Orthopedics
Area of Specialization
Dr. Assaf Bibas is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder disorders and injuries.
His clinical work includes both conservative and surgical management of a wide range of conditions that affect shoulder function, pain levels, and overall quality of life.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Bibas serves as the medical director of the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball club.
His approach is based on individualized decision-making, with the understanding that not every shoulder problem requires surgery, but also that not every pain can be effectively managed with conservative treatment alone.
Conditions Treated
Dr. Bibas treats, among others, the following shoulder conditions:
- Rotator cuff tendon tears
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Recurrent shoulder dislocations and joint instability
- Inflammatory and degenerative tendon disorders
- Sports-related shoulder injuries and overuse damage
- Chronic shoulder pain with limitation of movement
Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, appropriate imaging studies, and an assessment of how the condition affects the patient’s daily life and function.
Treatment Approach
Dr. Bibas’ treatment philosophy combines up-to-date orthopedic knowledge with careful clinical judgment.
In each case, several key questions are considered:
- Is improvement possible without surgery?
- When is surgery the most appropriate option?
- Which approach allows the safest return to normal function?
The goal of treatment is not only to address the anatomical problem, but to improve shoulder function, reduce pain, and achieve a stable, long-term result.
Professional Experience
Dr. Assaf Bibas is a senior orthopedic surgeon with focused expertise in shoulder conditions.
His experience includes work within the public healthcare system alongside private clinical practice, managing both straightforward cases and more complex clinical situations.
Private Practice
Dr. Bibas sees patients for private orthopedic consultations, including evaluation, second opinions, and treatment planning, at Tel Aviv Medical Clinic (TAMC).
For appointments:
📞 Phone: +972-73-374-6844
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: +972-52-337-3108
Frequently Asked Questions – Shoulder Problems
(answers as they are usually explained in clinic)
1. When is shoulder pain a reason to see an orthopedic specialist?
Usually, when it stops being “just annoying.”
If the pain has been there for a few weeks, if lifting the arm becomes difficult, if the pain wakes you up at night, or if you feel that the shoulder is weaker than before — these are signs worth checking.
Some people prefer to wait and see if it passes on its own. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t.
In practice, an early evaluation often makes things clearer and prevents unnecessary worsening.
2. Does a rotator cuff tear automatically mean surgery?
No. Not at all.
We see many patients with rotator cuff tears who function reasonably well and don’t necessarily need surgery right away — or sometimes not at all.
It depends on several things: the size of the tear, how much pain there is, what the shoulder can still do, the patient’s age and daily activity.
If function is acceptable and pain is manageable, surgery is not always the best first step. In other cases, it becomes the most reasonable option. There is no single rule.
3. What exactly is frozen shoulder, and why does it take so long?
Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder gradually becomes stiff and painful, often without a clear trigger.
What frustrates many patients is the time factor. Improvement is usually slow, sometimes over many months.
From experience, the key is understanding the process and managing pain and movement along the way.
The goal is not to “force” the shoulder, but to guide it safely through the stages until movement returns.
4. Do repeated shoulder dislocations always lead to surgery?
Not always — but quite often.
A single dislocation is one situation. Recurrent dislocations are another, especially in younger or active patients.
Each case is assessed individually. We look at how often it happens, under what circumstances, and how much it affects confidence and daily function.
In many cases, surgery is less about being aggressive and more about restoring stability and peace of mind.
5. How do you decide between conservative treatment and surgery?
In real life, this decision is rarely based on one scan or one test result.
We look at the whole picture: symptoms, function, lifestyle, expectations, and how the problem actually affects daily life.
Sometimes surgery is clearly the right choice.
Sometimes the right decision is to say: “Not now — let’s treat conservatively and reassess.”
That is not hesitation. That is part of responsible medical care.