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Alan Zhang

MD

Director, UCSF Hip Preservation Center
Orthopedic surgeon
Dedicated to joint preservation

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 directs the UCSF Sports Medicine Fellowship Program and the Hip Preservation Center.

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 a team physician for the University of San Francisco's NCAA Division 1 teams, Archbishop Riordan High School and the San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby club.

  • 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

    Associate Professor

  • Languages

    Cantonese

    Mandarin

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    300 Ratings
    About our process
    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.
    Jan 23, 2022
    Super impressed by how well my procedure went and how well my healing is going. I received the best care and appreciate having a great surgeon.
    Jan 20, 2022
    Dr. Zhang explains from start to finish very clearly and he makes sure you understand where you're at in your treatment very clearly. And you never feel rushed when in his office.
    Jan 19, 2022
    Very informative; took the time to listen to my description of the problem; answered all of my questions.
    Jan 19, 2022
    Best doctor experience ever great bedside manner really listens to me and my questions and shows concern for my care.
    Jan 12, 2022
    I can't say enough good things about Dr. Zhang. He made sure I understood everything made time for me knew my medical history and was incredibly supportive... And let's not forget that he did a great job on my surgery and I'm finally pain-free! I'd happily recommend Dr. Zhang to others.
    Jan 07, 2022
    EXCELLENT ALL THE WAY!
    Jan 05, 2022
    Very courteous and professional.
    Dec 22, 2021
    See comments above! Dr Alan Lingqi Zhang is Wonderful. I feel hopefu and on the way back to ME being there.
    Dec 07, 2021
    Dr. Zhang was phenomenal in answering all my questions and addressing my concerns about the surgery
    Oct 25, 2021
    Outstanding
    Oct 25, 2021
    Provider had an established protocol for post surgery and didn't want to deviate or alter despite my lack of progress. Revised all the timelines for the worse and just told me to wait. Very frustrating. I felt like a cog in a machine not a patient.
    Oct 20, 2021
    Would of liked to ask him more questions but he gave the follow-up care recommendations given my current condition. Very appreciated.
    Sep 30, 2021
    DR. Zhang immediately referred me to the right doctor for my care. I was Impressed.

    Selected research

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