About

Dr. Robert Spang is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in both advanced shoulder reconstruction and sports medicine. He treats any and all conditions related to the shoulder, knee, and sports medicine. Special interests in the shoulder include arthroscopic reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, instability, biceps injuries, and total shoulder replacement. Special interests in the knee include arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, meniscal injury, cartilage repair, patellofemoral disorders, joint preservation, and partial and total knee replacements.

Dr. Spang grew up nearby in Wakefield as the oldest of four siblings. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover on a Phelps athletic and academic scholarship and played football, hockey, and baseball. His education continued at Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. He studied Russian and Spanish, published cancer-related research, and played rugby.

Dr. Spang then attended Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha for graduating among the top of his class. He conducted research on ACL reconstruction and shoulder instability under the mentorship of the renowned William N. Levine, M.D., and Christopher S. Ahmad, M.D., head team physician for the New York Yankees.

After Columbia, Dr. Spang was accepted to the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, where he studied orthopedics for five years at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He worked at the Boston VA hospital as well. He was selected chief resident of Beth Israel Hospital, and was chosen for the Best Basic Science Research Award on graduation.

Dr. Spang was then accepted to the sports and shoulder fellowship at the world-famous Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, which was nationally ranked number one in orthopedics in 2019 for the tenth consecutive year. He was trained by a staff of over 30 knee and shoulder specialists, including world-famous Drs. Russell Warren, David Altchek, Thomas Wickiewicz, Scott Rodeo, Bryan Kelly, and others.

While in New York, Dr. Spang was the assistant team physician for the New York Giants. He traveled with the team and cared for players on the sidelines and at training camp as well as participated in the NFL Combine. He was also an assistant team physician for the New York Red Bulls professional soccer team and cared for the Rugby United New York professional rugby team. His fellowship mentors are the team physicians for the New York Giants, New York Mets, New York Rangers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Red Bulls, the US Open tennis tournament, the US Olympic swimming team, and several Division I colleges.

Dr. Spang has published numerous scientific articles and is active in several studies. He has presented research at national and regional meetings.

Dr. Spang’s interests include snowboarding, playing golf, and spending time with family down the Cape, boating locally or “up north.” Despite his time with the Yankees and New York Giants team doctors, he remains an avid Boston sports fan.

Regarding his philosophies on patient care, he shares:

“I want to provide the highest quality of care available anywhere in the world to my patients in the area where I grew up. I approach each patient as a unique individual and work hard to understand their story and situation. We then make decisions together.

“When I operate on a patient, they become a member of my family. My commitment isn’t just for the surgery—it’s for life. If I operate on someone, I expect to not just be their surgeon but to be their doctor and friend for life. I chose to join the preferred practice in the area with others who share my highest values. I accept all patients regardless of insurance. I care very much about opioid addiction, and minimize opioid use as much as possible. I am grateful for my chosen career, and I am committed to giving every patient my very best.”