James J. Rubano, M.D., MBA

DOS Top Doctors 2024

Biography

James J. Rubano is Board-Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a partner in Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists (DOS), performing the most Same-Day, Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacements in the state of Delaware. He is also one of the largest volume joint replacement surgeons in the Philadelphia Metro Area (8th largest metro region in US) performing over 700 joint replacements per year.

Dr. Rubano attended Villanova University graduating first in his class with a 3.99 GPA in Biology. While at Villanova, he received numerous academic scholarships and awards including induction into Phi Beta Kappa which was awarded to the top 2% of his class. After college, Dr. Rubano obtained his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine where he graduated in the top 3% with Alpha Omega Alpha induction.

Upon completion of medical school, Dr. Rubano entered orthopaedic surgical residency at Duke University Medical Center. During residency, Dr. Rubano scored in the 99th percentile multiple times on the yearly Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE). Following residency, he accepted the prestigious Otto E. Aufranc Fellowship in hip and knee replacement surgery at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA. During fellowship, he received extensive training in both primary and complex/revision joint replacement surgery.

Devoted to continuing education, Dr. Rubano completed a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Villanova University School of Business in 2020. He is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS), Eastern Orthopaedic Association (EOA), Duke Arthroplasty Club (DAC), and the Piedmont Orthopaedic Society (Duke Orthopaedic Alumni).

Throughout his career, he has participated in orthopaedic research and contributed to medical textbooks and continues to serve as a guest lecturer at meetings and conferences for orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, students, and patients. In 2023, he took part in a medical brigade to Honduras performing over 50 joint replacement surgeries on the poor, underprivileged population. He acts as a consultant to orthopaedic industry in various areas, such as joint replacement implant design and the development and implementation of ambulatory surgery center pathways.

Along with his fellow joint replacement surgeons at DOS, Dr. Rubano is a founding member of Restore Orthopaedic Surgical Institute (ROSI) in Chadds Ford, Pa. which is a Hyper-Specialized Joint Replacement ASC. He strives to provide the highest quality, state-of-the-art care by concentrating on same-day surgery, minimally invasive techniques, robotic-assisted methods, and pain mitigation protocols (including the use of Cryoneurolysis [Iovera] for knee replacements). ROSI is one of the leading Outpatient Joint Replacement Centers in the Delaware Valley currently performing approximately 1000 cases per year with patient satisfaction scores and complication rates which rank amongst the best nation’s best.

Dr. Rubano lives in Wilmington with his wife, 3 children, and 2 dogs. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events (especially Villanova Basketball), going to the beach, and golfing.

Honors

  • Top Doctor by Delaware Today: 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
  • High Volume Joint Replacement Specialist in Philly Metro Region
  • Highest Volume Same-Day, ASC, Robotic-Assisted Surgeon in Delaware

Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacement (RA-TKR)

Dr. Rubano performs Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacement (RA-TKR) for qualified DOS patients.

TKR is a highly successful operation that improves patients’ quality of life and functionality. However, up to 15-20% of TKA patients remain unsatisfied with the functional outcomes. RA-TKR has gained increased attention and popularity in order to improve patient satisfaction and implant survivorship by increasing accuracy and precision of component implantation.

Significant research has been performed comparing RA-TKR to Traditional/Manual TKR.

Potential Advantages based on some of the current studies available:

  • Less Pain
  • Less Invasive
  • Faster Recovery
  • More Accurate and Precise
  • Better Alignment
  • Better Balancing
  • Improved Preservation of Bone
  • Better Functional Outcome
  • Longer Implant Survival

Pre-Operative Cryoneurolyisis for TKR

Dr. Rubano also performs Cryoneurolysis prior to TKR in qualified patients.

Cryoneurolysis (Iovera) before TKR has been shown in studies to potentially reduce pain and opioid/narcotic use post-operatively along with improved range of motion.


Dr. Rubano's Staff


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Patient Testimonials

VERY KIND AND SENSITIVE

I want to thank Dr. Rubano and his team for everything they’ve done for me. I am able to walk properly because of you. You are an excellent doctor and I cannot thank you enough. My experience for both my knee operations have been positive. You are very kind and sensitive. My heartfelt thanks to you and everyone who was on your team. Competent and sensitive physicians like you are the prize and asset to the medical profession.

- D. C.

THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL

Dr. Rubano, you certainly have a God given talent in doing what you do. I am so thankful and grateful that I had my hip replacement. You did good!

- Linda M.

VERY MANAGEABLE AND COMFORTABLE

I recently ran the Tokyo Marathon and although I have the typical physical issues that go along with a race, the major concerns with my knees had absolutely no impact or posed any challenge to the race. I had no pain at all in my knees, not even the more severe left knee. My hips had minimal discomfort at best. As a Masters Distance runner, I believe our HCP’s are partners in our training and an integral part of an athlete’s success and Dr. Rubano is an excellent example of that partner. For this last race in Japan, he helped make a very challenging course very manageable and comfortable. So thank you!

- Neil G.

Getting Around and Doing Well

Thank you to Dr. Rubano for my Mom’s first hip surgery in the spring. We drove to the top of the mountain and she made a short walk to the peak with her Rollatur! Thank you for making it possible. She is getting around and doing well. I cannot thank you enough!

- Anonymous

Very Manageable and Comfortable

I recently ran the Tokyo Marathon and although I have the typical physical issues that go along with a race, the major concerns with my knees had absolutely no impact or posed any challenge to the race. I had no pain at all in my knees, not even the more severe left knee. My hips had minimal discomfort at best. As a Masters Distance runner, I believe our HCP’s are partners in our training and an integral part of an athlete’s success and Dr. Rubano is an excellent example of that partner. For this last race in Japan, he helped make a very challenging course very manageable and comfortable. So thank you!

- Neil G.