Accepting new patients

Robert M. Orfaly, M.D.

Accepting new patients

  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine

Specialty

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Orthopaedics and rehabilitation

Clinical focus

  • Hand
  • Shoulder and Elbow

Locations and contact

I see patients at
Tall building with the ariel tram to its left
Center for Health & Healing, Building 1
503-494-8311
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About me

I am an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the care of hand, arm, elbow and shoulder conditions. 

I treat a wide range of upper extremity concerns, including: 

  • Arthritis
  • Tendon problems
  • Nerve compression
  • Fractures
  • Shoulder instability

I offer my patients both nonsurgical and surgical options tailored to each person’s needs. I also have a special interest in shoulder replacement surgery, including bone-sparing and reverse shoulder replacement techniques.

I place a strong emphasis on patient education and clear communication. I take time to explain your diagnosis and treatment options in language that is easy to understand, so you can feel confident and informed as we make decisions together. When nonsurgical care is appropriate, I coordinate closely with physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists and therapists already involved in your care. When surgery is needed, I strive to use minimally invasive approaches whenever possible to support recovery and help you return to the activities you enjoy.

Outside of clinical practice, I enjoy staying connected with patients and colleagues alike to promote ongoing improvement in treatment and outcomes.

Education and training

  • Internship

    • Surgical Internship, University of Toronto, 1992

  • Residency

    • Orthopaedic Surgery, University of British Columbia, 1997

  • Fellowship

    • Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, University of British Columbia, 1998
    • Shoulder Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 1999

  • Certifications

    • Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, 1997
    • Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2002, 2011

Memberships and associations:

  • American Orthopaedic Association
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Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 (185 Ratings, 64 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Dr. Orfaly was very knowledgeable, thorough and spent time explaining my condition and the management options available in details. All my questions were answered at this visit.

  2. Very professional and well informed. Easy to talk to and ask questions.

  3. He's done 2 previous procedures. All good.

  4. Dr Orfaly is a well known surgeon. He's very knowledgeable and professional. This is my second surgery with him.

  5. I received the best of care, warm, friendly from a very competent staff!

  6. I am sure that the doctor is very well respected by his staff. However, the doctor did not make me feel comfortable. I was seeking an understanding of my injury and how to cope with it. The doctor did not make me feel like he cared for me as an individual.

  7. Great !

  8. His skills, not only as a surgeon, but as a choreographer of the entire process he and his staff made my surgery a wonderful experience.

  9. I was blown away by how Dr. Orfaly had carefully choreographed the procedure starting with my first appointment, Physical therapy sessions, nurse virtual calls and paperwork for Instructions. And then he and his staff executed It with perfection.

  10. Dr Orfaly is very intelligent and wants to fix my needs

  11. Dr. Orally was very professional and courteous. As a healthcare professional I appreciate the handshake direct eye contact and being seated across from the patient and being engaged in the entire patient care process. Doctor Orfaly was not rushed or hurried in any capacity and I appreciated this. Patient and specific, Dr. Orfaly answered all of my questions and clarified information that I specifically asked about. I can assure your facility that if or when the time comes for surgery he is the practitioner I will want performing this procedure. Every aspect of my visit was carried out with efficiency and professionalism. Thank you!

  12. He was running an hour behind. No communication that he was running behind. He was rude when he came into the room. Like I was Inconvenient him and his time. I was referred to him by the PA I saw the 1st time. Happy I didn't need surgery but he was rude no compassion for me or the pain I was having. This was a waste of my time!

  13. Good experience

  14. Good

  15. Very through. Discuss issues and offer several options of treatments

  16. I've had 3 appointments clinician has been significantly late each time.

  17. Just a Positive experience

  18. Very positive. He was informative and patient with all my questions.

  19. Very communicative about all aspects of your issues, compassion with respect to what you are experiencing!

  20. Poor bedside manner too focused on teaching instead of patient care. I was treated Iike a subject and complaint instead of a patient. I waited an hour and 20 minutes past my scheduled time to only be treated like an inconvenience. All of a sudden the provider was in a rush. Spent no time connecting with me as the patient. I had to insist that I get treatment for my worst issue or else it was going to be overlooked and put on hold.

  21. Thorough and clear

  22. Dr. Offaly performed a successful procedure on my shoulder surgery 20 years ago. I consider him extremely competent then and now. His diagnosis was quick and thorough with his assistant entering the rapid-fire data into the computer. HE corrected a previous, mostly self diagnosed for my hand. He referred me to physical therapy for my hand. I found his "bedside mannerr somewhat brusque and intimidating, but I would ABSOLUTELY consider him to perform surgery for me.

  23. Excellent Service

  24. A real sweetheart

  25. Was running late thirty minutes and said it was a neck problem and he told me what I expected to hear. He is an excellent doctor that takes time to talk and explain things. Thank you for letting be my physician over the years.

  26. I've had 9 surgeries - and am scheduling another. Dr. Orfaly is outstanding.

  27. Clear and concise. Considerate of patient's need for processing information, open and honest, provided options with benefits and risks .

  28. Outstanding, caring and supportive, very experienced, thorough and up to date on current processes.

  29. One of the first surfing who talked to me like a peer, having a conversation, not talking down, not talking past. We communicated well.

  30. It was a simple finger surgery and therefore telling me why it was necessary was not a thing that I needed