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Melissa Christino, MD

Melissa Christino, MD

Melissa Christino, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon at the Orthopaedic Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is also a faculty member at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Christino earned her medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. She completed an internship in general surgery as well as her residency in orthopaedic surgery from Brown University/ Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. She also completed two fellowships – one in orthopaedic trauma at Brown University/ Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI, and the other in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA

Dr. Christino’s interest in sports medicine stemmed from her own extensive participation in sports, as a former Division 1 college athlete and coach at Harvard University and a Hingham High School (MA) Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. Dr. Christino is interested in the psychological aspects of injury, recovery, and returning to sports after surgery, and she has numerous research articles under her belt. She has also presented her research at the local, regional, and national levels. Her work on Revision ACL Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents was awarded the Richard J. O’Connor Research Award at the Arthroscopy Association of North America Annual Meeting in 2015. She currently serves as a member of the ACL Performance Measure Workgroup for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). She is also an active member of the PRISM (Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine) Sport Specialization and Female Athlete Research Interest Groups. Dr. Christino has a tremendous interest in mentoring students and mentors medical students and residents all over the country through the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society.

Medical Services

  • Specialties
  • Departments
  • Programs

Education

  • Undergraduate Degree

    Harvard University , 2002 , Cambridge , MA

  • Medical School

    New York Medical College , 2008 , Valhalla , NY

  • Internship

    General Surgery
    Brown University / Rhode Island Hospital , 2009 , Providence , RI

  • Residency

    Orthopedic Surgery
    Brown University / Rhode Island Hospital , 2013 , Providence , RI

  • Fellowship

    Orthopedic Trauma
    Brown University / Rhode Island Hospital , 2014 , Providence , RI

  • Fellowship

    Orthopedic Sports Medicine
    Boston Children's Hospital , 2015 , Boston , MA

Professional History

Dr. Christino is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is dual-fellowship trained in orthopaedic trauma and sports medicine. She specializes in fracture care as well as pediatric and young adult sports medicine injuries, including disorders of the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow.

Dr. Christino has a long history of involvement with athletics. She was a local 3-sport Hall of Fame Athlete at Hingham High School as well as a Division 1 athlete and coach for the Harvard University Women’s Lacrosse team. Following her medical training, Dr. Christino has provided medical care to athletes from the youth to professional levels and enjoys working with athletes of all ages.

Dr. Christino is active with clinical research and involvement with national organizations. She currently serves as a member of the ACL Performance Measure Workgroup for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). She is also a member of multiple multi-center research study groups, including the PLUTO Study (Pediatric ACL: Understanding Treatment Outcomes) and the PRISM Sport Specialization and Female Athlete Research Interest Groups. Dr. Christino has a particular research interest in the psychological aspects of injury, recovery, and returning to sports after surgery.

Certifications

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, General Orthopaedics
  • American Board of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine

Publications

Publications powered by Harvard Catalyst Profiles

  • Beck JJ, Murray MM, Christino MA. Clinical Approach in Youth Sports Medicine: Patients' and Guardians' Desired Characteristics in Sports Medicine Surgeons. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2018 Oct 12. View abstract
  • Christino MA, Tepolt FA, Sugimoto D, Micheli LJ, Kocher MS. Revision ACL Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop. 2018 Mar 05. View abstract
  • Sugimoto D, Christino MA, Micheli LJ. Effects of surgical intervention on trochlear remodeling in pediatric patients with recurrent patella dislocation cases. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2016 Jul; 25(4):349-53. View abstract
  • Christino MA, Fleming BC, Machan JT, Shalvoy RM. Psychological Factors Associated With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery. Orthop J Sports Med. 2016 Mar; 4(3):2325967116638341. View abstract
  • Christino MA, Fantry AJ, Vopat BG. Psychological Aspects of Recovery Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015 Aug; 23(8):501-9. View abstract
  • Vopat BG, Daniels AH, Lareau CR, Christino MA, Kane PM, Hayda RA, Born CT. Hybrid Anterolateral Approach for Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Femoral Neck Fractures. Orthopedics. 2015 Jul 01; 38(7):430-4. View abstract
  • Christino MA, Vopat BG, Mayer A, Matson AP, Reinert SE, Shalvoy RM. Stability Outcomes following Computer-Assisted ACL Reconstruction. Minim Invasive Surg. 2015; 2015:638635. View abstract
  • Christino MA, Vopat BG, Waryasz GR, Mayer A, Reinert SE, Shalvoy RM. Adolescent differences in knee stability following computer-assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2014 Oct 27; 6(4):5653. View abstract
  • Truntzer J, Vopat ML, Kane PM, Christino MA, Katarincic J, Vopat BG. Forearm diaphyseal fractures in the adolescent population: treatment and management. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2015 Feb; 25(2):201-9. View abstract
  • Vopat ML, Kane PM, Christino MA, Truntzer J, McClure P, Katarincic J, Vopat BG. Treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2014 Apr 22; 6(2):5325. View abstract
  • Christino MA, Matson AP, Fischer SA, Reinert SE, Digiovanni CW, Fadale PD. Paperwork versus patient care: a nationwide survey of residents' perceptions of clinical documentation requirements and patient care. J Grad Med Educ. 2013 Dec; 5(4):600-4. View abstract
  • Vopat B, Paller D, Machan JT, Avery A, Kane P, Christino M, Fadale P. Effectiveness of low-profile supplemental fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with decreased bone mineral density. Arthroscopy. 2013 Sep; 29(9):1540-5. View abstract
  • Young M.D., Daniels AH, Evangelista PT, Reinert SE, Ritterman S, Christino MA, Thakur NA, Born CT. Predicting pulmonary embolus in orthopedic trauma patients using the Wells score. Orthopedics. 2013 May; 36(5):e642-7. View abstract
  • Heard WM, Paller DJ, Christino MA, Behrens SB, Biercevicz A, Fadale PD, Monchik KO. Effect of insertion of a single interference screw on the mechanical properties of porcine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction grafts. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2013 Apr; 42(4):168-72. View abstract
  • Wang JH, Christino MA, Thakur NA, Palumbo MA, Daniels AH. Evaluation of the utility of the Wells score in predicting pulmonary embolism in patients admitted to a spine surgery service. Hosp Pract (1995). 2013 Feb; 41(1):122-8. View abstract
  • Lee BJ, Christino MA, Daniels AH, Hulstyn MJ, Eberson CP. Adolescent patellar osteochondral fracture following patellar dislocation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013 Aug; 21(8):1856-61. View abstract
  • Kaushal R, Goldmann DA, Keohane CA, Christino M, Honour M, Hale AS, Zigmont K, Lehmann LS, Perrin J, Bates DW. Adverse drug events in pediatric outpatients. Ambul Pediatr. 2007 Sep-Oct; 7(5):383-9. View abstract
  • Poon EG, Jha AK, Christino M, Honour MM, Fernandopulle R, Middleton B, Newhouse J, Leape L, Bates DW, Blumenthal D, Kaushal R. Assessing the level of healthcare information technology adoption in the United States: a snapshot. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2006 Jan 05; 6:1. View abstract
  • Kaushal R, Blumenthal D, Poon EG, Jha AK, Franz C, Middleton B, Glaser J, Kuperman G, Christino M, Fernandopulle R, Newhouse JP, Bates DW. The costs of a national health information network. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Aug 02; 143(3):165-73. View abstract

Locations

  • Boston

    Orthopedic Center
    300 Longwood Avenue, Fegan, 2nd Floor
    Boston, Massachusetts 02115
    (617) 355-6021

  • Boston

    Sports Medicine Division
    319 Longwood Avenue
    Boston, Massachusetts 02115
    (617) 355-3501

Philosophy of Care

Injuries can be tough for young athletes, and as a former athlete myself, this is something I can really relate to. It's important to treat the physical injury, but also to address the emotional and social impact injuries can have. It is my goal to work closely with patients and families to understand their individual goals and work together towards getting athletes back to doing what they love.