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Health University of Utah, Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Idaho, Wyoming, Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Utah // About Us // Our Team // Robert Z. Tashjian, MD

Robert Z. Tashjian, MDOrthopaedic Surgeon

Robert Z. Tashjian, MD

Dr. Robert Tashjian is a Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery. Dr. Tashjian received his medical doctorate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA. He completed an orthopaedic residency at Brown Medical School in Providence, RI followed by an orthopaedic trauma fellowship at Brown under the direction of Peter G. Trafton, MD. Dr. Tashjian completed an additional fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at Washington University in St. Louis under the direction of Ken Yamaguchi, MD.

Dr. Tashjian's primary clinical focus centers on all aspects of primary and revision shoulder and elbow surgery including labral tears, rotator cuff tears, arthritis and fractures including shoulder arthroplasty and post-reconstructive procedures. Dr. Tashjian is an Active Member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Dr. Tashjian is the editor of the textbooks The Unstable Elbow and Complex and Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty. Dr. Tashjian is currently the Vice-Chairman for Research in the Department of Orthopaedics as well as the co-director of the annual internationally recognized Advanced Shoulder Arthroplasty Meeting in Park City, Utah.

For more information please visit www.roberttashjianmd.com

Research Statement

Dr. Robert Tashjian, Professor, specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery. Dr. Tashjian received his medical doctorate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA. He completed an orthopaedic residency at Brown Medical School in Providence, RI followed by an orthopaedic trauma fellowship at Brown under the direction of Peter G. Trafton, MD. Dr. Tashjian completed an additional fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at Washington University in St. Louis under the direction of Ken Yamaguchi, MD. Dr. Tashjian’s primary research interest focuses on functional outcomes analysis of shoulder and elbow disorders including elbow arthritis and rotator cuff tears.

Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments
Orthopaedics - Professor
Board Certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Education History
Fellowship
Centre Orthopedique Santy
Orthopedic Shoulder & Elbow Surgery
Fellow
Fellowship
Barnes Jewish Hospital
Orthopedic Shoulder & Elbow Surgery
Fellow
Fellowship
Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University
Orthopedic Trauma
Fellow
Residency
Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University
General Surgery
Intern
Professional Medical
Tufts University School of Medicine
Medicine
M.D.
Undergraduate
Amherst College
Economics
B.A.
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
  1. Chalmers PN, Beck L, Stertz I, Tashjian RZ (2019). Hydrogen peroxide skin preparation reduces Cutibacterium acnes in shoulder arthroplasty: a prospective, blinded, controlled trial. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 28(8), 1554-1561.
  2. Kahn TL, Granger EK, Henninger HB, Tashjian RZ, Chalmers PN (2019). Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and resting radiographic scapular rotation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 28(8), e265-e270.
  3. Jacxsens M, Elhabian SY, Brady SE, Chalmers PN, Tashjian RZ, Henninger HB (2019). Coracoacromial morphology: a contributor to recurrent traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability? J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 28(7), 1316-1325.e1.
  4. Chalmers PN, Kahn T, Broschinsky K, Ross H, Stertz I, Nelson R, Yoo M, Tashjian RZ (2019). An analysis of costs associated with shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 28(7), 1334-1340.
  5. Chalmers PN, Boileau P, Romeo AA, Tashjian RZ (2019). Revision Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 27(12), 426-436.
  6. Chalmers PN, Granger E, Ross H, Burks RT, Tashjian RZ (2019). Preoperative Factors Associated With Subsequent Distal Clavicle Resection After Rotator Cuff Repair. Orthop J Sports Med, 7(5), 2325967119844295.
  7. Drew AJ, Tashjian RZ, Henninger HB, Bachus KN (2019). Sex and Laterality Differences in Medullary Humerus Morphology. (Epub ahead of print) Anat Rec (Hoboken).
  8. Chalmers PN, Romeo AA, Nicholson GP, Boileau P, Keener JD, Gregory JM, Salazar DH, Tashjian RZ (2020). Humeral Bone Loss in Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: the Proximal Humeral Arthroplasty Revision Osseous inSufficiency (PHAROS) Classification System. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 477(2), 432-441.
  9. Sulkar HJ, Tashjian RZ, Chalmers PN, Henninger HB (2018). Mechanical testing of scapular neck fracture fixation using a synthetic bone model. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 61, 64-69.
  10. Tashjian RZ, Granger EK, Chalmers PN (2018). Healing Rates and Functional Outcomes After Triple-Loaded Single-Row Versus Transosseous-Equivalent Double-Row Rotator Cuff Tendon Repair. Orthop J Sports Med, 6(11), 2325967118805365.
  11. Tashjian RZ, Granger E, Chalmers PN (2018). Structural glenoid grafting during primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using humeral head autograft. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 27(1), e1-e8.
  12. Tashjian RZ, Hoy RW, Helgerson JR, Guss AD, Henninger HB, Burks RT (2017). Biomechanical Comparison of Transosseous Knotless Rotator Cuff Repair Versus Transosseous Equivalent Repair: Half The Anchors With Equivalent Biomechanics? Arthroscopy, 34(1), 58-63.
  13. Jacxsens M, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ (2017). Clinical and sonographic evaluation of subpectoral biceps tenodesis with a dual suture anchor technique demonstrates improved outcomes and a low failure rate at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 138(1), 63-72.
  14. Burks RT, Tashjian RZ (2017). Should We Have a Better Definition of Pseudoparalysis in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tears? Arthroscopy, 33(12), 2281-2283.
  15. Elhassan BT, Cox RM, Shukla DR, Lee J, Murthi AM, Tashjian RZ, Abboud JA (2017). Management of Failed Rotator Cuff Repair in Young Patients. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 25(11), e261-e271.
  16. Tashjian RZ, Erickson GA, Robins RJ, Zhang Y, Burks RT, Greis PE (2017). Influence of Preoperative Musculotendinous Junction Position on Rotator Cuff Healing After Double-Row Repair. Arthroscopy, 33(6), 1159-1166.
  17. Jacxsens M, Van Tongel A, Henninger HB, Tashjian RZ, De Wilde L (2017). The three-dimensional glenohumeral subluxation index in primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 26(5), 878-887.
  18. Suter T, Kolz CW, Tashjian RZ, Henninger HB, Gerber Popp A (2017). Humeral head osteotomy in shoulder arthroplasty: a comparison between anterosuperior and inferoanterior resection techniques. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 26(2), 343-351.
  19. Tashjian RZ, Granger EK, Zhang Y (2017). Utility of prerevision tissue biopsy sample to predict revision shoulder arthroplasty culture results in at-risk patients. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 26(2), 197-203.
  20. Battistone MJ, Barker AM, Beck JP, Tashjian RZ, Cannon GW (2017). Validity evidence for two objective structured clinical examination stations to evaluate core skills of the shoulder and knee assessment. BMC Med Educ, 17(1), 13.
  21. Tashjian RZ, Hung M, Keener JD, Bowen RC, McAllister J, Chen W, Ebersole G, Granger EK, Chamberlain AM (2017). Determining the minimal clinically important difference for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder Test, and visual analog scale (VAS) measuring pain after shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 26(1), 144-148.
  22. Suter T, Henninger HB, Zhang Y, Wylie JD, Tashjian RZ (2016). Comparison of measurements of the glenopolar angle in 3D CT reconstructions of the scapula and 2D plain radiographic views. Bone Joint J, 98-B(11), 1510-1516.
  23. Tashjian RZ, Kolz CW, Suter T, Henninger HB (2016). Biomechanics of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Mesh-Augmented Single-Row Rotator Cuff Repairs. Am J Orthop, 45(7), E527-E533.
  24. Tashjian RZ, Lilly DT, Isaacson AM, Georgopoulos CE, Bettwieser SP, Burks RT, Greis PE, Presson AP, Granger EK, Zhang Y (2016). Incidence of and Risk Factors for Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism After Shoulder Arthroplasty. Am J Orthop, 45(6), E379-E385.
  25. Tashjian RZ, Granger EK, Zhang Y, Teerlink CC, Cannon-Albright LA (2016). Identification of a genetic variant associated with rotator cuff repair healing. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 25(6), 865-72.
  26. Tashjian RZ, Farnham JM, Granger EK, Teerlink CC, Cannon-Albright LA (2016). Evidence for an Environmental and Inherited Predisposition Contributing to the Risk for Global Tendinopathies or Compression Neuropathies in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tears. Orthop J Sports Med, 4(4), 2325967116642173.
  27. Wylie JD, Tashjian RZ (2016). Planning software and patient-specific instruments in shoulder arthroplasty. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 9(1), 1-9.
  28. Wylie JD, Suter T, Potter MQ, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ (2016). Mental Health Has a Stronger Association with Patient-Reported Shoulder Pain and Function Than Tear Size in Patients with Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 98(4), 251-6.
  29. Tashjian RZ, Granger EK, Farnham JM, Cannon-Albright LA, Teerlink CC (2016). Genome-wide association study for rotator cuff tears identifies two significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 25(2), 174-9.
  30. Wylie JD, Tashjian RZ (01/25/2016). Planning software and patient-specific instruments in shoulder arthroplasty. Musculoskeletal Medicine.
  31. Tashjian RZ, Wolf BR, van Riet RP, Steinmann SP (2016). The Unstable Elbow: Current Concepts in Diagnosis and Treatment. Instr Course Lect, 65, 55-82.
  32. Beckmann JT, Hung M, Bounsanga J, Wylie JD, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ (2015). Psychometric evaluation of the PROMIS Physical Function Computerized Adaptive Test in comparison to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and Simple Shoulder Test in patients with rotator cuff disease. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 24(12), 1961-7.
  33. Tashjian RZ (2015). CORR Insights(®): implant design variations in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty influence the required deltoid force and resultant joint load. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 473(12), 3940-2.
  34. Potter MQ, Wylie JD, Granger EK, Greis PE, Burks RT, Tashjian RZ (2015). One-year Patient-reported Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Do Not Correlate With Mild to Moderate Psychological Distress. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 473(11), 3501-10.
  35. Tashjian RZ (10/21/2015). No Bone? No Problem! Is bone-grafting at the time of revision to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty a reasonable option? Commentary on an article by Eric Wagner, MD, et al. "Glenoid bone-grafting in revision to a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty". J Bone Joint Surg Am, 97(20), e68.
  36. Tashjian RZ, Granger EK, Farnham JM, Cannon-Albright LA, Teerlink CC (08/05/2015). Genome-wide association study for rotator cuff tears identifies two significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms. J Shoulder Elbow Surg.
  37. Suter T, Gerber Popp A, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Tashjian RZ, Henninger HB (2015). The influence of radiographic viewing perspective and demographics on the critical shoulder angle. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 24(6), e149-58.
  38. Tashjian RZ, Burks RT, Zhang Y, Henninger HB (2015). Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a biomechanical evaluation of humeral and glenosphere hardware configuration. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 24(3), e68-77.
  39. Teerlink CC, Cannon-Albright LA, Tashjian RZ (2015). Significant association of full-thickness rotator cuff tears and estrogen-related receptor-β (ESRRB). J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 24(2), e31-5.
  40. Suter T, Gerber Popp A, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Tashjian RZ, Henninger HB (01/13/2015). The influence of radiographic viewing perspective and demographics on the critical shoulder angle. J Shoulder Elbow Surg.
  41. Abtahi AM, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ (2015). Factors Affecting Healing After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. World J Orthop, 6(2), 211-20.
  42. Potter MQ, Wylie JD, Greis PE, Burks RT, Tashjian RZ (2014). Psychological distress negatively affects self-assessment of shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff tears. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 472(12), 3926-32.
  43. Teerlink C, Cannon-Alright LA, Tashjian RZ (2014). Significant Association of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears and ESRRB (Estrogen-related Receptor Beta). J Shoulder Elbow Surg, Sep(11), Epub ahead prt.
  44. Tashjian RZ, Saltzman EG, Granger EK, Hung M (2014). Incidence of familial tendon dysfunction in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Open Access J Sports Med, 5, 137-41.
  45. Henninger HB, King FK, Tashjian RZ, Burks RT (2014). Biomechanical comparison of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty systems in soft tissue-constrained shoulders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 23(5), e108-17.
  46. Nelson RE, Battistone MJ, Ashworth WD, Barker AM, Grotzke M, Huhtala TA, Lafleur J, Tashjian RZ, Cannon GW (2014). Cost effectiveness of training rural providers to perform joint injections. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 66(4), 559-66.
  47. Abtahi AM, Granger EK, Tashjian RZ (2014). Complications after subpectoral biceps tenodesis using a dual suture anchor technique. Int J Shoulder Surg, 8(2), 47-50.
  48. Wylie JD, Beckmann JT, Granger E, Tashjian RZ (2014). Functional outcomes assessment in shoulder surgery. World J Orthop, 5(5), 623-33.
  49. Tashjian RZ (2014). Turning failure into success: not always when it comes to the rotator cuff: commentary on articles by Surena Namdari, MD, MSc, et al., "Factors affecting outcome after structural failure of repaired rotator cuff tears," and H. Mike Kim, MD, et al., "Factors affecting satisfaction and shoulder function in patients with a recurrent rotator cuff tear". J Bone Joint Surg Am, 96(2), e15.
  50. Clevenger T, Vance RE, Bachus KN, Burks RT, Tashjian RZ (2010). Biomechanical comparison of acromioclavicular joint reconstructions using coracoclavicular tendon grafts with and without coracoacromial ligament transfer. Arthroscopy, 27(1), 24-30.
  51. Tashjian RZ, Hollins AM, Kim HM, Teefey SA, Middleton WD, Steger-May K, Galatz LM, Yamaguchi K (2010). Factors affecting healing rates after arthroscopic double-row rotator cuff repair. Am J Sports Med, 38(12), 2435-42.
Book Chapter
  1. Tashjian RZ (01/01/2016). Minimally Invasive Treatment of Elbow Arthritis and Stiffness. In Scuderi GR, Tria AJ (Eds.), Minimally Invasive Surgery in Orthopaedics (2nd Edition, 2016). New York: Springer.
  2. Tashjian RZ (2015). Rotator Cuff Tear in Athletes: Part I. Pathophysiology. In Park JY(ed) (Ed.), Sports Injuries to the Shoulder and Elbow. New York: Springer.
  3. Tashjian RZ (2015). Shoulder: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care 5. In Galatz L(ed) (Ed.), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rosemont.
  4. Maak TG, Tashjian RZ (2015). Complications of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair. In Dines JS, Altchek DW (eds) (Eds.), Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury. New York: Springer.
  5. Tashjian RZ, Henninger HB (2014). Analysis of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Biomechanics Using a Dynamic Shoulder Simulator. In Frankle M(ed) (Ed.), Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty. New York: Springer.
  6. Tashjian RZ (2014). Rotator Cuff Disease. In Brockmeier S(ed) (Ed.), MRI-Arthroscopy Correlations: A Case-Based Atlas of the Knee, Shoulder, Elbow, and Hip. New York: Springer.
  7. Tashjian, RZ (2014). Terrible Triad Injuries of the Elbow. In Michelle Wild (Ed.), AAOS Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review (Second). Rosemont: AAOS.
  8. Tashjian RZ (2014). ORIF for Olecranon Fractures: Transolecranon versus Monteggia Variant, in Green A, Hayda R(eds). In Green A, Hayda R(eds) (Eds.), Postoperative Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. Rosemont: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Other
  1. Tashjian RZ, Granger EK, Farnham JM, Cannon-Albright LA, Teerlink CC (2016). Erratum to "Genome-wide association study for rotator cuff tears identifies two significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms" [J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25:174-179]. J Shoulder Elbow Surg (25(10), p. 1731). United States.