Erik C. Nilssen , M.D.

Dr. Erik C. Nilssen is an orthopedic surgeon with specialty training and focus on Ankle, Foot and Athletic Injuries. He is the first to complete both a Sports Medicine and Foot & Ankle Fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) under the direction of Dr. James Andrews.

Dr. Nilssen earned a bachelor’s degree at Auburn University where he was a Cum Laude graduate. He received his medical degree at The University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida.

He performed his orthopedic surgery residency at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. While in Montreal, he served on the residency selection committee, operated as chief resident, and provided team coverage for McGill University athletics and the Montreal Alouttes of the Canadian Football League.

He then completed a Sports Medicine fellowship and Foot & Ankle Fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, AL. As a fellow, Dr. Nilssen worked side-by-side with renowned orthopedic surgeons Dr. James Andrews, Dr. William Clancy, Dr. Jeff Dugas, and Dr. Lyle Cain. The fellowship provided Dr. Nilssen with intensive exposure to all aspects of non-operative and operative musculoskeletal patient care. Specifically, he has treated various athletes on the professional, collegiate, and high school level. His team physician experience included coverage of Auburn University football, Jacksonville State University team athletics, Tampa Bay Rays spring training, Birmingham Barons AA baseball, and Bessemer Academy high school athletics.

Following his fellowship year, Dr. Nilssen stayed at the American Sports Medicine Institute and completed a second fellowship in Foot & Ankle. He worked with well known surgeons Dr. John Kirchner and Dr. Angus McBryde. The fellowship not only provided Dr. Nilssen with exposure to all aspects of foot and ankle disorders, but gave him experience in arthroscopic ankle fusions and total ankle replacements.

Following his fellowship year, Dr. Nilssen was invited to work at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, FL where he continues to work with athletes at various levels. As a clinical instructor at the Andrews Institute, he is unique in that he brings a sports medicine mentality into the foot and ankle subspecialty. Dr. Nilssen takes part in clinical research and assists in the instruction of the Andrews Institute sports medicine fellows.

In addition to experience in the treatment of the shoulder, elbow and knee under the guidance of Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Nilssen's primary surgical interests include arthroscopic and open treatment of all foot and ankle disorders. This combination of training and experience make Dr. Nilssen truly a uniquely gifted surgeon, and the only doctor in the Emerald Coast Region with his special combination of skill and experience.

Dr. Nilssen has published numerous scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national and regional meetings. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society.

Having embraced the “Andrews Philosophy” from his friend and mentor, Dr. James Andrews, his goals are to develop a Foot & Ankle fellowship at the Andrews Institute, and enhance his expertise in foot and ankle disorders.

Dr. Nilssen resides in Gulf Breeze, Florida with his wife and son. In his spare time he enjoys golf, tennis, boating and family outings.