Portrait of Alan Zhang
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Alan Zhang, MD

Orthopedic Surgery • Sports MedicineMedical Director, Orthopedic Institute
Sports Medicine Mission Bay
415-353-2808
Portrait of Alan Zhang
Portrait of Alan Zhang
ucsf logo

Alan Zhang, MD

Orthopedic Surgery • Sports MedicineMedical Director, Orthopedic Institute
Sports Medicine Mission Bay
415-353-2808

On this page

About me

Dr. Alan Zhang is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee and shoulder. His areas of focus include tears of the hip and shoulder labrum (cartilage in the socket that stabilizes the joint), femoroacetabular impingement (a painful condition of the hip joint) and athletic injuries of the hip. He also specializes in tears of the knee's anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, as well as rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations and biceps tears.

Zhang is the medical director for the UCSF Orthopedic Institute. He also directs the Hip Preservation Center and the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Fellowship.

In his research, Zhang uses innovative imaging techniques to detect early signs of cartilage injury in the hip, with the goal of finding hip preservation methods that protect cartilage and maintain function. He also uses large national databases to analyze trends in orthopedic surgery and works to integrate measurements of patient-centered care into current treatments. He has published numerous award-winning research articles on the hip, knee and shoulder, and is often invited to lecture internationally.

After earning his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Zhang completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in sports medicine at UCSF.

Zhang is a member of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America and Orthopaedic Research Society.

Zhang is team physician for the University of San Francisco's NCAA Division I teams and local area high schools.

Education & training

Board certification

  • Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship

  • Sports Medicine, UCSF Medical Center House Staff

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, UCLA Medical Center

Internship

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, UCLA Medical Center

Degree

  • MD, University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Academic title

  • Professor-in-Residence

Locations

    Reviews

    Average rating

    4.8
    4.8 out of 5 Stars
    235 ratings
    About provider reviews

    Showing 1-6 of 40 reviews

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    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      May 26, 2026

      Dr. Zhang was familiar with my case even though he was meeting me for the first time to provide a second opinion. I appreciated his candor and positivity. I am moving my care to him and this practice based on our meeting

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      May 10, 2026

      Dr. Alan Zhang has always been kind, patient, and caring. This is my 3rd surgery with him, so I have relatively extensive experience on which to base my opinion.

    • 4.2 out of 5 Stars
      May 3, 2026

      We are repeat clients of Dr Zhang and trust him completely.

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      May 1, 2026

      I had a great experience at the orthopedic institute. Everyone I worked with was great. In particular, Dr. Zhang listened carefully to my concerns and explained clearly my condition and helped me to understand my treatment options.

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      April 18, 2026

      Dr. Zhang is kind, compassionate and very thorough. He takes the time to listen to his patients.

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      March 12, 2026

      Good

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