Robert Litchfield

Dr. Robert (Bob) Litchfield serves as Medical Director of the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic and Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario. With over two decades of academic service since 2002, Dr. Litchfield specializes in orthopaedic sports medicine, particularly focusing on shoulder and knee injuries. His clinical expertise encompasses management of activity-related injuries and conditions of the shoulder and knee, serving both elite athletes and recreational enthusiasts.

Dr. Litchfield received his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario where he completed his orthopaedic residency. His specialized training includes fellowships in paediatric orthopaedics at Auckland Children's Hospital in New Zealand and Adelaide Children's Hospital in South Australia, followed by an orthopaedic sport medicine fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. He returned to establish his academic career at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre in 1994.

Dr. Litchfield's research primarily focuses on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, shoulder instability, rotator cuff tears, and innovative surgical techniques. Through his leadership of the STABILITY Study Group, he has significantly contributed to evidence-based approaches in sports medicine surgery, with particular attention to improving outcomes for young, active patients. His work examines the efficacy of lateral extra-articular tenodesis in reducing graft failure rates while maintaining return-to-sport capabilities, and extends to rotator cuff repair techniques and complex joint instabilities.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biomechanical analysis, clinical trials comparing surgical techniques, and long-term outcome studies. A notable research trajectory shows progression from basic biomechanics of shoulder instability (2013) to sophisticated multicenter clinical trials evaluating surgical interventions for knee and shoulder injuries, with significant contributions in the 2020-2025 timeframe.

Dr. Litchfield maintains active membership in several prestigious professional societies including the American Shoulder and Elbow Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Herodicus Society, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine. He is also a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team Physician Group, demonstrating his commitment to elite athletic care.

As Medical Director of the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, Dr. Litchfield leads a comprehensive sports medicine facility providing integrated care across multiple disciplines including orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy, sport concussion management, and custom orthotics. His leadership of the STABILITY Study demonstrates his capacity to secure and manage substantial research funding and coordinate multicenter clinical research across North America.