Nathan Olafsen, MD | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr. Olafsen specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in tendon and joint disorders, sports-related injuries in runners and other endurance athletes as well as adaptive, overhead, and younger athletes. Dr. Olafsen also has a strong interest and involvement in the medical education for fellows, residents, and medical students.

Common Diagnoses Treated

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Lumbar herniated disc
Osteoarthritis
Radiculopathy (sciatica)
Stress fractures
Tendon and ligament injuries

Common Procedures

Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/nerve conduction studies)
Fluoroscopic lumbar spine injections
Hyaluronic acid injections
Peripheral joint injections (fluoroscopic and ultrasound guided)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
Soft tissue injections (ultrasound guided)

Clinical Office Locations

Center for Advanced Medicine

4921 Parkview Place

St Louis, MO 63110
Center for Advanced Medicine — South County

5201 Midamerica Plaza, Suite 1500

St Louis, MO 63129
St. Louis Children's Specialty Care Center - South County

5114 Midamerica Plaza, Suite E

St Louis, MO 63129

Hospital Affiliations

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Academic Office Mailing Address

Washington University School of Medicine

Campus Box 8233

660 Euclid Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63110

Patient Education

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation patient education

Patient Resources

Patient Forms

Click here for patient forms.

Olafsen, NP, Harrast, MA and Baggish A. Optimal Running Dose. Current Sports Medicine Reports. Manuscript in progress.
Herring, SA and Olafsen, NP. Pain Management in Sports: Therapeutic Injections. Sports Neurology Handbook in Clinical Neurology. Manuscript in progress.
Olafsen, NP and Harrast, MA. Shoulder Pain on the Pacific Crest Trail. Case poster presentation at 2017 American Medicine Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
Liem, BC and Olafsen, NP. Pectoralis Major Injuries: Evaluation and Management. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports: Sports Medicine Rehabilitation. Manuscript in progress.
Olafsen, NP and Harrast, MA. So I have a stress fracture, now what? Seattle Marathon UW Medicine Articles and Running Tips. September 2016.
Gellhorn AC, Suri PS, Rundell S, Olafsen N, Carlson MJ, Johnson S, Fry A, Anaswammy T, Gilligan C, Comstock B, Heagerty P, Friedly J, Jarvik J. Lumbar muscle characteristics predict clinical outcomes in adults with spinal stenosis: a longitudinal study. Accepted to PM&R, September 2016.
Liem, BC, Olafsen NP, Harrast MA, Herring SA. Final Comment: Return to Play Decision Making: Does Level of Competition Make a Difference? PM&R; 2016, 2, S139-143.
Olafsen N, Murdock F, Worsowicz GM. The Impact of Body Mass Index on Achievement of Functional Changes During Inpatient Rehabilitation for Lower Limb Amputees PM&R; 2010, 2 (9S), 153S.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Olafsen specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in tendon and joint disorders, sports-related injures in runners and other endurance athletes as well as adaptive, overhead, and younger athletes. Dr. Olafsen also has a strong interest and involvement in the medical education for fellows, residents, and medical students.

Background

Dr. Olafsen earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and followed with a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from the University of Washington. He is fellowship trained in Sports Medicine also from the University of Washington, and has a strong interest in medical coverage for sports teams. Dr. Olafsen specializes in the evaluation and nonoperative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in tendon and joint disorders, sports-related injures in runners and other endurance athletes as well as adaptive, overhead, and younger athletes. Dr. Olafsen also has a strong interest and involvement in the medical education for fellows, residents, and medical students.

Board Certifications

Board Certified, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Board Certified, Sports Medicine

Medical Degree

University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO

Residency

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Fellowship

Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Sports Team Coverage

2017, Event Physician, The Mat Classic XXIX Washington State Wrestling Championships
2016-2017, Head Team Physician, Ballard High School Football Team
2016, Physician Captain, Seattle Marathon, 10K, and Kids Marathon
2016, Event Physician, Slam On The Sound Quad Rugby Tournament
2015-2017, Physician Captain, Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
2015-2016, Event Physician, Seattle Jam Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
2015, Event Physician, Seattle Marathon 10K and Kids Marathon
2015, Event Physician, Hoops for Hope: Jim Marsh Classic
2015, Volunteer, Seattle Paralympic Sports Day
2015, Adaptive Sports Volunteer, Spinal Cord Injury Wellness Summit
2014, Event Physician, Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
2013-2016, Volunteer Physician, University of Washington Husky Crew Physicals
2013-2015, Sideline Physician, Ballard High School Football Team
2011, Event Physician, University of Missouri Wheelchair Basketball Camp
2007, Member, Operation Walk-Peru: medical mission providing free orthopedic procedures

Professional Memberships

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
North American Spine Society
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Washington University Orthopedics

Nathan P. Olafsen, MD