Brian Feeley

MD

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

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."

  • Education

    Stanford School of Medicine, 2001

  • Residencies

    UCLA Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2007

  • Fellowships

    Hospital for Special Surgery, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, 2008

  • Board Certifications

    Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

    Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

  • Academic Title

    Professor

My goal is to provide the best care and find the optimal strategy for each patient through evidence-based medicine and a personalized approach.

Conditions I specialize in

Treatments I provide

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    271 Ratings
    About our process
    Apr 02, 2022
    Did not support stem cell theraphy for knees;
    Apr 02, 2022
    The consult with Dr. Feeley was outstanding. The provider was thorough listened intently gave detailed and totally honest answers to all my questions and offered many options for future care
    Mar 22, 2022
    Truly outstanding
    Mar 16, 2022
    He did not discuss the swelling of my leg and recommend a follow-up exam.
    Mar 10, 2022
    Good
    Jan 04, 2022
    Dr. Feeley listened intently provided medical opinions clearly took time to answer my questions and made unexpected but valuable recommendations. I saw him to get a second opinion on my rotator cuffs condition as another surgeon from a different organization/group was not as clear and left me with the impression than he would proceed with surgery. I particularly appreciate Dr. Feeley's opinion that an operation at this time may not provide a significant result.
    Oct 21, 2021
    I will never go there again!
    Oct 20, 2021
    Incredibly clear and concise explanations.
    Sep 14, 2021
    Dr. Feeley and his resident were exceptionally attentive listened well and had informed analysis of the problem and likely outcomes. They were extremely courteous and helpful and answered all questions directly.
    Aug 20, 2021
    He listened pretty well but sort of breezed past my questions and concerns.
    Jun 25, 2021
    Dr. Feeley is the best! He's also very well respected by the Sports Orthopaedic community and I immediately saw why!!
    Apr 15, 2021
    Real expertise. I feel very confident in the process and the decisions.
    Apr 15, 2021
    Dr. Feeley is an exceptional physician. His surgical expertise has provided me with the ability to use my right arm/shoulder once again. I am forever grateful.
    Mar 18, 2021
    This is exactly what makes Dr. Feely great at what he does he talks with you not at you. He includes you in your plan of care. He's an excellent surgeon at the top of his field but he never makes you feel ridiculous for asking questions.
    Mar 11, 2021
    good
    Mar 09, 2021
    The best
    Feb 28, 2021
    I was given a list of physical therapy clinics but the list did not state which clinics accepted Medi-Cal. I had to call all of them myself. Real time waster. The provider was a good guy overall but had a pretty intense personality. A little too intense for me I guess.
    Feb 18, 2021
    Only issue: I need to know whether Dr Feeley wants my primary care physician to order my cervical spine MRI with or without contrast. I am now trying to track down this information. I left a voice mail message for Dr Feeley's assistant; I hope to hear back soon.
    Feb 11, 2021
    Dr Feeley and his assistants were friendly but more importantly they listened to my description of the problem asked helpful and smart questions described in understandable terms what the problem is likely to be and were very good-humored which is always helpful.
    Feb 10, 2021
    My care from Dr. Feeley has been excellent and his recommendation for a PT is good as well. They work together as a team - care for me has been excellent.
    Feb 02, 2021
    Dr. Feeley has been wonderful and his staff has been great.
    Jan 21, 2021
    Dr Feeley was kind funny and did an incredible job on my knee
    Nov 05, 2020
    I very much appreciated getting a thumb-drive with a copy of the initial MRI and seeing shots from the surgery -- that was very educational and supportive of proprioception during pt. I would like to get a copy of the surgery photos copied to the thumbdrive when I come in for pt! The visualization of the injury and the procedure enabled by the photos and the surgeon explaining and answering questions gives the patient a sense of control and confidence. You can feel the relief and strength in your body while you are in the examination room. Rapid turn-around for appointments is also a big stress-reliever for patients. The email reminders were also great precisely because they repeated instructions/information in the same words you'd heard earlier which helps you remember and focus. Showing us the MRI and arthroscopic images along with the anatomical model is very instructive empowering and calming.
    Oct 13, 2020
    redundant
    Oct 05, 2020
    Dr. FEELEY is great. My issue is that I was supposed to get a call last week about physical therapy and I am still waiting for that call. I've also been on hold twice for nearly an hour to different times.
    Sep 01, 2020
    as I said Dr. Feeley was one of the best MDs I have seen. he took time was sincerely interested thoughtful warm. smart respectful collaborative and helpful. would recommend him without reservation.
    Sep 01, 2020
    condescending and aloof and rushed
    Aug 13, 2020
    I did go to the provider for a second opinion to evaluate if a shoulder replacement is necessary. Answers to my questions about the procedure were detailed and understandable.
    Jul 19, 2020
    A+
    Jul 16, 2020
    I'm concerned about systemic issues concerning my joints and connective tissues and therefore requested imaging of proximal areas (more than x-rays). The provider was reluctant to discuss or order images outside of their area of specialty the shoulder.
    Jul 06, 2020
    I repeated the same info to Dr. Feeley that I gave to his resident but I assume that's because he wanted to hear it also from me. The suggestion that I would have is for Dr. Feeley and his team to provide more info when the appointment is over and to direct me to the exit. I had no clue and had to ask them twice (1st - are we done with the meeting 2nd - where do I go to exit)? Also the care coordinator followed up with me quickly which is good but there is a disconnect because she wanted to schedule surgery but in my chat with Dr. Feeley I said I want him to see the MRI first and then discuss next steps.
    Jun 14, 2020
    I informed Dr. Feeley that I am moving to [location redacted] and since I need follow up checkups on my shoulder he told me to contact his office in a year and they will refer me to someone in my area. That's going above and beyond the call of duty and I really appreciate that.
    May 24, 2020
    No discussion about meds or follow up care as the video conference was the first contact and decisions about treatment/surgery

    Selected research

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    Meet Dr. Feeley

    Watch the video

    Lean how he treats athletic injuries of the shoulder and knee with arthroscopic (minimally invasive) procedures.

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