Robert M. Zanotti, MD

Fellowship training: Sports medicine, arthroscopy,
reconstructive surgery
Specialties: Sports medicine, arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Dr. Robert Zanotti is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He is the physician managing partner of the Center for Orthopedics, where he has practiced since 1997.

“During my fellowship training, I learned advanced techniques in treating shoulder injury from a preeminent specialist in shoulder arthroscopy and joint reconstruction,” says Dr. Zanotti. “I've been doing minimally invasive rotator cuff repair since 1997—far longer than most orthopedic surgeons.

“I also offer the latest in shoulder replacement—reconstructive surgical techniques for arthritic shoulders,” he explains. “One of my specialties is a state-of-the-art procedure known as a reverse total shoulder for patients with shoulders that previously or elsewhere might be judged non-reconstructable. Very few orthopedic surgeons in Ohio offer this procedure.”

Dr. Zanotti is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is licensed to practice medicine in Ohio, Michigan and California.

He received his fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopy at the renowned Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Los Angeles, California.

“Sports medicine is evolving constantly, says Dr. Zanotti, whose sports medicine patients range from “a 60-year-old golfer with a rotator cuff tear” to “an 18-year-old high school basketball player with a blown-out knee.”

“As I get older, my definition of sports medicine changes,” he laughs. “If a 50-year-old man has a torn Achilles from playing basketball on the weekend with his buddies, I consider that sports medicine now. Half of my practice is that kind of community-based sports medicine. It's weekend warriors—active, healthy people out doing their thing. They're not ready to hang up their cleats yet. We're not just seeing team athletes.”

Dr. Zanotti completed his orthopedic surgery residency as well as his general surgery internship at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, and earned his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

He has conducted numerous presentations at national and regional medical meetings and has published articles in many clinical journals. Dr. Zanotti is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Michigan Orthopedic Society and the Lorain County Medical Society.

His hobbies include fly-fishing and white water rafting.

Meet Dr. Robert Zanotti's patient care team

Dr. Robert Zanotti's patient care team includes his physician assistant, Bob Harasty, his medical assistant, Valerie Ross and his secretary, Molly Backus. Together, they will coordinate your medical care, arrange for your medications, answer your questions, schedule your appointments and take care of your insurance paperwork.

“Valerie, my medical assistant, will help answer your questions and assist you in filling out the necessary forms,” says Dr. Zanotti.

“When you come in for an office visit, I'm the person who will bring you to the exam room and make sure Dr. Zanotti has the necessary reports related to your visit,” Valerie explains. “If you've had surgery, I'll be the one changing your bandages. I'm here to help your visit to the clinic run smoothly.”

“My secretary, Molly, assists me with patient care phone calls,” says Dr. Zanotti. “Her main job is coordinating and scheduling all surgeries, tests and procedures.”

“If you are having surgery, I will work with you to schedule tests and your operation with Dr. Zanotti,” Molly explains. “I can also help you coordinate appointments with your family doctor or physicians in other specialties. You can count on me to help answer your questions on many types of procedures.”