Aric Christal, MD

Elite Care Accredited Surgeon
Aric Christal, MD

Learn More About My Specialties

Hip Knee

Elite Care Surgeon

Dr. Christal is an Official, Accredited Joint Replacement Surgeon for The Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ready for a joint replacement? Now you can get the same treatment that former pro football players receive. Right here. Learn more.

If you would like to see if your insurance plan permits an expedited appointment, please send your full name, date of birth, primary insurance plan, primary complaint (i.e. “knee pain”) and callback number to [email protected]

Get to Know Me

Aric Christal, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained joint preservation and joint replacement surgeon. His areas of expertise include joint pain, arthritis, hip and knee replacement, minimally-invasive surgery, computer/robotic-assisted surgery, partial joint replacement, and arthroscopy. Dr. Christal was one of the first surgeons in Washington to perform the less-invasive anterior hip replacement. He maintains affiliation with the University of Washington and gives frequent educational seminars on joint replacement to community physicians as well as the public. Dr. Christal has received multiple research awards and presents at national conferences. His professional interests include minimally-invasive surgery, robotics, and the development of outpatient joint replacement programs.

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Dr. Christal completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and earned his medical degree from the University of Washington, where he also completed his orthopedic surgical residency. Dr. Christal traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina for a fellowship in complex joint reconstruction and replacement, and trained at OrthoCarolina under several of the nation’s most renowned reconstructive surgeons.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Christal enjoys downhill skiing, cycling, mountaineering, and spending time with his wife and children.

“My team strives to provide the clinical/surgical experience that we would expect for our own family members. Taking adequate time to understand a patient’s complaints, background, and expectations is critical to achieving a good result. I approach joint pain conservatively and view surgery as a last resort. When surgery is indicated, my team and I pride ourselves in making sure patients are well-educated and prepared for the experience. From ample physical and online resources to physician-taught pre-operative classes and the latest in surgical techniques, we want to ensure your journey is a smooth one.”

Reviews

Patient Success Stories

Education

  • BA, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
  • MD, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA

Residency

  • University of Washington and Harborview Medical Centers, Seattle, WA

Fellowships

  • Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Fellowship: OrthoCarolina, Charlotte, NC

Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Member, American Academy of Hip and Knee Surgeons
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame Elite Care Surgeon

Surgery Center & Hospital Affiliations

  • Proliance Center for Outpatient Spine and Joint Surgery
  • Edmonds Center for Outpatient Surgery
  • Swedish Medical Center – Edmonds
  • Swedish First Hill Hospital

Dr. Christal on KOMO Radio HealthTalk

Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery

Non-operative Treatment of Knee Arthritis

Arthritis of the Hip

Arthritis of the Knee

Knee Replacement Surgery (Total and Partial)

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast on Outpatient Total Joint Replacement

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Thank you! My new knee is already better than what I had. Yippee! — Patient Kay M.