Michael L. Knudsen, MD

It's been three months since my reverse shoulder replacement and I'm feeling great! I'm 80 years old and my range of motion is much improved; still have more work to do. Dr. Knudsen has been very caring and supportive. The Columbia staff have been friendly and helpful.

Shelley Y.

I'm so glad I found Dr. Knudsen! He's extremely caring, earned my trust and respect, and prepared me well beyond expectations for a complex procedure. After surgery Dr. Knudsen told me the joint replacement went extremely well and would restore my shoulder joint to full pain-free function. Although I was operated on just a few days ago, I have no doubt that Dr. Knudsen will give me my arm back. He's extraordinarily humane and wholesome and shared with me his genuine excitement over the results of the procedure. Thank you, Dr. Knudsen, for your surgical skill, humanity, and for choosing the optimal customized approach for my damaged shoulder and spirit.

Jane A.

I broke my collarbone and two ribs in a scooter accident. The thoroughness of the care I received from Dr. Knudsen and his staff at this facility is the level of treatment that I didn't even know existed anymore. Each appointment I had was met by the staff at exactly the time it was scheduled for. The explanations I received left me without a single question as to how I could heal the quickest and with the least amount of complications. I can't say enough great things about the professionalism of the medical staff here. The facility itself was immaculate and non-stressful. Clear, well-placed signage guides you effortless to your destination. This place is obviously educating medical professionals correctly!

Daniel R.

Dr. Knudsen, is a board certified and established orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in the operative and non-operative treatment of athletes and non-athletes with shoulder and elbow injuries, including children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. He is an expert in minimally invasive arthroscopic and open surgery of the shoulder and elbow, and has expertise in advanced shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery, including shoulder replacement surgery, rotator cuff tear surgery, shoulder instability and labral tear surgery, elbow arthroscopy, and elbow ligament reconstruction and repair. Dr. Knudsen’s practice leverages advanced imaging modalities to create personalized treatment plans and reconstructions for shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery. He uses cutting-edge techniques for sports injuries such as platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP), ultrasound, and up-and-coming physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques such as blood flow restriction therapy.

After receiving a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Knudsen completed medical school and orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. Following residency, he completed the prestigious Columbia Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Dr. Knudsen returned to Columbia after starting his practice at the University of Minnesota and serving as team physician for the Minnesota Twins (Major League Baseball), Saint Paul Saints (AAA Major League Baseball), and the University of Minnesota (NCAA Division I College). During his training at Columbia, he served as an Assistant Team Physician for the New York Yankees (Major League Baseball), Rockland Boulders (Can-Am Association of Professional Baseball), and Columbia University Athletics. Dr. Knudsen currently serves as a Team Physician for Iona College where he cares for student athletes with shoulder and elbow injuries. 

Dr. Knudsen has a passion for research and has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on various topics related to shoulder, elbow, knee, and sports medicine surgery. Dr. Knudsen serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Reviews, Reports, and Techniques and actively reviews articles for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Journal of Sports Medicine, and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery among others. Dr. Knudsen’s ongoing research is focused on improving patient outcomes by improving the longevity and durability of shoulder arthroplasty implants and maximizing rotator cuff repair and labral tear healing rates. He is an active and engaged member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES).