Derek Axibal, MD

Dr. Derek Axibal is a board-certified, orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He performs innovative, arthroscopic procedures as well as complex, open surgeries of the shoulder, elbow, and knee.  He treats the full spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries in patients and athletes of all ages, with a special interest in shoulder and knee surgery. Dr. Axibal is dedicated to treating athletes from all walks of life, both competitive and recreational.

Dr. Axibal is a midwest native, born and raised in the Chicago area. After obtaining his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, he attended medical school at Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, MI, where he received numerous awards and scholarships for his academic performance and dedication to the underserved. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of Colorado. Afterwards, he was selected to undergo additional subspecialty training in sports medicine, shoulder, and elbow surgery at the world-renowned OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina. While there, Dr. Axibal was trained by many of the world’s leading experts in sports medicine. He has cared for professional athletes all over the world and served as a team doctor for the NFL Carolina Panthers and the White Sox Baseball affiliate Charlotte Knights.

Dr. Axibal is the author of multiple book chapters and peer-reviewed studies in the leading scientific textbooks and journals of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. His resume includes awards and grants, and his research has been presented at the regional, national, and international level. His interests include ACL reconstruction, knee ligament injuries, meniscus and cartilage surgery, rotator cuff surgery, shoulder instability and labral tears, shoulder replacements and fractures.

Dr. Axibal is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Dr. Axibal and his wife are thrilled to come back to West Michigan, where they both met and were married. They enjoy spending time together with their two daughters. He is a lifelong athlete, and enjoys working out, running, hiking, basketball, camping, skiing and travelling.