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Theodore A. Blaine, MD

Sports Medicine
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About Dr. Blaine

Dr. Theodore Blaine is recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise in orthopedics and shoulder and elbow surgery.  Prior to joining HSS, he was the Physician in Chief of the Bone and Joint Institute and the former Interim Chairman of the Yale University Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. Before then, he practiced for eight years with Columbia Orthopedics – NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York, and four years with University Orthopedics at Brown University. 

Dr. Blaine has authored and edited over 100 papers and textbook chapters in orthopaedic surgery, published two textbooks on minimally invasive shoulder and elbow surgery, and is currently Co-Editor in Chief and Founder of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty. He is the recipient for multiple grants and teaching awards for his commitment to academic medicine and orthopedic research.

His professional training includes fellowships in Shoulder and Sports Medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Elbow Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, and Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Rochester. He is an active member of multiple orthopedic societies, including the American Orthopedic Association, the American Shoulder and Elbow Society, the American Society for Sports Medicine, and the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. He has been recognized as one of the “Best Doctors in America” and Castle Connolly "Top Doctors" in the New York Metro Area.

Dr. Blaine’s clinical interests and experience include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder and elbow, orthopaedic trauma, sports medicine and athletic injuries, and orthopedic research. A recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery of the shoulder and elbow, Dr. Blaine has pioneered several new medical and surgical techniques including injectable medications for shoulder arthritis, minimally invasive shoulder replacement and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. He also lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on the latest technologies in shoulder replacement surgery, including reverse shoulder replacement, resurfacing and stemless bone-sparing designs. He is one of the few physicians in Connecticut who performs complex procedures including muscle transfer operations, superior capsule reconstruction, and revision shoulder and elbow surgery.

A former competitive athlete in swimming, football and lacrosse (Avon Old Farms School '84 and Princeton University '88), Dr. Blaine enjoys treating all athletic injuries in patients of all ages. He has significant expertise in treating shoulder and elbow instability, labral tears, and tendonitis of the shoulder and elbow (impingement syndrome and tennis elbow). He has been team physician at the collegiate and professional level including soccer, football, hockey, lacrosse, and baseball. Most recently, he was team physician for the Yale University Athletic Teams, and he is currently the Head Team Physician for the Darien and Stamford HS Football teams.

Dr. Blaine is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons with additional subspecialty accreditation by the American Society of Sports Medicine

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Departments

Special Expertise


Arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder and elbow
Minimally invasive surgery of the shoulder and elbow
Minimally invasive shoulder replacement and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Reverse shoulder replacement and resurfacing
Muscle transfer
Superior capsule reconstruction
Revision shoulder and elbow surgery

Patient Stories

Videos

Insurance

If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.

Credentials

Appointments

Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Affiliations

American Orthopaedic Association
American Shoulder and Elbow Society
American Society for Sports Medicine
The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons

Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Subspecialty Certification in Sports Medicine

Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctors in New York Metro Area, 2021, 2022
New York Magazine Top Doctors, 2021, 2022

Education

University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT

Internship

The University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Residency

The University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Fellowship

Shoulder and Elbow Surgery/ Sports Medicine, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
Elbow Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

State Licensure

Languages

English

For My Patients

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Surgical Locations

Dr. Blaine performs surgery at the following locations:

Publications by Dr. Blaine

Professional Education

Selected Journal Articles

Editorial Appointments

Chief and Founder, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty

Research

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.

Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Blaine as of June 19, 2023.

  • American Journal of Orthopedics - Editorial Board
  • Catalyst Orthoscience - Advisory and Editorial Boards; Consultant, Ownership Interest; Royalties
  • Elsevier. Inc. - Editorial Board
  • Lima Corporate - Consultant
  • Stryker Corporation - Speakers' Bureau
  • ZIMMER BIOMET - Consultant

HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.

Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.

Dr. Blaine in the News