Dr. Joel R. Peterson, M.D.

Joel Peterson, MD is an ABOS Board-Eligible Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Shoulder and Elbow surgery. He grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC and later attended Princeton University, graduating with degrees in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Neuroscience. He then attended Columbia University in New York City and completed a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology. Dr. Peterson earned his medical degree at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey and was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society before returning to Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital for Orthopedic Surgery residency training.

The Shoulder Service at Columbia University and the New York Orthopedic Hospital is the oldest and most prestigious in the world; its leaders are regarded as the foremost masters and pioneers in the field. During his time there, Dr. Peterson developed skills to treat the most complicated shoulder conditions by working closely with his mentor, world-renowned shoulder surgeon and former president of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Dr. William Levine.

Following the completion of residency, Dr. Peterson spent an additional year completing a fellowship in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, the consistently ranked #1 Orthopedic Hospital in the world. During that year he trained in the most advanced techniques in complex shoulder and elbow procedures under the leadership of Dr. Lawrence Gulotta and former ASES president Dr. David Dines.

Through the use of advanced open and arthroscopic surgical techniques, Dr. Peterson focuses on restoring damaged joints, ligaments, and bones in the shoulder and elbow. He believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care, including the utilization of physical therapy and conservative management to explore all alternatives of treatment before surgery is considered.

Dr. Peterson has a special interest in shoulder arthritis and joint replacement surgery. He also has clinical expertise in rotator cuff injuries, shoulder instability and labral tears, pectoralis and distal biceps tendon rupture, tendon transfers, and elbow injuries and degenerative conditions. Dr. Peterson is also trained in upper extremity fracture care.

Dr. Peterson is an active member of numerous academic societies, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He is dedicated to providing exceptional patient care with the highest level of compassion and expertise.