Name: Dr. Richard L. Drake

Specialty: Orthopedics

Qualification/Board Certification: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, General Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Affiliation(s): Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Union Pines Surgery Center, Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates PC

Locations: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Languages Spoken: English

Accepting New Patients: Not listed in the provided profile

NPI Number: 1336326206

About the Doctor

Dr. Richard L. Drake is a highly accomplished orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience, practicing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned his medical degree from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and has dedicated his career to the surgical and non-surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions, with a particular subspecialty focus in General Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Spine Surgery. Dr. Drake practices with Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates PC, one of the region’s leading orthopedic group practices, where he works alongside a team of highly rated orthopedic specialists.

Dr. Drake is affiliated with three medical facilities in the Tulsa area, including Ascension St. John Medical Center — ranked number two in Oklahoma by U.S. News and World Report and recognized as High Performing in Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion) and Hip Fracture — making him exceptionally well positioned to deliver advanced spinal and orthopedic surgical care at a nationally recognized level. His clinical expertise is particularly strong in spinal conditions, with treatment volumes in spinal fusion, lower back pain, neck pain, spine problems, and non-fusion back and neck treatments that consistently exceed the state average, reflecting a high-volume and experienced surgical practice.

Dr. Drake holds a perfect 5-star patient rating based on 145 reviews and has received three Patient Awards. Patients consistently commend him for his thorough examinations, clear and detailed explanations of treatment options, and his ability to answer questions with clarity and confidence. He is a published researcher with an extensive list of academic publications, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field of orthopedic and spine surgery. He accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and several major insurance plans, with online appointment booking available.

Key Highlights:

• Orthopedic surgeon with 21+ years of experience
• Subspecialties in General Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Spine Surgery
• Expert in spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and arthritis
• Affiliated with Ascension St. John Medical Center — #2 in Oklahoma, High Performing in Back Surgery
• Perfect 5-star patient rating based on 145 reviews
• Prolific published researcher in orthopedics and spine surgery
• Practices at a U.S. News Best Hospital
• Accepts Medicare and Medicaid

Education & Training

Medical School: Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Residency: Not listed in the provided profile

Fellowship/Additional Training: Not listed in the provided profile

Medical Conditions Treated

Dr. Drake diagnoses and treats a comprehensive range of orthopedic and spinal conditions. His areas of clinical expertise include:

• Spinal fusion and complex spine conditions
• Spinal stenosis and spondylosis
• Lower back pain and lumbar spine disorders
• Neck pain and cervical spine conditions
• Spondylolisthesis and spinal instability
• Arthritis and degenerative joint disease
• Herniated and bulging discs
• Sports injuries and musculoskeletal trauma
• Fractures and bone injuries
• Joint conditions requiring surgical or non-surgical management
• Orthopedic infections and tumors
• Birth defects and structural musculoskeletal abnormalities

Medical Procedures Performed

Dr. Drake performs a wide range of orthopedic and spinal surgical and non-surgical procedures, including:

• Spinal fusion surgery (lumbar and cervical)
• Non-fusion back and neck surgical procedures
• Minimally invasive spine surgery
• Decompression surgery for spinal stenosis
• Discectomy and laminectomy procedures
• Joint repair and replacement surgeries
• Fracture repair and orthopedic trauma surgery
• Arthroscopic joint procedures
• Orthopedic imaging review and diagnostic evaluation
• Pre-operative and post-operative orthopedic consultations
• Non-surgical pain management and conservative care
• Physical therapy referrals and rehabilitation coordination

Services Offered

Dr. Drake offers a comprehensive range of orthopedic and spine surgery services through Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates PC, providing patients in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area with access to expert-level musculoskeletal care within a well-established, multi-specialty orthopedic practice. His services span the full continuum of orthopedic care — from initial diagnostic evaluation and conservative non-surgical management through to complex spinal and orthopedic surgical interventions and post-operative rehabilitation support.

At the core of Dr. Drake’s practice is his specialized expertise in spine surgery. He treats a high volume of patients with spinal conditions including spinal fusion needs, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and both lumbar and cervical spine disorders, consistently exceeding state averages in treatment volumes across these categories. His affiliation with Ascension St. John Medical Center — a hospital nationally recognized for its performance in spinal fusion surgery — ensures that patients undergoing spine procedures have access to a facility equipped with the advanced resources and surgical infrastructure needed to support optimal outcomes.

For patients who are not surgical candidates or who prefer to explore conservative options first, Dr. Drake also provides non-operative orthopedic care, including diagnostic imaging review, pain management guidance, and referrals to physical therapy and rehabilitation services. His thorough evaluation approach and clear communication style — consistently praised by patients in their reviews — ensure that every patient understands their diagnosis, the full range of treatment options available to them, and what to expect throughout their care journey.

Dr. Drake’s extensive publication record reflects his ongoing engagement with current research and best practices in orthopedic and spine surgery, giving his patients confidence that they are receiving care grounded in the latest clinical evidence.

Services offered include:

• Comprehensive orthopedic consultations and evaluations
• Spine surgery (spinal fusion, decompression, discectomy)
• Non-fusion back and neck surgical procedures
• Minimally invasive spine surgery
• General orthopedic surgery and joint procedures
• Joint repair and replacement surgeries
• Fracture and orthopedic trauma management
• Non-surgical conservative orthopedic care
• Diagnostic imaging review and interpretation
• Pre-operative and post-operative care management
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation referrals
• Sports injury evaluation and treatment
• Online appointment booking

Accepted Insurances

Dr. Drake accepts several major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients are encouraged to contact the office directly to confirm their specific plan and coverage before scheduling an appointment.

• Aetna (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (POS, PPO)
• Cigna (PPO)
• CMS Medicare (Medicare)
• Elevance (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
• HCSC (HMO, PPO)
• Humana (Medicare, PPO)
• Medica (PPO)
• OK State Medicaid (Medicaid)
• United Healthcare (HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, POS, PPO)

Practice Locations

Location 1 Address: 4812 S 109th East Ave, Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 74146

Phone: (918) 392-1400

Location 2: Not listed in the provided profile

Hospital Affiliations

• Ascension St. John Medical Center — Tulsa, OK (#2 in Oklahoma; High Performing in Back Surgery — Spinal Fusion and Hip Fracture)
• Oklahoma State University Medical Center — Tulsa, OK
• Union Pines Surgery Center — Tulsa, OK