Dr. Michael D. Charles, MD

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Get to know Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Michael D. Charles, who serves patients in California.

Dr. Charles is an experienced, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow, and sports medicine surgery. He works at University Orthopaedic Associates in Clovis, California. There, he offers compassionate and personalized care for all of his patients in hopes of returning them to their sports, hobbies, and lifestyles.

University Orthopaedic Associates, a part of Central California Faculty Medical Group, is an office dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. When surgery is the best option for patients, the board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons on staff are able to use the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide the best outcomes.

Professionally, Dr. Charles also serves as a Clinical Instructor within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Director of Upper Extremity Education at UCSF Fresno in California. An educator at heart, he believes the best results come from informed patients. 

Previously, he taught at many locations, including Keck Medical School as a Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group Mentor and at St. Lucy’s Priory High School as a Science Teacher.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Charles earned his medical degree from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in 2009. His residency in orthopaedic surgery was completed at Keck Medical Center of USC, where he served as Administrative Chief Resident and received the Herman-Epstein Award for teaching and leadership. His fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery was finished at Rush University Medical Center and included team coverage for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire, Chicago Steel, and DePaul University.

The doctor’s medical expertise includes treatments related to all pathology related to the shoulder and elbow in primary and revision cases, including shoulder arthroplasty (anatomic and reverse), open and advanced arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair (including superior capsular reconstruction), shoulder instability, biceps and labral pathology, elbow arthroscopy, and tendon repairs/transfers involving the shoulder girdle and elbow. He is trained in addressing scapular pain and dyskinesia, upper extremity trauma, and post-traumatic conditions. He also has extensive training with handling athletes of all levels, especially overhead and throwing athletes with experience with the latest UCL repair/reconstruction techniques (Tommy John surgery) and latissimus repairs.

A member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Dr. Charles is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopaedic residents and surgeons, as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopaedic surgeons. 

Orthopaedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders. They work in clinical and hospital settings.

On a more personal note, Dr. Charles’ hobbies include playing soccer and other sports, as well as spending time with family and friends.

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