Kelechi Okoroha, M.D.

Biography

Kelechi Okoroha, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, hip preservation, and complex shoulder surgery. Dr. Okoroha serves as Division Chief of Sports Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is also the Official Lead Team Doctor for the Dallas Mavericks.

Dr. Okoroha’s expertise spans the full spectrum of sports-related and orthopedic conditions. He cares for elite professional athletes, collegiate and high school players, and active patients of all ages, including weekend warriors and non-athletes seeking to return to pain-free activity.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Okoroha offers advanced surgical and nonsurgical care, with a focus on:

• Hip arthroscopy and preservation, including treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Hip and shoulder labral repair
• Shoulder stabilization and replacement (total and reverse arthroplasty)
• Rotator cuff repair
• Knee arthroscopy, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and cartilage and meniscus restoration

He focuses on using a variety of approaches to manage pain and reduce the need for opioids, helping patients recover more quickly and effectively.

Professional Background

Before joining UT Southwestern in 2025, Dr. Okoroha served as head team physician for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. He has also provided orthopedic care for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire, and DePaul University athletics.

He earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit (where he served as Administrative Chief Resident), and received advanced fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine at the renowned Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Dr. Okoroha is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, with an additional Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. Before joining UTSW, he was an associate professor at the Mayo Clinic, where he helped train future sports surgeons as the associate program director of the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship.

Research and Publications

A committed researcher and educator, Dr. Okoroha has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to multiple orthopedic textbooks, and served as Principal or Co-Investigator for numerous clinical studies. His work focuses on:

• Return-to-sport outcomes
• Injury prevention
• Postoperative pain control and opioid reduction strategies

He is a co-author of chapters in leading texts, including Hip Arthroscopy and Hip Joint Preservation Surgery, Basketball Sports Medicine and Science, and Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Personal Note

When he’s not at work, Dr. Okoroha enjoys playing basketball, working out, and traveling.