For patients who experience orthopedic trauma – whether from motor vehicle accidents, falls from heights, or other serious injuries – access to a highly skilled surgeon can make all the difference in recovery and long-term function.
Complex fractures, joint injuries, and post-traumatic complications often require advanced surgical expertise and thoughtful reconstruction. Boris Zelle, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FAOA, recently joined UTMB’s Orthopedics team, bringing extensive experience with comprehensive trauma care.
“I like the variety and complexity of orthopaedic trauma and being able to fix injuries involving all areas of the musculoskeletal apparatus,” Dr. Zelle says, “including complex intraarticular injuries and challenging pelvis reconstructions. Patients come in with very different needs after an accident.”
These specialized skills will be a vital asset across UTMB’s trauma centers at Galveston, Clear Lake, and League City Campuses, where Dr. Zelle will serve patients with a wide range of complex injuries.
Originally from Germany, Dr. Zelle earned his medical degree from Georg-August University of Göttingen and completed his surgical training in trauma and orthopedics at Hannover Medical School. He moved to the U.S. in 2002, where he completed a postdoctoral fellowship, residency, and trauma fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Before joining UTMB this summer, Dr. Zelle spent almost 15 years at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, where he served as Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at a very busy Level 1 Trauma Center and from 2017 until 2025, he served as Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Orthopedics.
Dr. Zelle’s expertise also encompasses foot and ankle reconstruction, including revision procedures and posttraumatic reconstructions for patients who have developed arthritis and deformities after a previous accident.
“It's frequently patients who may have received suboptimal treatment in the community and who then develop later problems after severe injuries. When these patients get referred to academic centers, we can offer patients complex surgical reconstructive options,” he says.
In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Zelle brings a strong dedication to education. Having directed a very successful orthopedic trauma fellowship program in San Antonio, he has mentored medical students, residents, and junior faculty throughout his career and looks forward to continuing that tradition at UTMB, shaping the future of orthopedic surgery by training the next generation of surgeons.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Zelle is eager to build collaborative relationships across UTMB’s broader network – including primary care providers, EMT teams, and rehabilitation specialists – to ensure seamless, high-quality care for trauma patients.
“I want our EMTs and referring providers to know that we’re here to help and provide high-quality care,” he says. “Relationships matter. When they know us and trust us, patients get better care.”
 | Boris Zelle, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FAOA, sees patients at the UTMB Health Orthopedics clinics at League City Campus and the Primary Care Pavilion in Galveston. Learn more about Orthopedics services at UTMB Health. |