Robert E. Boykin, MD
Robert E. Boykin, MD

Sports Medicine

Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery

Blue Ridge Region

Asheville - Livingston

Meet Dr. Robert E. Boykin

Dr. Boykin specializes in rehabilitation, prevention and restoring joint function to help ensure patients will continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. He treats shoulder, knee and hip disorders and has been fellowship-trained as a sports medicine surgeon. Dr. Boykin performs cutting edge surgery of the shoulder including rotator cuff repair, labral repair, biceps tendon repair, and shoulder replacement. In addition, he performs joint preservation surgery for the knee and hip including the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tears, meniscal tears, cartilage injury, labral tears of the hip, and femoroacetabular impingement.

In addition, he has been extensively published in peer-reviewed journals, authored book chapters, and presented extensive research results at international meetings. He serves as a team physician for the US men’s and women’s alpine ski team and as a consultant to the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation for hip research in tennis players. He and his team currently serve as the medical providers for Warren Wilson College, North Buncombe High School, and Madison High School.

A South Carolina native, Dr. Boykin earned a Morehead Scholarship and graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While in medical school at Vanderbilt University, he was elected president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and vice-president of his class. He completed his internship and residency training in the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program in Boston, Massachusetts. He served as administrative chief resident for the Massachusetts General Hospital. He also worked at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Boston. While in Boston he assisted with care of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Bruins.

Dr. Boykin has received extensive subspecialty training in sports medicine, knee, shoulder, and hip arthroscopy at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. In addition, he worked with numerous professional athletes and traveled with the US Ski Team. After fellowship, he traveled to Annecy, France, where he completed additional training in advanced shoulder surgery at the Alps Surgery Institute.

Outside of work, Dr. Boykin enjoys outdoor activities and is an avid tennis player. He also enjoys fishing, hiking, skiing, running, and mountain biking. He lives with his wife and children in Asheville.

Read More

Education

  • Fellowship: Alps Surgery Institute Shoulder Fellowship, Annecy, France
  • Fellowship: The Steadman Clinic Sports Medicine Fellowship, Vail, CO
  • Residency: Harvard Combined Orthopaedics Surgery Residency, Boston, MA
  • Internship: Beth Israel Deaconess / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
  • Undergraduate: The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Certifications & Licenses

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Board Certified, 2015
    • Sports Medicine Subspeciality, 2018
  • North Carolina Medical Board License, 2012

Memberships & Associations

  • American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
  • Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
  • International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA)
  • North Carolina Orthopaedic Association (NCOA)
  • Western North Carolina Medical Society (WNCMS)

Honors & Awards

  • Forty under Forty: Biltmore Beacon, 2013
  • Distinguished Alumni Award: Wilson Hall High School, 2011
  • Administrative Chief Resident: Massachusetts General Hospital: Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, 2011
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2005-2006
  • McGraw-Hill / Lange Medical Student Reviewer Recognition Award, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2004
  • Phi Beta Kappa: University of North Carolina, 2002
  • Biology Honors Recipient: University of North Carolina, 2002
  • Morehead Scholarship (Full): University of North Carolina, 1998-2002
  • Dean’s List, University of North Carolina, 1998-2002
  • Coca-Cola National Scholar: University of North Carolina, 1998
  • Wendy’s High School Heisman Finalist: Wilson Hall School, 1997

Publications & Research

  • Altintas, B, Anderson, N, Dornan GJ, Boykin RE, Logan C, Millett, PJ. Return to Sport after
    Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Athletes: Is there a difference between the Recreational and the
    Elite? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Accepted, American Journal of Sports Medicine 2019
  • Menge T, Boykin RE: Gluteus Medius Tears of the Hip: A Comprehensive Approach. aPorte C,
    Vasaris M, Gossett L, Boykin R, Menge T. Gluteus medius tears of the hip: a comprehensive approach.
    Phys Sportsmed. 2018 Sep 22:1-6.
  •  Paulson DS, Topp R, Boykin RE, Schultz G, Yang Q. Efficacy and safety of a novel skin cleansing
    formulation versus chlorhexidine gluconate. Am J Infect Control. 2018 Jun 5. pii: S0196-
    6553(18)305728.
  •  Boykin RE. Editorial Commentary: The Downstream Effects of Limited Hip Rotation and
    Femoroacetabular Impingement on the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Could a Little Hip Stretching Every
    Day (or Surgery) Keep the Knee Doctor Away? Arthroscopy. 2018 Mar;34(3):951-952.
  • Galvin JW, Romanowski JR, Boykin RE, Eichinger JK, Lafosse L. Neurovascular compression after the
    latarjet procedure. Orthopedics. 2015 Dec 1;38(12):e1164-8.
  • Galvin JW, Eichinger JK, Boykin RE, Szöllösy G, Lafosse L. Posterior shoulder instability following
    anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty: A case report and review of management. Int J Shoulder Surg.
    2015 Oct-Dec;9(4):131-4.
  • Murrell WD, Anz AW, Badsha H, Bennett WF, Boykin RE, Caplan AI. Regenerative treatments to
    enhance orthopedic surgical outcome. PM R. 2015 Apr;7(4 Suppl):S41-52.
  •  Jawa A, Yi PH, Boykin RE, Gardner MJ, Gerber C, Lorich DG, Walch G, Warner JJ. Treatment of
    proximal humerus fractures: comparison of shoulder and trauma surgeons. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead
    NJ). 2015 Feb;44(2):77-81.
  • Menge TJ, Byram IR, Boykin RE, Bushnell BD. Labrum and rotator cuff injuries in the throwing
    athlete. Phys Sportsmed. 2015 Feb;43(1):65-72.
  •  Philippon MJ, Briggs KK, Boykin RE. Results of arthroscopic labral reconstruction of the hip in elite
    athletes: response. Am J Sports Med. 2014 Oct;42(10):NP48.
  •  Menge TJ, Boykin RE, Byram IR, Bushnell BD. A comprehensive approach to glenohumeral arthritis.
    South Med J. 2014 Sep;107(9):567-73.
  •  Menge TJ, Boykin RE, Bushnell BD, Byram IR. Acromioclavicular osteoarthritis: a common cause of
    shoulder pain. South Med J. 2014 May;107(5):324-9.
  • Moussa ME, Boykin RE, Earp BE. Missed locked posterior shoulder dislocation with a reverse Hillsachs lesion and subscapularis rupture. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2013 Dec;42(12):E121-4.
  •  Shi LL, Boykin RE, Lin A, Warner JJ. Association of suprascapular neuropathy with rotator cuff
    tendon tears and fatty degeneration. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014 Mar;23(3):339-46. 2013 Sep 20.
  • Boykin RE, Patterson D, Briggs KK, Dee A, Philippon MJ. Results of arthroscopic labral
    reconstruction of the hip in elite athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2013 Aug 8.
  •  Heuer HJ, Boykin RE, Petit CJ, Hardt J, Millett PJ. Decision-making in the treatment of diaphyseal
    clavicle fractures: is there agreement among surgeons? Results of a survey on surgeons’ treatment
    preferences. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Jul 6.
  •  Boykin RE, McFeely ED, Ackerman KE, Yen YM, Nasreddine A, Kocher MS. Labral injuries of the
    hip in rowers. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013 Aug;471(8):2517-22.
  • Boykin RE, McFeely ED, Shearer D, Frank JS, Harrod CC, Nasreddine AY, Kocher MS. Correlation
    between the child health questionnaire and the international knee documentation committee score in
    pediatric and adolescent patients with an anterior cruciate ligament tear. J Pediatr Orthop. 2013
    Mar;33(2):216-20.
  •  Smith SD, Wijdicks CA, Jansson KS, Boykin RE, Martetschlaeger F, de Meijer PP, Millett PJ, Hackett
    TR. Stability of mid-shaft clavicle fractures after plate fixation versus intramedullary repair and after
    hardware removal. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013 Jan 31.
  • Rios D, Jansson KS, MartetschlÃger F, Boykin RE, Millett PJ, Wijdicks CA. Normal curvature of
    glenoid surface can be restored when performing an inlay osteochondral allograft: an anatomic
    computed tomographic comparison. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013 Jan 24.
  • Campbell KJ, Boykin RE, Wijdicks CA, Giphart JE, LaPrade RF, Philippon MJ. Treatment of a hip
    capsular injury in a professional soccer player with platelet rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate
    concentrate therapy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012 Oct 7.
  • Boykin RE, Stull JD, Giphart JE, Wijdicks CA, Philippon MJ. Femoroacetabular impingement in a
    professional soccer player. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy. 2012 Jul 3.
  •  Martetschläger F, Rios D, Boykin RE, Giphart E, de Waha A, Millett PJ. Coracoid impingement:
    current concepts. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012 Apr 24.
  • Jaglowski J, Boykin RE, Kocher MS. Recurrent peroneal subluxation in children and adolescents.
    Current Orthopaedic Practice. In Press
  •  Boykin RE, Jawa A, O’Brien T, Higgins LD, Warner JJP. Variability in operative management of
    proximal humerus fractures. Shoulder & Elbow. 2011;3:197-201.
  • Boykin RE, Anz, A, Bushnell B, Kocher MS, Philippon MJ, Stubbs A. Hip Instability. J Am Acad
    Orthop Surg. 2011 Jun;19(6):340-9
  • Boykin RE, Friedman DJ, Zimmer ZR, Oaklander AL, Warner JP. Suprascapular neuropathy in a
    shoulder referral practice. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2011 Jan 28.
  •  Boykin RE, Ogunseinde B, McFeely ED, Kocher MS. Calcaneofibular ligament transfer for recurrent
    peroneal instability in children. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010 Dec;30(8):899-903.
  •  Boykin RE, Friedman DJ, Higgins LD, Warner JP. Suprascapular neuropathy: current concepts review.
    J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010 Oct 6;92(13):2348-64.
  • Harrod CC, Boykin RE, Kim YJ. Epidural pneumatosis of the cervicothoracic spine associated with
    transient upper motor neuron findings complicating haemophilus influenzae pharyngitis, bronchitis and
    mediastinitis. 2009. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010 Jul-Aug;30(5):455-9.
  • Harrod CC, Boykin RE, Jupiter JB. Pain and swelling after radiofrequency treatment of proximal
    phalanx osteoid osteoma: case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2010 Jun;35(6):990-4. Epub 2010 May 7.
  • Boykin RE, Heuer HJ, Vaishnav S, Millett PJ. Rotator cuff disease – basics of diagnosis and treatment.
    Rheumatology Reports. 2010 Vol 2 (1): e1.
  • Harrod, CC; Boykin, RE; Hedequist, DJ. Complications of infection in pediatric spine surgery. Pediatric
    Health. 2009 Dec 3(6): 579-592 (14).
  • Boykin RE, Baskies MA, Harrod CC, Jupiter JB. Intra-operative distraction in the upper extremity.
    Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery. 2009 Jun;13(2):75-81.
  •  Millett PJ, Gobezie R, Boykin RE. Degenerative shoulder disease: diagnosis and management.
    American Family Physician. 2008 Sep 1;78(5):605-11.
  • Chen N, Boykin RE, Millett PJ. Case Report: A broken femoral cross pin after a hamstring anterior
    cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Knee Surgery. 2007 Jul;20(3):245-8
Use of Biologic Treatments in Orthopedic Surgery

Use of Biologic Treatments in Orthopedic Surgery

Blue Ridge Region

Dr. Robert Boykin served as a co-author on a peer reviewed publication examining the use of biologic treatments to enhance outcomes in orthopedic surgery. The team consisted of an international group of experts on the use of biologics and reviewed the current literature on platelet rich plasma (PRP) and different types of mesenchymal stem cells...

Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing Athlete

Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing Athlete

Blue Ridge Region

Dr. Robert Boykin recently published an article in The Physician and Sports medicine examining the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries in the overhead athlete. The paper focused on injuries to the labrum and rotator cuff and how these are managed with non-operative and operative management depending on the severity of the injury.

His perseverance and expertise has given me a shoulder that is better than the one I had at 25. I recommend Dr. Boykin to everyone I know who's afflicted with shoulder pain. The man is dedicated to his patients' repairs.

Richard S

BLUE RIDGE PATIENT

Each of my experiences has been outstanding. Dr. Boykin, Chris and Katie are all the best. The best I have encountered in my 70 years and 13 surgeries.

Robert S

BLUE RIDGE PATIENT

A New Level Of Orthopedic Care Has Emerged

As our patient, you will benefit from a full range of orthopedic services, specialties and technologies, including physical and hand therapy, advanced imaging services, and urgent care walk-in services providing immediate diagnosis and treatment for urgent orthopedic conditions.

The contents of the emergeortho.com site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the emergeortho.com site (“content”) are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the emergeortho.com site.

© 2026 EmergeOrtho. All Rights Reserved.

Design by Farotech