What conditions does Dr. Jake Bauwens treat?

Dr. Bauwens treats sports medicine and orthopaedic conditions involving the knee and shoulder, including ACL injuries, rotator cuff injuries, and related conditions. [VERIFY: full answer truncated on live page — confirm complete text before publishing.]

Does Dr. Bauwens perform arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery?

Yes. His practice includes arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery for selected injuries when surgery is clinically appropriate.

When should I see a sports medicine surgeon for knee pain?

You should consider evaluation if knee pain follows a sports injury, causes swelling, instability, locking, catching, difficulty walking, or prevents return to activity.

When should I see a sports medicine surgeon for shoulder pain?

Evaluation may be appropriate when shoulder pain causes weakness, night pain, limited motion, instability, repeated dislocation, or difficulty with lifting. [VERIFY: full answer truncated on live page — confirm complete text before publishing.]

Does every ACL or rotator cuff injury require surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the injury pattern, severity, symptoms, activity goals, age, health, and imaging findings. Some injuries may be managed nonsurgically. [VERIFY: full answer truncated on live page — confirm complete text before publishing.]

Where does Dr. Bauwens see patients?

Dr. Bauwens is listed with Wisconsin Bone & Joint locations in Wauwatosa, Glendale, and Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Jake D. Bauwens, M.D. | Jake D. Bauwens, M.D., Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeon, Glendale, Cedarburg, Wauwatosa, WI

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Jake D. Bauwens, M.D.

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeon

Dr. Jake Bauwens is an orthopaedic physician, specializing in sports medicine and sports-related injuries. Dr. Bauwens attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete his Bachelors of Sciences in Biochemistry degree, and Rush University Medical College to complete his medical degree. Dr. Bauwens completed both his internship and residency programs in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Bauwens expanded his medical knowledge and expertise by completing an additional clinical fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of South Florida and Florida Orthopaedic Institute.

Dr. Bauwens provides highly-trained, highly-skilled sports medicine services with a focus on patient care outcomes, and supported by the latest innovative and minimally invasive surgical procedures, to meet the unique and individual needs of each patient.

Milwaukee Magazine Top Doc in 2026 and 2024

Education

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship
University of South Florida and Florida Orthopaedic Institute Tampa, FL
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI
Orthopaedic Surgery Internship
Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI
Medical Degree
Rush University Medical College Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Sciences, Biochemistry
University of Wisconsin – Madison Madison, WI

Postgraduate Training and Fellowship Appointments

2020-2021, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship, University of South Florida/Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL
2016-2020, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
2015-2016, Orthopaedic Surgery Internship, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI

Professional Society Memberships

2023-present, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
2018-present, Arthroscopy Association of North America
2015-present, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
2015-present, Wisconsin Orthopaedic Society
2015-present, Milwaukee Orthopaedic Society
2014-present, American Medical Association

Professional Activities

Patient safety and quality improvement project, developing orthopaedic surgery service line inpatient brochures, 2018, Milwaukee, WI

Honors and Awards

2026 and 2024 - Milwaukee Magazine Top Doc
2019, Excellence in Orthopaedic Patient Care, Schwab Skeleton
-Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
2016, Excellence in Orthopaedic Patient Care
-Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
2012, Rush Medical College Deans Fellowship
-Rush University Medical College
2009, Graduation with Distinction
-University of Wisconsin-Madison
2007, Alpha Epsilon Delta
-University of Wisconsin-Madison chapter
2007, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
-University of Wisconsin-Madison chapter

Team Coverage Experience

2022-Present, Associate team physician University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletics
2022, Associate team physician for Whitnall High School, Greenfield, WI
2022, Associate team physician for Milwaukee Milkmen Baseball Club, Franlkin, WI
2021-2023, Assistant team physician for Brookfield Central High School, Brookfield, WI
2021, Associate team physician for American Athletic Conference NCAA Baseball Championship Tournament, Clearwater, FL
2020-2021, Associate team physician for University of South Florida Men’s Football Team, Tampa, FL
2020-2021, Associate team physician for St. Leo University Men’s Basketball Team, Men’s Lacrosse Team and University wide training room, St. Leo, FL
2018, Associate team physician for U.S Olympic Team Trials long track speedskating, Milwaukee, WI
2017-2018, Associate team physician for Concordia University Wisconsin Men’s Ice Hockey, Mequon, WI

Local and National Service

2016, Volunteer, Bench-to-Bedside: Teaching the Fundamentals of Physical Examinations to Medical Students, Milwaukee, WI
2012-2015, Volunteer, Community Health Clinic, Chicago, IL
2012-2015, Volunteer, Rush Medical College Admissions, Chicago, IL
2013, Volunteer, Gross Anatomy Tutor, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL
2012, Volunteer, Rush Community Health Fair, Chicago, IL
2011, Volunteer, Rush Hearts to Soles with Orthopaedic Interest Group, Chicago, IL
2006-2010, Volunteer, Meriter Hospital Volunteer Services, Madison, WI

Invited Lectures/Presentations

2024, Bauwens J.D., Complex Sports Medicine Case Presentation, Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, Glendale, WI
2022, Bauwens J.D., Complex Shoulder Case Presentations, Athletico Rehabilitation Center, Wauwatosa, WI
2021, Bauwens J.D., Distal biceps rupture: Acute primary repair vs Chronic reconstruction with semitendinosis allograft, University of South Florida Orthopaedic Research Day, Tampa, FL
2020, Bauwens J.D., Learning curve associated with anterior total hip arthroplasty, Medical College of Wisconsin Annual Gould Lectureship, Milwaukee, WI
2020, Bauwens J.D., The young osteoarthritic knee: High tibial osteotomy versus Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and Total knee arthroplasty for isolated medial compartment OA, Medical College of Wisconsin Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds, Milwaukee, WI
2019, Bauwens J.D., Acute achilles tendon rupture: Evaluation and management, Medical College of Wisconsin Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds, Milwaukee, WI
2019, Bauwens J.D., Orthopaedic cadaveric anatomy session for common sports medicine related injuries, 31st Annual MCW Sports Medicine Symposium, Milwaukee, WI

Research

2020-2021, Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Faculty Mentor: Mark Mighell, M.D.
“Distal biceps rupture: Acute primary repair vs. Chronic reconstruction with semitendinosus allograft.” (Submitted for publication)
2017-2020, Medical College of Wisconsin, Faculty Mentor: Joseph Schwab, M.D.
“Study of learning curve associated with anterior total hip arthroplasty in single surgeon database.” (Post data analysis)
2016-present, Medical College of Wisconsin, Faculty Mentor: Gregory Schmeling, M.D.
“Gait analysis in intramedullary tibial nail placement for isolated tibial shaft fractures.”
2013-2014, Rush University Medical Center, Faculty Mentor: Brett Levine, M.D.
“Study of lower extremity alignment in patients with osteoarthritis with previous total knee arthroplasty.”
2012, Rush University Medical Center, Faculty Mentor: Vincent Wang, Ph.D.
“Study of in vivo (murine) tendinopathy model with TGF-beta1 injections into achilles tendon for mechanical testing, histology and qPCR assessments.”
2007-2011, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Faculty Mentor: Kurt Saupe Ph.D (decd.)
“Research focusing on localizing AMPK activity in white adipose tissue in obese murine models, as well as defining physiologic response to thermogenic challenges in AMPK -/- mice. Assisted with various cardiovascular stem cell projects.”

Publications

Mulligan, J.D., Schmuck E.G., Ertel R.L., Brellenthin A.G., Bauwens J.D. & Saupe K.W. "Caloric Restriction Does Not Alter Effects of Aging in Cardiac Side Population Cells." Age3 (2011): 351-61. PMID: 20922487.
Bauwens J.D., Schmuck E.G., Lindhold C.R., Ertel R.L., Mulligan J.D., Hovis I, Viollet B & Saupe K.W. "Cold Tolerance, Cold-induced Hyperphagia, and Nonshivering Thermogenesis Are Normal in alpha-1-AMPK -/- Mice." Am J Physiol Regul Integ Comp Physio 301.2 (2011): R473-83. PMID: 21593427.
Lindholm C.R., Ertel R.L., Bauwens J.D., Schmuck E.G., Mulligan J.D. and Saupe K.W. "A high-fat diet decreases AMPK activity in multiple tissues in the absence of hyperglycemia or systemic inflammation in rats." J Physiol Biochem. 69.2 (2013): 165-75. PMID: 22941749.

Abstracts and Proceedings

Redlich N., Becker B.M., Bauwens J.D., Scwab J.M., “Further Defining the Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty Learning Curve: Effects of a Co-Surgeon and a Comprehensive Classification of Complications.” AAOS August 31, 2021
Bauwens J.D., Lindholm C.R., Ertel R.L, Mulligan J.D., Schmuck E.G. & Saupe K.W., "Responses of mice lacking alpha-1-AMPK to acute and chronic thermogenic challenges." FASEB J April 6, 2010 24: 658.1.
Lindholm C.R., Bauwens J.D., Ertel R.L, Mulligan J.D., Schmuck E.G. & Saupe K.W. "Chronic Beta-3 adrenergic stimulation induced remodeling of white adipose tissue in mice." FASEB J, April 6, 2010 24:502.3.
Mulligan J.D., Schmuck E.G, Ertel R.L, Bauwens J.D. & Saupe K.W. "Aging reduces differentiation-associated gene expression in cardiac side population cells that is not attenuated by caloric restriction." FASEB J April 6, 2010 24:644.6.

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