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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.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, 2017

    American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2016

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Sports Medicine, 2014

  • Residencies

    Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2013

  • Internship

    Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2009

  • Education

    University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 2008

  • Languages

    English

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    276 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 28, 2025
    Dr Zhang listened to my concerns and came up with a thoughtful care plan. His written visit summary was excellent. Clearly showing his care and attention listening to me.
    Mar 01, 2025
    Dr. Zhang is the BEST!
    Feb 26, 2025
    Dr. Zhang was professional, caring and put me at ease when asking questions and inquiring about potential procedures. I appreciate that as a patient.
    Feb 12, 2025
    Dr. Zhang is excellent and normally I would have given 5's across the board, but the only thing that was slightly frustrating was that in our video visit there was a 'notetaker' and I expected to get a copy of the notes. And while I did get a copy of the notes they took it was very much from the perspective of the doctor. Let me explain, twice Dr. Zhang mentioned names of two providers that I needed to follow up with (a PT and a PRP Doctor), and because I presumed the notes would include the names of those providers I didn't write them down. But after the video visit, looking at the My Chart notes it just said "recommends seeing a PT", and from the doctor's perspective that's enough, but from the patient perspective the name of who he said is the essential information. So I think from that perspective, the follow up could have been better.
    Feb 05, 2025
    Lovely human, excellent bedside manner.
    Jan 31, 2025
    Dr Z is the best.
    Jan 31, 2025
    Dr. Zhang is top notch with the surgery he performs and the care he delivers. I had had an amazing experience thus far. Highly recommend him and his team to anyone needing surgery!
    Jan 08, 2025
    Dr Alan Zhang was exceptional
    Dec 11, 2024
    Dr. Zhang provided excellent and honest explanations of the issue with my hip. I appreciate his thoroughness and allowing room for questions.
    Dec 04, 2024
    Impression that the doctor had an appointment elsewhere
    Nov 08, 2024
    Dr. Zhang is excellent! Truly wonderful, thoughtful, generous, kind, and great at what he does.
    Oct 27, 2024
    Good experience. There were some unstated questions due to surprising statement of diagnosis which I wish we discussed. I trust the diagnosis and the health providers services were very good.
    Sep 26, 2024
    Very glad to have been cared for by Dr Zhang
    Sep 13, 2024
    Dr Alan Zhang is fabulous! Give him 10 stars!
    Sep 06, 2024
    Dr was very helpful. Answered my questions about care options. Allayed concerns about the surgery. Explained the procedure well both before and after. He had a nice demeanor which helped me feel positive about the surgery, even though I was a little worried going in. Having the recovery time and process explained was helpful, as well as knowing what steps I need before resuming. More rigorous activities.
    Aug 30, 2024
    I feel so supported in appointments with Dr. Zhang. Dr. Zhang genuinely cares and works to find solutions to get me back to my favorite activities and supports my recovery goals.
    Aug 23, 2024
    Top notch - excellent care, from beginning to end. I Can't say enough about Dr. Alan Zhang
    Aug 21, 2024
    Dr. Zhang is simply the best! Great bedside manner.
    Aug 04, 2024
    Pleasant doctor and he was very clear about the procedure and process
    Jul 24, 2024
    Dr. Zhang did an incredible job with my surgery, of course. But he is also super positive, a great listener, gives clear instructions/information in plain language and treats me like a person who deserves the incredible level of care I received at UCSF (unlike non-UCSF orthopedists and surgeons I have seen in the past). I would absolutely recommend Dr. Zhang (and UCSF) to anyone and everyone.
    Jul 24, 2024
    So impressed with UCSF
    Jul 10, 2024
    Dr. Zhang really listened regarding my hamstring injury and explained everything very well. His Resident (I forgot her name) was also very attentive and friendly to me with regards to my injury.
    Jun 17, 2024
    He was very attentive and kind.
    Apr 28, 2024
    Excellent doctor - attentive, informative, respectful, fantastic
    Mar 25, 2024
    Dr. Zhang is one of the very few doctors that l trust. He Is very patient, listens, cares about his patients, and makes informed decisions!
    Mar 23, 2024
    I can't stress enough how happy I am with Dr. Zhang. He has been extremely kind and understanding and did a fantastic job on my surgery. I have been in less pain in the last month and a half then I was for the last five years. This has changed my life so much, and I greatly appreciate it!
    Dec 16, 2023
    I really Doc Z and the people helping him. They're very clear and helpful.
    Nov 24, 2023
    Dr Z is good and works efficiently.
    Nov 19, 2023
    I've already recommended one patient who ended up having surgery performed by Dr Zhang.
    Nov 13, 2023
    I had the best provider helping me. Very good.
    Oct 27, 2023
    My provider was very well-tuned to my issues and needs as an individual. I would love to recommend this provider to anyone who needs the same care, except that they might have the same experiences I had initially.
    Oct 26, 2023
    Waiting for follow up
    Oct 18, 2023
    Extremely helpful and very thoughtful when explaining to me my condition
    Oct 07, 2023
    Appreciate Dr Zhung takes time to listen and answer all questions
    Oct 06, 2023
    Good
    Sep 18, 2023
    Dr. Zhang listened carefully to our concerns, provided thoughtful options to correct our child's condition, included us (the parents) in the decision making and was very kind and respectful.
    Sep 13, 2023
    Felt very confident I was in competent and kind hands
    Sep 13, 2023
    Good
    Sep 12, 2023
    Everyone I came into contact with regarding my surgery was helpful, thoughful, and caring. One of my best experinces dealing with health care. I felt truely cared for and supported in everyway.
    Sep 06, 2023
    Everything was explained very thoroughly and I felt informed the whole way through the process.
    Aug 30, 2023
    Dr. Zhang is wonderful. 100% pleased with his work and his bedside manner.
    Jul 14, 2023
    Doctor Zhang had been exceptionally good and provided treatment with utmost care and provided all the details needed for me to prepare before and after the surgery
    Jul 08, 2023
    I appreciated Dr. Zhang's honesty about my injury and expertise. He listened to my concerns and urgency to get back to running and my upcoming BIG track meet.
    Jun 16, 2023
    Excellent nurse who took out my stitches without causing any pain. Was very clear on how I should care for the wound.
    Jun 02, 2023
    Appreciate Dr Alan Zhang and his team. Wonderful care and experience
    May 26, 2023
    Never once felt rushed. Listened to all of my questions and concerns and thoughtfully answered

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