Matt Zapf, MD, MSc, FAAOS
Orthopaedic Surgeon – Sports Medicine & Joint Reconstruction
Dr. Matthew Zapf is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine and a clinical focus on shoulder and knee preservation, joint reconstruction, and arthroplasty of the shoulder, hip, and knee. Known for his thoughtful, evidence-based approach and team-oriented mindset, Dr. Zapf is committed to restoring function, optimizing performance and empowering patients via personalized, compassionate care.
Splitting childhood between the NYC metropolitan area and Southern California, Dr. Zapf completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Before his medical training, he spent several years as a ski and kayak instructor in Lake Tahoe, later volunteering at the Angkor Hospital for Children in Cambodia and working as an EMT alongside the LA County Fire Department. These early experiences instilled in him a profound respect for resilience, community, and the power of movement.
He received his Master of Science in Physiology from Georgetown University and medical degree from New York Medical College earning selection into the national medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and his fellowship in sports medicine at the Taos Orthopaedic Institute.
Dr. Zapf began his surgical career in the Coachella Valley in 2018, where he developed extensive experience treating high-energy injuries and complex multiligament knee pathology. He later joined SMaRT Health & Wellness, drawn to its mission of integrated, forward-thinking care. There, he found a team of like-minded professionals committed to whole-person healing, empowering patients with every available non-operative modality before pursuing surgical solutions.
Dr. Zapf’s practice includes complex sports (or life)-related injuries, total joint replacement, and advanced arthroscopic reconstruction of the shoulder and knee. He currently serves as a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team. As a consultant for Arthrex, he helps shape surgical technique and product development while mentoring the next generation of surgeons through his role with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
Dr. Zapf’s philosophy is that orthopaedic care is collaborative, respectful, and grounded in human connection. Each patient is an extension of his family and he partners with them in a shared journey toward recovery in all aspects.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Zapf is an avid cyclist and unapologetically bad golfer -a fact his wife Kim, the superior athlete in the household, reminds him of frequently. Their dog Kalani, a devoted rescue cattle dog mix, and their cat Rico, a spirited troublemaker, complete the household.