Dr. Kenneth Kearns is a Board Certified, Fellowship trained Shoulder & Elbow Orthopaedic Surgeon who specializes in arthroscopic surgical procedures, joint replacements, minimally invasive procedures, as well as upper extremity fracture care from the clavicle (collar bone) to the elbow.
Born and raised in Ohio, Dr. Kearns had a taste of the northeast during his orthopaedic training. After a few years in private practice in New York, Dr. Kearns returned to Philadelphia and joined the elite upper extremity physicians of Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center in April 2016. “I ventured to New York City after having completed my Orthopaedic Residency and Shoulder & Elbow Fellowship training in Philadelphia, but NYC never felt like home. My wife and I missed Philadelphia, and could not be happier to return and raise our family here.”
Practice Philosophy
Dr. Kearns takes great pride in his bedside manner and ability to listen. “My mentors taught me that 90% of the diagnosis comes from listening to the patient. I strive to treat each patient as an individual and take the necessary time to fully understand the problem in order to implement my expertise and provide the best care possible.”Dr. Kearns’ focused and personal approach to medicine is appreciated by his patients and the physicians who consistently refer their patients to him for his treatment style and surgical expertise.
Medical Training and Education
Dr. Kearns completed his undergraduate studies at Colby College in Maine and then returned home to attend The University of Toledo School of Medicine.
After medical school, Dr. Kearns entered the Orthopaedic Residency Program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. While a resident, Dr. Kearns was not only recognized as a superb surgeon, but as a cutting edge research physician as well. During this time, he received recognition and awards by both the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation and the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society. He also was the recipient of the Jerome M. Cotler, MD & Philip J. Marone, MD Award, which is granted to one resident each year for demonstrating outstanding excellence in leadership.
Lastly, Dr. Kearns fine tuned his skills at the internationally renowned Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/Rothman Institute Shoulder & Elbow Orthopaedic Fellowship Program.
Academic Interests and Accomplishments
Dr. Kearns continues to focus on advancing the treatment of Shoulder & Elbow injuries and ailments. As an award winning researcher, Dr. Kearns has been published in numerous specialty medical journals on topics specifically related to rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability and shoulder replacement. Dr. Kearns is regularly invited to present at specialty academic meetings and conferences throughout the country including: the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons Open Meeting, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons National Meeting, the Eastern Orthopaedics Association and the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society Meeting. Dr. Kearns is also a reviewer for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
Dr. Kearns has been an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons since 2012.
Personal Interests
Dr. Kearns’ interest in orthopaedic surgery stems from his years as an athlete. Dr. Kearns played collegiate hockey at Colby College and continues to play today. “Having played at a high level, I get it. I understand the mental perspective of athletes; I understand what it means to suffer an injury that takes you away from your passion. My personal experience as a hockey player plays a key role in my treatment style, especially when my patients express their concerns about returning to their sports, their hobbies or even their jobs. I am not looking to just get a patient back into their daily life “status quo”, I am looking to get them physically and mentally prepared and healed.”