Matthew Ryan Cohn, MD
Fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeon in New Jersey
Meet Dr. Cohn
Welcome, from
Dr. Cohn
Thank you for your interest in our practice. I’m Dr. Matthew Ryan Cohn, and I’m a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery.
My practice focuses on shoulder replacements, arthroscopic surgeries such as rotator cuff repairs and labral repairs, fracture care, and elbow injuries. I take care of patients ranging from young athletes to seniors with degenerative conditions.
This is an exciting time - advances in implants, surgical techniques, and technology make it more possible than ever to get patients back to doing the things they love.
My team and I are committed to treating each of our patients like our own friends or family. If you or a loved one have shoulder or elbow pain, come visit us to talk about getting you better.
80+
PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES
4
LOCATIONS
ABOS
BOARD CERTIFIED
4.9
AVERAGE PATIENT RATING
Conditions we treat
Every condition has a path back to motion.
Dr. Cohn treats the full range of shoulder and elbow conditions, from sports injuries in young athletes to degenerative disease in active adults. Every plan is built around the individual patient.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Pain, weakness, or loss of motion from tears in the tendons that stabilize the shoulder.
Arthritis
Cartilage wear that leads to stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion in the joint.
Shoulder Instability
Dislocations and repeated slipping of the shoulder joint after injury or loose ligaments.
Proximal Humerus Fractures
Breaks at the top of the upper arm bone, most often from a fall onto the shoulder.
Also Treats
Surgical procedures
The right procedure for the right patient.
From arthroscopic repairs to total shoulder replacement, Dr. Cohn brings fellowship-trained precision to every procedure he performs.
Overview of Surgical Process
Walk through what to expect from consultation, surgery, and full recovery before scheduling a procedure.
All Procedures
Anatomic Shoulder Replacement
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
Rotator Cuff Repairs
Shoulder Stabilizations
Treatment of Shoulder Fractures
Biceps Tenodesis
Pectoralis Major Repair
Debridement and Capsular Release
Clavicle Fracture Fixation
Distal Biceps Repairs
AC Joint Repair
Elbow Scopes
Elbow Fracture Fixation
Triceps Repairs
Elbow Ligament Repairs
patient stories
Patients who got their life back.
Reviews pulled directly from Healthgrades, US News, and Google.
As a practicing physical therapist of 53 years, I was extremely impressed by Dr. Cohn's surgical skills & professionalism. Three months after he repaired my severely damaged shoulder, which included my rotator cuff, proximal bicep tendon & labrum, I had 90% range of motion. I'm beginning resistance exercises on schedule & expect a full recovery in three more months as a result of his incredible care. He & his staff were very attentive with thorough explanations & responses pre & post-op. Both personally & professionally, I highly recommend Dr. Cohn.
I can't say enough, how pleased I am with Dr. Cohn. He deserves the five stars. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. He operated on my shoulder. and he made me feel so comfortable and not afraid to be operated on. This is the first time I can honestly say I had to write a review and give a Dr a five star rating. If you're wondering at all to see Dr. Cohn, don't hesitate.
I wanted to share the fantastic experience I had with Dr. Matthew Cohn, who performed my left shoulder replacement surgery in December 2025. After living with significant discomfort for over 10 years, I am finally able to move freely and sleep without interruption. I tried various treatments over a decade — including massages, creams, heat, and ice — but what I truly needed was this surgery. The healing process is going exceptionally well, and I couldn't be happier with the results. If you are considering a similar procedure, I highly recommend Dr. Cohn. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
The team
The people behind your care.
Exceptional outcomes depend on more than surgical skill. Every member of this team was chosen for their expertise and their commitment to making patients feel genuinely supported.
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![A woman smiling, wearing a black cardigan with white and black buttons, a white shirt underneath, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace, against a white background.]()
Physician Assistant
Valerie Sadowl
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![A woman with black hair smiling, wearing a black Summit Health medical uniform, a heart-shaped necklace, and a smartwatch on her left wrist, standing against a white background.]()
Medical Assistant
Mara Murillo
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![A young woman with long dark brown hair, smiling, wearing a black top with teal sleeves and a silver heart-shaped necklace against a white background.]()
Nurse
Genesis Ramirez
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![A woman with long black curly hair wearing a black medical scrub top with a Summit Health logo, smiling with her right hand in her pocket, against a white background.]()
Surgical Coordinator
Erika Smith
Where to find us
Four locations.
One standard of care.
videos & research
Latest from
Dr. Cohn.
frequently Asked questions
Everything you need to know before surgery.
Straightforward answers to the questions patients ask most, from the day of surgery through your full recovery.
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Yes! You will be fully asleep during the surgery.
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Most surgeries are outpatient, meaning you’ll go home the same day. Complex cases or older patients with multiple medical issues might stay 1-2 nights in the hospital.
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Dr. Cohn recommends having someone for support for at least 24-48 hours, especially while on pain meds. This will make everything easier and safer.
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Patients may drive once they are off strong pain meds, out of their sling/splint, and feel comfortable and safe driving with two hands on the steering wheel. This is typically 4-6 weeks for shoulder repairs or replacements, or 2-4 weeks for elbow surgeries.
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This will depend on the nature of the injury and surgery. For most surgeries, patients may return to deskwork (in their sling or splint if necessary) as soon as they’re comfortable. This varies from a few days to up to 4 weeks. Typically patients can return to light labor jobs around 1.5 -3 months and heavy labor jobs around 5-6 months. Please feel free to discuss this with Dr. Cohn directly.
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You can shower as soon as you’re comfortable (dressings are waterproof). If you have an elbow splint on, please cover it with an airtight cast cover or wrap your splint in a towel and cover it with a garbage bag and tape.
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After the incision is fully healed (no rawness, scabs, or open areas). This is typically 3-4 weeks postop.
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Wearing your sling to bed is not required. You can remove it to sleep if that is more comfortable for you!
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This depends on the type of injury and surgery. Light activities (walking, writing, typing, phone use) can typically resume as soon as you’re comfortable. If you are in a sling or splint, avoid lifting more than the weight of a coffee cup until you’re free of the sling/splint. At that point you can start light activities (ie lifting 5 pounds) and Dr. Cohn and your PT will progress you from there. Many surgeries require 6-12 months for maximal improvement.
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Short trips are fine after 2 weeks if pain is under control. Long trips (ie international) need Dr. Cohn’s clearance, usually around 4-6 weeks.
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Exceedingly rare, the amount of metal in the implants aren’t typically detectable by metal detectors. Dr. Cohn can provide an implant card for peace of mind with travel if you’d like.
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Most patients will start PT 2-3 weeks after surgery. Dr. Cohn will provide a PT prescription at your first postoperative visit. For patients undergoing surgery for a stiff shoulder or elbow, you will start PT 3-5 days after surgery. Your PT prescription will be provided when you sign up for surgery.
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Dr. Cohn can provide you with a home exercise program.
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Typically patients are only responsible for their deductible. Check with your insurer for details on deductibles or coverage.
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Only for shoulder replacements (not for tendon repairs, fracture repairs, etc). Reach out to the office ahead of your procedure - If you have a replacement we will prescribe you antibiotics to take 1 hour before any dental procedure (extractions, root canals, etc), forever. Antibiotics are not necessary for routine cleanings. Dental cleanings and procedures are not permitted for 3 months after a shoulder replacement.
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No, call Dr. Cohn’s team and they will help you pick the best thing to do. If you need to be seen during the day you will come into Dr. Cohn’s office to be seen in person. If you need to be seen in the evening we will direct you to our urgent care clinic so one of Dr. Cohn’s colleagues can see you who is familiar with his protocols.