W Michael Pullen, MD is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon with a clinical focus in sports medicine. Dr Pullen is an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to joining MUSC, Dr Pullen served as an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Lieutenant Commander in the United Stated Navy.
Dr Pullen received his undergraduate degree from Christopher Newport University and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. He then went on to complete his orthopaedic residency training at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Following his residency training, he served as a Staff Orthopaedic Surgeon in Yokosuka Japan as Senior Medical Officer for the Department of Orthopedics. Following this, he was recruited to re-join the faculty at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth as a sports surgeon at the tertiary referral center and surgeon-training program. While there, he served as the Assistant Residency Director and helped care for the east coast Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) team. Dr Pullen also served as the sole orthopaedic surgeon on a 6-month humanitarian deployment on the USNS Comfort (Hospital Ship) in support of Operation Enduring Promise. There, he provided orthopaedic care in 14 countries in Central and South America. Finally, he completed his fellowship training in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at Stanford University. Dr Pullen has helped in the care of athletes of all levels, including high school, amateur, collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes.
Dr Pullen is currently a member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM), the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SOMOS), and the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) medical honor society. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters, presenting his research at local, national, and international meetings. His academic interests are in resident education and his research has focused on knee instability (ACL injury) and hip impingement.
Dr Pullen specializes in the advanced arthroscopic (minimally invasive) and open treatment of conditions of the shoulder, knee, and hip. He has considerable experience in shoulder instability, rotator cuff disorders, biceps disorders, meniscus injuries, cartilage injuries and restoration, knee ligament injuries including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI or hip impingement), and hip labral tears.