Robert G Najarian, MD

Dr. Robert G. Najarian is a board-certified orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon. With additional fellowship training in sports medicine and more than 18 years of experience, he specializes in treating the knee, shoulder, and elbow, as well as all sports-related injuries. His area of focus is in the treatment of knee cartilage and ligamentous injury, shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair, and elbow injuries in the throwing athlete (Tommy John Surgery). He has been named a Washingtonian Top Doctor since 2016. Dr. Najarian is an adjunct orthopedic faculty member for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Georgetown University, and the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Dr. Najarian currently serves as the associate team physician for the Washington Nationals (MLB). From 2009-2013 he served as a team physician for The Ohio State University athletics where he was also an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery. Dr. Najarian also provided care to USA Rugby and the Columbus Clippers, the Triple A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians, and winners of the Governor's Cup International League Championship in 2010 and 2011. 

While in Columbus, OH, Dr. Najarian was the medical director for Capital University, responsible for the care of all 16 varsity teams. During his fellowship training, he served as an assistant team physician involved in the care for the Cleveland Browns (NFL), the Cleveland Indians (MLB), and the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) professional teams. 

A native of New York, Dr. Najarian now resides in McLean, Virginia with his wife and three children. In his free time he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. 

Awards/Associations/Appointments

• Top Docs, Washingtonian, 2016-2021
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
• Arthroscopy Association of North America

Blog Posts and Broadcasts

Washington Nationals, "Behind the Body" with Trea Turner presented by Inova Sports Medicine. Video broadcast. Common Baseball Injury Prevention. September 2019.

Sports Medicine Highlights: A Q&A with the Nationals Team Doc. July 2019.

Sports Medicine Physicians: Treating Sports Injuries as a Team. June 2019.

That's a Wrap: Inova Sports Medicine Doctor Reports Back from the World Baseball Classic. May 2017.

Inova physician named team doctor for World Baseball Classic. March 2017.

Outside the Strike Zone: What Is a Flexor Mass Strain? September 2016.

Preventing injuries: From pros to youth leagues. June 2016.

Research and Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Looney, AM, Bovill, JD, Huffman, SS and Najarian, RG. Routine Diagnostic Arthroscopy with Elbow Ulnar Collateral Logament Reconstruction Does Not Reduce the Need for Future Valgus Extenstion Overload Related Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meat-Analysis. Accepted for publication, J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2021.

Bodendorfer BM, Looney AM, Lipkin SL, Nolton EC, Li J, Najarian RG, Chang ES. Biomechanical Comparison of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction with the Docking Technique versus Repair with Internal Bracing. Am J Sports Med. 2018 Nov. 7 PMID 30403369.

Berberian W, Sood A, Karanfilian B, Najarian RG, Lin S, Liporace F. Displacement of the Sustentacular Fragment in Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Jun 05; 95(11):995-1000.

Riggenbach, MD, Najarian RG, Bishop JY. Recurrent, Locked Posterior Glenhoumeral Dislocation Requiring Hemiarthroplasty and Posterior Bone Block with Humeral Head Autograft. Orthopedics. 2012; Feb 17;35(2):e277-82.

Najarian RG, Nourbakhas A, Capo J, Tan V. Perilunate Injuries. Hand. 2011; 6:1-7.

Kaeding CC, and Najarian RG. Stress Fractures: Classification and Management. Phys Sportsmed. 2010; Oct; 38(3):45-54.

Capo J, Raiszadeh K, Swan KG, Adams, MR, Najarian RG, Liporace FA, Tan V. The accuracy of plain radiographs in assessing fractures of the radial head. Submitted.

Book Chapters

Berberian WS, Najarian RG. Midfoot and forefoot arthritis and hallux rigidus. In: Pinzur MS, ed. Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: Foot and Ankel 4. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Miniaci, A, Najarian RG. Treatment of the Unstable Shoulder with Humeral Head Bone Loss. In: Lee, DH, Neviaser, R, eds. Operative Techniques: Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Elsevier (Saunders) Publishers.