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  5. Nathan Olafsen, MD
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Nathan Olafsen, MD

Nathan P. Olafsen, MD

Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Program Director, Washington University PM&R Residency Program

Medical Director, Orthopedic Clinic, Center for Advanced Medicine South County

Co-Director, Medical Student Education

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(314) 514-3500

Dr. Olafsen specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in tendon and joint disorders, sports-related injuries in runners and other endurance athletes as well as adaptive, overhead, and younger athletes. Dr. Olafsen also has a strong interest and involvement in the medical education for fellows, residents, and medical students.

Common Diagnoses Treated

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Lumbar herniated disc
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Radiculopathy (sciatica)
  • Stress fractures
  • Tendon and ligament injuries

Common Procedures

Clinical Office Locations

Hospital Affiliations

  • Barnes-Jewish Hospital
  • Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Academic Office Mailing Address

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    Campus Box 8233

    660 Euclid Avenue

    Saint Louis, MO 63110

  • Olafsen, NP, Harrast, MA and Baggish A. Optimal Running Dose. Current Sports Medicine Reports. Manuscript in progress.
  • Herring, SA and Olafsen, NP. Pain Management in Sports: Therapeutic Injections. Sports Neurology Handbook in Clinical Neurology. Manuscript in progress.
  • Olafsen, NP and Harrast, MA. Shoulder Pain on the Pacific Crest Trail. Case poster presentation at 2017 American Medicine Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
  • Liem, BC and Olafsen, NP. Pectoralis Major Injuries: Evaluation and Management. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports: Sports Medicine Rehabilitation. Manuscript in progress.
  • Olafsen, NP and Harrast, MA. So I have a stress fracture, now what? Seattle Marathon UW Medicine Articles and Running Tips. September 2016. 
  • Gellhorn AC, Suri PS, Rundell S, Olafsen N, Carlson MJ, Johnson S, Fry A, Anaswammy T, Gilligan C, Comstock B, Heagerty P, Friedly J, Jarvik J. Lumbar muscle characteristics predict clinical outcomes in adults with spinal stenosis: a longitudinal study. Accepted to PM&R, September 2016.
  • Liem, BC, Olafsen NP, Harrast MA, Herring SA. Final Comment: Return to Play Decision Making: Does Level of Competition Make a Difference? PM&R; 2016, 2, S139-143.
  • Olafsen N, Murdock F, Worsowicz GM. The Impact of Body Mass Index on Achievement of Functional Changes During Inpatient Rehabilitation for Lower Limb Amputees PM&R; 2010, 2 (9S), 153S.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Olafsen specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in tendon and joint disorders, sports-related injures in runners and other endurance athletes as well as adaptive, overhead, and younger athletes. Dr. Olafsen also has a strong interest and involvement in the medical education for fellows, residents, and medical students.

Background

Dr. Olafsen earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and followed with a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from the University of Washington. He is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine also from the University of Washington, and has a strong interest in medical coverage for sports teams. Dr. Olafsen specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in tendon and joint disorders, sports-related injures in runners and other endurance athletes as well as adaptive, overhead, and younger athletes. Dr. Olafsen also has a strong interest and involvement in the medical education for fellows, residents, and medical students.

Board Certifications

  • Board Certified, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Board Certified, Sports Medicine

Medical Degree

  • University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO

Residency

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Fellowship

  • Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Sports Team Coverage

  • 2017, Event Physician, The Mat Classic XXIX Washington State Wrestling Championships
  • 2016-2017, Head Team Physician, Ballard High School Football Team
  • 2016, Physician Captain, Seattle Marathon, 10K, and Kids Marathon
  • 2016, Event Physician, Slam On The Sound Quad Rugby Tournament
  • 2015-2017, Physician Captain, Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
  • 2015-2016, Event Physician, Seattle Jam Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
  • 2015, Event Physician, Seattle Marathon 10K and Kids Marathon
  • 2015, Event Physician, Hoops for Hope: Jim Marsh Classic
  • 2015, Volunteer, Seattle Paralympic Sports Day
  • 2015, Adaptive Sports Volunteer, Spinal Cord Injury Wellness Summit
  • 2014, Event Physician, Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
  • 2013-2016, Volunteer Physician, University of Washington Husky Crew Physicals
  • 2013-2015, Sideline Physician, Ballard High School Football Team
  • 2011, Event Physician, University of Missouri Wheelchair Basketball Camp
  • 2007, Member, Operation Walk-Peru: medical mission providing free orthopedic procedures

Professional Memberships

  • American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
  • North American Spine Society
  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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