Nationally Recognized for Excellence in Patient Care and Cutting Edge Clinical Research

Disorders of the shoulder and elbow are very common, and a affect all ages.  They overuse injuries, traumatic injuries and degenerative conditions.  The fellowship trained shoulder and elbow surgeons at the University of Washington are regional specialists for this conditions.  We treat patients from both Western and Eastern Washington States as well and many patient from as far as Alaska and Florida who fly in for specialty care. 

Our goal is to restore function, stability and comfort to our patients.  This may include focused therapy, minor procedures in clinic, minimally invasive surgery or more complex reconstructive surgery.  

Advanced, Innovative Treatments

Non-Operative Management

Our Shoulder and Elbow specialists can treat many conditions without surgery.  These treatments options can be very effective at reducing symptoms and returning function with appropriate for the patient's condition and patient as a whole.  Non-operative treatment options include:

• Anti-inflammatory medicines

• Cortisone injections

• Physical therapy

• Non-surgical procedures

Surgical Management

You may need surgery if your condition is severe or other treatments don’t bring relief. Your doctor may recommend surgery if you work a job or play a sport that requires use of your shoulder. Surgical procedures we provide include:

Some Shoulder and Elbow conditions may need surgical treatment for return of function and comfort and to allow patients to return to work or play.  Surgical procedures we commonly provide include:

• Adhesive capsulitis release

• Anterior shoulder reconstruction with arthroscopic or open Bankart repair

• Arthroscopic capsular shift

• Biceps tenodesis with soft tissue or hardware fixation

• Biceps tenotomy

• Isolated subscapularis repair

• Posterior shoulder reconstruction with or without labral repair

• Labral tear repair 

• Open latarjet anterior shoulder stabilization

• Rotator cuff repair

• Shoulder arthroscopy

• Shoulder debridement/decompression/distal clavicle excision

• Shoulder instability repair (arthroscopy, open surgery or radiofrequency capsular tightening)

• Subacromial decompression (providing more room for the rotator cuff)

• Superior labral anterior to posterior tear (SLAP) lesion repair

Major Reconstructive Surgery 

As a regional orthopedic center, we specialize in major reconstructive management of of the shoulder and elbow.  Many patient fly in from out of State to seek treatment form our Shoulder and Elbow Team for very complex care.  Some of the procedures we commonly preform include:

• Shoulder joint replacement

• Shoulder joint replacement for active people

• Reverse total shoulder

• Shoulder resurfacing

• Complex reconstructive surgery with or without a prostetic implant