Christopher R. Sforzo, M.D. is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, fellowship-trained in hand and upper extremity surgery. That is, his expertise is in the treatment of problems involving the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. However, Dr. Sforzo also treats all orthopaedic problems, including those dealing with the hip, knee, and ankle. See his curriculum vitae. Dr. Sforzo performs many procedures via a minimally-invasive approach, from endoscopic carpal tunnel release to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and arthroscopic wrist and elbow procedures. Dr. Sforzo was the first surgeon to perform an endoscopic carpal tunnel release at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, and is the only hand fellowship-trained surgeon in the region performing this delicate surgery. He also treats many pediatric patients, and has expertise in fracture care. Dr. Sforzo has medical appointments and admitting privileges at many local medical facilities, including Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, IMG (Intercoastal Medical Group) Ambulatory Surgical Center, GulfCoast Medical Center, and Doctors SameDay Surgical Center.

Dr. Sforzo began his education at the University of Notre Dame where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. At Notre Dame he also was a monogram letterman in lacrosse. He then went on to Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine where he graduated with honors and gained entrance into Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the national medical school honor society. Dr. Sforzo then honed his orthopaedic skill as a resident in orthopaedic surgery at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, and stayed in Gainesville to complete his Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship training under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Dell, Dr. Larry Chidgey, and Dr. Tom Wright, all of whom he owes a great deal of thanks for their continued unparalleled teaching skills and guidance.

Dr. Sforzo is the official orthopaedic surgeon and hand surgeon to the Florida West Coast Symphony, who are based right here in Sarasota, Florida. He is honored to be involved in the healthcare and well-being of such talented world-class musicians and looks forward to a long and lasting partnership.

Dr. Sforzo is also a special consultant for the IMG Academies, a world-class training facility located in Bradenton, Florida. IMG Academies trains and rehabilitates hundreds of professional, collegiate, and high school athletes each year, including tennis greats Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Serena and Venus Williams, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras.

Dr. Sforzo was the chairperson for the 2007 University of Florida Hand Fellows Annual Meeting, held at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, in August 2007. Over 30 surgeons attended. The guest professor and lecturer was Dr. David P. Green, world-renowned hand and upper extremity surgeon and author, from San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Sforzo has been in practice in the Sarasota/Bradenton area for three years and has distinguished himself as an excellent surgeon with unparalleled bedside manner. He is also a leader in the community. Dr. Sforzo serves as an assistant clinical professor at the Florida State University College of Medicine, Sarasota Campus; he is the medical director and team physician for the Out-of-Door Academy; and, he serves as a committee member for the Sports Foundation—a local non-profit organization which raises money for children of neglect and abuse through celebrity tennis and golf fundraising events. He has also written medical articles for local publications on such topics as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Wrist Fractures, and Thumb Arthritis.

Dr. Sforzo is an active member in many local and national medical societies and academies, including the Sarasota and Bradenton Medical Societies, the Florida Medical Association (FMA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), and the Florida Orthopaedic Society (FOS).

Dr. Sforzo has written and published articles in esteemed medical journals such as Hand Clinics and the Journal of Hand Therapy, and has an article pending publication in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma.

Dr. Sforzo is originally from Long Island, NY, whereby most of his family still resides. He came to Sarasota/Bradenton in 2004 with his wife, Terri, and his two children, Sydney and Ryan. His wife Terri is a St. Stephens High School graduate and All-American tennis player at the then Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (now known as IMG Academies). Terri graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in business, and then graduated Magna Cum Laude earning her MBA from ND’s Mendoza School of Business. Sydney is a student and budding tennis player and pianist at the Out-of-Door Academy and Ryan is a baseball/ice hockey/soccer player and pre-schooler at Forty Carrots Family Center.