Dr. Richard Lee Stowell, MD

Dr. Stowell, partner of Orthopedic Sports Institute, is one of the leading Orthopedic Surgeons in America specializing in shoulder and elbow treatments. He is also one of the few surgeons in North Idaho performing Superior Capsule Reconstruction and Stryker InSpace™ Balloon Implants!

Call To Schedule Consultation

(208) 457-4211

Dr. Richard Lee Stowell of Coeur d'Alene, ID

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Shoulder & Elbow Orthopedic Care in Coeur d’Alene & Hayden, ID

Restore Your
Peak Potential

What Patients Are Saying

from John Yarno

former Seattle Seahawk | University of Idaho Hall of Fame

I was really impressed with Dr. Stowell. The way he communicated to me, and his knowledge. This guy knows what the heck he’s doing . . . I couldn’t be happier. I feel great now

from Colleen

Could not have been a better experience. Back playing tennis soon after.

from Jake

Best doctor I’ve ever been to . . . My son has not had any issues with his arm since!

from Daron

He’s on the cutting edge of everthing that’s available and explains everything he’s going to do. With the way that I’ve healed I believe in what he says and does.

Specialized Services

Dr. Richard Lee Stowell is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow conditions. He provides the highest quality of musculoskeletal care by using state-of-the art, minimally-invasive arthroscopic techniques for joint reconstruction surgery. Serving north Idaho, Dr. Stowell aims to restore your peak potential with an extensive practice in trauma and fracture management, as well as general orthopedic procedures.

Next Steps

Step 1:

Call (208) 457-4211 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stowell.

Step 2:

Complete forms digitally.


Three days prior to your appointment time, you will receive a text and email from our check-in platform called Phreesia to complete your forms electronically.

Step 3:

Check-in at our front desk.


On your date of appointment, we will scan your insurance card, photo ID, and collect any copayments.

Step 4:

Consult with Dr. Stowell.


If needed, you may receive X-rays. You will meet Dr. Stowell and he will discuss your treatment plan with you.  

  • You do not need a referral, unless it is required by your insurance company.
  • If you are calling due to a workplace injury, most employers will require you to be seen at an urgent care or hospital first to start your workers compensation claim. Your employer’s workers compensation adjuster would then usually have your claim and approval information ready for you to submit to our team to begin your healing journey with Dr. Stowell.
    When you call, our Patient Scheduler will ask you for your name, phone number, date of birth, address, insurance information and a brief summary of your orthopedic problem. Our Patient Scheduler will then coordinate an appointment time with you to see Dr. Stowell.
  • We accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Medicare, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Mountain Health Co-op, PacificSource, Kaiser, Tricare and other insurance providers. We advise you to call the number on the back of your insurance card to verify network participation. If still unsure, call or contact us and we would be happy to see how we can help.
Dr. Richard Lee Stowell

About Dr. Stowell

Dr. Richard Lee Stowell has completed 14 years of formal education to receive the honorable designation, Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is fellowship-trained in shoulder and elbow at the prestigious CORE Institute.

Although he is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, patients seek Dr. Stowell’s care from all over the United States. He is one of the few orthopedic surgeons in north Idaho that performs Superior Capsule Reconstruction, a surgery that helps restore shoulder stability in irreparable rotator cuff tears. He is one of very few orthopedic surgeons in the nation performing the Stryker InSpace™ Balloon Implant, which was FDA-approved in July 2021 after 10 years of clinical research. This breakthrough shoulder balloon implant is a biodegradable spacer to arthroscopically treat massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Dr. Stowell is a naturally gifted orthopedic surgeon who is commited to bringing excellence to his skill and delivering the best in orthopedic patient care. In 2022, he was honored to be selected as the eastern Washington and northern Idaho representative for an exclusive orthopedic society called PacWest ASES. He continues to advance the profession of orthopedic surgery by designing orthopedic instruments–SIX that are patent-pending.

Follow Dr. Stowell Online

Fequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Stowell?
In most cases, no referral is needed to schedule an appointment. However, some insurance plans require a referral or prior authorization—so we recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm. If you’re unsure, give our office a call and we’ll help you figure it out.
What insurance do you take?

We accept many major insurance plans, including
Blue Cross Blue Shield,
Medicare,
UnitedHealthcare,
Aetna,
Cigna,
Mountain Health Co-op,
PacificSource,
Kaiser Permanente,
and
TRICARE.

Because insurance plans and network participation can vary, we recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm your coverage. If you have questions or need help verifying benefits, our team is happy to assist you.

What if I was injured on the job?
If your injury happened at work, your employer will usually ask you to start a workers’ compensation claim through an urgent care or hospital first. After that, your employer’s workers’ comp adjuster can provide the claim details and authorization paperwork. Once you have that information, our team can help coordinate your appointment and treatment plan.
Where does imaging take place?
We can often do X-rays in the clinic during your visit. If you need advanced imaging—like an MRI, CT, or ultrasound—Dr. Stowell can order it and we’ll coordinate with a trusted local imaging facility. Once the images are complete, we’ll review the results with you and map out next steps.
Where will my surgery take place?

Surgery is performed at Hayden Surgery Center. It’s designed specifically for outpatient procedures, with a specialized surgical team and a patient-focused setup to make check-in, surgery day flow, and recovery as smooth as possible. Our team will walk you through where to go, what to bring, when to arrive, and what to expect before and after your procedure.

Where are you doing clinics for checkups?
Dr. Stowell sees patients for clinic visits, follow-ups, and checkups at two locations: the OSI office in Coeur d’Alene and at Hayden Surgery Center in Hayden. When you schedule, our team will confirm the best location for your visit and make sure you have the address and directions.
Where do I go for physical therapy?

Physical therapy is available at both the Coeur d’Alene OSI office and the OSI office at Hayden Surgery Center. This makes it easier to keep your care coordinated—your therapist can follow Dr. Stowell’s protocols closely, track your progress, and help you safely return to work, sports, and daily activities as efficiently as possible.