Zachery V. Braig, MD Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Zachery V. Braig is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in advanced arthroscopic procedures of the hip, knee, and shoulder. He has a particular interest in arthroscopic hip preservation surgery. His expertise encompasses cutting-edge, minimally invasive techniques for complex joint injuries, and his approach is grounded in an unwavering commitment to individualized care. Dr. Braig is dedicated to partnering with his patients, providing compassionate, personalized care to help everyone—from elite athletes to weekend warriors—return to the activities they love with confidence and comfort.
A native of Virginia, Dr. Braig earned his Bachelor of Science cum laude from the College of William and Mary, where he was captain of the Men’s Tennis team. Following his undergraduate studies and prior to medical school, he was selected as a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health to pursue advanced training in medical research. He was awarded a scholarship to attend Eastern Virginia Medical School for his Doctor of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Braig was chosen to complete his surgical training at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, one of the most prestigious orthopedic surgery residencies in the nation. At Mayo Clinic, Dr. Braig earned the Mark B. Coventry Clinical Research Award for his impactful research on treating hip pathology in pediatric patients, an honor recognizing the most significant orthopedic research study completed at the institution. Dr. Braig then returned to Virginia to complete an additional fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine and hip arthroscopy at the University of Virginia. During his time at UVA, Dr. Braig received a national award for publishing a reproducible technique for hip labral reconstruction in the treatment of irreparable labral tears and was the first trainee member to ever be inducted into ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society.
Dr. Braig is an active researcher with numerous peer-reviewed publications and strives to advance orthopedic care with an evidence-based approach. He has presented his work on hip arthroscopy, shoulder surgery, and cartilage restoration both nationally and internationally. Dr. Braig is a member of several professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society.
Prior to joining Jordan-Young Institute, Dr. Braig provided care for elite athletes from various teams and leagues, including the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Lynx, and the PGA Tour. He served as a team physician for the University of Virginia football, basketball, and soccer teams. His extensive experience in sports medicine ensures a deep understanding of the unique treatment of both athletes and individuals who desire to return to an active lifestyle.
Dr. Braig resides in Virginia Beach with his wife and children. He enjoys spending time with his family and, in particular, teaching his children sports in the backyard.
Education
- Undergraduate: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
- Medical Degree: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Areas of Specialization
- Hip
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Labral injuries (repair, augmentation, and reconstruction)
- Comprehensive correction of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- Capsular repair and plication
- Gluteal tendon (hip abductor tendon) injuries
- Proximal hamstring injuries
- Knee
- Arthroscopic surgery
- ACL injuries
- PCL injuries
- MCL injuries
- Posterolateral corner injuries
- Multiligament knee injuries
- Meniscus injuries (repair, meniscectomy, and transplant)
- Cartilage restoration (osteochondral allograft transplant and autologous chondrocyte implantation)
- Patellar instability correction (medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and tibial tubercle osteotomy)
- Knee realignment surgery (high tibial osteotomy and distal femoral osteotomy)
- Quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon repair
- Shoulder
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Shoulder instability (labral repair, Latarjet procedure)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries
- Pectoralis tendon injuries
- Superior labrum (SLAP) injuries
- Biceps tendon injuries
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Shoulder replacement
Professional Associations
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
- Arthroscopy Association of North America
- ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Virginia Orthopaedic Society
Awards and Honors
- Gold Medalist, Video Journal of Sports Medicine Fellows’ Challenge
- First Trainee Member Inducted, ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society
- Mark B. Coventry Clinical Research Award, Mayo Clinic
- Patrick J. Kelly Research Award Finalist, Mayo Clinic
- Top 10% Most Cited Clinician for 2022, Doximity
- Annual Meeting Top-Rated Podium Presentation, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association
- Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society
- Cancer Research Training Award, National Institutes of Health
- Cum Laude, College of William and Mary
- Captain, William and Mary Men’s Tennis
- Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete (x2)
- Provost Student-Athlete Academic Award (x2)
- Shirley Williams Community Service Award (x2)
- Tribe “Pride and Tradition” Award (x2)
Publications
(Submitted) Braig Z, Holte A, Ignozzi A, Gwathmey FW, Brockmeier S, Werner B. “A Stratified Investigation of a Single Injection of ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) for Symptomatic Relief in Patients with Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery International.
(In Press) Braig Z, Su, Charles, Gwathmey FW. “Workin’ 9 to 5: Reproducible Acetabular Labral Reconstruction” Video Journal of Sports Medicine.
(In Press) Braig Z, Gwathmey FW. “Anatomic Considerations for Open and Endoscopic Gluteal Tendon Surgery” Journal of Cartilage and Joint Preservation.
Braig Z, Pan X, Krych A, Nho, S, Hevesi M. “Arthroscopic Hip Capsular Closure for Far Medial Defects Along the Iliopsoas Bursa” Arthrosc Tech 14(3):103257 (2024)
Uvodich M, Hooke A, Braig Z, Nieboer M, Dugdale E, Cross W, Krych A, Hevesi M. “Simulated Cam Morphology of the Hip Changes Sacroiliac Motion during Hip Motion and Loading” Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil 6(6), 100977 (2024)
Braig Z, Amrami K, Kakar S. “Dynamic Computed Topography of the Distal Radioulnar Joint versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Foveal Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex” HAND 20(4): 612-618 (2024)
Nieboer M, Braig Z, Rosenow C, Marigi E, Barlow J, Sanchez-Sotelo J, O’Driscoll S, Morrey M. “Non-Cefazolin Antibiotic Prophylaxis is Associated with Higher Rates Of Elbow Periprosthetic Joint Infection” J Shoulder Elbow Surg 33(4), 940-947 (2023)
Braig Z, Uvodich M, Till S, Reinholz A, Morrey M, Sanchez-Sotelo J, O’Driscoll S, Camp C. “Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A Comparison of Non-Operative and Surgical Outcomes at Long-Term Follow-up” Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil 5(2), e435-444 (2023)
Braig Z, Nieboer M, Aiden A, Zhu A, Fruth K, Barlow J, Sanchez-Sotelo J, O’Driscoll S, February 2023Morrey M. “Safety of total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and prior hip or knee periprosthetic joint infection” Semin Arthro: JSES 33(2),373-378 (2023)
Braig Z, Pradhan P, Tibbo, M, Padua H, Shaughnessy W, Stans A, Larson A, Shore B, Milbrandt T. “Bedside hip aspiration results in decrease in total general anesthesia time in pediatric patients: a multicenter study” J Child Ortho 16(6), 512-518 (2022)
Uvodich M, Braig Z, Reinholz A, Till S, O’Driscoll S, Morrey M, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Camp C. “Incidence and Epidemiology of Symptomatic Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A US Population-Based Study over a 25-year Period” Orthop J Sports Med 10(11), (2022)
Braig Z, Kakar S. “Kickstand technique for intra-operative reduction of fifth metacarpal neck fractures” J Hand Surg Am 47(8), 799.e1-e7(2022)
Braig Z, Beahrs T. “Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle” Published online at orthoinfo.aaos.org (2022)
Braig Z. “Personalized medicine: From diagnostic to adaptive” Biomedical Journal 45, 132-142 (2022)
Braig Z, Tagliero A, Rose P, Elhassan B, Barlow J, Wagner E, Sanchez-Sotolo J, Houdek M. “Humeral stress shielding following cemented endoprosthetic reconstruction: An under-reported complication?” J Surg Oncol 123, 505-509 (2021)
Berman D, Braig Z, Simms B, Anderson T, Dougherty K, Marcinkowski K, Seaman R.“Efficacy of Medical Student Surgery Journal Club” J Surg Educ 76, 83-88 (2019)
Cohen N, Braig Z, Collins J. “Prevalence and Management of Posttraumatic Retained Hemothorax in a Level 1 Trauma Center. Am Surg 84, 369-371 (2018)
Morales-Kastresana A, Telford B, Musich T, McKinnon K, Clayborne C, Braig Z, Rosner A, Demberg T, Watson D, Karpova T, Freeman G, DeKruyff R, Pavlakis G, Terabe M, Robert-Guroff M, Berzofsky J,Jones J. “Labeling Extracellular Vesicles for Nanoscale Flow Cytometry” Nature Scientific Reports 7, 1878 (2017).
Presentations and Lectures:
Braig Z, Su C, Gwathmey FW. Workin’ 9 to 5: Reproducible Acetabular Labral Reconstruction. AOSSM Annual Meeting, July 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Nieboer M, Morrey M, et al. Non-Cefazolin Antibiotic Prophylaxis is Associated with Higher Rates of Elbow Periprosthetic Joint Infection. MAOA Annual Meeting, April 2024 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Podium Presentation
Nieboer M, Braig Z, Morrey M, et al. Non-Cefazolin Antibiotic Prophylaxis is Associated with Higher Rates of Elbow Periprosthetic Joint Infection. AAOS Annual Meeting, February 2024 in San Francisco, California. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Nieboer M, Morrey M, et al. Safety of Total Elbow Arthroplasty in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Prior Hip or Knee Periprosthetic Joint Infection. ISES Annual Meeting, September 2023 in Rome, Italy. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Uvodich M, Camp C, et al. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A Comparison of Patients Treated Non-Operatively and Surgically at Long-Term Follow-up. ISES Annual Meeting, September 2023 in Rome, Italy. Scientific Exhibit
Braig Z, Amrami K, Kakar S. Dynamic Computed Topography of the Distal Radioulnar versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Foveal Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex. MOS Annual Meeting, May 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Pratik P, Milbrandt T, et al. Bedside Hip Aspiration Decreases Total General Anesthesia Time in Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter Study. POSNA Annual Meeting, April 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Uvodich M, Camp C, et al. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A Comparison of Non-Operative and Surgical Outcomes at Long-Term Follow-up. MAOA Annual Meeting, April 2023 in Miramar Beach, Florida. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Pratik P, Milbrandt T, et al. Bedside Hip Aspiration Decreases Total General Anesthesia Time in Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter Study. MAOA Annual Meeting, April 2023 in Miramar Beach, Florida. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Uvodich M, Camp C, et al. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A Comparison of Non-Operative and Surgical Outcomes at Long-Term Follow-up. AOSSM Specialty Day, March 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Pratik P, Milbrandt T, et al. Bedside Hip Aspiration Decreases Total General Anesthesia Time in Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter Study. AAOS Annual Meeting, March 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Uvodich M, Camp C, et al. Incidence and Epidemiology of Symptomatic Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A US Population-Based Study over a 25-year Period. Mayo Clinic Symposium on Sports Medicine, November 2022 in Rochester, Minnesota. Scientific Exhibit
Uvodich M, Braig Z, Camp C, et al. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum of the Elbow: A Comparison of Non-Operative and Surgical Outcomes at Long-Term Follow-up. Mayo Clinic Symposium on Sports Medicine, November 2022 in Rochester, Minnesota. Scientific Exhibit
Braig Z, Pratik P, Milbrandt T, et al. Bedside Hip Aspiration Decreases Total General Anesthesia Time in Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter Study. AAP Annual Meeting, October 2022 in Anaheim, California. Podium Presentation
Braig Z, Amrami K, Kakar S. Dynamic Computed Topography of the Distal Radioulnar versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Foveal Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex. ASSH Annual Meeting, September 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. Scientific Exhibit
Braig Z, Honig R, Sanchez-Sotelo J, et al. Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients With a History of Epilepsy is Safe and Effective. MAOA Annual Meeting, April 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. Podium Presentation
Cohen N, Braig Z, Collins J. Incidence and Management of Post-Traumatic Retained Hemothorax at a Level 1 Trauma Center. SSC Annual Meeting, February 2018 in Tampa, Florida. Scientific Exhibit
Braig Z, Morales-Kastresana A, Jones J. PD-L1+ Extracellular Vesicles as a Liquid Biopsy for Personalized Immunotherapy. EVMS Research Day, October 2016 in Norfolk, Virginia. Scientific Exhibit
Braig Z, Morales-Kastresana A, Jones J. PD-L1+ Extracellular Vesicles as a Liquid Biopsy for Personalized Immunotherapy. NIH Research Day, July 2016 in Bethesda, Maryland. Scientific Exhibit
Braig Z, Jones J. Analyzing p53 Status in Extracellular Vesicles to Determine Treatment Strategy in Colorectal Cancer Patients. VBAM Annual Meeting, July 2015 in Bethesda, Maryland. Scientific Exhibit
Clayborne C, Braig Z, Morales-Kastresana A, Jones J. Characterizing Subsets of Tumor Cell Exosomes. NIH Research Day, August 2015 in Bethesda, Maryland. Scientific Exhibit