Interview with Dr. Peter Neff, M.D.
Topic: Orthopedic Excellence: Dr. Peter Neff’s Journey Back to Corpus Christi
Guest Name: Dr. Peter Neff, M.D.
Guest Credentials: Dr. Peter Neff, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist
Discussion Details:
Coastal Bend Spotlight: Meet Dr. Peter Neff: Local Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist
In this episode of the Coastal Bend Spotlight series, Dr. Anthony Avila interviews Dr. Peter Neff, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. Dr. Neff, a Corpus Christi native, shares his journey from shadowing his physician father to becoming the team physician for local sports teams like the Corpus Christi Hooks and Texas A&M CC Islanders.
He discusses the importance of personalized care, the role of imaging and thorough examinations, and the significance of patient motivation in recovery. Dr. Neff emphasizes the value of trust and responsibility in the patient-doctor relationship and offers insights into the recovery processes for various common orthopedic procedures. Tune in for an in-depth look at Dr. Neff’s passion for community-centric healthcare and the intricacies of orthopedic surgery.
In this Coastal Bend Spotlight series, Anthony Avila, a physical therapist, interviews Dr. Peter Neff, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist from Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Neff discusses his journey from Carroll High School to Texas A&M, followed by medical education and training in Houston, New York, and New Mexico. He highlights his work with athletes, including as a team physician for the US Ski Team and several South Texas sports teams. Dr. Neff emphasizes his commitment to patient care, the importance of a thorough diagnosis and treatment process, and the need for patients to be proactive and engaged in their recovery. The conversation covers common orthopedic cases he treats, particularly involving the knee, hip, and shoulder, and the variability in recovery times for different injuries and surgeries. The interview underscores Dr. Neff’s dedication to giving back to his community and his approach to providing exceptional care.
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Peter Neff
01:33 Dr. Neff’s Early Influences and Career Path
04:27 Returning to Corpus Christi
05:27 Dedication to Athletic Care
07:07 Defining Exceptional Care
08:46 Common Conditions and Treatments
10:59 Patient Traits and Expectations
17:51 The Role of Imaging and Examination
19:35 Knee and Shoulder Surgeries
24:21 ACL Surgery and Recovery
Address of guest’s business: Orthopedic Center of Corpus Christi, 6118 Parkway Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Dr. Anthony Avila: Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Anthony Avila, Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Avila Physical Therapy, and welcome to the Coastal Bend Spotlight Series.
Today’s guest is Dr. Peter Neff, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist who was born and raised right here in Corpus Christi, Texas.
After graduating from Carroll High School, Dr. Neff earned his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, completed his orthopedic residency in New York, and went on to complete a sports medicine fellowship in Taos, New Mexico. During that fellowship, he served as an acting team physician for the U.S. Ski Team and traveled internationally with the team during World Cup competition.
Dr. Neff specializes in arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement of the knee, hip, and shoulder, trauma care, and comprehensive treatment of sports-related injuries. He currently serves as team physician for the Corpus Christi Hooks, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders, and Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas.
When he’s not in the operating room, Dr. Neff enjoys staying active outdoors with his family—hiking, fishing, running, playing guitar, and enjoying the South Texas surf and beaches.
It’s an honor to welcome one of our own. Let’s dive in with Dr. Peter Neff.
Dr. Peter Neff: Hey, happy to be here, man. That was a great intro—I couldn’t have done it better myself.
Early Influences & Career Path
Dr. Anthony Avila: With such strong local roots, I’d love to start there. How did you develop a passion for helping people stay active? And back when you were at Carroll High School, did you imagine this is where you’d end up?
Dr. Peter Neff: It started early for me. My dad is a physician here in town and has practiced here for decades. Growing up, I spent a lot of time around his work—shadowing him and seeing patients—which made it clear early on that medicine would be part of my future.
I actually still have a drawing from kindergarten of what I wanted to be when I grew up—it’s me in a white coat with a stethoscope. I still have both somewhere, although as an orthopedic surgeon I don’t really use them much anymore.
Sports were also a huge part of my life, especially baseball. But growing up in South Texas, you play a little of everything. As I went through school, I worked in hospitals, shadowed physicians, and started to understand what orthopedics really was. Once I got into the operating room, I caught the surgery bug.
Personality-wise, orthopedic surgeons just felt like my people. We worked hard, enjoyed what we did, and it didn’t feel like work. Adding sports medicine to that made perfect sense.
Returning to Corpus Christi
Dr. Anthony Avila: It must feel incredible to come back and serve the community that raised you. What went into that decision?
Dr. Peter Neff: Corpus was always the plan—don’t tell my wife that. This is home. My family is here, my roots are here, and I wanted to take care of my people. Being able to come back and do what I love, right where I grew up, is incredibly meaningful.
Dedication to Athletic Care
Dr. Anthony Avila: You work with several athletic organizations locally. What drives your dedication to athletes?
Dr. Peter Neff: Athletes are motivated, and that makes a huge difference. But more than that, you see them at their lowest point—injured and separated from what defines them.
Being able to guide them from injury, through surgery if needed, rehab, and back to what they love is incredibly rewarding. Surgery is usually the easy part; recovery is where the work happens, and having the right team around them makes all the difference.
What Defines Exceptional Care
Dr. Anthony Avila: Patients today want to understand what “exceptional care” really looks like. How do you define it?
Dr. Peter Neff: It starts with relationships. I personally see all my new patients and continue seeing them throughout their care. I want them to know I’m invested.
Exceptional care isn’t just outcomes—it’s communication, setting expectations, and being present throughout the entire process. Patients need to know someone is in their corner.
Common Conditions Seen in Clinic
Dr. Anthony Avila: What conditions do you most commonly treat involving the knee, hip, and shoulder?
Dr. Peter Neff: Most cases are actually non-operative. Shoulders often involve rotator cuff issues or arthritis. Knees—arthritis and meniscus tears—are very common. Hips frequently overlap with low-back issues or bursitis.
Down here in South Texas, people tend to wait a long time before seeking care. But with the right diagnosis and rehab, many people do extremely well without surgery.
Traits of Patients Who Thrive
Dr. Anthony Avila: Is there a common trait among patients who tend to do especially well?
Dr. Peter Neff: Absolutely—patients who commit to the process. Surgery is always a last resort for me. The patients who try conservative care first and understand that surgery is a partnership are the ones who do best.
Setting expectations is critical. Surgery isn’t magic—it’s a commitment from both sides.
Imaging, Exams, and “Dr. Google”
Dr. Anthony Avila: Patients often come in requesting MRIs. How important is imaging compared to a thorough exam?
Dr. Peter Neff: History and physical examination are critical—and becoming a lost art. You can learn a lot just by talking to and examining a patient. X-rays often tell us more than people realize.
MRIs have their place, but they’re not always necessary. I usually tell patients, “Let me talk to you first.”
Knee Surgery & ACL Recovery
Dr. Anthony Avila: Can you walk us through recovery timelines for knee procedures?
Dr. Peter Neff: A simple meniscus scope usually takes about 6–12 weeks to regain full confidence. Meniscus repairs are closer to 3–4 months. ACL or multi-ligament injuries are longer—at least 6–7 months, sometimes up to a year.
Confidence is often the final hurdle, not strength or motion.
ACL Graft Choice
Dr. Anthony Avila: What grafts are you using most often for ACL reconstruction?
Dr. Peter Neff: My go-to is a quadriceps autograft. It’s strong, reliable, and patients tolerate it well. Especially in female athletes, preserving the hamstrings makes a lot of sense.
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Anthony Avila: We covered a lot today—from your roots in Corpus Christi to your dedication to athletes and the broader community. Any final thoughts before we wrap up?
Dr. Peter Neff: Just gratitude. I’m thankful to be here, thankful to serve this community, and hopeful to do it for a long time. It really does feel good to be home.
Dr. Anthony Avila: Thank you again, Dr. Peter Neff, for sharing your story and expertise. Giving back is a core value at Avila Physical Therapy, and this conversation absolutely reflects that.
Stay tuned for the next episode of the Coastal Bend Spotlight Series.