical degree from Loyola University of Chicago–Stritch School of Medicine in 1984. For the next five years, as part of his internship and residency, he continued advanced training in orthopaedic surgery. As a former collegiate baseball player, he had a particular interest in pursuing a career in sports medicine. Following his orthopaedic training, he completed a year-long fellowship training program, subspecializing in sports medicine and arthroscopy at the Orthopaedic Research of Virginia in Richmond.
Dr. Thal is an internationally recognized specialist in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He has been an orthopaedic consultant for numerous professional, collegiate, and scholastic teams, including serving as the head team physician for the Washington Redskins from 2000 until 2008. Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, of the Washington Redskins, spoke of Dr. Thal in a press conference in April 2005. Coach Gibbs said, "I can honestly say there isn't a medical team out there that's as capable as we have in talking about Ray Thal, Tony Casolaro and Jim Andrews. Those are some of the top people in sports medicine." Dr. Thal is also head team physician for the Washington Glory women's professional softball team and Oakton High School. He has also been the medical director for the Virginia Special Olympics Winter Championships since 2003.
Dr. Thal is active in several national orthopaedic sports medicine and arthroscopy organizations. He has served on the Clinical Committee on Sports Medicine for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He has been selected and is currently serving as a member of the Health Policy Committee and Communications Committee for the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA). Additionally, Dr. Thal is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthpaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). He was voted a "Top Doctor" by Washingtonian Magazine in 2005 and 2008.
Dr. Thal has vast experience and is a leader in the field of arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, knee, and elbow. His expertise includes arthroscopic knee ligament reconstructions, shoulder stabilizations, rotator cuff repair, and shoulder and elbow disorders in the throwing athlete. He has authored numerous scientific articles and chapters and has conducted research on various sports medicine topics. Dr. Thal has made significant contributions to sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. In fact, he has been awarded more than 15 United States patents and 16 international patents for devices and instruments he has invented for arthroscopic procedures through his research efforts. This has led to several invitations from the international medical community to demonstrate and discuss these innovations. Dr. Thal has been a guest speaker and surgeon throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
In 2008, Dr. Thal was one of only a few surgeons selected by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to prepare an educational video on advances in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This video will be used to educate orthopaedic surgeons world-wide. Dr. Thal was also selected this year to participate in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons course on the Management of the Unstable Shoulder.
In addition to his extensive medical commitments, he enjoys numerous sports, including racquetball, tennis, softball, squash, skiing, cycling, and scuba diving. He also enjoys spending time with his family and two sons.
