Emergency icon Important Updates
Department Orthopaedic Surgery
Primary Location Sports Medicine Center
Type of Doctor Both Adults and Children & Adolescents
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations
Sports Medicine Center
Primary Location

Sports Medicine Center

Appointment:
866.320.4573
Desk:
216.518.3482
Fax:
216.518.3490

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Adolescent Orthopaedics
  • Exercise Compartment Pressure Testing
  • Exercise Prescription
  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
  • Foot Injection
  • Fracture Care
  • Heel Injections
  • Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
  • Joint Injections
  • Knee Injections
  • Management of Sports Concussions
  • Musculoskeletal Medicine
  • Prevention and Treatment of Injuries in the Aging Athlete
  • Shoulder Injection
  • Sports Cardiology Center
  • Sports Medicine
  • Sports Physicals
  • Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
View all 18 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Athletic Ankle Injury
  • Athletic Elbow Injury
  • Athletic Foot Injury
  • Athletic Knee Injury
  • Back Problems in Athletes
  • Cardiac Problems in Athletes
  • Dance Injuries
  • Elbow Injury
  • Elbow Pain
  • Elbow Sprain
  • Elbow Strain
  • Exercise-Induced Asthma
  • Exercise-Related Breathing Problems
  • Exercise-Related Medical Conditions
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement
  • Knee Injuries
  • Neck Problems in Athletes
  • Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
  • Shoulder Injuries in Baseball
  • Shoulder Sprain
  • Shoulder Strain
  • Shoulder Tendinitis
  • Spondylolysis
  • Sports Concussion
  • Sports Injuries
  • Sprained Ankle
  • Stress Fractures
  • Tendinitis of Rotator Cuff
  • Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
  • Tennis Shoulder
  • Thigh Contusion
  • Turf Toe
View all 33 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2021

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - The Ohio State University Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
Primary Care Sports Medicine
Columbus, OH USA
1994

Residency - University of Michigan Health System
Family Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI USA
1993

Medical Education - Chicago Medical School (Illinois)
North Chicago, IL USA
1990

Undergraduate - University of Michigan
Biology
Ann Arbor, MI USA
1986

Certifications

  • Family Medicine - Sports Medicine
  • Family Medicine
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Sami Rifat, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 7/17/2022, Dr. Rifat has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

202 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

28 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

The Doctor was real and reassuring. Great manners

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

This was the first time that I met Dr. Rifat because I needed a same-day appointment. He was fantastic. He was an excellent communicator with a calm demeanor. I never felt rushed and he explained everything about my condition thoroughly including treatment options, He will definitely be my go-to doctor for orthopedic issues in the future.

Reviewed on Mar 20, 2024

I really like my my doctor and his assistant.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

The receptionist located the nearest doctor, found the soonest appointment and gave me some nice feedback on the reviews. Awesome experience!

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

I met with Dr. Sami Rifat to discuss and diagnose the discomfort in my right knee. I was provided the opportunity and time to discuss my background and the possible causes of my knee pain. Dr. Rifat took the time to review my x-rays while I was present, and he offered a detailed explanation of the images and the likely causes of my discomfort. I was very pleased with Dr. Rifat. His professionalism, kind nature and mannerisms deserve high praise.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2024

Dr Rifat is one of the most engaged doctors that I have met for health concerns

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024

Dr. Rifat had gone over all the options I had for treatment and we discussed which would be best. He spent enough time with me to make a good decision on treatment.

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024

I have recommended Dr. Rifat to a member of my family because I was so pleased with how he treated me.

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2024

The support staff to Dr Rifat and Dr Rifat himself are absolutely fabulous. Each person exhibited everything you would want in a medical practice.

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2024

Dr Rifat and his team are great! I could not recommend more.

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2024

Long wait after seeing nurse, waited more than 20 minutes for the doctor.

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2024

My doctor was very kind and knowledgeable I would highly reccomend him to anyone.

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2024

Doctor was good at fitting us in and understood the issue.

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2023

I am very pleased with my doctor. He was very pleasant and listened to me very carefully and treated me with respect. He took care of my knee and I didn't need surgery after all.

Reviewed on Nov 13, 2023

Dr. Rifat was very nice and explained everything about my knee. So glad he was available so quickly.

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2023

O felt the Nurses and the Doctor were outstanding. Very efficient and caring. I would have no issues recommending the Doctor to others.

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2023

Dr. Rifat was extremely helpful and caring with my sons care and injury. I would recommend him to anyone who is in need.

Reviewed on Sep 11, 2023

Fabulous physician

Reviewed on Sep 8, 2023

Dr. Rifat spent more time connecting with me than any other doctor I've had at the Clinic. I greatly appreciated how engaged he was with me and that it truly felt like we were having conversation, not just an exam/follow up.

Reviewed on Sep 8, 2023

Dr. Rifat is the best! Full stop. He does not rush. He listens. He is thoughtful. He is easy to understand. No medical jargon. Simple English. I would recommend him to anyone.

Reviewed on Aug 30, 2023

Dr Rifat is very knowledgeable and his bedside manner is amazing!

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2023

Absolutely amazing doctor and nurses

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2023

Dr Rifat took such concern w my foot pain and felt as determined as I feel to get my foot back to running. I have an upcoming MRI and return visit. I recommended him to my brother n law, as he may be the best, most thorough physician I have worked with. I am in the medical profession and am very impressed.

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2023

Dr. Rigatoni was quite simply the nicest Dr. I've ever dealt with. The whole visit was just so pleasant and everyone I came in contact with was delightful.

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2023

Dr. Rifat is amazing. Shows true concern

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2023

Dr. Ricardo was awesome! Got to know me before the exam; knowledge about my sport (cycling) and its requirements. He spoke at my level and gave great direction. Great to see a Doctor vs a PA!!

Reviewed on Jun 7, 2023

I came in concerned about my condition and the care provider took time to explain in detail the cause of my condition and treatment. He addressed my concerns and I felt comfortable about the prognosis. He also showed interest and concern about a related and lingering condition I have and discussed the option of coming back to treat it. Overall, I got a good impression of the doctor which I saw for the first time.

Reviewed on May 12, 2023

Dr. Rifat was very caring and gave the best care and practice I could have asked for.

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