Azael Arizpe Jr., MD

Meet Azael Arizpe Jr., MD

Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon Helping East Texans Return to the Activities They Love 

Dr. Azael Arizpe Jr., MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute in Tyler, Texas. His practice focuses on complex shoulder reconstruction, shoulder and knee replacement, hip preservation surgery, and treatment of complex sports injuries, including ligament reconstruction. He cares for patients across East Texas, including Tyler, Athens and Canton, treating sports injuries, joint conditions and complex musculoskeletal disorders. After earning his medical degree from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, he completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, followed by advanced sports medicine fellowship training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Through his work at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler and regional outreach clinics, Dr. Arizpe helps local athletes, active adults and families access specialized orthopedic care closer to home. 

Career at a Glance 

• Fellowship-trained in Orthopedic Sports Medicine through UTHealth Houston 
• Completed Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine 
• Specializes in complex shoulder reconstruction, shoulder and knee replacement, hip preservation surgery, complex sports injuries, ACL and other ligament reconstruction, and arthroscopic procedures 
• Provides orthopedic and sports medicine care across multiple East Texas communities, including Tyler, Athens and Canton 

Clinical Role and Leadership 

As an orthopedic sports medicine specialist with CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, Dr. Arizpe plays an important role in expanding access to advanced orthopedic care throughout East Texas. His fellowship training allows him to bring specialized expertise in sports-related injuries, ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic techniques and joint preservation to patients ranging from student athletes to active older adults. Through his presence in multiple regional clinics, he helps strengthen the orthopedic program's ability to deliver high-quality specialty care closer to where patients live and work. 

He provides specialized care for conditions such as: 

• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears 
• Rotator cuff tears 
• Sports-related knee injuries 
• Complex sports injuries and ligament tears 
• Shoulder pain and instability 
• Complex shoulder conditions requiring reconstruction 
• Knee pain 
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder and knee 
• Hip sprains and musculoskeletal injuries 
• Hip conditions that may benefit from joint preservation surgery 

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Azael Arizpe Jr. 

Patients consistently describe Dr. Arizpe as a clinician who combines advanced orthopedic expertise with clear, patient-centered communication. His approach emphasizes education, active listening and helping patients understand every step of their diagnosis and treatment plan. Whether recommending conservative treatment options or surgical intervention, he focuses on creating a collaborative experience that empowers patients to make informed decisions about their care. 

You can expect: 

• Clear explanations of diagnoses, imaging findings and treatment options 
• Dedicated time for questions and discussion during appointments 
• Respectful, attentive listening to patient concerns and goals 
• Evidence-based recommendations tailored to activity level and lifestyle 
• A shared decision-making approach focused on recovery and long-term function 

Advanced Surgical Innovation / Diagnostic Care 

His surgical practice includes complex shoulder reconstruction, total shoulder replacement, hip preservation surgery, and treatment of complex sports injuries requiring ligament reconstruction. He also offers minimally invasive, muscle-sparing, robotic-assisted total knee replacement. 

Dr. Arizpe's practice focuses on contemporary orthopedic sports medicine techniques designed to restore function while minimizing recovery time whenever possible. His fellowship training includes advanced evaluation and treatment of sports injuries, arthroscopic knee procedures, ligament reconstruction and shoulder pathology. He specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopic approaches for many knee and shoulder conditions and has participated in research examining ACL injury patterns, knee stability and reconstruction techniques. His expertise spans the diagnosis and management of injuries affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues, allowing patients access to specialized sports medicine care within East Texas. 

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership 

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Arizpe has contributed to orthopedic sports medicine research. He served as a co-author of the 2018 publication, Anterolateral Ligament Injuries on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Pivot-Shift Testing for Rotational Laxity, published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. This research explored the relationship between anterolateral ligament injuries, MRI findings and rotational knee stability in ACL-deficient patients. During his sports medicine fellowship training, he also participated in research evaluating tendon-bone interfaces in ACL reconstruction techniques. His academic contributions reflect an ongoing interest in advancing the understanding and treatment of sports-related knee injuries. 

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity 

Dr. Arizpe helps improve access to specialty orthopedic care across East Texas by seeing patients in Tyler, Athens and Canton, reducing the need for many residents to travel long distances for advanced sports medicine services. He also contributes to public education through CHRISTUS Health's patient-focused orthopedic resources, helping individuals better understand injury prevention, treatment options and the benefits of specialized orthopedic care. By bringing fellowship-trained sports medicine expertise to multiple communities, he supports broader access to high-quality musculoskeletal care throughout the region.