Michael L. Knudsen, M.D.

Michael L. Knudsen, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian, providing comprehensive surgical care for shoulder and elbow conditions in New York City and Westchester. His practice includes shoulder replacement, rotator cuff repair and revision surgery, shoulder instability and labral repair, fracture care, and elbow surgery, with particular expertise in primary and revision shoulder replacement and complex shoulder reconstruction.

Dr. Knudsen earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and medical degree at the University of Minnesota. He remained at the University of Minnesota for his orthopedic surgery residency before completing advanced fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

During fellowship, Dr. Knudsen served as a fellow team physician for the New York Yankees, Columbia University Athletics, and the Rockland Boulders. He subsequently joined the University of Minnesota faculty, where he served as an orthopedic team physician for the Minnesota Twins, head team physician for the St. Paul Saints, and team physician for University of Minnesota NCAA Division I Athletics. He returned to Columbia as a faculty member in 2021 and currently serves as Assistant Team Physician for Iona University Athletics.

Dr. Knudsen cares for athletes at every level as well as adults seeking to regain comfort, independence, and everyday function. His approach begins with a precise diagnosis and a clear explanation of the available choices. Surgery is recommended only when it offers a meaningful advantage, and every treatment plan is built around the activities and goals that matter most to the individual patient.

His academic work includes shoulder replacement, rotator cuff repair, shoulder instability, fractures, and sports-related shoulder and elbow injuries. He has authored or coauthored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters. He currently serves as Section Head of JBJS Clinical Classroom–Shoulder & Elbow and as a member of the AAOS Shoulder & Elbow Program Committee.

Dr. Knudsen is affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.