Michael L. Knudsen, MD

Michael L. Knudsen, MD, 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 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 returns 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).