Since November 2022
Clinical practice in Panama
COMEDSA
Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology. Clinical and surgical activity at Pacífica Salud, Hospital San Fernando, Hospital Paitilla and outpatient surgery centres.
MEET THE DOCTOR
Dr. Ricardo Vega Croker
Orthopedic surgeon providing comprehensive musculoskeletal care for adults and children: spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, foot and ankle.
THE APPOINTMENT
Listen. Understand.
Decide together.
Your appointment starts with your history, your activities and what you hope to get back to. Examination and any appropriate investigations help explain the problem and support a discussion of treatment options.
Care includes nonsurgical treatment and surgery when appropriate. 3D tools are incorporated in selected cases alongside clinical assessment.
BARCELONA · PANAMA
Clinical experience
July 2021 – February 2022
Staff surgeon in the Knee Surgery Unit
ICEMEQ · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Staff surgeon in the Knee Surgery Unit at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, within the Institut Clínic d’Especialitats Mèdiques i Quirúrgiques (ICEMEQ).
TRAINING
A clinical and anatomical foundation.
- 2021–2022
Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Universitat de Barcelona · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
- 2021–2022
TEACA · Expert Qualification in Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria · Madrid
Programme endorsed by the Spanish Arthroscopy Association.
- 2016–2021
Residency in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
- 2019–2020
Expert programme in Surgical Anatomy
Universitat de Barcelona
- 2017–2019
Master’s in Healthcare Centre and Service Management
Universitat de Barcelona
Medical degree
Universidad Latina de Panamá
SCIENTIFIC WORK
Scientific journal publications
2026
Accepted · 24 September 2026
Accepted original article
Safe Bony Corridor for Percutaneous Fixation of the Navicular: 3D CT Morphometry in Neutral, Cavus, and Planus Feet.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Co-author
Co-author of an original article on 3D CT morphometry and percutaneous navicular fixation. Accepted for publication.
Authors and reference
Ruiz-Riquelme P; Vega-Croker R; Poggio Cano D; Castro-Cruz M; Gamundi-López M; Fillat-Gomà F; Testa EA
2022
Original article
Published original article
Short- and long-term results for severe hallux valgus correction using a first metatarsal distal osteotomy.
Foot and Ankle Surgery · 2022;28(8):1458–1462
Co-author
Co-author. Research on severe hallux valgus correction using a distal first metatarsal osteotomy.
Authors and reference
Ledermann G; Baduell A; Testa E; Vega R; Ruiz P; Barrientos M; Poggio D
DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2022.08.009
View on PubMed2022
Research collaboration
Published multicentre study
Is elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic safe? A multi-center prospective study in a high incidence area.
Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica · 2022;56(1):14–19
Contributing investigator in the OrthoCOVID-Cat Investigation Group at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Contributing investigator in the OrthoCOVID-Cat Investigation Group at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
Authors and reference
Sastre S; Jornet-Gibert M; Yela-Verdú C; Portas-Torres I; Balaguer-Castro M; Miguela SM; Claret G; Brunet L; Torner P; OrthoCOVID-Cat Investigation Group
DOI: 10.5152/j.aott.2021.21153
View on PubMed2020
Letter / commentary
Published letter / commentary
Regarding “Associated Morbidity After the Percutaneous Release of the Medial Collateral Ligament for Knee Arthroscopy”.
Arthroscopy · 2020;36(7):1798
First author
First author of a letter concerning percutaneous medial collateral ligament release in knee arthroscopy.
Authors and reference
Vega-Croker R; Claret-Garcia G; Sastre-Solsona S; Montañana-Burillo J; Combalia-Aleu A
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2020.05.016
View on PubMedInternational scientific activity
Congresses and scientific participation.
Participation in congresses in Panama and Spain, alongside teaching and continuing education.
Panama City, Panama · 2025
SPOT
Scientific presentation at the congress of the Panamanian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology.
Barcelona, Spain · 2019
SECHC
Oral communication
Barcelona, Spain · 2019
SECOT
Author and co-author of three scientific posters
Barcelona, Spain · 2019
GEER-SILACO
Co-author of a scientific poster
Foot Innovate · 2022
Oral communication on a 3D model for ankle arthroscopy training
Spain · webinar format
View the oral communicationSECOT · 2020
Nomination for best oral presentation at the SECOT Congress.
Continuing education and international courses
- Complex Proximal Tibial FracturesGranada, Spain · 2019
- Traumatic Conditions of the Upper LimbBarcelona, Spain · 2019
- Non-traumatic Conditions of the Lower LimbMálaga, Spain · 2018
- Cadaveric Arthroscopy CourseBarcelona, Spain · 2018
- Masterclass: Primary Hip and InfectionsBarcelona, Spain · 2017
- Knee Experience BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain · 2017
- AO Trauma SECOT Foundation: Principles of Surgical Fracture TreatmentBarcelona, Spain · 2018
- Foot and Ankle Festival, First Edition: Forefoot Conditions and Surgical PlanningSant Joan Despí, Spain · 2017
- Quality and Patient SafetyBarcelona, Spain · 2016
Scientific communication
Communications and posters.
Work presented at scientific meetings, distinguished from journal publications.
Oral communications
Foot Innovate · Spain · 2022
Creation of a hyperrealistic 3D-printed model for training in ankle arthroscopic surgery.
Oral communication
Analysis of severe hallux valgus treatment using distal osteotomies. Results after more than four years.
SECHC · Barcelona, Spain · 2019
Treatment of proximal humerus fractures with plates. Two-year review.
Scientific posters
SECOT · Barcelona, Spain · 2019
Posterior knee dislocation with PCL and MCL ligament repair using a single Achilles tendon fascicle.
SECOT · Barcelona, Spain · 2019
Giant cell tumour: a case report.
GEER-SILACO · Barcelona, Spain · 2019
Experience with surgical treatment of scoliosis secondary to tumours around the spinal cord. A retrospective case series.
SECOT · Barcelona, Spain · 2019
Difficulties with reduction and fixation of a pertrochanteric fracture in a patient with bilateral above-knee amputation: a case report.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Tools for learning.
2022
SECOT research grant
Introductory research grant to develop a training protocol for residents in anterior ankle arthroscopy.
2022
Models for anatomy and arthroscopy training
Development of hyperrealistic ankle anatomy models. Presentation of a 3D-printed model at Foot Innovate, Spain, in April 2022.
2020
Scientific communication
Nominated for best oral presentation at the SECOT Congress.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Let’s discuss your care.
Choose a location or check appointment availability.