About Christopher L. Dillingham, M.D.
Orthopedic Shoulder Surgeon in Sarasota, FL.
Office Location
-
5831 Bee Ridge Rd
Suite 300
Sarasota, FL 34233
Specialties Include
- Total Shoulder Replacement
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Laser Therapy
- Cutting Edge Physical Therapy
Call us at
(941) 378-5100
to Schedule an Appointment
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Serving Sarasota, FL
Christopher L. Dillingham, M.D. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist dedicated to treating patients in Sarasota, Florida. He is widely regarded as one of the region’s most experienced shoulder surgeons, known for combining advanced surgical skill with a genuine, patient-first approach.
Dr. Dillingham’s expertise spans the full range of shoulder, hand, and upper extremity conditions. From complex reverse shoulder replacements to minimally invasive arthroscopic repairs, his patients benefit from the kind of specialized training that only a dedicated upper extremity fellowship provides.
Dr. Dillingham’s path to becoming a shoulder specialist began at Purdue University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Distinguished Honors. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, a distinction awarded to the top medical students in the country.
After completing his orthopedic surgery residency at Greenville Hospital System in South Carolina, Dr. Dillingham pursued advanced fellowship training in Hand, Shoulder, and Arm Surgery at the University of Florida / Shands Hospital in Gainesville. This additional intensive, specialized training gave him the technical expertise and clinical judgment to treat the most complex shoulder and upper extremity conditions.
- Undergraduate: Purdue University, B.S. with Distinguished Honors
- Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
- Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Greenville Hospital System, South Carolina
- Fellowship: Hand, Shoulder & Arm Surgery, University of Florida / Shands Hospital, Gainesville, FL
Dr. Dillingham’s contributions to orthopedic surgery have not gone unnoticed. He has been invited to the prestigious American Orthopedic Association Leadership Forum, a recognition extended only to orthopedic surgeons who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributions to the specialty. His peers elected him Vice Chief of Surgery at Doctors Hospital, a role that reflects the trust and respect he has earned among his fellow surgeons.
Dr. Dillingham serves as an orthopedic consultant for some of the most demanding athletes and performers in the region:
- IMG Academy / NFL Combine — Evaluating top prospects entering professional football
- Sarasota Orchestra — Caring for musicians whose livelihoods depend on upper extremity function
- Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy — Treating elite junior and professional tennis players
- Out-Of-Door Academy — Supporting student athletes across multiple sports
- Riverview High School — Providing sideline and clinical care for high school athletes
These consulting roles reflect Dr. Dillingham’s ability to treat patients who demand the highest level of care, whether they are a professional athlete preparing for the NFL Draft or a violinist performing with the Sarasota Orchestra.
Dr. Dillingham believes surgery should be the last option, not the first. He takes the time to explore every non-surgical treatment available, including physical therapy, regenerative medicine, and activity modification, before recommending a procedure. When surgery is the right choice, he uses minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to reduce pain, shorten recovery, and get patients back to their lives faster.
This philosophy guides every patient interaction. Dr. Dillingham is known for spending time with his patients, explaining diagnoses in plain language, and making sure they understand every treatment option before making a decision together.
Dr. Dillingham operates at the leading hospitals and surgical centers in the Sarasota area:
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital
- HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
- Advanced Surgery Center of Sarasota
- Intercoastal Medical Group Ambulatory Surgical Center
Dr. Dillingham and his wife Michele have made Sarasota their home, raising three children in the Lakewood Ranch community. When he’s not in the operating room or seeing patients, you’ll find him coaching cross country and track at Out-Of-Door Academy, volunteering with local organizations, or fishing on the Gulf Coast.
His deep roots in the community are part of what drives his commitment to the patients he serves. Many of the families he treats are the same ones he sees at school events, local races, and Saturday morning activities around town.
Schedule Your Consultation
Whether you're dealing with chronic shoulder pain, a sports injury, or a condition that hasn't responded to other treatments, Dr. Dillingham is here to help you find the right path forward.