Melissa Christino, MD
Director, Sports and Mental Skills Research; Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
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Melissa Christino, MD
Director, Sports and Mental Skills Research; Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Medical Services
Languages
English
Education
Undergraduate School
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
Media
Answers Blog
After two ACL tears, a skier reconnects with her body and her sport
Answers Blog
Not just a physical thing: The psychology of sports injuries and recovery
Certifications
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (General)
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (Sports Medicine)
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.
Approach to 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.
Publications
Descriptive Epidemiology of Complete ACL Tears in the Skeletally Immature Population: A Prospective Multicenter PLUTO Study. View Abstract
Assessing the Impact of Psychological Readiness on Performance and Symmetry in Functional Testing After ACL Reconstruction in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients. View Abstract
Athletic Identity Associations in Young Sports Medicine Patients. View Abstract
The Efficacy of a Mental Skills Training Course for Collegiate Athletes. View Abstract
Prevalence and Predictors of Concomitant Meniscal Surgery During Pediatric and Adolescent ACL Reconstruction: Analysis of 4729 Patients Over 20 Years at a Tertiary-Care Regional Children's Hospital. View Abstract
System-Level Interventions for Addressing Burnout and Improving Professional Wellness for Orthopaedic Surgeons. View Abstract
A Comprehensive Umbrella Review for Understanding Burnout in Orthopaedic Surgery. View Abstract
Effect of Age and Sex on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Functional Tests Approximately 6 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. View Abstract
Prevalence and Predictors of Concomitant Meniscal and Ligamentous Injuries Associated With ACL Surgery: An Analysis of 20 Years of ACL Reconstruction at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital. View Abstract
Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of Radiographic Characteristics in Skeletally Immature Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: A PLUTO Study Group Reliability Study. View Abstract
Mental Health in the Specialized Athlete. View Abstract
Effect of Age and Sex on Psychological Readiness and Patient-Reported Outcomes 6 Months After Primary ACL Reconstruction. View Abstract
Psychological Aspects of Return to Sport for the Female Athlete. View Abstract
Psychological Aspects of Adolescent Knee Injuries. View Abstract
COVID-Delayed Elective Surgery Has a Negative Effect on Young Sports Medicine Patients. View Abstract
Changes in training patterns and confidence to return to sport in United States collegiate athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. View Abstract
Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport at 6 Months Is Higher After Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration Than Autograft ACL Reconstruction: Results of a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial. View Abstract
Psychological Resilience in Young Female Athletes. View Abstract
Athletic Identity in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review of the Literature. View Abstract
The Mental Side of the Injured Athlete. View Abstract
Gender and Socioeconomic Factors Affect Adolescent Patient and Guardian Preferences in Sports Medicine Physician Characteristics and Medical Decision Making. View Abstract
Assessment of Skeletal Maturity and Postoperative Growth Disturbance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: A Systematic Review. View Abstract
Early Operative Versus Delayed Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Pediatric and Adolescent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. View Abstract
Rates of Concomitant Meniscal Tears in Pediatric Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Increase With Age and Body Mass Index. View Abstract
Saucerization and Repair of Discoid Lateral Menisci With Peripheral Rim Instability: Intermediate-term Outcomes in Children and Adolescents. View Abstract
Bilateral Recurrent, Atraumatic Anterior Knee Dislocations in a Pediatric Patient With Congenital Absence of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. View Abstract
Revision ACL Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents. View Abstract
Team Sport Athletes May Be Less Likely To Suffer Anxiety or Depression than Individual Sport Athletes. View Abstract
Clinical Approach in Youth Sports Medicine: Patients' and Guardians' Desired Characteristics in Sports Medicine Surgeons. View Abstract
Allograft Augmentation of Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Autografts Is Associated With Increased Graft Failure in Children and Adolescents. View Abstract
Sport Participation and Specialization Characteristics Among Pediatric Soccer Athletes. View Abstract
Clinical Approach in Youth Sports Medicine: Patients' and Guardians' Desired Characteristics in Sports Medicine Surgeons. View Abstract
Olecranon fractures in children and adolescents: outcomes based on fracture fixation. View Abstract
Revision ACL Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents. View Abstract
Effects of surgical intervention on trochlear remodeling in pediatric patients with recurrent patella dislocation cases. View Abstract
Psychological Factors Associated With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery. View Abstract
Psychological Aspects of Recovery Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. View Abstract
Hybrid Anterolateral Approach for Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Femoral Neck Fractures. View Abstract
Stability Outcomes following Computer-Assisted ACL Reconstruction. View Abstract
Adolescent differences in knee stability following computer-assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. View Abstract
Forearm diaphyseal fractures in the adolescent population: treatment and management. View Abstract
Treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children. View Abstract
Paperwork versus patient care: a nationwide survey of residents' perceptions of clinical documentation requirements and patient care. View Abstract
Effectiveness of low-profile supplemental fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with decreased bone mineral density. View Abstract
Predicting pulmonary embolus in orthopedic trauma patients using the Wells score. View Abstract
Effect of insertion of a single interference screw on the mechanical properties of porcine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction grafts. View Abstract
Evaluation of the utility of the Wells score in predicting pulmonary embolism in patients admitted to a spine surgery service. View Abstract
Adolescent patellar osteochondral fracture following patellar dislocation. View Abstract
Adverse drug events in pediatric outpatients. View Abstract
Assessing the level of healthcare information technology adoption in the United States: a snapshot. View Abstract
The costs of a national health information network. View Abstract