David M. Tainter, M.D.

Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists Dr David Tainter MD
Top Doctor 2025 Badge
Patient Ratings
5.0 of 5 stars from 131 reviews
 
Here's What Patients Say About Us
  • quotes
    Knowledgeable, Professional and Kind

    I recently had a traumatic fall and Dr. Tainter was the surgeon who recently repaired my fractured femur and hip. Because I was in the emergency room at Christiana Hospital he was assigned to me as a surgeon. I was not able to choose a doctor I would like to have and could not do research on him...

    Read More
    Smiley Face
    Suzanne G.
  • quotes
    The Very Best

    In this day and age, it is almost impossible to find a surgeon, or any other doctor for that matter, to actually sit and spend time with you, answer any and all questions you might have, care enough to honor your pain and investigate what might be causing it, and cheer for your progress and heali...

    Read More
    Smiley Face
    Beth W.
  • quotes
    5 Stars

    Being there for the first time was really a nice experience

    Smiley Face
    Juan V.

Dr. David M. Tainter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in orthopedic trauma, fractures and injuries. As one of the highest volume orthopedic traumatologists in Delaware, Dr. Tainter focuses exclusively on the treatment of orthopedic injuries, ensuring the highest level of care for patients to restore mobility, relieve pain, and return to active lifestyles. Dr. Tainter creates individual treatment plans for each patient, ranging from advanced, minimally invasive, surgeries to modern, non-surgical treatment plans, to achieve optimal outcomes.

Dr. Tainter, At a Glance

  • Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
  • Fellowship-trained in orthopedic trauma (orthopedic injuries and fractures)
  • Minimally invasive surgery for ankle, pelvis, acetabulum, humerus and forearm and more
  • Delaware Today Top Doctor
  • 600+ surgeries annually

Specialties

My Locations
Middletown DOS office building
Middletown
Newark 1096
Newark (1096)

Dr. Tainter's Staff
Emma Kuciapinski, PA-C
Emma Kuciapinski, PA-C
 
Dr. Tainter's Approach to Care

Specialty Focus

Dr. Tainter focuses on the surgical and non-surgical treatment of orthopedic trauma, injuries and fractures, ranging from automobile or work injuries to falls or sports injuries.  Dr. Tainter emphasizes minimally invasive techniques and early recovery protocols. 

His clinical focus includes:

  • Minimally invasive ankle fracture repair for early weightbearing
  • Minimally invasive fixation of the pelvis and acetabulum
  • Advanced fixation techniques for the femur, tibia, humerus and forearm to allow for early use and mobilization
  • Advanced fixation of patellar and clavicular fractures to avoid secondary removal surgeries
  • Outpatient fracture repair

Advanced Techniques


Dr. Tainter utilizes advanced and minimally invasive fixation strategies to allow for earlier weightbearing, mobilization, and return to a normal life sooner. Every patient is treated individually to maximize recovery in the short and long term. 


Why Patients Choose Dr. Tainter

  • Fellowship-trained trauma and fracture specialist
  • High volume
  • Personalized care plans
  • Advanced and minimally invasive surgical techniques
  • Accelerated recovery protocols

Conditions Treated

  • Shoulder fractures (clavicle, scapula, proximal humerus)
  • Humerus fractures
  • Elbow fractures
  • Forearm fractures
  • Pelvis and acetabulum fractures
  • Hip fractures
  • Femur fractures
  • Patella fractures, patellar tendon and quadriceps tendon injuries
  • Tibia fractures
  • Ankle fractures
  • Foot fractures (talus, calcaneus, lisfranc, metatarsals, etc.)
Education

Dr. Tainter graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. During his senior year, he won a national engineering design competition and was a finalist in a second competition. He then earned his Doctor of Medicine at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, a joint medical school between Duke University and the National University of Singapore.

Upon graduating from medical school, Dr. Tainter completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center.

  • Fellowship – Virginia Commonwealth Health System
  • Residency – Duke University Medical Center
  • Medical school – Duke NUS graduate Medical School
  • Undergraduate – Duke University
Awards & Research
  • Top Doctor by Delaware Today: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Certifications

Board certifications:

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Professional memberships: 

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Association 
  • AO Trauma 
  • Medical Society of Delaware
  • Piedmont Orthopaedic Society
Personal Interests

Dr. Tainter and his wife, Kim, relocated to Delaware to pursue careers centered around providing exceptional patient care, with Dr. Tainter serving at Christiana Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center and Kim working at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Together, they are raising their two children and have embraced the Delaware community as home. Outside of his practice, Dr. Tainter enjoys spending time with loved ones, especially discovering new places together while traveling!

 

Dr. Tainter's Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Can you fix my ankle with minimally invasive surgery so I can return to my life faster?
Every patient and ankle fracture is individually evaluated to develop a customized treatment plan. Many ankle fractures are amenable to minimally invasive techniques but more severe injuries may require more robust fixation as well. Some ankle fractures do not require surgery!
Q:  What is my recovery time?
Every patient and injury are different, but we work hard to restore your mobility and lifestyle. For most isolated injuries, patients can resume an active lifestyle within a few weeks to a few months.
Media Center

Related Media

  September 29th, 2025
2025 Delaware Top Doctors

Delaware Today Magazine recently released its annual Top Doctor list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine. Congratulations to our 2025 Delaware Top Doctors!

Continue Reading
  October 1st, 2024
2024 Delaware Top Doctors

Delaware Today Magazine recently released its annual Top Doctor list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine. Congratulations to our 2024 Delaware Top Doctors!

Continue Reading
  December 29th, 2023
2023 Delaware Top Doctors

Delaware Today Magazine recently released it’s “2023 Top Doctor” list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine issue each year. Congratulations to our 2023 Delaware Top Doctors!

Continue Reading
  October 11th, 2022
2022 Delaware Top Doctors

Delaware Today Magazine recently released it’s “2022 Top Doctor” list. The survey asked other Delaware physicians who they would most recommend to care for their patients, friends and family. The top vote-getters are listed in their annual Top Doctor magazine issue each year. Congratulations to our 2022 Delaware Top Doctors!

Continue Reading