John J. Christoforetti, MD
MD, FAAOS
Orthopedic Surgeon — Sports Medicine & Hip Preservation
Recognition & awards
About
Some surgeons specialize in a joint. Dr. John Christoforetti has built a career around a single, demanding subspecialty within it. The result is a level of expertise that's brought him from Pittsburgh to Texas and back to the DMV, with patients following him the entire way.
Dr. Christoforetti is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 15 years of experience treating hip, shoulder, and knee injuries through arthroscopic surgery. His approach is evidence-based, patient-centered care that considers both conservative and surgical paths. He earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his sports medicine fellowship at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas, one of the most respected training programs in the country. He has personally performed more than 3,000 arthroscopic procedures over the course of his career, a volume that reflects both deep technical mastery and the trust an extraordinary number of patients have placed in him.
His leadership in the field of hip preservation is nationally recognized. He served as President of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA) in 2024, and his clinical focus includes femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labral tears, hip dysplasia, and complex hip preservation cases that many surgeons are not equipped to handle. His contributions have been honored with the AOSSM Aircast Award for Clinical Science and the AANA Steven Snyder Award for Education, recognition from two of the most significant professional bodies in orthopedic sports medicine.
Dr. Christoforetti began his academic surgical career in Pittsburgh in 2007, where he trained more than 40 orthopedic residents and fellows and led the Center for Athletic Hip Injury at Allegheny Health Network. In 2019, his reputation and the patients who traveled to see him from around the world led to his recruitment to Dallas–Fort Worth, where he joined the leadership team at Texas Health Sports Medicine and directed their Center for Athlete's Hip. In 2023, he returned to the mid-Atlantic to join the team at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists, bringing nearly two decades of elite-level experience back to the community where so many of his patients live.
Sports medicine at the highest level
Dr. Christoforetti is a member of the Professional Soccer Physicians' Society and has served as team physician for FC Dallas (MLS, 2019–2023), the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the SheBelieves Cup, and the FCS National Championship Football Game ('20–'23). His earlier team physician roles include the Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL, 2012–2019), the Washington Wild Things ('07–'08), and the Colorado Rockies ('06–'07). He is also an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine, training the next generation of surgeons even as he continues operating at the highest level himself.
His patients span the full range of active life: professional, collegiate, Olympic, and high school athletes alongside adults and adolescents simply determined to keep moving.
What patients experience
"Dr. Christoforetti was so understanding, empathetic, communicative, and good at explaining my situation that I was quite moved! I wish more doctors had his expertise, not only in the clinical field but in the personal interactions so important in making patients feel respected and having valid questions and feelings." — patient review
"I never imagined I could return to my favorite activities so quickly after surgery. Dr. Christoforetti and his team provided exceptional care and support throughout my recovery." Emily S.
Dr. Christoforetti sees patients at our Bethesda and Germantown locations and is currently accepting new patients.
Training & qualifications
Education & training
- Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
- Medical School: Georgetown University — Doctor of Medicine
- Residency: National Institute of Health — Cartilage and Stem Cell Division
- Residency: Georgetown University Hospital — Orthopedic Surgery Residency
- Fellowship: Steadman-Hawkins Clinic — Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship
Fellowships
- Steadman-Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas — Sports Medicine and Hip Preservation
Board certifications
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- ABOS Subspecialty Certification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Professional affiliations
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Fellow (FAAOS)
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
- International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA)
- Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
Hospital & surgical facilities
- Shady Grove Adventist Medical Center
- Watkins Mills Ambulatory Surgery Center
- Surgery Center of Chevy Chase
- Massachussetts Avenue Surgery Center
Notable techniques
- Arthroscopic hip labral repair
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) correction (osteoplasty)
- Joint-preserving hip osteotomies
- Hip arthroscopy (cam and pincer impingement, gluteus medius repair, iliopsoas tendinopathy)
- Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization and labral repair (SLAP, Bankart)
- Rotator cuff repair with Regeneten augmentation
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and biologic injections
With Maryland Orthopedic Specialists since 2023
Patient reviews
Based on 218 verified patient reviews
“So glad we found your office online. Your NP and Dr. Christoforetti were very compassionate and helpful and truly seemed concerned about us. Thank you for the advice and referral.”
“Doctor Christofretti was incredible, thoughtful, caring, and thorough. His whole team were very considerate, respectful, and kind. We have a plan going forward and I am incredibly appreciative for the great care and support going forward. Thank you!”
“Very pleased with the visit. Dr. got straight to the issue efficiently. Well run clinic that got me in and out quickly”
“I had the worst pain, now I am much better”
“Dr. Christoforetti is the best. I refer him to everyone.”
“The COA team got me in to see Dr. Christoforetti within 48 hours of my initial call. Given his international reputation I feel very fortunate. The x-ray tech was so easy to work with: she gave precise directions so I knew just what to do. The PA/scribe asked good focused questions to quickly get the specific information she needed for Dr. C. Dr. C was terrific, assessed my situation in no time and set me up with a specific PT treatment plan. I’m good to go! Thank you CAO Team!”
“Dr. Christoforetti is very knowledgeable. He was very friendly during the appointment and gave options for how my situation could be treated. Besides that, he urged me to start PT before making any decisions. To me, that says how much he cares about his patients and their conditions.”
“I came in after a bad fall from my scooter and injured my knee badly with swelling and a lot of discomfort. I was honestly pretty anxious because I couldn’t tell how serious it was at first. Dr. Christoforetti was very calm, patient, and reassuring from the start, which immediately helped ease my stress. He carefully examined my knee, explained what he was looking for in a very simple way, and didn’t rush through anything. I really appreciated that he took the time to answer all my questions and made sure I understood what was going on instead of just giving a quick diagnosis. What stood out most was how clearly he explained the possible injury and next steps, including why an MRI was needed and what different outcomes could mean. It felt like he genuinely cared about getting the right treatment plan, not just moving on to the next patient. Overall, I left feeling more confident and less worried than when I came in. I would definitely recommend him to anyone dealing with knee or sports injuries—especially if you want a doctor who is thorough, knowledgeable, and actually listens.”
“Dr. Christoforetti was fantastic and quickly able to diagnose my issue!”
“My son has had a lot of issues from his heels to his hips to his knees to his groin and every time we see a Dr. christiforetti we get top-notch treatment. The doctor was able to detect my sons slipped femur and immediately got us to Childrens where other doctors had missed this diagnosis. We are forever grateful for all of his help and support in my child’s development.”