Matthew Astolfi
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Department: Orthopaedic Surgery
Contact information
Penn Medicine University City
3737 Market Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
3737 Market Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: 607-346-4496
Email:
mastolfi@sas.upenn.edu
mastolfi@sas.upenn.edu
Education:
B.S. (Kinesiology )
College at Brockport, State University of New York, 2011.
M.S. (Exercise Science: Sports Medicine Concentration)
University of Delaware, 2013.
M.D. (Medicine)
Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, 2019.
Permanent linkB.S. (Kinesiology )
College at Brockport, State University of New York, 2011.
M.S. (Exercise Science: Sports Medicine Concentration)
University of Delaware, 2013.
M.D. (Medicine)
Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, 2019.
Description of Clinical Expertise
Conditions TreatedProvide comprehensive evaluation and management of a wide range of upper extremity conditions, including:
- Rotator cuff tears: partial and full-thickness tears, massive and irreparable tears
- Shoulder instability: recurrent dislocations, labral tears (Bankart, SLAP)
- Shoulder arthritis: glenohumeral osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and rotator cuff tear arthropathy
- Proximal humerus fractures: acute fractures and fracture malunions/nonunions
- Clavicle and acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries: separations, dislocations, and fractures
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome
- Elbow arthritis: osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis
- Elbow instability: ligament injuries, terrible triad injuries, and chronic instability
- Elbow fractures and dislocations: including distal humerus, olecranon, and radial head fractures
- Lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis elbow and golfer's elbow)
- Biceps and triceps tendon injuries
- Nerve compression syndromes: cubital tunnel syndrome and other upper extremity nerve entrapments
Surgical Expertise
- Shoulder arthroscopy: rotator cuff repair, labral repair, biceps tenodesis, capsular release, and subacromial decompression
- Shoulder replacement surgery: anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (conventional and cuff sparing), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and hemiarthroplasty
- Revision shoulder arthroplasty, including patient specific implants
- Fracture fixation: open reduction and internal fixation of complex shoulder and elbow fractures
- Elbow arthroscopy: debridement, loose body removal, capsular release, and osteophyte excision
- Elbow replacement surgery, total elbow arthroplasty
- Ligament reconstruction ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction and lateral ligament repair
- Tendon repair and reconstruction, rotator cuff, biceps, and triceps
Clinical Approach
Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan developed through shared decision-making. Nonoperative management including physical therapy, activity modification, injections, and anti-inflammatory strategies is always considered as a first-line approach when appropriate. When surgery is indicated, we utilize the latest evidence-based techniques and technologies to optimize outcomes and recovery.
Specialized Population
- Overhead and throwing athletes with shoulder and elbow injuries
- Active adults with degenerative conditions of the shoulder and elbow
- Patients requiring complex revision surgery or reconstruction after prior failed procedures
- Patients with fracture complications including malunion, nonunion, and post-traumatic deformity
Selected Publications
Brandon Fisher, MD ∙ Matthew Astolfi, MD ∙ Justin DesLaurier, MD ∙ Karen Childers, MS ∙ James Y.J. Lee, MD ∙ Marisa Samani, BA ∙ Madeleine DeClercq, BS ∙ J. Michael Wiater, MD: Polyethylene wear: an under-reported cause of failed shoulder arthroplasty. JSES International July 2025.Monir JG, Astolfi MM, Sholder D, Kocovic N, Horneff JG 3rd, Abboud JA, Schoch BS.: Early revision rotator cuff repair: an analysis of outcomes and function. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 33(2): 321-326. Feb 2023.
Hill BW, Singh AM, Astolfi M, Horneff JG, Schoch BS, Abboud JA.: Outcomes of rotator cuff repair with concurrent microfracture of focal glenohumeral osteoarthritis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 30(7S): S66-S70, July 2021.
Morrissey PB, Murphy H, Astolfi MM, Sandhu H, Vaccaro AR.: Surgical Decision Making for Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries in Polytrauma Patients. Instr Course Lect 67: 353-368, Feb 2018.
Astolfi MM, Millhouse P, Murphy H, Schroeder G, Vaccaro AR: Thoracolumbar Fracture Classifications: Pros and Cons of the TLICS and AOSpine Classification Systems. Contemporary Spine Surgery 17(1): 1-8, January 2018.
Bishop M, Astolfi M, Padegimas E, DeLuca P, Hammoud S.: Venous Thromboembolism Within Professional American Sport Leagues. Orthop J Sports Med 5(12): doi: 10.1177/2325967117745530. Dec 2017.
Schroeder GD, Astolfi MM, Hollern DA, Vaccaro AR: Understanding the Business Challenges for a Spine Practice in the Changing Healthcare Environment. Contemporary Spine Surgery 17(7): 1-5, July 2016.
Astolfi MM, Struminger AH, Royer TD, Kaminski TW, Swanik CB.: Adaptations of the Shoulder to Overhead Throwing in Youth Athletes. J Athl Train 50(7): 726-732, July 2015.
Astolfi M, McGuire K, Kaminski TW.: The effectiveness of autologous conditioned serum in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. J Sport Rehabil 23(4): 365-369, Nov 2014.