About Dr. Katherine Burns
Having graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in biology and psychology, Dr. Burns was also a member of several honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa and the Premedical Honor Society. After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, where she was nominated for Alpha Omega Alpha, she completed a residency program at the University of Utah, one of the top 25 orthopedic programs in the country. Upon finishing her residency, Dr. Burns completed fellowship training for sports medicine at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego.
Dr. Burns is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty fellowship training in sports medicine. She also completed an international traveling fellowship sponsored by the Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society in 2005, focusing on shoulder surgery. Her medical interests include diseases of the shoulder, rotator cuff disease and arthritis, labral repairs, shoulder instability, shoulder replacement, and revision shoulder surgery.
Currently, Dr. Burns is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society, and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. On a local level, she has been a member of the Saint Louis Metropolitan Medical Society and the Missouri Orthopedic Association. She is active on the hospital staff and was awarded the DePaul Hospital Physician Value Award for Compassion in 2006.
Dr. Burns provides care for athletes from high school to professional levels. She was the team physician for Lindenwood University from 2001 to 2015. She has provided medical coverage for NBA exhibition games and was the team physician for the St. Louis Quest, a professional women’s volleyball team. She is also skilled in caring for injuries of the “weekend warrior.” Additionally, she is interested in promoting the health and wellness of all Saint Louisans and brought the Gateway to Health Challenge and Dragonboat Festival to Saint Louis through her work at the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization.
Staying active and passionate about medical education is her top priority. In addition to advancing her own education, she assists other physicians and physical therapists by providing instructional courses on diseases of the shoulder, knee, and hip, particularly in athletes. She has also spoken to wider community audiences, including the 2007 Women’s Conference sponsored by the Saint Louis Business Journal. She is actively involved in research to advance the field of orthopedics, and her research has been supported by the Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society and Zimmer.
Certification
- 2007: Board Certified, Sports Medicine, The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Recertified through 2024 - 2004: Board Certified, The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Recertified through 2024
Practice History
- Since 2010: SSM Orthopedics
- 2001-2010: Premier Care Orthopedics, North Division, Signature Health Services
Education
- 2005: Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society Traveling Fellowship in Shoulder
Switzerland, France, United States - 2000 – 2001: Sports Medicine Fellowship
Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, CA - 1995 – 2000: Orthopedic Surgery Residency
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT - 1991 – 1995: Doctor of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX - 1987 – 1991: B.S. in Biology, Psychology (Magna Cum Laude)
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Honors & Awards
Dr. Burns continues to pursue academic and professional excellence through research and collaboration.
- 2018: Faithful Healer Award, nominated, SSM DePaul Hospital
- 2015: Zimmer/ Ruth Jackson Research Grant
- 2013: Angel Award, SSM DePaul Foundation
- 2012: Top Docs in Patient Satisfaction, Press Ganey
- 2007: Paul Simon Award, Signature Foundation
- 2006: Physician Value Award for Compassion
- 2006: Studer Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Civic Entrepreneurs Organization
- 2005: Shoulder Surgery Traveling Fellowship, Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society
- 1994: Nominated, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
- 1991: Phi Beta Kappa
- 1991: Alpha Epsilon Delta, Premedical Honor Society
- 1991: Chancellor’s Scholar, 8 of 8 undergraduate semesters
- 1991: Stalnacker Scholarship for Academic Achievement
- 1991: Outstanding Student Research in Psychology
- 1991: Ossip Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing
- 1989: Beta Beta Beta, Biological Honor Society
- 1989: Phi Eta Sigma, Freshman Honor Society, President
- 1989: Golden Key National Honor Society, President
Papers and Posters
- 2023: Chronic Kidney Disease Increases Cost of Care and Readmission Risk After Shoulder Arthroplasty
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L.M., LeMarr, A.R., Morton, D.J., Wilson, M.L. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. - 2022: Modifiable Risk Factors in Shoulder Arthroplasty Increase Length of Stay and 90-Day Cost of Care
Burns, K.A., Schroer, W.C., Robbins, L.M., LeMarr, A.R., Morton, D.J., Wilson, M.L. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 30(1): 2-7. - 2021: Celecoxib Significantly Reduces Opioid Use After Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Burns, K.A., Schroer, W.C., Robbins, L.M., LeMarr, A.R., Childress, A.L., Burns, J.C., Morton, D.J., Wilson, M.L. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 30(1): 1-8. - 2020: Healing Rates and Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair for Patients Taking Either Celecoxib or Placebo
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L.M., Wilson, M.L., LeMarr, A.R., Childress, A.L., Morton, D.J. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery International. 5(2): 247-253. - 2019: Celecoxib Significantly Reduces Narcotic Use After Shoulder Surgery
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, USA, March 2019. (Final program) - 2019: Healing Rates and Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair for Patients Taking Either Celecoxib or Placebo
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, USA, March 2019. (Final program) - 2016: Unexpected Positive Cultures in Primary Shoulder Arthroplasty Patients with Prior Surgery
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA, March 2016. - 2019: Predicting Transfusion After Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L.M., Wilson, M.L., LeMarr, A., Childress, A.L., Morton, D.J. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Open Access. 3(4): 311-315. - 2019: Rotator Cuff Repair with Knotless Technique is Quicker and More Cost Effective Than Knotted Technique
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L.M., LeMarr, A., Childress, A.L., Morton, D.J., Wilson, M.L. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation. 1(2): e123-e130. - Research in Progress: Lengthening Complications After Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Associated with Patient Height
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L.M., Wilson, M.L., LeMarr, A., Burns, J.C., Childress, A.L., Morton, D.J., Wilson, M.L. - 2015: The Business of Medicine: 5 Tips for Improving Your Business IQ
RJOS Guide for Women in Orthopedic Surgery, 2nd Ed. Edited by Lisa Cannada. - 2014: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: Postoperative Progress is Slower in the Revision Setting
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L., LeMarr, A.R., Morton, D.J. - 2014: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Chronic Locked Dislocations in the Elderly
Burns, K.A., Robbins, L., LeMarr, A.R., Morton, D.J. - 2006: Rotator Cuff Muscle Architecture: Implications for Glenohumeral Stability
Ward, S.R., Hentzen, E.R., Smallwood, L.H., Eastlack, R.K., Burns, K.A., Fithian, D.C., Friden, J., Lieber, R.L. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 448: 157-163. - 2001: Coxa Vara: Another Option for Fixation
Burns, K.A., Stevens, P.M. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics B. 10(4): 304-310. - 1999: Effect of Autograft Placement on Cartilage Contact Stress
Burns, K.A., Burks, R.T., Bachus, K.N. Grand Rounds, University of Utah. - 1994: The Radiographic Position of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament: Radiographic Analysis of PCL Reconstruction
Burns, K.A., Lintner, D.M.
Presentations
Dr. Burns enjoys sharing her expertise and passion for orthopedic surgery. She has presented at many local, regional, and national meetings.
- 2020: Moderator, Concurrent Symposium IV: Shoulder Instability and Bone Loss
Arthroscopy Association of North America Annual Meeting, Grapevine, TX, May 2020 (canceled due to COVID-19). - 2020: Long-term Outcomes with Knotless, Double-Row Repair
Orthopedic Technology and Innovation Forum-West Coast, Arthrex, San Diego, CA (canceled due to COVID-19). - 2020: Long-term Outcomes with Knotless, Double-Row Repair
Orthopedic Technology and Innovation Forum, Arthrex, Naples, FL (presentation link). - 2019: Speedbridge Rotator Cuff Repair
Elite Orthopedic Shoulder Symposium, St. Louis, MO. - 2019: Techniques for Rotator Cuff Repair
Women in Sports Medicine Meeting, Arthrex, Naples, FL. - 2019: Shoulder Roundtable Discussion
With Dr. Frederick “Rick” A. Matsen, MD, and Dr. Aaron Chamberlain, MD; Missouri Shoulder and Elbow Society. - 2019: Transfusion in Shoulder Arthroplasty
The Forum Annual Meeting. - 2018: Predicting Transfusion after Shoulder Arthroplasty
Missouri Shoulder and Elbow Society Meeting. - 2018: Shoulder Arthritis
SSM Health Community Outreach. - 2017: Rotator Cuff Tears: Evaluation and Management
SSM Health Orthopedic Clinical Summit. - 2016: Shoulder Arthritis and You
SSM Community Outreach. - 2015: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
SSM Health Orthopedic Clinical Summit. - 2015: Shoulder Arthritis Solutions
SSM Community Outreach. - 2012: Common Shoulder Problems
SSM Community Outreach. - 2012: Postoperative Shoulder Rehabilitation
SSM Physical Therapy. - 2012: Sports Shoulder Injuries: Diagnosis and Management
Lindenwood University Lecture Series, Athletic Training Curriculum. - 2011: Sports Knee Injuries: Diagnosis and Management
Lindenwood University Lecture Series, Athletic Training Curriculum. - 2011: Shoulder Arthritis: Diagnosis and Management
SSM Community Outreach. - 2011: Rotator Cuff: Current Concepts 2011
OrthoSpine and Pain Symposium. - 2010: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
Up in Arms, Physical Therapist Education Series. - 2010: Sports Shoulder Pathology
Lindenwood University, Athletic Training Curriculum. - 2010: Shoulder Physical Exam and Diagnosis
SSM Physical Therapist Education Series. - 2008: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
St. Louis Home Health Physical Therapist Education Series. - 2007: ACL Reconstruction: Past, Present, Future
DePaul Hospital Community Outreach Series. - 2007: The Gateway to Health Challenge
Health Summit 2007, Missouri Foundation for Health. - 2007: Power Tools: Business Lessons from the World of Medicine
St. Louis Business Journal Women’s Conference, 2007. - 2007: Women’s Issues in Orthopedics
The Soroptimists Club, 2007. - 2005: Bigger Can Be Better
Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society Biennial Meeting. - 2004: Current Concepts in Shoulder Surgery
SSM Rehab, Department of Continuing Education. - 2004: Current Concepts: The Hip and Knee
SSM Rehab, Department of Continuing Education. - 2004: Shoulder Instability: Arthroscopic Stabilization
Signature Health Foundation, Physical Therapy Continuing Education Series. - 2004: Shoulder Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty
SSM Rehab, Department of Continuing Education. - 2003: TKA, THA, ACL, Patellar Instability
SSM Rehab, Department of Continuing Education. - 2002: Common Sports Injuries
Depaul Health Center, Community Outreach Series. - 2002: ACL Injuries in the Female Athlete
One False Move, ACL Symposium, ProRehab Continuing Education Series. - 2001: Rotator Cuff Disorders
CME Series for PCPs, Alton Memorial Hospital. - 1999: Effect of Autograft Placement on Contact Pressures
Grand Rounds, University of Utah, Department of Orthopedics. - 1997: Compartment Syndromes of the Upper Extremity
Grand Rounds, University of Utah, Department of Orthopedics. - 1997: Venous Thromboembolic Disease: Prophylaxis in THA
Grand Rounds, University of Utah, Department of Orthopedics.