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Brian Feeley, MD

Orthopedic surgeon
Chief, Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery
Director, Muscle Stem Cell Lab

Brian Feeley, MD

Dr. Brian Feeley is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in using arthroscopic (minimally invasive) procedures to care for patients with athletic injuries of the shoulder or knee. In the shoulder, he treats rotator cuff tears or impingement, labral tears and other causes of instability, clavicle fractures and shoulder arthritis, and he performs shoulder replacement surgery. In the knee, he treats anterior cruciate and other ligament injuries, meniscus tears, cartilage injuries and early arthritis. He is section chief of the UCSF Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery and director of the Muscle Stem Cell Lab.

Feeley's research focuses on common knee and shoulder problems, including causes of muscle atrophy after rotator cuff tears. He also investigates how stem cells within muscle change the muscle tissue and how to stimulate these cells to improve function after injury. For the knee, he studies how to use low-cost motion analysis to decrease injury or re-injury after initial damage and surgical procedures.

After earning a bachelor's degree in biology and his medical degree at Stanford University, Feeley completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He then completed a fellowship in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he served as an assistant team physician to the New York Giants football team. He has been at UCSF since 2008.

Feeley has published more than 230 peer-reviewed articles, review studies and book chapters, as well as a book on rotator cuff injuries. He is associate director of UCSF's residency program in orthopedic surgery.

Feeley has served on the scientific advisory board for the National Football League and serves on several national orthopedic research and leadership committees. He has received young investigator awards from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, and Western Orthopaedic Association. He has also received a teaching award from the UCSF School of Medicine as well as research awards from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.

Feeley serves as team physician for St. Ignatius College Preparatory high school. An avid surfer, he especially enjoys the waves at San Francisco's Ocean Beach, in San Diego and on Kauai. In his spare time, he watches his five children's sports teams and co-hosts the UCSF podcast "Six to Eight Weeks: Perspectives on Sports Medicine."

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In less than an hour, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Feeley sets you up to diagnose common shoulder problems, including three simple questions to ask, a three-minute hands-on exam, worthwhile tests (and time wasters) and an update on the ...

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Related Podcasts

Episode 99: My Shoulder Popped Out, Now What?? Podcast

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Listen to Dr. Nirav Pandya and Dr. Brian Feeley as they break down all you need to know about shoulder dislocations.

Episode 98: Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries Podcast

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Listen to our latest podcast as we break down skiing and snowboarding injuries: presentation, prevention, and treatment.

Episode 97: Is Blood The Fountain of Youth? Talking with Dr. Thomas Rando Podcast

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Join Dr. Thomas Rando, MD/PhD and Director of the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Center as he talks with Dr. Brian Feeley and Dr. Nirav Pandya on the science of again. What actually makes us old? What happens to our muscles as we age? And what are ...

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Join current chief residents Dr. Abhinav Jangala and Dr. Tiffany Liu as they discuss their lives as UCSF Orthopedic trainees.

Episode 95: Sports Specialization, Volume, and Youth Sports: Breaking It All Down With Dr. Neeru Jayanthi Podcast

Episode 95: Sports Specialization, Volume, and Youth Sports: Breaking It All Down With Dr. Neeru Jayanthi

When should kids specialize in sports? Dr. Nirav Pandya and Dr Brian Feeley are joined by sports medicine expert Dr. Neeru Jayanthi to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of kids specializing in sports early.

Episode 94: The Ethics Behind Stem Cells Therapies with Dr. Zubin Master Podcast

Episode 94: The Ethics Behind Stem Cells Therapies with Dr. Zubin Master

What are the ethics behind using stem cell therapies that are unproven? Join Dr Brian Feeley and Dr Nirav Pandya as they discuss with Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Zubin Master.

Episode 92: The Natural History of Rotator Cuff Tears Podcast

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Listen to Dr. Brian Feeley has he takes us through the journey of the natural history of the rotator cuff.

Episode 91: Hoop Dreams - Talking With St. Francis High School Basketball Coach Todd Wolfson Podcast

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Join Dr Nirav Pandya and Dr. Brian Feeley as the sit down with St Francis High School basketball coach Todd Wolfson for a discussion about youth basketball, AAU, sports specialization, and player development.

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Episode 88: Would Your Rather.....Breaking Down Fractures

Dr Brian Feeley and Dr Nirav Pandya play "Would You Rather" and break down the basics behind fracture treatment.

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