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Get Back to the Sport You Love NJ's Top Sports Medicine Doctor

Dr. Michael Shindle is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist. He has treated professional athletes at the NHL, NFL, and international levels for over a decade. Whether you need ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, or a non-surgical option like PRP therapy, you get the same standard of care trusted by elite sports organizations.

  • Recognized by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
  • Treating athletes and active adults across New Jersey since 2011
  • Published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and AJSM
  • Uses arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques
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Same-day requests On-site imaging Specialist care Multiple treatment options
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Why Choosing the Right Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon Matters

Sports medicine and orthopedic care require more than technical skill. They require a specialist who understands how the body performs under pressure, how injuries occur, and what it takes to fully recover. A doctor with that breadth of clinical exposure makes better decisions at every stage of your care.

Dr. Michael K. Shindle, M.D.
Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist

Dr. Shindle is one of the most experienced orthopedic and sports medicine surgeons practicing in New Jersey today. Over the past decade, he has served as team physician for the NJ Devils, NY Giants, and USA Hockey, bringing that same level of care to every patient he sees at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Credentials & Experience

  • Fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopy
  • Active member of the AOSSM and AAOS
  • Over a decade as a team physician at the NHL and NFL
  • Medical Advisory Board for Black Bear Sports Group
  • Alpha Omega Medical Honor Society
  • 100+ presentations at national and international conferences
  • Published researcher in orthopedic and sports medicine journals

Trusted by Pro Athletes and Sports Organizations

Team Physician
NJ Devils (NHL)
Consultant
NY Giants (NFL)
Team Physician
USA Hockey
Team Physician
US Men's Soccer

Dr. Shindle has served as team physician and orthopedic consultant to elite professional and national-level sports organizations across hockey, football, and soccer. That experience — operating on athletes whose careers depend on a full return to performance — is the same standard of care every patient receives at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Ready to Get Back to Full Strength?

Consult with Dr. Michael Shindle

One of New Jersey’s most accomplished orthopedic and sports medicine surgeons, now seeing patients across four locations.

Linden

1444 E. Saint Georges Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036

Bayonne

16 East 29th Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Clifton

925 Clifton Ave, Suite 203, Clifton, NJ 07013

West Orange

769 Northfield Ave, Suite LL8, West Orange, NJ 07052

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Call (855)-321-6784

Dr. Michael Shindle Treats Every Major Joint

Every joint in your body has a role. When pain or injury gets in the way, even the simplest movements become a challenge. Dr. Shindle at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine evaluates each condition carefully and recommends the right course of action based on what your body needs.

 
Knee

The knee is the most frequently injured joint in sports. Dr. Shindle has managed complex knee cases at the highest levels of professional competition, including the NHL, NFL, and international athletics, and applies that same standard of care to every patient he treats.

  • ACL tear and reconstruction
  • MCL and PCL ligament injuries
  • Meniscus tears
  • Cartilage damage and restoration
  • Knee instability and patella conditions
  • Chronic knee pain and osteoarthritis
Shoulder

A shoulder that restricts your movement will not improve without proper treatment. Dr. Shindle is a published researcher in rotator cuff repair and shoulder instability, with extensive experience treating overhead athletes from the high school level through professional competition.

  • Rotator cuff tears (partial and full thickness)
  • Shoulder instability and dislocation
  • Labral and SLAP tears
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome
  • AC joint conditions and biceps tendon tears
  • Chronic shoulder pain and tendinitis
Hip

Hip injuries in athletes are among the most frequently misdiagnosed conditions in sports medicine. Dr. Shindle has specialized clinical expertise in FAI, labral tears, and athletic hip injuries. Many of his patients come to him after receiving an incomplete diagnosis or inadequate treatment elsewhere.

  • Hip labral tears
  • Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
  • Hip flexor and iliopsoas conditions
  • Gluteus medius tendon tears
  • Traumatic hip dislocation
  • Hip fractures and stress fractures
Foot and Ankle

Every step, sprint, and landing places full load on the foot and ankle. Dr. Shindle has published clinical research in this area and brings both surgical and regenerative expertise to conditions that are routinely undertreated at other practices.

  • Achilles tendon rupture and repair
  • Chronic Achilles tendinopathy
  • Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
  • Chronic ankle instability
  • Stress fractures
  • Peroneal tendon conditions
Elbow

Throwing athletes, racket sport players, and overhead workers place a level of stress on the elbow that most general orthopedic surgeons rarely encounter. Dr. Shindle identifies the exact structure involved before any treatment decision is made.

  • UCL injuries in throwing athletes
  • Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
  • Elbow fractures
  • Biceps tendon tears
  • Elbow arthritis and joint degeneration
  • Sternoclavicular joint conditions
Muscle and Tendon Injuries

Muscle tears and tendon ruptures are among the most painful and performance-limiting injuries in sport. Dr. Shindle treats the full range of soft tissue injuries at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, from partial muscle tears that respond to conservative care to complete ruptures that require surgical repair.

  • Quadriceps and hamstring tears
  • Calf and gastrocnemius injuries
  • Pectoralis major muscle tears
  • Biceps and triceps tendon ruptures
  • Hip flexor and adductor strains
  • Achilles and patellar tendon tears
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Non-Surgical and Regenerative Treatments

Surgery is not always the most appropriate path. Dr. Shindle evaluates the full range of regenerative options at every consultation before any surgical recommendation is made.

 
PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy treats tendon injuries, ligament sprains, and chronic joint pain that has not responded to rest or physical therapy. A concentrated sample of your own blood is processed and injected directly into the affected area. No foreign substances, no surgery, and no general anesthesia required.

 
Viscosupplementation

It restores the natural cushioning fluid within the knee joint for patients managing pain from cartilage wear or early osteoarthritis. A short course of hyaluronic acid injections reduces pain and improves range of motion without the need for surgery.

 
Fracture Care

Sports fractures range from stress fractures that develop gradually to acute breaks from direct impact. Dr. Shindle manages both surgical and non-surgical fracture care with a focus on stabilizing the injury and returning you to full activity as efficiently as possible.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy uses your body’s own regenerative cells to repair cartilage damage, significant tendon injuries, and early-stage osteoarthritis at the source. It is among the most advanced non-surgical treatment options available for patients who want to avoid going under the knife.

 
 
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Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments

Dr. Shindle performs all surgical procedures arthroscopically where possible. The approach is less invasive, recovery is faster, and the focus is on one thing — returning you to full function.

 
ACL and Ligament Reconstruction

A torn ACL will not heal on its own. Dr. Shindle reconstructs the ligament arthroscopically using a graft matched to your anatomy and activity level. Most patients are back to full sport within 9 to 12 months.

Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator cuff tears enlarge when left untreated. Dr. Shindle repairs the tendon arthroscopically and addresses related structural issues such as bone spurs within the same procedure.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Labral tears, instability, and impingement can all be corrected through small incisions in a single outpatient procedure. Most patients are discharged the same day and experience a faster recovery than open surgery allows.

Cartilage Restoration

Stem cell therapy uses your body’s own regenerative cells to repair cartilage damage, significant tendon injuries, and early-stage osteoarthritis at the source. It is among the most advanced non-surgical treatment options available for patients who want to avoid going under the knife.

Achilles Tendon Repair

Active patients who sustain an Achilles rupture achieve better outcomes and return to full activity faster with surgical repair. Dr. Shindle repairs the tendon and structures your rehabilitation around a defined return to sport timeline from the very first day.

Hip Arthroscopy

FAI and labral tears rarely resolve on their own and worsen over time. Dr. Shindle addresses impingement, repairs labral tears, and restores normal joint mechanics through small incisions. Left untreated, they accelerate joint damage and lead to early arthritis.

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From Competitive Athletes to Active Adults

Dr. Shindle treats a broad spectrum of patients at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. From competitive athletes recovering from sports injuries to active adults managing chronic joint conditions that have gone unresolved for too long.

Athletes

Dr. Shindle has served as team physician for the NJ Devils, NY Giants, and USA Hockey. He understands the physical demands of competitive sport and what a true return to performance requires. Not simply the absence of pain but full functional recovery.

  • Torn ACL or ligament requiring reconstruction
  • Rotator cuff or labral tear from throwing or overhead sports
  • Fracture requiring surgery and a structured return to competition
  • Cartilage damage or knee instability affecting athletic performance
  • A prior sports injury that was treated but never fully resolved
Active Adults

Persistent knee pain, a shoulder that limits your range of motion, or a joint condition that did not improve with physical therapy. These are cases Dr. Shindle manages every day at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. You get a direct clinical assessment and a treatment approach built around your life and what you want to get back to.

  • Knee pain from a torn meniscus, cartilage wear, or arthritis
  • Shoulder pain that restricts overhead movement
  • Shoulder pain that restricts overhead movement
  • A joint condition that did not respond to conservative treatment
  • A second opinion on an existing diagnosis or proposed treatment
Book an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, a referral is not required. Contact our team at (855)-321-6784, and we will confirm the requirements based on your specific insurance plan.

Most active patients return to full sport within 9 to 12 months following ACL reconstruction. Recovery varies based on the severity of the injury, the graft used, and how consistently the rehabilitation protocol is followed.

PRP therapy uses a concentrated sample of your own blood to deliver growth factors directly to the injury site. It works well for tendon injuries, ligament sprains, and chronic joint pain that has not responded to rest or physical therapy. Dr. Shindle will determine at your consultation whether PRP is appropriate for your condition.

Appointments are typically available within 1-3 business days. Call us at (855)-321-6784 and our team will find the earliest available slot across all four New Jersey locations.

Bring any existing imaging, such as MRI, X-ray, or CT scans, along with a summary of previous treatments you have tried. If you have a referral from your primary care doctor, bring that too. The more context Dr. Shindle has at the first visit, the more focused and productive your consultation will be.

Understanding Your Injury: What Your Body Is Telling You

Most patients who end up in an orthopedic surgeon’s office didn’t arrive at that conversation overnight. The path usually starts with a small ache after a workout, a knee that catches when you stand up, or a shoulder that no longer reaches overhead the way it used to. Joint and soft-tissue injuries rarely announce themselves clearly at first — they evolve over weeks or months, and patients often cycle through home care, urgent care visits, and physical therapy before anyone uses the words “tear,” “cartilage damage,” or “arthritis.” Dr. Michael Shindle treats these conditions every day, and the resources below are organized to help you understand what your body may be telling you before your first consultation.

Jump to a Section:

  1. Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff

    Diagnose shoulder injuries, understand rotator cuff surgery options, and find specialists across New Jersey.

  2. Shoulder Labrum & SLAP Tears

    Recognize labrum and SLAP tear symptoms and learn where treatment is available in Clifton, Bayonne, and across NJ.

  3. ACL Tears & Reconstruction

    Tell a tear from a sprain, compare ACL graft options, and plan a realistic recovery timeline.

  4. Meniscus, Cartilage & Knee Repair

    Understand meniscus tears, explore cartilage repair options including MACI, and learn where surgery is performed in NJ.

  5. Knee Pain, Arthritis & Surgery

    Spot early osteoarthritis, decide if knee replacement is right for you, and learn what arthroscopy recovery looks like.

  6. Hip Conditions & Complex Cases

    Find answers about hip clicking, hip labrum repair, knee locking, and tibial plateau fractures.

This section is designed to help you understand what is actually happening inside the shoulder — what your symptoms most likely mean, why pain develops the way it does, and which specific shoulder diagnoses most commonly lead to a conversation about surgical repair. The more precisely you can describe your history and your symptoms, the more productive your consultation with Dr. Shindle will be.

When a Partial Cuff Tear Becomes a Surgical Problem

Almost every adult develops some wear and tear in the rotator cuff with age, and the vast majority of mild irritation resolves with rest, physical therapy, and time. But there is a meaningful difference between a sore shoulder and a structural rotator cuff tear that no longer heals on its own. One of the most useful things a patient can do early in the process is learn when shoulder pain has crossed from ordinary to something that warrants a specialist’s evaluation. Whether a partial cuff tear requires surgery covers the specific findings on MRI, the symptoms that indicate progression, and the clinical signs that move a patient from conservative care to surgical consultation. Read more about partial cuff tear surgery.

Choosing a Rotator Cuff Surgeon in NJ

Rotator cuff surgery is one of the most common procedures Dr. Shindle performs, and outcomes are directly tied to surgical experience, technique, and the precision of the repair. Patients searching for a rotator cuff specialist in Linden, Bayonne, Clifton, or West Orange want to know how to evaluate qualifications, what questions to ask, and what makes a good surgical candidate. Learn how to choose the best rotator cuff surgeon in Linden.

Frozen Shoulder: Treatment Without Surgery

Frozen shoulder — also called adhesive capsulitis — is a distinct condition in which the shoulder joint capsule thickens and stiffens, restricting motion over months. Most cases respond to a structured non-operative protocol, but recognizing the pattern early is what makes recovery faster. Understand how frozen shoulder is treated.

Non-Surgical Options for Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis does not always lead to joint replacement. Many active adults manage their symptoms successfully with the right combination of activity modification, injections, regenerative therapies, and conditioning. Read about non-surgical shoulder arthritis treatment.

Shoulder Labrum & SLAP Tears: How to Recognize Them and Where to Get Treatment

Labrum injuries do not always present as obvious tears the way a cuff injury might. Patients often describe a deep, vague discomfort — sometimes a catching or clicking sensation with overhead motion, sometimes a sense that the shoulder is no longer stable. Because the labrum sits deep inside the joint and is harder to assess on physical exam alone, accurate diagnosis depends on combining a careful history with imaging and, in some cases, diagnostic arthroscopy. This section covers what labrum and SLAP tears actually feel like, how shoulder instability is treated, and where surgical care is available across New Jersey.

What a Torn Shoulder Labrum Actually Feels Like

The labrum is a ring of fibrous cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket and stabilizes the joint. When it tears, symptoms vary depending on which portion is damaged and whether the tear creates true instability. Read more about the symptoms of a torn shoulder labrum.

Shoulder Instability Treatment in Clifton

Recurrent shoulder dislocations or a sense that the shoulder repeatedly “slips” out of place is not something to manage with rest alone — ongoing instability damages cartilage and bone over time. Learn how shoulder instability is treated in Clifton.

SLAP Tear Surgery in Bayonne

SLAP tears — injuries to the superior labrum from anterior to posterior — are common in throwing athletes and patients with overhead activity demands. Read about SLAP tear surgery in Bayonne.

Repairing a Torn Biceps Tendon

The biceps tendon attaches into the upper labrum and is frequently involved in shoulder injuries. Whether the tear is partial or complete, and whether it involves the long head or distal tendon, changes the treatment approach significantly. Understand how a torn biceps tendon is fixed.

ACL Tears & Reconstruction: What Qualifies You for Surgery

The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament in athletic and active adults, and a torn ACL almost always changes a patient’s life in the short term. The question of whether surgery is needed, which graft is appropriate, and how long recovery will realistically take depends on activity goals, age, and the specifics of the injury. This section walks through how to tell a true tear from a severe sprain, how to choose between graft options, what a typical recovery timeline looks like, and how to evaluate ACL specialists in New Jersey.

Which ACL Graft Is Right for You

There is no single “best” ACL graft — the right choice depends on age, activity level, and what kind of sport or work the patient plans to return to. Patellar tendon, hamstring, quadriceps, and allograft each have different healing profiles and trade-offs. Compare ACL reconstruction graft options.

Tear or Sprain? How to Tell the Difference

Not every acute knee injury with swelling and a “pop” is a torn ACL, and not every sprain is harmless. Accurate distinction matters because true tears almost always require structured evaluation, while many sprains heal completely with conservative care. Learn how to tell a torn ACL from a sprain.

How Long ACL Recovery Actually Takes

The timeline patients see online ranges from “back in three months” to “minimum nine months before sport” — both are true depending on what activity is being returned to. Understand the realistic ACL recovery timeline.

Choosing an ACL Reconstruction Specialist in Clifton

ACL outcomes are tightly correlated with surgical volume and the quality of post-operative rehabilitation. Patients seeking ACL reconstruction in Clifton benefit from knowing what to evaluate when choosing a specialist. Read about choosing the best ACL reconstruction specialist in Clifton.

Meniscus, Cartilage & Knee Repair: What Happens Inside the Joint

Cartilage and meniscus injuries are among the most common reasons active adults end up in a sports medicine office. Some tears heal with rest and physical therapy; others — particularly those in poorly vascularized regions of the meniscus or full-thickness cartilage defects — will not heal on their own and require surgical intervention. The encouraging news is that modern cartilage repair has expanded what is possible, including advanced biologic options like MACI that did not exist a generation ago. This section explains what is actually happening inside the joint and what treatments are available in NJ.

Can a Torn Meniscus Heal on Its Own?

The answer depends on where the tear is located. The outer third of the meniscus has a blood supply and can sometimes heal with rest. The inner two-thirds usually do not. Read about meniscus healing.

Repairing Damaged Knee Cartilage

Cartilage damage ranges from small focal defects that can be smoothed and stabilized to full-thickness lesions that require regenerative procedures. Learn how damaged knee cartilage is repaired.

Does MACI Cartilage Surgery Actually Work?

MACI — matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation — uses a patient’s own cartilage cells to regrow tissue in defects that were previously considered untreatable. Understand how MACI cartilage surgery works.

Where to Get Knee Cartilage Repair in NJ

Cartilage repair is not offered at every orthopedic practice. Patients in New Jersey searching for advanced cartilage procedures need to know which centers are equipped to perform them. Read about knee cartilage repair in NJ.

Knee Pain, Arthritis & Surgery: Knowing When to Act

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons patients eventually seek orthopedic evaluation, and the underlying cause varies widely — tendon overuse, early arthritis, mechanical impingement, or structural damage that has progressed slowly over years. Knowing which pattern you are dealing with is the first step in deciding whether conservative care, an arthroscopic procedure, or a more definitive intervention like joint replacement is appropriate. This section covers the most common knee questions Dr. Shindle hears in consultation.

Treating Patellar Tendonitis Without Surgery

Patellar tendonitis — “jumper’s knee” — almost always responds to a structured non-surgical protocol when it is identified and managed early. Learn how patellar tendonitis is treated without surgery.

Is Your Knee Pain Early Osteoarthritis?

Early osteoarthritis often presents as morning stiffness, a deep ache after activity, and occasional swelling — symptoms patients often dismiss as “getting older.” Recognizing the pattern matters because early intervention slows progression. Read about early osteoarthritis knee pain.

Am I Too Young for Knee Replacement?

Knee replacement was once a procedure reserved for patients in their late sixties and beyond. That has changed significantly with newer implants and longer projected durability. Learn when knee replacement is appropriate for younger patients.

What Knee Arthroscopy Recovery Is Really Like

Arthroscopy is one of the most common orthopedic procedures and one of the most variable in terms of recovery, depending on what was done inside the joint. Understand what knee arthroscopy recovery involves.

Hip Conditions & Complex Cases

Hip pain, knee mechanical symptoms, and fractures around the knee joint all require their own diagnostic approach — symptoms that seem similar on the surface can come from very different anatomical problems. This section covers the most common questions Dr. Shindle receives about hip labrum tears, locking knees, tibial plateau fractures, and the clicking that many patients notice during walking.

Hip Labrum Repair in Clifton

The hip labrum stabilizes the hip joint and is commonly injured in active adults, runners, and patients with subtle anatomical variations. Read about hip labrum repair in Clifton.

How Tibial Plateau Fractures Are Treated

Tibial plateau fractures are serious injuries to the upper portion of the shinbone where it forms the knee joint, and their treatment depends heavily on the displacement and joint surface involvement. Learn how tibial plateau fractures are treated.

Why Does My Knee Lock When I Bend It?

A knee that locks — that physically gets stuck mid-motion — is a mechanical symptom that almost always points to something specific inside the joint. Understand why your knee locks when bending.

Why Does My Hip Click When I Walk?

Hip clicking is common, and not every click signals a problem — but persistent clicking, especially when accompanied by pain or catching, can indicate a labral tear or other intra-articular issue. Read about hip clicking when walking.