Carl “Scott” Humphrey, MD, stands as a distinguished figure in orthopedic surgery, renowned for his expertise as a fellowship-trained shoulder specialist. Board certified and deeply committed to advancing shoulder care, Doctor Humphrey offers a comprehensive range of treatments, from non-operative methods to advanced minimally-invasive surgical procedures. His surgical repertoire includes intricate rotator cuff repairs, shoulder instability corrections, and both traditional and reverse shoulder replacement surgeries.
Dr. Humphrey’s pioneering spirit is evident in his numerous accomplishments. He holds the distinction of being the first physician in Idaho admitted to the prestigious American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), an elite organization recognizing leaders in the field. As a fellowship director, he is actively shaping the future of shoulder surgery by training surgeons seeking specialized skills. His innovative contributions extend to medical device technology, where he is credited as the inventor on 10 U.S. patents. Furthermore, Doctor Humphrey’s dedication to sharing knowledge is reflected in his extensive publications, including numerous scientific articles and textbook chapters focused on the complexities of shoulder surgery. In 2006, he established the Humphrey Shoulder Clinic, formerly known as Boise Shoulder Clinic, solidifying his commitment to providing specialized shoulder care to his community.
A proud alumnus of the University of Oregon, Dr. Humphrey pursued his medical degree at the University Of Utah School Of Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT. His rigorous training in orthopedic surgery was completed at the combined program of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University. To further hone his skills and specialize in the intricate field of shoulder and upper extremity surgery, Doctor Humphrey undertook a fellowship at the esteemed California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA, under the mentorship of renowned surgeons Tom R. Norris, MD, and H. Relton McCarroll, MD. This intensive additional year of surgical training solidified his position as a leading expert in his field.
Doctor Humphrey’s expertise encompasses a wide array of shoulder procedures, ensuring patients receive tailored treatment for their specific conditions. These frequently performed procedures include:
- Total shoulder replacement: Addressing severe arthritis and joint damage.
- Reverse shoulder replacement: A specialized solution for complex shoulder conditions and rotator cuff deficiencies.
- Shoulder arthroscopy: Minimally-invasive techniques for diagnosing and treating various shoulder problems.
- Rotator cuff repair: Restoring strength and function to torn rotator cuff tendons.
- Shoulder instability repair: Stabilizing the shoulder joint to prevent dislocations and subluxations.
- Surgical repair of fractures: Expert management of clavicle, shoulder, and arm fractures.
The Value of Choosing a Shoulder Specialist Like Doctor Humphrey
In today’s rapidly evolving medical landscape, specialization is increasingly crucial. As medical knowledge expands, maintaining expertise across all areas becomes challenging. Orthopedic surgery is a prime example. While orthopedics itself is a specialized field, many surgeons choose to subspecialize further. These subspecialties include musculoskeletal trauma, sports medicine, hand, spine, foot and ankle, and shoulder and elbow. Each subspecialty generates a vast and growing body of knowledge, making it nearly impossible for a general orthopedic surgeon to remain at the forefront of more than one area.
This trend towards specialization offers significant benefits, particularly in surgical outcomes. Repetition and focused practice are key to surgical excellence, much like in sports or music. Studies indicate a strong correlation between the volume of procedures a surgeon performs and the quality of outcomes. For instance, research highlighted in an article by Katz et al., titled “Association between hospital and surgeon procedure volume and outcomes of total hip replacement in the United States Medicare population,” revealed that surgeons performing over 50 hip replacements annually had half the complication rate compared to those performing 10 or fewer. Similarly, researchers at the University of Washington have reported that a significant majority of shoulder replacement surgeries are performed by surgeons who do only one or two such procedures per year. Their conclusion emphasizes that patients may achieve better results by choosing a surgeon, like Doctor Humphrey, who routinely handles a high volume of shoulder surgery cases.
Further supporting this, a study at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York observed that hip replacement patients managed by a single, highly experienced surgeon experienced better outcomes in terms of mechanical failure and infection rates compared to those treated by multiple surgeons with varying experience levels. This principle likely extends to shoulder surgery, reinforcing the importance of selecting a dedicated shoulder specialist like Dr. C. Scott Humphrey to ensure the best possible care and outcomes.
