Team Physician — Sacramento Kings

Care built for elite athletes. Made for you.

Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and academic researcher specializing in complex knee and shoulder care — bringing the protocols trusted courtside to every patient in Sacramento.

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Now welcoming new patients — Sacramento, California

Team Physician, NBASacramento Kings

200+ publicationsPeer-reviewed research

MD · PhDUT Health San Antonio · Univ. of Gothenburg

Board certifiedABOS · Sports Medicine

Dr. Hughes providing sideline injury care during a college football game — Sideline evaluation, NCAA Division I football

From the sideline

Trusted when the season is on the line.

From the NBA hardwood to Division I football fields, Dr. Hughes has spent his career making the return-to-play decisions elite programs depend on — where every diagnosis, surgery, and recovery plan is measured against the highest standard in sports.

That standard doesn’t change when you walk into his clinic. The protocols the pros get are the protocols every patient gets — whether you’re a point guard, a weekend cyclist, or a grandparent who wants to garden without knee pain.

Meet Dr. Hughes

Prior & current team coverage

Sacramento StateAthletics

Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL

University of PittsburghNCAA Division I

Carnegie Mellon UniversityAthletics

Duquesne UniversityAthletics

Robert Morris UniversityAthletics

Univ. of Mary Hardin-BaylorAthletics

Team names and marks are the property of their respective organizations and indicate team physician coverage provided by Dr. Hughes; they do not imply endorsement.

Surgical expertise

Specialized care for knee, shoulder & elbow.

Fellowship-trained, research-driven treatment — from first evaluation to full return to the life you love.

Anatomical plate: the knee in anterior cutaway, with the anterior cruciate ligament highlighted

Knee reconstruction & preservation

ACL and multi-ligament reconstruction, cartilage restoration, and joint-preserving osteotomies that correct the root cause — not just the symptom.

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Anatomical plate: the shoulder in anterior cutaway, with the supraspinatus tendon of the rotator cuff highlighted

Shoulder arthroscopy & reconstruction

Rotator cuff repair, instability surgery, and advanced 3D-planned shoulder replacement for patients with arthritis or complex injuries.

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Anatomical plate: the elbow in anteromedial view, with the ulnar collateral ligament highlighted

Elbow & tendon repair

Distal biceps and UCL repair and reconstruction for athletes and active adults — restoring strength you can count on.

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Philosophy of care

“Every patient — from the elite athlete to the active senior — deserves a highly individualized path back to the life they love.”

DR. JONATHAN D. HUGHES, MD PHD

Dr. Hughes reviewing a patient's knee X-ray in clinic — Reviewing post-operative imaging in clinic

Research & publications

The research behind the results.

Dr. Hughes is a Principal Investigator on federally funded clinical trials that are shaping how modern sports medicine is practiced — and he brings that evidence directly into the operating room.

200+
Papers & chapters

$10M+
Funded trials

5
Editorial boards

Explore the research

Cover of Dr. Hughes's PhD dissertation on ACL failure, University of Gothenburg

Schedule a visit

Start your recovery with a conversation.

Expert evaluation for knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries. Whether you’re chasing a return to sport or simply a pain-free day, we’ll build the plan together.

Book a consultation