Joel Shapiro, MD
- Sports Medicine
- Arthroscopic Surgery
- Shoulder Surgery
- Elbow Surgery
For Preferred location, please select Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle Ballard or Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle Wallingford.
For Provider to see, please select one of the nine OSS physicians or six physician assistants. Or, Any, first available.
Joel Shapiro, MD
Dr. Shapiro is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a clinical focus in shoulder and elbow surgery, arthroscopic surgery, and sports medicine.
Dr. Shapiro sees a wide variety of shoulder problems, from arthritis to rotator cuff tears to tendonitis, and everything in between. He performs over 300 shoulder procedures per year, including many shoulder arthroscopies. While he is known in the community for being a shoulder and elbow specialist, Dr. Shapiro also has a large practice of patients with knee problems and injuries.
Dr. Shapiro completed a medical degree at The State University of New York, Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He completed a residency at Northwestern University. Dr. Shapiro joined Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle in 2001, after completing a fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery.
During Dr. Shapiro’s residency, he served on the medical staff of the Chicago Bulls, Cubs and Bears, and while he was completing his fellowship, he was a team doctor for the Mets. Today, he continues to treat many individuals with sports injuries.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Shapiro likes to spend time with his two boys. He also enjoys hiking, biking and sailing.
Philosophy of Care
I believe in meeting patients’ individual needs through comprehensive evaluation and treatment designed to help them achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle. Many musculoskeletal conditions can be treated by non-surgical techniques–surgery is just one treatment option. I combine leading edge techniques with proven traditional methods to provide patients with the best orthopedic care possible.
I work to develop a partnership with my patients. On my part, this begins with listening. And one of the most important things I need to know is how the physical problem affects this patient’s life. We develop a dialogue, through which my patients understand the diagnostic process, their own unique problem, their treatment choices, and the recovery process. Patients help to guide and direct the diagnostic and treatment activities.
I believe that knowledgeable patients make the best decisions about their own treatment. That’s why I explain every step of the diagnostic process. Next, I want my patients to understand their condition: How it developed and how various treatment approaches can improve or repair the problem.
When we consider treatment alternatives, I present a realistic outlook on the results we can achieve. I’ll also be frank about any risks that might be involved. If a non-surgical option is available, I’ll explain that avenue in depth.
My purpose is to handle each and every patient visit with care and proficiency. It is also highly important to me that our Doctor/Patient relationship is open and honest. It is my responsibility to make sure patients are well informed about their conditions and the multiple choices of treatment.
My professional staff and I will also provide you with patient education materials, (e.g., web sites, pamphlets, and video tapes) that give you added appreciation of your condition and treatment options.
— Joel Shapiro, MD
Conditions
Elbow
- Elbow Arthritis
- Baseball injuries
- Distal bicep tendon tear or rupture
- Elbow Fracture
- Loose bodies of the elbow
- Sports injuries of the elbow
- Tendinitis of the elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Ulnar collateral ligament
- Ulnar nerve compression
Shoulder
- Biceps tendon rupture
- Bursitis and Tendinitis of the shoulder
- Labral tears of the shoulder
- Mid shaft humerus fracture
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Shoulder separation
Treatments
Elbow
- Arthroscopic surgery of the elbow
- Fracture care of the elbow
- Injections of the elbow
- Cortisone of the elbow
- Loose body removal of the elbow
- Non-operative and conservative treatment of the elbow
- Sports Medicine for the elbow
- Tommy John Surgery
- UCL Reconstruction
- Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
- Ulnar nerve release/transposition
Shoulder
- Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder
- Bankart repairs
- Biceps tendon rupture repair
- Cartilage repair
- Clavicle open reduction
- Complex shoulder instability repair
- Injections of the shoulder
- Partial rotator cuff repair
- Proximal humerus open reduction
- Reverse total shoulder replacement
- SLAP lesion repair
- Shoulder fracture surgery
- Shoulder stabilization for dislocation
- Sports Medicine for the shoulder
- Total rotator cuff repair
- Total shoulder replacement
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement
