Christopher S. Raffo, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist
Recognition & awards
About
Dr. Christopher Raffo has spent more than 20 years building one of the most active and respected surgical practices in the Washington DC metro area — and patients consistently describe the experience in the same terms: clear, warm, and genuinely reassuring, even when the news isn't what they hoped to hear.
Dr. Raffo is board-certified and fellowship-trained in orthopaedic sports medicine, with a clinical focus on arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee. He treats rotator cuff tears, ACL and meniscus injuries, shoulder instability, and chronic joint pain — favoring conservative care first, with minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery when that's the right path forward.
A high-volume rotator cuff specialist
Dr. Raffo is a high-volume rotator cuff surgeon, performing complex primary and revision repairs with a level of technical proficiency built over thousands of cases. For patients facing a complicated or previously unsuccessful shoulder repair, that depth of experience matters — revision surgery demands a surgeon who has seen the full range of what can go right and wrong the first time around.
Built on the sidelines
Dr. Raffo's understanding of athletic injury isn't theoretical. As a longtime team physician at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels — including serving as Head Team Physician for the Catholic University Cardinals and Assistant Team Physician for the Boston Celtics — he brings firsthand knowledge of what it actually takes for an athlete to return to play safely. That perspective informs every treatment plan he builds, whether his patient is a professional athlete or a weekend tennis player.
Leading the next generation of surgical care
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Raffo serves as President and is a founding member of the Watkins Mill Ambulatory Surgery Center, which opened in March 2026 — reflecting his commitment to expanding access to high-quality, efficient surgical care in the community he serves.
What patients experience
"Dr. Raffo has done two torn meniscus surgeries for me. Both times, he and the staff were great. That's why I came back here for the second one." — patient review
"Saw Dr. Raffo due to a completely torn distal bicep tendon. Got scheduled for surgery quickly. Everything went very well, and my arm is back to normal for day-to-day things — and I'm getting back in shape for heavy weightlifting. Very pleased." — Patient review
"Dr. Raffo and his staff were exceptional in their service delivery. I got a good comfort level from the very first day I sat down with him to determine my health needs." — Patient review
"Dr. Raffo is an excellent doctor. He treats every patient as if you were his mom or dad. He takes his time with you and is extremely easy to talk to. He is kind and understanding." — Patient review
Dr. Raffo sees patients at our Bethesda and Germantown locations and is currently accepting new patients.
Training & qualifications
Education & training
- Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN — 1995 Bachelor of Science in Physics, cum laude
- Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine — 1999, Doctor of Medicine with Honors
- Residency: Georgetown University School of Medicine — 1999-2004
Fellowships
- New England Baptist Hospital — Sports Medicine — Advanced Arthroscopic Techniques for Shoulder and Knee Surgery (2005)
Board certifications
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2007)
- ABOS Subspecialty Certification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (2007)
Professional societies & affiliations
- Former head team physician — Catholic University
- Former head team physician — Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg, MD
- Former assistant team physician — Boston Celtics, Tufts University, Georgetown University Hoyas, Washington Football Team
Professional affiliations
- Americal Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
Hospital & surgical facilities
- Shady Grove Adventist Medical Center
- Watkins Mill Ambulatory Surgery Center, Gaithersburg, MD
- Surgery Center of Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase, MD
Notable techniques
- All-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs
- Regeneten bioinductive implant (rotator cuff augmentation)
- Quadriceps autograft ACL reconstruction
- BPTB (bone-patellar-tendon-bone) autograft ACL reconstruction
- Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis (LET) augmentation for ACL reconstruction
- OCA (Osteochondral Allograft) for cartilage repair
- MACI (Matrix Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation) for cartilage repair
- Meniscal repair
- Meniscal root repair
- Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization and labral repair (SLAP, Bankart)
- Arthroscopic remplissage
- Robotic MAKO total knee arthroplasty
- Robotic MAKO partial knee replacement
- CORI robotic total knee arthroplasty
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and biologic injections
With Maryland Orthopedic Specialists since 2005
Patient reviews
Based on 605 verified patient reviews
“Dr Raffo is wonderful! I truly appreciate his help getting me back to walking normally again!”
“Very efficient and friendly appointment. The office staff and doctor(s) make you feel cared for and heard. Great experience. Highly recommend Dr. Raffo and his team!”
“Great bedside manner. He listened carefully about my issue and then worked quickly to identify the best course of treatment.”
“We thought the diagnosis was well founded based on the imaging and physical examination. Th advice going forward was very helpful.”
“Dr. Raffo is great. Very friendly and efficient. He has helped me tremendously over many years.”
“I was very happy with the treatment and explanations I received . I would highly recommend Dr Raffo.”
“Dr. Raffo is great. He saw me quickly and was able to diagnose my issue and put me on a path to healing.”
“Best staff and service in The Beltway - Dr Rafto is the Joe Montana of Orthos”
“We always have great care with Dr.Raffo! The office staff is very pleasant, especially Charlie. We’ve been patients for quite some time.”
“I have been seen by Dr. Raffo over the years for a number of ailments and he always takes the time to explain the issue, my options and his medical opinion. I highly recommend Dr Raffo.”