James Voos, MD

About

James Voos, MD, is a nationally renowned expert in the care of athletes and active patients of all ages. Specializing in sports-related injuries of the knee, shoulder and elbow, he performs a high volume of knee ACL reconstructions, including revision and multi-ligament surgeries, in addition to shoulder and elbow arthroscopy. Dr. Voos has a passion for using his expertise in wearable technology, injury prevention and sports performance to advance the safety and education of athletes.

Dr. Voos is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine and has a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine. His practice is dedicated to treating athletes from Pee Wee to Pro.

Dr. Voos currently serves as Chairman of the Orthopedics Departments at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University, roles which include overseeing renowned orthopedic training programs and research divisions. Prior to serving as Chairman, Dr. Voos successfully launched and integrated the multispecialty University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute, serving as the institute’s Division Chief of Sports Medicine and Medical Director. UH Drusinsky Sports Medicine provides sports medicine care for over 80 Northeast Ohio professional, collegiate, youth and club organizations.

In addition to serving as the head team physician for the Cleveland Browns and Medical Director for the Cleveland Ballet, Dr. Voos is the lead orthopedic surgeon for a number of local colleges and area high schools. He was elected to the American Association of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Ohio Council of Delegates and STOP Sports Injuries Committee and served on the prestigious NFL Musculoskeletal Injury Committee. From 2024 to 2026, he served as President of the National Football League Physicians Society.

Cleveland Magazine has continuously selected Dr. Voos as one of its annual “Top Doctors.” In 2014, he was a recipient of Ingram’s Magazine’s “40 Under Forty” recognition. In 2016, Crain’s Cleveland Business named Dr. Voos as a “Who to Watch in Healthcare” honoree. The prestigious Healthnetwork Foundation has recognized him multiple times as a recipient of the Physician Service Award. In 2024, Becker's Spine Review listed Dr. Voos as one of the five “Sports Medicine Power Players” in the country.

Dr. Voos earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas, where he was elected president of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He went on to complete an orthopedic surgery residency and sports medicine fellowship at the U.S. News & World Report #1 ranked Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. While in New York, he served as assistant team physician for the New York Giants and WNBA New York Liberty. Previously, he worked as team physician for the Kansas City Chiefs and head physician for the Kansas City Ballet.

Dr. Voos has published over 120 scientific papers and book chapters on topics such as ACL reconstruction, shoulder instability, Tommy John surgery and stem cells. He currently serves as principal investigator for a first-of-its-kind FDA-approved study to treat early arthritis and cartilage injuries using expanded stem cells.

In 2023, Dr. Voos was awarded the revered Arthur Rettig prize for top scientific paper at the NFL Physicians Society Annual Meeting of the NFL Combine. In 2024, he was part of a team of investigators that received a $46 million federal ARPA-H grant for the development of a biologic knee replacement. In 2024 Dr. Voos established the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center with a $20 million gift from Dee and Jimmy Haslam. The Center's mission is to identify, invest, support and accelerate the world's best innovations in sports medicine.

In his free time, Dr. Voos enjoys volunteering on the sidelines of local high schools and spending time with his three children and wife, Kristin Voos, MD, a neonatologist at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

Selected Publications and Chapters

Knapik DM, Voos JE. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Skeletally Immature Patients: A Meta-analysis Comparing Repair Versus Reconstruction Techniques. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Apr 10.

Knapik DM, Kolaczko JG, Gillespie RJ, Salata MJ, Voos JE. Complications and Return to Activity After Arthroscopic Repair of Isolated Type II SLAP Lesions: A Systematic Review Comparing Knotted Versus Knotless Suture Anchors. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020 Apr 20;8(4):2325967120911361. eCollection 2020 Apr. Review.

Knapik DM, Rizzone KH, Voos JE. Timing and Reasons Behind Single-Sport Specialization in Soccer: A Survey of 64 Major League Soccer Athletes. Sports Health. 2020 Apr 14:1941738120911373.

Su CA, Knapik DM, Trivedi NN, Megerian MF, Salata MJ, Voos JE. Femoral Interference Screw Fixation in ACL Reconstruction Using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafts. JBJS Rev. 2020 Jan;8(1):e0066.

Li R, Kling S, Salata M, Sheehan J, Cupp S, Voos JE. Wearable Performance Devices in Sports Medicine. Sports Health. 2016 Jan;8(1):74-8.

McCarthy M, Voos JE, Nguyen J, Callahan L, Hannafin J. Injury Patterns in Female Basketball Players Entering the WNBA Combine. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013 Mar;41(3):645-51.

Knapik DM, Gebhart JJ, Sheehan J, Tanenbaum JE, Salata MJ, Voos JE. Recurrent Labral Tearing on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Not Predictive of Diminished Participation Among National Football League Athletes. Arthroscopy. 2018 Jan;34(1):66-72.

Kim C, Sivasundaram L, Trivedi M, Gilmore A, Gillespie RJ, Salata MJ, Liu RW, Voos JE. A 46-year Analysis of Gender Trends in Academic Authorship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2019 Mar 28.

Voos JE. Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction. Graft Choices and Harvesting Techniques. Elbow Collateral Ulnar Ligament Injury: A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment. Dines JS Altchek DW, Andrews J (eds). New York: Lippincott. 2015.

Voos JE and Knapik D. Shoulder Instability in Adolescents. Sports Medicine in the Pediatric Office. 2nd Edition. Metzel J (editor). American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018.

Voos JE, Maak T, Williams RJ, Wickiewicz TL. Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Insall & Scott The Knee, 5th edition. Elsevier. 2011.