Duke Orthopaedics is proud to welcome Conor N. O’Neill, MD, as an assistant professor in the Foot and Ankle Division. Dr. O’Neill brings a dynamic blend of clinical expertise, research productivity, and a passion for education to our team.
Dr. O’Neill earned his Bachelor of Science from UNC–Chapel Hill and his MD from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. He completed his orthopaedic residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Health, followed by fellowships in Foot and Ankle and Sports Medicine at Duke University Health. His clinical focus includes arthroscopic treatment of knee and foot/ankle injuries, limb alignment correction, and cartilage preservation.
With over 60 peer-reviewed publications and numerous podium presentations, Dr. O’Neill is a prolific contributor to orthopaedic research. He serves as a reviewer for several journals, including Foot and Ankle International, Cartilage, and American Journal of Sports Medicine. He is actively involved in national societies, including the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
We asked Dr. O’Neill to share more about his personal and professional journey:
Q: What brings you joy?
A: I find a lot of joy in exercising, being active, and spending time outdoors with my family, whether that’s hiking in the NC mountains or exploring the NC beaches. My wife, Nikki (Duke OB/Gyn), and I just welcomed our first child, so we are also finding a lot of joy in spending time getting to know our son, Liam (the newest member of the Junior Iron Dukes!).
Q: What excites you about your new role at Duke Ortho?
A: I’m excited to have the opportunity to stay and continue working with such a collaborative and innovative team. Duke Orthopaedics has an incredible tradition of excellence in both patient care and research, and I’m eager to contribute to the growth of our foot and ankle and sports medicine programs, as well as to the connection between these two fields. I’m particularly interested in advancing cartilage restoration and joint preservation techniques and helping train the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I was born in Boston, MA, but grew up in Davidson, NC.
Q: Where do you see the foot and ankle orthopaedic specialty heading in the next 5–10 years?
A: The next decade will bring continued advances in biologic augmentation, cartilage restoration, and minimally invasive techniques. We’re also going to see greater integration of imaging, biomechanics, and data-driven care, especially using tools like weight-bearing CT and AI to personalize surgical decision-making. I hope that we see a continued shift toward joint preservation and early intervention to keep patients active longer without the need for arthroplasty (of the knee or ankle).
We’re thrilled to have Dr. O’Neill join our faculty and look forward to the innovation and energy he brings to Duke Orthopaedics.