Sreenivasulu Metikala, MD

Broad orthopaedic expertise, shaped across three countries

Most orthopaedic surgeons narrow their focus over the course of a career. Sreenivasulu Metikala, M.D., followed a broader path. After studying general orthopaedics and trauma in India, he completed three year-long specialized fellowships in the UK and the US. The result is an unusual range of expertise.

A general orthopaedic surgeon at VCU Health, Dr. Metikala treats fractures in patients of all ages. His foot and ankle practice includes bunions, hammertoes, flatfoot, ligament instability, arthritis, Achilles and other tendon problems, and diabetic foot conditions. He also treats shoulder and knee conditions and hand conditions such as fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

Foot and ankle work holds a particular pull for Dr. Metikala. "It became an interest because of its mechanical complexity and the major effect these conditions can have on walking, balance and daily function," he says.

Dr. Metikala’s approach begins with the least invasive effective option. Nonsurgical care may involve activity modification, bracing, orthotic inserts, therapy, medications or injections. When surgery is recommended, he often uses arthroscopic minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques tailored to the patient's condition and goals. Just as important to him is how he discusses these choices with his patients.

"I listen carefully, explain findings in plain language and present information in manageable steps rather than all at once," Dr. Metikala says. "I discuss the benefits, limitations and risks of each option and encourage questions, because open, two-way communication builds trust."

Orthopaedic care, Dr. Metikala says, is a team effort. He coordinates closely with primary care and emergency physicians, radiologists, infectious disease specialists, vascular and plastic surgeons, anesthesia team, therapists and fellow orthopaedic subspecialists. This collaboration, he notes, matters most for medically complex patients dealing with diabetes, infection, vascular disease or major trauma.

Dr. Metikala earned his medical degree and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. He went on to complete annual clinical fellowships in paediatric orthopaedics and limb reconstruction at Sheffield Children's Hospital in the UK, foot and ankle surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and orthopaedic sports medicine at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

A prolific researcher with more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Metikala is co-editor of the Springer Nature textbook Unusual Conditions That Every Orthopedic Surgeon Should Know. He holds memberships in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Virginia Orthopaedic Society.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Metikala serves as an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at VCU School of Medicine. In 2025, he received the Sunshine Award at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill, recognizing excellence in service, teamwork and patient-centered care.

He encourages patients to seek care when something doesn’t feel right: "Don't ignore persistent pain, swelling, deformity, weakness or loss of function, especially after an injury, surgery or if you have diabetes or neuropathy. Early evaluation often provides more treatment options."

A career built across multiple health systems and countries has given Dr. Metikala a three-word motto: "Live, learn and progress." Outside of work, he values spending time with his family, traveling, and staying connected with friends and colleagues in the diverse places he has lived and trained.