Dr. Elhassan joined Massachusetts General Hospital in October 2020. Before coming here, he was on the faculty at the Mayo Clinic and was a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Dr. Elhassan received his medical degree at the American University of Beirut. He completed three years of training in general surgery focusing on cardiothoracic surgery and one year in orthopaedic surgery at the American University of Beirut. Dr. Elhassan went on to complete his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Illinois in Chicago. While there, he received the Senior Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, as well as the Robert Ray Award for Research. Dr. Elhassan completed a fellowship in hand and upper extremity at the Mayo Clinic and an additional fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at Mass General.
Dr. Elhassan started working at the Mayo Clinic in 2007. He won the Mayo Clinic Teacher of the Year Award for two consecutive years in 2009 and 2010, and his upper extremity service was voted as one of the best rotations for the Mayo Clinic’s residents and fellows.
Dr. Elhassan has been innovative in the field of upper extremity surgery and he has developed numerous novel procedures (20 new surgical procedures for the shoulder, elbow and wrist) through dedicated anatomic and biomechanical studies. The care and outcome of patients, specifically those with complex shoulder and elbow problems, improved significantly because of these innovations. He is considered the world expert in the evaluation and management of scapulothoracic disorders, and tendon transfers around the shoulder and elbow.
Dr. Elhassan has published over 125 peer-reviewed articles and authored thirty book chapters. He has presented at countless meetings both nationally, as well as internationally, and he has won numerous awards for best abstract, paper, poster, video and podium presentation in national and international hand and shoulder and elbow societies. He is also the recipient of the 2015 ASES Traveling Fellowship Exchange Program.
Bony & soft tissue reconstruction of shoulder & elbow
Complex shoulder & elbow reconstruction
Hand surgery
Nerve decompression of brachial plexus
Reconstruction after tumor surgeries
Reconstruction for paralysis & damage
Rotator cuff repairs
Scapula disorders & winging
Shoulder & elbow arthroscopy
Shoulder & elbow replacement
Shoulder instability (labrum injury, bony injury)
Shoulder, elbow & wrist fractures
Tendon transfers (shoulder, elbow, hand)
Treats:
Adult & Pediatrics
Languages:
Arabic, French, Spanish
Locations
Shoulder Service 55 Fruit St. Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care Suite 3G Boston, MA02114 Phone: 617-724-7300
Medical Education
MD, American University - Beirut, Faculty of Medicine
Residency, University of Illinois at Chicago
Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital
Fellowship, Mayo Clinic Foundation
American Board Certifications
Hand Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
Aetna
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
Cigna
Commonwealth Care Alliance
Coventry
Fallon Health
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Humana
Maine Community Health Options
Mass General Brigham Health Plan
MassHealth
Medicaid CT
Medicaid ME
Medicaid NH
Medicaid RI
Medicaid VT
Medicare
Medicare ACO
Multiplan
Senior Whole Health
TriCare
Tufts Health Plan
United Health Care
Wellpoint
WellSense
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Research
Dr. Elhassan's main research is focused on understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the shoulder. He was able, with the help of his colleagues, to create a state-of-the-art shoulder model to conduct his studies on. This model has helped in the evaluation of the kinematics of the scapula and the scapulothoracic articulation. In addition, it helped determine the effectiveness of different muscle transfers to reconstruct the deficient rotator cuff, in native shoulders as well as in shoulders with reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
Elhassan B, Noureldin M, Kakar S. Proximal Scaphoid Pole Reconstruction Utilizing Ipsilateral Proximal Hamate Autograft. Hand (N Y). 2016 Dec; 11 (4):495-499.
Kakar S, Noureldin M, Elhassan B. Ulnar head replacement and sigmoid notch resurfacing arthroplasty with a lateral meniscal allograft: 'calamari procedure'. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2017 Jul; 42 (6):567-572.
Werthel JD, Bertelli J, Elhassan BT. Shoulder function in patients with deltoid paralysis and intact rotator cuff. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2017 Oct; 103 (6):869-873.
Willemot LB, Elhassan BT, Verborgt O. Bony Reconstruction of the Anterior Glenoid Rim. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2018 May 15; 26 (10):e207-e218.
Burnier M, Elhassan BT, Sanchez-Sotelo J. Surgical Management of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: What Works, What Does Not, and What Is Coming. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2019 Sep 4; 101 (17):1603-1612.
Tagliero AJ, Bukowski BR, Rose PS, Morrey ME, Elhassan BT, Barlow JD, Wagner ER, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Houdek MT. High incidence of complications associated with shoulder girdle reconstruction utilizing a Stryker proximal humerus cap endoprosthesis following Tikhoff-Linberg resections. Int Orthop. 2020 May 4.
Reif T, Schoch B, Spiguel A, Elhassan B, Wright T, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Wilke BK. A retrospective review of revision proximal humeral allograft-prosthetic composite procedures: an analysis of proximal humeral bone stock restoration. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020 Jul; 29 (7):1353-1358 Epub 2020 Feb 12.
Elhassan BT, Wagner ER, Kany J. Latissimus dorsi transfer for irreparable subscapularis tear. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020 Oct; 29 (10):2128-2134 Epub 2020 June 09.
Elhassan BT, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Wagner ER. Outcome of arthroscopically assisted lower trapezius transfer to reconstruct massive irreparable posterior-superior rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020 Oct; 29 (10):2135-2142.
Ghoraishian M, Stone MA, Elhassan B, Abboud J, Namdari S. Techniques for lower trapezius tendon transfer for the management of irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. J Orthop. 2020 Nov-Dec; 22:331-335.
Reviews: Comments and Ratings
4.9out of 5(305 Ratings, 128 Comments)
January 2025
The doctor and staff at Mass General shoulder surgery are nothing but outstanding. People very helpful in every way. Would highly recommend Dr. Elhassan and his staff.
January 2025
Dr. Elhassan is extremely compassionate and kind and he listens. I would highly recommend him for surgery to any of my friends or relatives.
January 2025
This was my initial visit with the provider. I felt at ease instantly with this provider. He came in with confidence and professionalism. He listened to my concerns and left me feeling confident that he can help me. Obviously, not without having the necessary tests first to further figure out exactly what is going on. Overall I had a great ... Read More
This was my initial visit with the provider. I felt at ease instantly with this provider. He came in with confidence and professionalism. He listened to my concerns and left me feeling confident that he can help me. Obviously, not without having the necessary tests first to further figure out exactly what is going on. Overall I had a great experience with Dr. Elhassan.
January 2025
Both doctors (Elhassah and [redacted] were thorough and very informative. They explained the surgical options and provided detailed comparisons.
January 2025
I was seeking guidance concerning two potential surgical procedures and was given information that has made my choice easier to make.
January 2025
Treated with care and professionalism
December 2024
Dr. Elhassan provided exceptional medical care to me on the date of my visit. I traveled from afar to the medical appointment and I was very impressed with the interaction and the knowledge of the provider. I feel comfortable following the medical advice he provided to me.
December 2024
Dr. Elhassan is excellent. He listens carefully to what the issues are and thoughtfully gives you a plan of attack on how to solve them.
December 2024
I am a huge fan! Dr. Elhassan and his staff have been wonderful.
Dr. Bassem Elhassan, Co-Chief of the Shoulder Service, has created many surgical techniques throughout his career. When a patient came to him after a serious 4-wheeler accident, Dr. Elhassan used a muscle transfer technique to reduce the patient's pain and help him regain mobility in his shoulder.
"Very sincerely I am here to try to help more patients, and I am really hoping that what I was able to learn and develop over the years I will keep evolving to make sure the outcomes improve based on research," says Dr. Bassem Elhassan.
After a three-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 31st annual Richard J. Smith Memorial Lectureship and the 8th Annual Jesse Jupiter International Forum brought surgeons from around the globe to Boston for in-person presentations, roundtable conversations and networking.
Specialists from Mass General’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery offer timely advice on creating an ideal work-from-home setup for relaxed and sustainable productivity.
Dr. Bassem Elhassan, Co-Chief of the Shoulder Service, has created many surgical techniques throughout his career. When a patient came to him after a serious 4-wheeler accident, Dr. Elhassan used a muscle transfer technique to reduce the patient's pain and help him regain mobility in his shoulder.
"Very sincerely I am here to try to help more patients, and I am really hoping that what I was able to learn and develop over the years I will keep evolving to make sure the outcomes improve based on research," says Dr. Bassem Elhassan.
After a three-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 31st annual Richard J. Smith Memorial Lectureship and the 8th Annual Jesse Jupiter International Forum brought surgeons from around the globe to Boston for in-person presentations, roundtable conversations and networking.
Specialists from Mass General’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery offer timely advice on creating an ideal work-from-home setup for relaxed and sustainable productivity.
The doctor and staff at Mass General shoulder surgery are nothing but outstanding. People very helpful in every way. Would highly recommend Dr. Elhassan and his staff.
Dr. Elhassan is extremely compassionate and kind and he listens. I would highly recommend him for surgery to any of my friends or relatives.
This was my initial visit with the provider. I felt at ease instantly with this provider. He came in with confidence and professionalism. He listened to my concerns and left me feeling confident that he can help me. Obviously, not without having the necessary tests first to further figure out exactly what is going on. Overall I had a great ... Read More
Both doctors (Elhassah and [redacted] were thorough and very informative. They explained the surgical options and provided detailed comparisons.
I was seeking guidance concerning two potential surgical procedures and was given information that has made my choice easier to make.
Treated with care and professionalism
Dr. Elhassan provided exceptional medical care to me on the date of my visit. I traveled from afar to the medical appointment and I was very impressed with the interaction and the knowledge of the provider. I feel comfortable following the medical advice he provided to me.
Dr. Elhassan is excellent. He listens carefully to what the issues are and thoughtfully gives you a plan of attack on how to solve them.
I am a huge fan! Dr. Elhassan and his staff have been wonderful.
Very caring, knowledgeable, did not feel rushed.