Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the skeleton, joints, muscles, connective tissue and other supporting structures including ligaments and cartilage.

Our services include special centers for arthritis, bone cancer, spine disorders and sports injuries as well as services to treat conditions of the ankle and foot, hip and knee, shoulder and the special orthopedic conditions that affect children.

Treatments range from simple lifestyle changes to major surgeries, although the trend is toward non-invasive "arthroscopic" procedures performed through tiny incisions.

These are supplemented with services in pain management, physical therapy and orthopedic devices such as braces and prosthetic limbs, providing a comprehensive approach to orthopedic problems. In some cases, joint replacement of the hip, knee or shoulder may be the best suitable treatment.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call:

Hear audio interviews with our Sports Medicine experts.

ACL Injuries and Women — The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee and interestingly, women are more prone to have ACL tears than men. Hear an interview with Dr. Christina Allen, who talks about ACL injuries in women.

Arthroscopic Surgeries and Joint Repair — Are you bothered by shoulder, knee or hip joint pain? Hear Dr. C. Benjamin Ma, the chief of Sports Medicine and Shoulder ervices at UCSF Medical Center, discuss the differences between arthroscopic and traditional surgery.

Dance Injuries — Tendonitis, shin splints and problems with ankles, feet, hips, knees and lower back are common injuries among dancers. Some of these injuries can end a dancer's career. Hear Dr. Nancy Kadel, an orthopedic surgeon and former professional dancer, discuss how treating the early signs of stress and strain can prevent debilitating injuries.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated June 8, 2009