Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Robert Loeffler, M.D. brings his expertise as a surgeon, sports medicine physician, and former university professor to Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, FL. For the past seven years, the doctor has practiced orthopedic surgery at Fisherman’s Hospital in Marathon, FL, where he also held the position, Chief of Staff.

After graduating from Temple University’s School of Medicine, Dr. Loeffler completed a general surgery internship at the University of Colorado Health Science Center in Denver, CO. Following the internship, he remained at the University of Colorado to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery.

As an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Loeffler taught at the University of Colorado medical school for over 20 years. During his academic career, he conducted research studies and authored numerous articles with a focus on knee injuries. He says “I mostly studied ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears. At first, I studied the treatment, and later I focused more on prevention.”

His lengthy career as a professor gave him the unique ability to translate complex scientific information into easily understandable language for his patients. And these days patient education is an important component of his comprehensive program of care for his patients. After treating an injury, he helps patients regain their strength and teaches them proper biomechanics and techniques in order to prevent future injury. Says Dr. Loeffler, “I enjoy my profession because I feel like I can make people better.” With regards to his patients who are professional athletes, Dr. Loeffler says, “I like being able to turn on the television and see how those athletes are doing and how they’re playing—it’s very rewarding.”

Dr. Loeffler has specialized certifications in sports medicine and arthroscopy, and has worked extensively as a team doctor for professional, collegiate, and school sports teams. As Director of the Sports Medicine Department and Head Team Physician of both the University of Colorado Medical Center and the University of Denver, he oversaw the health of hundreds of athletes for over 50 sports teams. He was served as Head Team Physician for several professional football and soccer teams in Colorado. Currently he serves as the team sports doctor for both Key West High School and Marathon High School. Says Dr. Loeffler, “I knew I wanted to be a sports medicine doctor because of my own love of sports,” which included a collegiate career in football, track, and lacrosse.

Certified in arthroscopy, Dr. Loeffler comments, “Most procedures I can do arthroscopically, which has many benefits to the patient. There’s less risk involved, and less pain afterward.” Instead of an open surgery, arthroscopic surgery involves only several small incisions. This type of minimally invasive surgery, as compared to an open surgery, yields fewer complications, such as a reduced risk of blood loss and infections, as well as less post-operative pain and scarring and a quicker recovery time. As a result, patients typically have a faster return to sports and everyday living.

Arthroscopic procedures are commonly used to evaluate and treat joints of the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, and hip. Dr. Loeffler has treated many orthopedic conditions in this minimally invasive manner including reconstruction of the knee, rotator cuff tears, clearance of damaged cartilage, and repair of fractured bones. Additionally he has extensive experience in partial and full joint replacements of the knee, hip, and shoulder.

Dr. Loeffler’s scope of care encompasses more than just surgery. He says, “I see anyone with a joint or extremity problem from any cause,” including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, tendonitis, and ligament sprains. When people come to him, he evaluates their condition, and “only about one of out five people will actually need surgery.” He continues, “For the rest of them, I’ll supervise their rehabilitation and get them back to health.”

In addition to his extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience, Dr. Loeffler genuinely cares about his patients and is involved in the entire process of their care. He says, ”I take care of people before surgery and follow up with them until they’re 100% recovered.” Stating that LKMC has plans of adding a new digital arthroscopic operating room suite to their current facilities, Dr. Loeffler asserts, “LKMC is a state-of-the-art facility and provides excellent quality of care for its residents and visitors. Patients have no reason to have to travel to Miami to get great medical and surgical care when it is right here.”

He is currently a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

He has been awarded several prestigious accolades, including “The Best Doctors in America Award: Sports Medicine” by U.S. News and World Report four times and “Top Sports Medicine Doctor in Denver” by 5280 Denver’s Magazine twice.