Finding the right shoulder specialist in Mumbai is not about picking the loudest “best doctor” claim. Shoulder problems range from frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tears to recurrent dislocations, sports injuries and arthritis, so the right specialist depends on the diagnosis and the treatment you may need. This guide highlights ten Mumbai orthopaedic surgeons with publicly verifiable shoulder-focused experience, hospital affiliations, fellowship training, arthroscopy work, replacement surgery or sports-medicine expertise. The list is not a paid ranking and does not claim that one doctor is universally better than another. A shoulder specialist should be judged by fit, training and transparency, not marketing.
To make this list useful, we looked for factors patients can verify: recognised orthopaedic qualifications, dedicated shoulder or sports-medicine practice, fellowship training, major hospital affiliations, experience with shoulder arthroscopy or replacement, research or teaching activity and publicly available professional profiles. A shoulder specialist doctor may be an excellent fit for one condition but not another, so matching expertise to the actual problem matters more than a number on a list. A shoulder specialist should also explain why a treatment is or is not suitable.
Top 10 Shoulder Specialists in Mumbai
1. Dr Amyn Rajani
Experience – 20+ Years
Education – MS (Orthopaedics), Gold Medalist
About – Dr Amyn Rajani is a consultant knee, shoulder and hip surgeon in Mumbai with over two decades of orthopaedic experience. His expertise includes shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, total and reverse shoulder replacement, and sports-related shoulder injuries. He practises at Breach Candy Hospital, P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Khar, and Saifee Hospital.
2. Dr Sanjay Desai
Experience – 20+ Years
Education – MS, MCh (UK), DNB, D.Orth
About – Dr Sanjay Desai is an orthopedic surgeon at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, specializing in shoulder and knee surgery. He is a founder member of the Shoulder Society of India and has extensive experience in arthroscopic shoulder procedures. His clinical interests include shoulder injuries, joint instability and conditions that may require arthroscopic treatment.
3. Dr Sanjay Garude
Experience – 20+ Years
Education – MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), D. Ortho, DNB (Orthopaedics), MCh (Orthopaedics), FCPS (Orthopaedics)
About – Dr Sanjay Garude is a consultant orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. He specialises in shoulder surgery, arthroscopy and sports medicine. He completed advanced orthopaedic training in the UK and earned his MCh in Orthopaedics from the University of Liverpool. His experience also includes exposure to shoulder procedures in the US, France and Australia.
4. Dr Ashish Babhulkar
Experience – 25+ Years
Education – MBBS, D.Orth, DNB (Orthopedics), MCh (Orthopedics), FRCS (Trauma & Orthopedics)
About – Dr Ashish Babhulkar is an orthopedic surgeon based in Pune who specializes in shoulder surgery, joint replacement and sports-related injuries. His clinical interests include rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, frozen shoulder and shoulder replacement. He is also involved in shoulder surgery training and academic activities. Patients considering him should note that his practice is based in Pune, rather than Mumbai.
5. Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala
Experience – 27 Years in Orthopaedics and Sports Surgery
Education – MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics)
About – Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala is a senior orthopaedic surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. He heads the Centre for Sports Medicine and directs the Arthroscopy and Shoulder Service. His expertise includes shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, shoulder stabilisation and replacement surgery. He has completed advanced fellowships in arthroscopy and sports orthopaedics in the US and UK.
6. Dr Chintan Desai
Experience – 12+ Years
Education – MBBS, MS (Orthopedics), Diploma in Sports Medicine, FIFA Medical Centre training and international fellowships in shoulder surgery and sports medicine
About – Dr Chintan Desai is an orthopedic surgeon and shoulder specialist in Mumbai. His clinical interests include sports injuries, rotator cuff repair, shoulder instability, reverse shoulder replacement and frozen shoulder treatment. He has undertaken international training in shoulder surgery and sports medicine in South Korea, Australia and Portugal.
7. Dr Hetal Chiniwala
Experience – 30 Years Overall (22 Years as a Specialist)
Education – MBBS, MS (Orthopedics), DNB (Orthopedics)
About – Dr Hetal Chiniwala is an orthopaedic surgeon associated with Bombay Hospital, Mumbai. His areas of interest include shoulder surgery, arthroscopy and sports medicine. He has undertaken fellowship training in shoulder and arthroscopic surgery in France and Germany. His clinical interests include the assessment and treatment of shoulder injuries and conditions that may require arthroscopic intervention.
8. Dr Gautam JK Tawari
Experience – 18+ Years
Education – MBBS, MRCS, MSc (Trauma & Orthopedics), MCh (Orthopedics), FRCS (Trauma & Orthopedics), Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine
About – Dr Gautam JK Tawari is a senior orthopedic surgeon at Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, with a focus on arthroscopy, sports medicine and upper-limb surgery. His clinical interests include shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, Bankart and SLAP repair, shoulder replacement and complex upper-limb conditions. His specialized training is relevant to patients seeking treatment for sports-related shoulder injuries.
9. Dr Sujit Korday
Experience – 30+ Years
Education – MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics, Bombay), MCh (Orthopaedics, Liverpool), FRCS (Edinburgh), Fellowship in Arthroscopy and Joint Replacement (Canada)
About – Dr Sujit Korday is a consultant orthopedic surgeon associated with Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai. His areas of expertise include arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement and sports injuries, including shoulder-related conditions. His clinical interests encompass shoulder arthroscopy, joint preservation, replacement procedures and revision surgery.
10. Dr Yajuvendra Gawai
Experience – 17+ Years
Education – Orthopaedic qualifications; fellowship training in Sports Medicine and Cartilage Reconstruction
About – Dr Yajuvendra Gawai is an orthopedic surgeon associated with Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai. His clinical interests include shoulder, knee and hip arthroscopy, cartilage reconstruction and sports-related injuries. He has undertaken fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopy in the United States, including at SUNY Buffalo and New York University.
What Dr Amyn Rajani’s Shoulder Research Adds
Choosing a shoulder specialist should also involve looking at whether the surgeon contributes to evidence, not only clinical volume. Dr Rajani and colleagues published a 2023 prospective multicentre study on stiffness after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The researchers evaluated glenohumeral corticosteroid injection as a treatment for postoperative stiffness and followed patients for 18 months. The study is relevant because stiffness can delay recovery after cuff repair, although the findings apply to the studied patient group and do not mean injections are appropriate for everyone.
His publication record and Google Scholar profile also include work in Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow and other peer-reviewed orthopaedic journals. This matters because a shoulder specialist doctor who participates in research is directly engaging with questions about outcomes, complications and recovery rather than relying only on older practice habits.
What Is Shoulder Surgery?
Shoulder surgery includes procedures used to treat certain injuries and conditions affecting the shoulder joint, tendons, ligaments and surrounding tissues. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, stabilisation procedures or shoulder replacement.
Shoulder pain does not always require surgery. A doctor may recommend physiotherapy, medication, activity modification or other non-surgical treatments depending on the underlying problem. A specialist can assess the symptoms, examine shoulder movement and review appropriate imaging before discussing treatment options.
Patients considering surgery should understand the reason for the procedure, potential risks, available alternatives and rehabilitation requirements.
What Are the Types of Shoulder Surgeries?
Different shoulder conditions may require different procedures. The appropriate treatment depends on the diagnosis, the severity of the problem and the patient’s overall health.
- Shoulder Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera and specialised instruments to examine or treat problems inside the shoulder joint.
- Rotator Cuff Repair: Surgery to repair damaged or torn rotator cuff tendons when clinically appropriate.
- Shoulder Stabilisation Surgery: A procedure that may be recommended for selected patients with recurrent shoulder dislocations or instability.
- Labral Repair: Surgery to address certain injuries affecting the labrum, a ring of cartilage that helps stabilise the shoulder joint.
- Shoulder Replacement: A procedure that replaces damaged joint surfaces in selected patients with conditions such as severe arthritis or certain complex fractures.
Not every patient needs an operation. The surgeon should explain why a procedure is being considered and whether non-surgical treatment remains an option.
How to Choose the Right Shoulder Specialist
The best shoulder surgeon in Mumbai for you depends on the condition. Rotator cuff tears, recurrent dislocation, frozen shoulder, arthritis and sports injuries can require very different approaches. Before booking, check whether the surgeon routinely treats your diagnosis, whether non-surgical options are discussed, which hospitals they operate at and what rehabilitation support is available.
A good shoulder specialist in Mumbai should explain imaging findings in plain language and should not make surgery sound inevitable. Physiotherapy, activity modification, medicines or injections may be appropriate for some conditions, while significant tendon tears, instability or advanced arthritis may need surgery. If replacement is being considered, ask whether the surgeon performs both anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement and how they decide between them. A shoulder specialist should also explain the expected rehabilitation and possible limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best shoulder surgeon in Mumbai?
There is no single surgeon who is objectively best for every shoulder problem. The right choice depends on diagnosis, subspecialty experience, hospital access, treatment philosophy and your specific needs. A shoulder specialist should be chosen for the problem you actually have, not a marketing label.
When should I see a shoulder specialist?
See a shoulder specialist if pain persists, movement is restricted, weakness develops, the shoulder repeatedly dislocates or symptoms continue despite appropriate first-line care.
What does an ortho shoulder specialist treat?
An ortho shoulder specialist may treat rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, instability, labral injuries, arthritis, fractures, sports injuries and conditions requiring arthroscopy or replacement.
Should I choose a shoulder specialist doctor who performs surgery?
Not necessarily. A good shoulder specialist doctor should also be comfortable recommending physiotherapy, observation, injections or other non-operative care when surgery is not indicated.
Is a shoulder specialist in Mumbai different from a general orthopaedic surgeon?
A shoulder specialist in Mumbai usually has a greater subspecialty focus on shoulder conditions, arthroscopy, reconstruction or replacement. A shoulder specialist may be particularly useful for complex instability, cuff reconstruction or replacement decisions. General orthopaedic surgeons may still manage many shoulder problems effectively.
