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University of Washington

Winston J. Warme, MD

Associate Professor
Chief, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Specialty: Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine Dr. Winston J. Warme
College: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Internship: Brooke Army Medical Center
Residency: Madigan Army Medical Center Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
Fellowships:

Sports Medicine:
John A. Feagin West Point Sports Medicine Fellowship
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine Traveling Fellowship
Board Certification: Orthopaedic Surgery Certified

About Dr. Warme

Dr. Warme is a UW associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine who specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery, as well as sports medicine. He evaluates patients with shoulder, elbow and knee problems. Dr. Warme is also the Director of the Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship at the University of Washington.

Patient Care Philosophy

I seek to help patients expeditiously return to top form and pursue the activities they enjoy. I believe that successful medical or surgical treatment and rehabilitation requires a team approach, with the patient being a key player. I will provide patients with an accurate diagnosis and the current information to help them make an informed decision (regarding which type of treatment to choose). Then we will make the journey together through the treatment and rehabilitation. If there is a viable way to manage a condition without surgery, we will try that first.

Clinical Expertise

Clavicle, shoulder and elbow fractures; shoulder, elbow and knee cartilage tears, as well as instability problems; post traumatic shoulder and elbow stiffness; rotator cuff tendon tears: repair and reconstruction; tendon transfers around the shoulder; winging scapula; shoulder and elbow arthritis; shoulder and elbow replacement surgery including reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Patient Stories

Heidi, a 22 year old pole vaulter was dealing with a lingering injury that prevented her from doing the sport she loved. After being told by multiple health care professionals there was nothing they could do, she came to visit Dr. Warme at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics. Now she is an example of success and back to doing the sports and activities she loves, pain free.

See more patient stories for Dr. Warme at our PatientsEncouragingPatients website.

Awards

  • UW Medicine Cares Award
  • Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Award
  • Order of Military Medical Merit
  • Army Medical Department A Proficiency Designator
  • William Beaumont Army Medical Center Outstanding Academic Achievement Award 

Memberships:

National:

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
  • American Orthopaedic Association
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
  • Christian Medical and Dental Society

International:

  • International Society for Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
  • Magellan Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine

Surgeries & Diagnosis

Common Problems Treated

  • Shoulder, elbow and knee pain, stiffness, catching, popping, locking, weakness and instability including:
  • Labral, Bankart or capsular tears of the shoulder.
  • Loose bodies or osteochondritis dessicans of the elbow and knee.
  • Ligament or cartilage tears of the shoulder, elbow or knee (including meniscus).
  • Torn rotator cuff, pectoralis major and biceps tendons at the shoulder or elbow.
  • Acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular separations and instability.
  • Fractures of the shoulder (clavicle, scapula, glenoid, humerus) and elbow (humerus, ulna, radius).
  • Shoulder and elbow arthritis.
  • Scapular winging, medial or lateral.
  • Continued shoulder and elbow problems after failed surgeries.

Common Surgeries

  • Arthroscopic or open techniques to treat instability and repair Bankart, labral or capsular tears in the shoulder.
  • Manage shoulder “impingement” with subacromial decompressions, and repair or debride rotator cuff tendon tears; with tendon transfers as needed.
  • Remove loose bodies, drill or resurface osteochondritis dessicans lesions of the elbow and knee with osteochondral autograft transfers as needed.
  • Reconstruct or repair ligaments of the shoulder, elbow (LCL/MCL) or knee (ACL).
  • Repair or resect unstable cartilage tears of the shoulder, elbow or knee (including meniscus).
  • Repair torn pectoralis major, triceps and biceps tendons at the shoulder or elbow.
  • Open reduction and internal fixation of shoulder, elbow and forearm fractures.
  • Acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular reconstructions and resection arthroplasties.
  • Management of shoulder arthritis with arthroscopic, minimally invasive, conventional and reverse total joint arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty.
  • Management of elbow arthritis with arthroscopic, minimally invasive as well as conventional total joint arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty.
  • The treatment of more rare conditions such as scapular winging and failed surgeries with tendon transfers, revisions and fusions.

Selected Publications:

  • Gilmer BB, Constock BA, Jette JL, Warme WJ, Jackins SE, Matsen FA 3rd. The Prognosis for Improvement in Comfort and Function After the Ream-and-Run Arthroplasty for Glenohumeral Arthritis: An analysis of 176 Consecutive Cases. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am. 2012 July 18; 94(14):e1021-9. 
  • Papadonikolakis A, McKenna M, Warme WJ, Martin B, Matsen FA 3rd. Published Evidence Relevant to the Diagnosis of Impingement Syndrome of the Shoulder. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am. 2011 Oct. 5; 93(19): 1-6.
  • Scheffel PT, Clinton J, Lynch JR, Warme WJ, Bertelsen AL, Matsen FA 3rd. Glenohumeral Chondrolysis: a Systematic Review of 100 Cases from the English Language Literature. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2010 Sept; 19(6): 944-9.1.
  • Saltzman MD, Mercer DM, Bertelsen A, Warme WJ, Matsen FA 3rd. Bilateral Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocations. Radiology Case Reports. [Online] 4:256, 2009.1.
  • Warme WJ, Brooks D. The Effect of Circumferential Taping on Flexor Pulley Failure in Rock Climbers. American Journal of Sports Medicine.  2000 Sept-Oct; 28(5): 674-678.
  • Warme WJ, Arciero RA, Savoie FH, Uhorchak JM, Walton M. Nonabsorbable Versus Absorbable Suture Anchors for Open Bankart Repair. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 1999 Nov-Dec; 27(6): 742-746.
  • Warme WJ, Feagin JA, King P, Lambert KL, Cunningham R. Ski Injury Statistics, 1982-1993, Jackson Hole Ski Resort. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 1995 Sept-Oct; 23: 597-600.
  • (PubMed Listing)

Research

Ultimately I am interested in helping find the best treatment and rehabilitation regimens for different conditions, which will minimize the patients’ pain and recovery time.  This includes a focus on clinical outcomes research of reconstructive procedures in the shoulder, especially the “Ream and Run”.
With rock climbing as a passion, I have a particular interest in investigating different arthroscopic knots and the latest generation of high-strength sutures.  I am also committed to being the best teacher I can be, and discovering time-efficient methods of teaching the art and science of orthopaedic surgery to fellows, residents and medical students.

Make an Appointment

Bone & Joint Surgery Center at UWMC
UW Medical Center-Roosevelt II
Second Floor
4245 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 598-4288

Orthopaedic Clinic at Eastside Specialty Center
UW Medicine Eastside Specialty Center
Box 356005
1700 116th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 646-7777