Take 5 with Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Physician Austin Serbin, MD

We are excited to introduce Austin Serbin, MD, our newest addition to the Wake Orthopaedics team, specializing in sports medicine. Dr. Serbin recently completed an extensive fellowship, equipping him with advanced knowledge and skills that he is eager to bring to WakeMed. His innovative approach and exceptional talent in the field promise to enhance our ability to provide top-notch care to our patients. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and expertise he will contribute to our practice, helping athletes and active individuals recover and thrive.

We chatted with Dr. Serbin to get to know him a bit better. Please join us in this engaging question and answer session.

What in your life experience or medical school training led you to orthopaedics?

I've been active all my life. In childhood, I played all sports. By high school, I was focused on football and baseball. I then played club level football and baseball in college. Although I never had a specific injury, I had teammates who suffered minor and severe injuries, sometimes requiring surgery and time off. I was able to see how they recovered and how their attitudes changed from the injury and going through rehab to finally getting back on the field. They were just so grateful to their surgeons and their medical teams for the chance to get back on the field and be active again. 

During my time in medical school, I had the invaluable opportunity to shadow experienced doctors as they engaged with their patients. I observed how they approached discussions about injuries, always emphasizing hope and the possibility of recovery. Rather than dwelling on the challenges posed by the injuries, these mentors highlighted the idea that overcoming them was entirely achievable. They fostered a sense of teamwork, encouraging patients to actively participate in their healing journey. This collaborative spirit not only motivated the patients but also instilled in them the belief that they could return to the activities they loved, whether it was playing sports or pursuing an active lifestyle in general.

What triggered your interest in the sports medicine specialty?

Throughout residency, I was exposed to a lot of different fields of orthopaedics. What drew me to sports medicine was my background in playing sports as well as the chance to work with a more active patient population. These patients were by far the most motivated to recover as they wanted to get back to activities and hobbies, such as playing golf, swimming, exercising and skiing. To see how motivated and grateful they were, was inspiring.

Why did you choose Wake Orthopedics?

My wife, son and I have been away from family for a long time. We were in Dallas, TX, for five years. Then we moved to Denver, CO, for my fellowship. Our families are along the East Coast. We wanted to be closer to enjoy holidays and give my son the chance to grow up with his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

During my career search across the Southeast, I found myself particularly drawn to Wake Orthopaedics. The sense of teamwork and the genuine commitment to collaboration stood out to me during the interviews. It was clear that everyone on the team shared a common goal: to provide the best possible outcomes for patients. The recurring emphasis on patient-centered care and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach really resonated with me. I could envision a work environment where I could lean on my colleagues for their expertise, ensuring that our patients received not only high-quality care but also the most advanced treatment options available.

Could you share your latest research and interest?

I did several projects last year in my fellowship, always looking for the latest and greatest ways to treat patients. My main project focused on stemless total shoulder arthroplasty. Some of the newer implants for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty include a stemless humeral component where a nucleus sits on top of the humerus instead of a stem. It saves a lot of bone if that patient ever needs surgery again, shortening operative time and decreasing blood loss during the operation. The study focus was the time involved for patients to return to sports after receiving a stemless total shoulder. We found that in all sports studied, including golf, swim, baseball, skiing, tennis and pickleball, over 90 percent of patients had an average return-to-sport rate of six months. Being able to share this with patients was very meaningful. It helped them understand when they could expect to return to their activities and reassured them that they would return to the sports they loved.

The research also showed that stemless total shoulder arthroplasty was equivalent, if not a bit better, than current traditional anatomic implants. Doctors are trending toward using stemless total shoulder arthroplasty more within the past ten years in the right patients. It's still an emerging technology and introduces another way to treat patients and get them back to their active lifestyles.

What specialized care and skills do you offer your patients?

I think most orthopaedic surgeons lead a very active lifestyle. We realize that sports can take a toll on the body, so we can empathize with athletes and weekend warriors, realizing how important it is to get back to the activities they enjoy. 

During my fellowship, I had the incredible opportunity to train alongside several prominent leaders in the field of orthopaedics. We engaged with advanced technologies and innovative techniques that are at the forefront of surgical procedures. One stand-out procedure involves realigning the bones around the knee in order to improve alignment and balance the weight evenly across the knee joint. This is often an ideal option for patients who are too young for a knee replacement. We use custom-made tools created with 3D printing for each patient, allowing exceptional precision and a surgical plan tailored to every patient’s unique anatomy.

Let's talk about your favorite activities.

I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking with my wife and our two-year-old son. My family relocated to East Tennessee about 15 years ago, and we still love returning to Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock and other areas in western North Carolina whenever we visit. 

Recently, my wife and I took my son for a toddler hike at the Umstead State Park. We love having that in our backyard. 

We also love visiting the beach. My wife is from Charleston, so we frequent the South Carolina beaches, but I've started asking my patients for recommendations on great North Carolina beaches.

We are big into skiing. Although we have never skied in North Carolina, we’re planning to try it this winter. I've heard there are great resorts in North Carolina, and we are excited to check them out.

Beyond physically active interests, I also enjoy music. I started playing piano when I was five and continued lessons until high school. At some point, I decided I no longer wanted to practice piano, but my mom told me I still had to play something, so I picked up guitar. Within the last ten years, I found my way back to the piano, and now I enjoy playing both, especially during the holidays at my parents’ house.

I love college football, and I can finally admit that I'm an Indiana Hoosier football fan. Growing up, they had their ups and down, mostly downs, but it’s great to see things turning around under Coach Cignetti.

I also love watching the College World Series. My wife went to Vanderbilt, so when they’re playing, I’m definitely cheering for the Commodores!

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Enjoyed learning about Dr. Serbin? Schedule your appointment today.