Christian Merrill, JR, MD/MBA

Christian A. Merrill Jr, MD/MBA

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Merrill is committed to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of all nonoperative and operative orthopaedic injuries.  He takes satisfaction in his ability to provide care to patients of all ages. His surgical and clinical practice includes the management of sports-related injuries, overuse injuries, arthritis, and fracture care. He has completed a surgical sports medicine fellowship specializing in arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. In particular, he has a focus on:

• Shoulder arthroscopy for rotator cuff disease and shoulder instability 

• Elbow ligament injury (UCL injury) and other tendonitis and injuries about the elbow

• Hip arthroscopy taking care of labral tears or endoscopic hip abductor repairs

• Knee ligamentous and meniscal injuries including cartilage injuries 

• Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) of the shoulder, knee, and hip                                          

Dr. Merrill was selected to join Dr. Joyce and Dr. Dukas at Orthopaedic Sports Specialists after his close work with both during his residency training at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Merrill worked closely with Dr. Dukas through their training at UConn, and Dr. Dukas’ mentorship helped guide Dr. Merrill’s desire to pursue further training in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine. Additionally, Dr. Joyce became a mentor to Dr. Merrill, as Dr. Merrill always admired Dr. Joyces’ impeccable surgical skills and bedside manner. This further inspired Dr. Merrill to pursue fellowship training in arthroscopy. Dr. Merrill then followed in Dr. Joyce’s footsteps completing his training at American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, AL.

During his fellowship training at the prestigious Andrews Sports Medicine group, Dr. Merrill learned  cutting-edge arthroscopic and surgical procedures. He worked closely with prominent orthopedic sports medicine surgeons including Drs. Cain, Dugas, and Emblom. He additionally had the opportunity to work with one of Dr. Joyce’s mentors, Dr. James Andrews, both in the operating room and taking care of athletes at Auburn University. As a fellow at ASMI, Dr. Merrill was an assistant team physician for Auburn University Athletics and the Birmingham Barons minor-league baseball team. He also provided physician team coverage for various high schools around Alabama and worked with WWE athletes.

Currently,  he is a team doctor for UCONN athletics , the Colorado Rockies Double-A affiliate The Hartford Yard Goats professional baseball team, Hartford Athletic professional soccer team and Loomis Chaffe Athletics. 

Dr. Merrill’s patient approach is to provide top-notch evidence-based medicine while treating the patient’s orthopedic problems and balancing their functional and life demands. He will work with patients to develop a treatment strategy to address their current needs, both nonsurgical and surgical. As such, Dr. Joyce and Dr. Dukas are certain he will continue the legacy of excellence in patient care instilled at Orthopaedic Sports Specialists.

Furthermore, Dr. Merrill is dedicated to continued medical education of medical students and residents. While a resident, he won the prestigious Cavazos Award, voted by his peers as outstanding resident and resident educator. He has been appointed a Clinical Associate in the Dept. Of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and regularly participates in resident education events.