Columbia University Athletics

David P. Trofa, MD, is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in the operative and non-operative treatment of athletes of all ages and skill levels. He is an expert in arthroscopic and open surgery of the knee and shoulder. Dr. Trofa has a particular interest in complex knee pathologies, focusing on cartilage restoration, meniscus tears, ACL reconstruction, knee dislocations, and patellofemoral disorders. His shoulder practice focuses on shoulder instability (labral tears), SLAP tears, rotator cuff tears, and frozen shoulder. Dr. Trofa also leverages the latest orthobiologic treatments in his practice, including platelet rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate (BMAC), to provide athletes with a full spectrum of treatment options.
 
A native of Wilton, Connecticut, Dr. Trofa is a former athlete who competed at the national level in soccer and wrestling. After receiving a B.A. in Biology from Columbia University he graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine with Research Honors. He completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, where he was twice awarded the Ira Wolfe Award for Excellence in Sports Medicine Research. Following residency, Dr. Trofa completed a fellowship in sports medicine, shoulder, and elbow at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, NC. While there, he served as a team physician for multiple professional and collegiate teams including the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Knights.
 
Dr. Trofa has been active in academic research throughout his career and serves as the Columbia Orthopedic Department’s Director of Clinical Outcomes. He has authored over 125 peer-reviewed publications on a variety of topics related to ACL reconstruction, cartilage transplantation, meniscus repairs, and the optimization of arthroscopic surgical techniques and post-operative physical therapy protocols. The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) recently recognized his work highlighting the benefits of ACL reconstructions using a novel hybrid transtibial technique with the 2020 AOSSM Excellence in Research Award.
 
Dr. Trofa is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), and the International Society of Arthroscopy Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS).