Robert A. Malinzak, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon located in Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana.
Robert Malinzak, MD specializes in total and partial knee replacement, hip replacement, and joint revision surgery. He has performed over 10,000 joint replacements in his career and has been recognized as an Indiana Top Doctor since 2015. He joined Midwest Center for Joint Replacement in 2026.
Biography
Dr. Robert Malinzak is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with more than 25 years of surgical experience. Throughout his career, he has performed more than 10,000 hip and knee replacement procedures. Since 2015, he has been consistently recognized as an Indiana Top Doctor for his commitment to exceptional patient care and surgical excellence.
Dr. Malinzak specializes in total hip replacement, total and partial knee replacement, and revision joint reconstruction. He performed Indiana’s first cementless mobile-bearing partial knee replacement and remains committed to adopting innovative surgical approaches that improve patient outcomes, reduce recovery time, and help patients regain mobility with confidence.
Dr. Malinzak grew up in North Carolina. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Davidson College, where he also helped lead the Division I soccer team to the NCAA Final Four as team captain. He attended Duke University School of Medicine, where he completed his medical school, internship, and orthopaedic surgery residency training. Malinzak moved to Indianapolis for a fellowship at the Center for Hip and Knee Surgery in Mooresville, IN, where he chose to stay for most of his surgical career. He is eager to work alongside former colleagues Dr. Berend and Dr. Lackey here at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement, whom he has known for decades.
Dr. Malinzak has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, co-authored First Aid for the Orthopaedic Boards, and was selected for the prestigious John N. Insall Traveling Fellowship, an honor awarded annually to only a select group of joint replacement surgeons worldwide. He also trains and mentors orthopedic fellows and regularly hosts visiting surgeons seeking advanced training in joint replacement techniques. His commitment to service includes international medical mission work, where he has both performed and taught joint replacement surgery in underserved communities.
Outside of the operating room, Dr. Malinzak is an avid marathon runner. He also formerly served as a consultant for U.S. Soccer and as team physician for Duke University Athletics, North Carolina Central University Athletics, and Mooresville High School Athletics. He lives in Carmel with his family.
Education
Undergraduate
Davidson College, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Medical School
Duke University School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Residency
Duke University Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Fellowship
Center for Hip and Knee Surgery, Mooresville, IN, Joint Reconstruction & Sports Medicine Fellowship
Anterior Hip
Replacement
Total Knee
Replacement
Partial Knee
Replacement
Revision Joint
Replacement
Dr. Malinzak's Locations
Robert Malinzak, MD practices at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Malinzak's Publications
Robert Malinzak, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, has authored several published works and contributed to collaborative publications, advancing the field of orthopedic surgery through evidence-based insights. Dr. Malinzak’s contributions to medical literature underscore a commitment to staying at the forefront of orthopedic advancements.
Publications & Presentations
Malinzak RA, Colby SM, Kirkendall DT, Garrett WE. “Electromyographic and 3-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of Cutting Maneuvers in Men and Women: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.” Presented to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, February 1999, podium and poster presentations — Anaheim, California.
Malinzak RA, Colby SM, Kirkendall DT, Garrett WE. “Electromyographic and 3-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of Cutting Maneuvers in Men and Women.” Presented to The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. February 1999, podium presentation — Anaheim, California.
Colby SM, Malinzak RA, Garrett WE. “Electromyographic and Kinematic Analysis of the Jump Stop Maneuver.” Podium Presentation at the American College of Sports Medicine, June 1998 — Orlando, Florida.
Malinzak RA, Kirkendall DT, Garrett WE. “Stress Fractures.” Coach Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory, Duke University Medical Center. NIKE. Medical Field Report, May 1998.
Malinzak RA. “Mechanisms of ACL Injuries.” K-Lab Symposium—Sports Performance Enhancement Workshop, Duke University Medical Center, Department of Sports Medicine-Orthopaedic Surgery, July 10th, 1999.
Malinzak RA, Colby SM, Kirkendall DT, Yu B, Garrett WE. A Comparison of Knee Joint Motion Patterns between Men and Women in Selected Athletic Tasks. Clinical Biomechanics. 15(5): 438-445, June 2001.
Malinzak, RA. “Gender Differences in ACL Injury—Gait Analysis of Various Running Maneuvers.” Duke University Chief Resident Symposium. May 2004.
Malinzak RA, Albritton MJ. First Aid for the Orthopaedic Boards. McGraw-Hill 2005. Orthopaedic board review book. First Edition.
Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Olberding EM, Davis KE. “Total Joint Replacement Risk Factors and Rates: A 35 Year Analysis.” AAOS March 2006 Chicago, IL & Interim Meeting of the Knee Society. New York, New York. August 2005.
Meding JB, Keating EM, Ritter MA, Faris PM, Berend ME, Malinzak RA. The Planovalgus Foot: A Harbinger of Failure of Posterior Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Replacement. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Vol. 87-A Supplement 2, December 2005. Pages 59-62.
Malinzak RA. ACL Injuries in Men and Women. American Society of Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistants Newsletter. Summer 2006.
Malinzak RA, Ritter MA. Postoperative Wound Infection: 35 Years of Experience. Orthopedics, September 2006, Vol. 29, Number 9.
Ritter MA, Olberding EM, Malinzak, RA. Ultraviolet Lighting during Orthopaedic Surgery and the Rate of Infection. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Vol. 89-A No. 9, September 2007. Pages 1935-1940.
Meding JB, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Keating EM, Faris PM, Malinzak RA. Predicting Patellar Failure after Total Knee Replacement. AAOS 2008 San Francisco. Paper No. 443. The Journal of Arthroplasty Vol. 23, Issue 2, page 317. February 2008.
Meding JB, Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Olberding EM, Davis KE. Morbidly Obese, Diabetic, Younger Age, and Unilateral Patients. Knee Society Interim Meeting. Oct 2008. Colorado. Podium presentation.
Ritter MA, Malinzak RA, Meding JB, Keating EM, Berend ME, Faris PM, Richardson J. Prevalence of Nares MRSA in total joint replacement patients: Impact and Importance. Knee Society Interim Meeting. Oct 2008. Colorado. Podium presentation.
Meding JB, Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Olberding EM, Davis KE. Morbidly Obese, Diabetic, Younger Age, and Unilateral Patients. American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dallas, TX, November 2008. Podium presentation.
Malinzak RA, Meding JB, Keating EM, Berend ME, Faris PM, Richardson J. Prevalence of Nares MRSA in total joint replacement patients: Impact and Importance. American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dallas, TX, November 2008. Poster presentation.
Malinzak RA, Albritton MJ, Pickering T. First Aid for the Orthopaedic Boards. McGraw-Hill 2009. Orthopaedic board review book. Second Edition.
Malinzak RA, Meding JB, Keating EM, Berend ME, Faris PM, Richardson J. Prevalence of Nares MRSA in total joint replacement patients: Impact and Importance. AAOS Las Vegas. Paper #195. February 2009. Podium presentation. Presenter.
Meding JB, Ritter MA, Keating EM, Faris PM, Berend ME, Malinzak RA. Survival of an Uncemented Straight-stemmed Titanium-alloy Femoral Component in Dorr Class C Bone. AAOS Las Vegas Paper #265. February 2009. Podium presentation.
Meding JB, Ritter MA, Fish M, Faris PM, Berend ME, Malinzak RA. Is the PCL Needed in Cruciate-Retaining TKR? AAOS Las Vegas Paper #579. February 2009. Podium presentation.
Malinzak RA, Berend ME, Faris PM, Meding JB, Keating EM, Ritter MA, Galley M. Patient weight, surgical approach, and femoral head size affect primary total hip dislocation rates. AAOS Las Vegas Poster #070. February 2009. Poster presentation.
Pickering TR, Berend ME, Meding JB, Keating EM, Ritter MA, Faris PM, Malinzak RA. Medial soft tissue releases do not cause instability, pain, or compromise long-term TKR survivorship. AAOS Las Vegas Poster #174. February 2009. Poster presentation.
Meding JB, Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Olberding EM, Davis KE. Morbidly Obese, Diabetic, Younger Age, and Unilateral Patients. Knee Society. Las Vegas February 2009. Podium presentation.
Malinzak RA, Meding JB, Keating EM, Berend ME, Faris PM, Richardson J. Prevalence of Nares MRSA in total joint replacement patients: Impact and Importance. Knee Society. Las Vegas February 2009. Podium presentation. Presenter.
Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Meding JB, Olberding EM, Davis KE. Morbidly Obese, Diabetic, Younger, and Unilateral Joint Arthroplasty Patients Have Elevated Total Joint Arthroplasty Infection Rates. J Arthroplasty. 2009 July 13.
Malinzak RA, Berend ME, Meding JB. Instability in Total Knee Replacement: Treatment. Orthopaedic Knowledge Online. September 2009.
Berend ME, Davis PJ, Ritter MA, Keating EM, Faris PM, Meding JB, Malinzak RA. Thicker polyethylene bearings are associated with higher failure rates in primary total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Arthroplasty. 2010 Sep; 25 (6 suppl): 17-20.
Krenzel BA, Berend ME, Malinzak RA, Faris PM, Keating EM, Meding JB, Ritter MA. High pre-operative range of motion is a significant risk factor for dislocation in primary total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Arthroplasty. 2010 Sep; 25 (6 suppl): 31-5. E-pub 2010 Jun 11.
Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Davis K, Pierson JP, Berend ME, Meding JB. Alignment and BMI, Factors Associated with Total Knee Replacement Failures. AAOS San Diego Paper #130. February 2011. Podium Presentation—Presenter.
Meding JB, Keating EM, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Faris PM, Malinzak RA. Patient Activity Twenty Years or More After Total Knee Arthroplasty. AAOS San Diego Paper #413. February 2011. Podium Presentation.
Malinzak RA, Ritter MA, Davis K, Pierson JP, Berend ME, Meding JB. Alignment and BMI, Factors Associated with Total Knee Replacement Failures. Knee Society. San Diego Feb 2011. Podium Presentation—Presenter.
Ritter MA, Davis KE, Meding JB, Pierson JL, Berend ME, Malinzak RA. The effect of alignment and BMI on failure of total knee replacement. JBJS-A. 2011 Sep 7: 93 (17): 1588-96.
Meding JB, Berend ME, Ritter MA, Galley MR, Malinzak RA. Intramedullary vs Extramedullary Femoral Alignment Guides: a 15-year follow-up of survivorship. J Arthroplasty. 2011 Jun: 26 (4): 591-5.
Berend ME, Davis PJ, Ritter MA, Keating EM, Faris PM, Meding JB, Malinzak RA. “Thicker” Polyethylene Bearings are Associated with Higher Failure Rates in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2012 Sep: 25(6 Suppl): 17-20.
Ritter MA, Davis KE, Davis P, Farris A, Malinzak RA, Berend ME, Meding JB. Preoperative Malalignment Increases Risk of Failure After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Jan 16;95(2):126-31.
Meding JB, Davis K, Ritter, MA, Berend ME, Keating EM, Faris PM, Malinzak RA. Clinical Necessity for Total Knee Arthroplasty. AAOS Meeting Chicago, IL 2013.
Obesity and Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Literature Based Review. A workgroup of the AAHKS Evidence Based Committee. The Journal of Arthroplasty Vol. 28, Issue 5, pages 714-721. May 2013.
Robert A. Malinzak MD, John B. Meding MD, Michael E. Berend MD, E. Michael Keating MD, Michael D. Jackson, Kenneth E. Davis, Merrill A. Ritter MD. Screws and Cement in Revision Total Knee Replacement 17 Years Experience. AAHKS Poster #95. Dallas, Texas November 2013.
Robert A. Malinzak MD, Michael E. Berend MD, Merrill A. Ritter MD, Nathaniel R. Evans MD, Kenneth E. Davis MS. Hand Held Navigation Improves Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty A Blinded Study. AAOS New Orleans 2014. Poster 199.
Meding JB, Keating EM, Faris PM, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Malinzak RA, Pierson JP. Minimum twenty-year follow up of a straight stemmed, titanium alloy, uncemented femoral component in primary THA. AAOS New Orleans 2014. Poster 095.
Meding JB, Ritter MA, Pierson JP, Keating EM, Davis K, Malinzak RA, Faris PM, Berend ME. Long-term outcome of multiple lower extremity major joint arthroplasties. AAOS New Orleans 2014. Poster 072.
Malinzak RA, Berend ME, Meding JB, Faris PM, Keating EM, Ritter MA. Early follow-up comparison of modular and fixed components for one prosthesis design in TKA. Submitted to Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 2014.
Malinzak RA, Small SR, Rogge RD, Archer DB, Oja JW, Berend ME, Ritter MA. The effect of Rotating Platform TKA on Strain Distribution and Torque Transmission on the Proximal Tibia. J Arthroplasty. March 2014, Vol. 29, No. 3, pg 541-547.
Sueyoshi T, Berend ME, Meding JB, Malinzak RA, Lackey WG, Ritter MA. Changes in femoral stem geometry reduce intraoperative femoral fracture rates in total hip replacement. Open Journal of Orthopaedics. Vol.5 No.5, Pub Date: May 8, 2015.
Sueyoshi T, Lackey WG, Malinzak RA, Meding JB, Farris A, Davis KE, Ritter MA. Predicting pain in total and partial knee arthroplasty. Open Journal of Orthopaedics. Vol.5 No.6, Pub. Date: June 18, 2015.
Berend, ME, Ritter MA, Keating EM, Jackson MD, Davis KE, Malinzak RA. Use of screws and cement in revision TKA with primary or revision specific prosthesis with up to 17 years follow-up. J Arthroplasty. 2015 Jan;30(1):86-9. E-pub 2014 Jul 25.
Small SR, Rogge RD, Malinzak RA, Reyes EM, Cook PL, Farley KA, Ritter MA. Micromotion at the tibial plateau in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty: fixed versus rotating platform designs. Bone Joint Res. 2016 Apr;5(4):122-9.
Lackey WG, Ritter MA, Berend ME, Malinzak RA, Faris PM, Meding JB. Midterm results of the Vanguard SSK revision TKA system. Orthopedics. 2016 Sep 1;39(5): e833-7. Epub 2016 May 13.
Sueyoshi T, Meding JB, Davis KE, Lackey WG, Malinzak RA, Ritter MA. Clinical predictors for possible failure after total hip arthroplasty. Hip International Oct 10, 2016.
Berend ME, Meding JB, Malinzak RA, Faris PM, Jackson MD, Davis KE, Ritter MA. ACL damage and deficiency is associated with more severe preoperative deformity, lower range of motion at the time of TKA. HSS J 2016 Oct;12(3):235-239. E-pub 2016 Jun 8.
Sueyoshi T, Meding JB, Davis KE, Lackey WG, Malinzak RA, Ritter MA. Clinical Predictors for possible failure after total hip arthroplasty. Hip International. 2016 Oct 10:0. Doi10.5301/hipint.5000389 [Epub ahead of print]
Malinzak RA, Small SR, Rogge RD, Reyes EM, Seale RB, Elliott JB. Primary Stability in Cementless Rotating Platform Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal Knee Surgery. 2021 Jan;34(2):192-199.
Meding JB, Meding LK, Malinzak RA, Meneghini R. Progressive Tibial Bearing Sagittal Plane Conformity in Cruciate Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty. J of Arthroplasty. Vol 36, Issue 2, Feb 2021, pg 520-525.