Dr. Steven Shin has become an internet sensation. The orthopedic hand and wrist surgeon who operated on Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is no stranger to pressure situations or to sports fans hanging on his every move.
The Cedars-Sinai specialist based in Los Angeles, California has quietly built one of the most trusted reputations in sports medicine, treating some of the biggest names in professional athletics. Now, he’s become a household name among Oklahoma fans hoping to see their Heisman Trophy contender return to the field in Saturday's Red River Rivalry against Texas.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Shin performed Mateer’s hand surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The news immediately set off a wave of social media pleas from Oklahoma fans, who have dubbed Shin a “miracle worker” and urged him to get their quarterback back in action quickly.
Shin’s resume backs up the hype. He's widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading hand and wrist surgeons, who has operated on sports icons including Drew Brees, Stephen Curry, and Mike Trout. Earlier this year, he repaired Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams’ wrist. An operation he praised as flawless.
“I’ll keep it short and sweet,” Williams said at Thunder media day via On3. “He did Kobe. Dr. Shin is awesome. He’s been good throughout the rehab process and the surgery in general.”
Indeed, Shin worked with the late Kobe Bryant on multiple occasions. He first treated Bryant for a finger injury following the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later advised him after a torn wrist ligament in 2011. Bryant opted to play through that second injury. This shows the trust Shin had with the late NBA legend.
According to Cedars-Sinai, Shin is executive vice chairman and professor of orthopedic surgery, as well as a specialist in treating athletes’ hand and upper limb injuries.
1999-2004: Brown University graduate, he completed his residency at NYU’s Hospital for Joint Diseases.
2005: Fellowship at Stanford.
Shin holds certifications in orthopedic surgery and hand surgery from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and maintains medical licenses in California and Nevada through 2027.
Shin's innovative techniques have drawn attention in the medical world. One of his specialties is “internal brace augmentation,” a surgical method that uses a thin synthetic tape to reinforce torn ligaments, allowing athletes to regain motion and return to play in half the usual recovery time. “A thumb UCL repaired with an internal brace is several times stronger than the standard repair,” Shin explained in a Cedars-Sinai article.
The fact Mateer is set to return two weeks post-op is incredible and a testament to Shin work. This is truly science at its finest and shows how far medical advancement have come in sports.
It’s not yet known whether that method applies to Mateer’s reported thumb fracture. But the sports world is already familiar with Shin’s record of excellence and is hoping his hands can once again work wonders.
Mateer and the Sooners will face Texas at Dallas' Cotton Bowl on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
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