Dr. Michael J. Rytel, MD, FAAOS

Expert Publications

• Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the National Football League: epidemiology and current treatment trends among team physicians.
• Comparison of counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), latex agglutination (LA) and staphylococcal coagglutination (COAG) in pneumococcal antigen detection in vitro.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Michael J. Rytel, who serves patients in Pennsylvania

Dr. Rytel is a seasoned orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates in Pittsburgh and Brackenridge, Pennsylvania. He joined the practice in 1996 and specializes in minimally invasive/arthroscopic surgical procedures of the shoulder, elbow, and knee, sports medicine, and shoulder replacements.

Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates is the oldest continuously-operating orthopaedic surgical associates in Pittsburgh, PA. “Our goal is to provide compassionate orthopaedic care to patients of all ages for an extensive variety of conditions.” GPOA has several convenient locations across the Pittsburgh Metro area. They employ top orthopaedic providers to specialize in various areas of the body, including spine, shoulder, hip, knee, hand, and upper extremities. 

A 1990 graduate of Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, Dr. Rytel went on to perform his residency in orthopedic surgery (1990-1995) at McGaw Medical Center and Feinberg School of Medicine. He continued to advance his training with a combined fellowship in sports medicine conducted at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh PA, and the Orthopaedic Research of Virginia in Richmond, VA.

Furthermore, Dr. Rytel obtained board certification in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). The goal of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery is to establish educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons, as well as to evaluate the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons.

Dr. Rytel is affiliated with UPMC and Allegheny Health Network. He additionally maintains a private practice as an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. According to his website, rytelsportsmedicine.com, “his expertise and experience allow him to perform the most up to date surgical techniques available.” Dr. Rytel employs the most advanced technique and technology available to provide a highly-personalized level of care. He serves patients at his GPOA locations in Pittsburgh and Brackenridge, as well as the hospital facilities for UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, and Highmark Health.

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

Outside his practice, Dr. Rydel dedicates his spare time to running, skiing, cycling, water skiing, and fitness. A sports enthusiast, he sponsors the GPOA cycling team, Pittsburgh’s top racing team. In addition to his clinical work, he is a preceptor for the UPMC Primary Care Sports Medicine fellows and UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine residents. He also participates in the Annual Sports Medicine Conference at Shady Side Academy.

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