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Alan Zhang

MD

Orthopedic surgeon
Medical Director, Orthopedic Institute
Dedicated to sports medicine care

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

    UCSD School of Medicine

  • Residencies

    UCLA Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery

  • Board Certifications

    Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

    Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    Cantonese

    Mandarin

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    294 Ratings
    About our process
    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 Zhang 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
    Good
    Sep 13, 2023
    Felt very confident I was in competent and kind hands
    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
    Apr 26, 2023
    Doctor was very good
    Mar 03, 2023
    Dr Zhang is excellent in all respects!
    Feb 19, 2023
    Dr. Zhang was excellent informative professional. I walked out very happy that I got referred to him!
    Feb 08, 2023
    UCSF provided excellent services
    Feb 01, 2023
    Dr Zhang was great. "Very good" doesn't say enough. He fully explained everything and Gscd me all the time and attention that I wanted. He's great! As well as clear efficient gave me total confidence that he knows his stuff!
    Jan 31, 2023
    Excellent experience with Dr. Zhang and everyone during visit
    Jan 04, 2023
    Everything has been great. Easy to schedule helpful information and quick responses.
    Jan 04, 2023
    Dr. Zhang is exceptional. He is a world class surgeon and he is so kind and nice. He takes his time to explain everything and to answer my questions. He showed me exercises to help me recover. He is wonderful and I highly recommend him.
    Nov 23, 2022
    Good
    Nov 11, 2022
    Dr Zhang was very good. Straightforward gave me information and recommended oath forward
    Nov 04, 2022
    The doctor was very nice and compassionate but could have provided more detail about how to move forward beyond simply the referrals that he ordered and which I had requested (for example what activity levels to continue/avoid given my injury in the days/weeks between being able to get into the next clinic (PT orthotics)).
    Oct 19, 2022
    Dr. Zhang was warm. Friendly and very complete in his information. He answered all my questions.
    Oct 08, 2022
    Dr Zhang is such a pro and such a nice man even when he agreed with me that I was overweight it was difficult for him to agree with me he was so tactful and humble and very knowledgeable telling me that every 5 pounds of extra weight means 30 on my hip kind of a great illustration that's why I've had my surgeries with him he's the best
    Oct 02, 2022
    Can't say enough good about Dr Zhang. Excellent physician.
    Sep 23, 2022
    Dr. Zhang is awesome. I'm still worried about my surgery though and post-op.
    Aug 17, 2022
    Would not listen :( Specifically pointed to where the muscle was being strained by bone on the MRI then refused the muscle relaxer prescription recommended by pain management. He said I shouldn't be in pain with a tear that 2 other orthos have told me can fit what I'm going through. He also said the surgery I need is a long 6 month intensive one but ortho does not treat pain before or after. I would never allow someone to cut into me without an aftercare plan! I can't imagine going here for a surgery.
    Jul 29, 2022
    Dr. Zhang is the best.
    Mar 04, 2022
    I am waiting for a call to schedule my next visit.
    Mar 04, 2022
    Great doctor!
    Mar 02, 2022
    Any guestions I forgot to ask I ask in the mychart. He quickly gets me an answer. He's very nice and promptly answered me.
    Feb 12, 2022
    He was very clear and concise immediately recognized me as a person and conducted a thorough examination. He explained to me what he thought I had and how best to manage the problem.

    Selected research

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