Our hip and knee surgeons are among the most experienced orthopaedic surgeons in total joint replacement in mid-Missouri. Many surgeons across Missouri refer complex and difficult operations to them. In addition to treating patients, our surgeons focus on developing future techniques and technologies in hip and knee surgery, including hip resurfacing which is an alternative to total hip replacement for younger, active adults. Because of their cutting edge research, our physicians are some of the first to perform new techniques in mid-Missouri. To make an appointment with any of our hip and knee physicians, please call (573) 882-BONE.

Our hip and knee team

Sonny Bal, MD, JD, MBA
Dr. Bal is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and a graduate of Cornell University Medical College. He served as a resident physician at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University. His clinical interests include ceramic bearing surfaces in total hip and knee replacements, and he is currently conducting research in new materials used in implants and the molecular causes of osteoarthritis. Dr. Bal is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri.

View Dr. Bal's website.

Thomas Aleto, MD
Dr. Aleto is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed his fellowship training at the Center for Hip and Knee Surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Mooresville, Ind. He is currently an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He won the Missouri Department of Orthopaedics Research Award in 2004, and received the American College of Physicians Award for Excellence in Physical Diagnosis in 1998.

Ajay Aggarwal, MD
Dr. Aggarwal is a graduate of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi University, India, and completed his residency at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed his fellowship training at Washington University in St. Louis. He is an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His clinical interests include minimally invasive joint replacement, hip resurfacing and joint preservation surgeries for young adult hip disorders. He is the director of joint preservation surgery.

View Dr. Aggarwal's website.

Brett Crist, MD
After obtaining a bachelor's degree from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, Dr. Crist earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, and a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma at the University of California-Davis. Dr. Crist is the co-director of the orthopaedic trauma service, orthopaedic trauma fellowship, and the associated director of the joint preservation service. He specializes in orthopaedic trauma/fracture care, hip and pelvis reconstruction including total hip arthroplasty, and young adult hip disorders/hip preservation. He has research interests in anterior total hip arthroplasty, fracture care, and hip preservation procedures.