The Shoulder and Elbow Service, a specialty service of UW Medical Center's Bone and Joint Surgery Center, provides comprehensive evaluation and management for a wide range of shoulder and elbow problems, including:
Follow Dr. Matsen's Shoulder Arthritis blog
On which we try to provide the best and most current information on shoulder arthritis.
We offer the full spectrum of shoulder and elbow surgeries, from arthroscopy and minimally-invasive procedures, to complex fracture work, partial replacement (hemiarthroplasty) and complete replacement (total shoulder or elbow arthroplasty, as well as reverse shoulder arthroplasty).
Nationally Recognized Program
The Shoulder and Elbow Service is a component of UW Medical Center's Bone and Joint Surgery Center, which is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the top orthopaedic program in the western half of the United States.
Our physicians and research programs lead the way in innovative care for shoulder and elbow problems. We are constantly developing new, more effective methods of evaluating and treating our patients.
- Dr. Frederick Matsen, Professor of UW Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, has been listed as Top Doctors in the category of Orthopaedics. News source: Seattle Magazine, 2012.
- Dr. Albert Gee, Associate Professor of UW Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, is a sports medicine and shoulder surgeon with specialty training in the care of the injured athlete.
- Dr. Jason Hsu is an Assistant Professor of UW Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine whose research interests include work on the science of tendon and ligament healing after rotator cuff repair and shoulder arthroplasty.
- Dr. Corey Schiffman is an Associate Professor of UW Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Dr. Schiffman joined our faculty after competed his fellowship at The Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Hist main goals are improving quality of life and helping patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Our Approach
Our team of specialty-trained physicians, therapists, physicians' assistants, and nurses uses a multidisciplinary approach in caring for patients, with easy access to other world-class experts at UWMC who can assist with diagnosis and treatment plans.
Practical Evaluation and Management of the Shoulder (33.5 MB)
Management options can range from simple exercises to major reconstructive surgery performed at UW Medical Center, where specially trained nurses and anesthesiologists work with us to ensure quality patient care before, during, and after surgery. Our goal is maximum recovery of joint function.
The physical therapists in the Exercise Training Center, also part of the Bone and Joint Surgery Center, offer non-surgical care and post-surgical rehabilitation programs.
Shoulder Surgery Patient Resources
- Pre-surgery preparation checklist - Making your Shoulder Surgery as Safe as Possible
- Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery at the University of Washington - What to Expect
- Shoulder Surgery "One Stop Program" questionnaire for out of state patients (.pdf)
- Welcome to Our Shoulder Service - flyer for out of state patients (.pdf)
Location
The Shoulder and Elbow Service is located in the Hand, Elbow & Shoulder Center at UWMC-Roosevelt, an outpatient facility at 4245 Roosevelt Way N.E. in Seattle's University District.
Making an Appointment
You may make your own appointment at the Shoulder and Elbow Service or you may be referred by your physician. To make an appointment, please call: 206-520-5000 or Toll Free 877-520-5000.
Support Shoulder Research
Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Peter Simonian, former resident and faculty member in UW Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, (Chief of Sports Medicine and Associate Professor), and current orthopaedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor at Simonian Sports Medicine Clinic in Clovis, California, all gifts given from July 30 – December 31, 2025 to the Rick and Anne Matsen Honorary Professorship for Shoulder Research, will be matched $1-$1, up to $100,000. Gifts may be given via credit card at The Rick and Anne Matsen Endowed Professorship, or contact Wendy Kelley (wkelley@uw.edu) to give via a different method.
The Rick and Anne Matsen Endowed Professorship
Solving Shoulder Pain: Surgical and Non-Surgical Options
Have you thought about shoulder surgery? Or wondered if surgery even makes sense?
In the video above Jason Hsu, MD and Kirsten Thompson, PA-C discuss surgical and non-surgical options for shoulder pain, rotator cuff repair surgery, and shoulder replacements.
Whether your shoulder pain is caused by an athletic injury or arthritis, learn about potential treatments so that you can get back to the activities you love.
