USC Orthopaedic Surgery Associates

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Physicians & Surgeons, Orthopedics, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Clinics

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(323) 442-5860Call Visit WebsiteVisit Website Map & DirectionsDirections1520 San Pablo St Ste 2000Los Angeles, CA 90033 Write a ReviewWrite Review

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Mon - Fri:	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

USC Orthopaedic Surgery Associates

General Practitioners

Arthritis
A. Arthritis is a breakdown of the articular cartilage covering the ends of bones – a degenerative process over time, similar to the thinning of your tire treads with use. There are many causes of arthritis. There are an estimated 30-40 million Americans with arthritis; most of these tears are due to degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). There are 2-3 million Americans with inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis. Trauma to the knee is one of the major reasons for arthritis in the younger individual. Arthritis most often increases as we age.

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Accepted Insurance

USC Orthopaedic Surgery Associates has not yet specified accepted insurance plans.

Specialties

USC Orthopaedic Surgery Associates has not yet specified any specialties.

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Payment method

master card, visa

Location

Healthcare Consultation Ctr II

Other Links

http://ortho.keckmedicine.org

https://alexwebermd.com

Categories

Physicians & Surgeons, Orthopedics, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Clinics, Physicians & Surgeons, Physicians & Surgeons, Dermatology, Physicians & Surgeons, Family Medicine & General Practice, Physicians & Surgeons, Rheumatology (Arthritis), Physicians & Surgeons, Sports Medicine, Physicians & Surgeons, Surgery-General, Sports Medicine & Injuries Treatment

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Phone: (323) 442-5860

Address: 1520 San Pablo St Ste 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Website: http://ortho.keckmedicine.org

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USC Orthopaedic Surgery Associates

General Practitioners

Arthritis
A. Arthritis is a breakdown of the articular cartilage covering the ends of bones – a degenerative process over time, similar to the thinning of your tire treads with use. There are many causes of arthritis. There are an estimated 30-40 million Americans with arthritis; most of these tears are due to degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). There are 2-3 million Americans with inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis. Trauma to the knee is one of the major reasons for arthritis in the younger individual. Arthritis most often increases as we age.
Medical Weight Loss
Often it can come from trauma and generally arthritis increases with age. There is a hereditary component. Arthritis is treated by weight reduction, activity restriction, NSAID’s (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, Motrin, Alleve, Celebrex (not Vioxx anymore), Indocin, etc. Plain Tylenol can help relieve the pain. Exercise is also important to keep the involved joint loose and less stiff. Muscle strengthening around the arthritic joint is also helpful. Surgery to smooth or trim rough arthritis surfaces is usually not beneficial.
Primary Care
A. Meniscus tears are often a result of a traumatic episode, such as a fall, twist, jump, etc. Pain, and swelling are common symptoms. Meniscus tears can be associated with the knee locking, clicking, or feeling unstable. Acutely the RICE protocol can be used, (Rest, Icing, Compression, Elevation). Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naprosyn can help pain management. Contact your primary care provider or orthopaedic surgeon to get your knee examined. Physical exam combined w/ MRI can accurately diagnosis meniscus injuries. Treatment options include conservative management or arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic surgery can be performed to repair or remove the damaged meniscus.
Infectious Diseases
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) monitors the safety of the donor tissue. Prior to transplant, the meniscus is screened for any traces of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B or C, or HIV/AIDS. Screening tests lower the odds of contracting any viral or bacterial disease to an extremely low level (less than 1 in a million), making this procedure very safe.

Endocrinologist

Diabetes Care

Ultrasound
Even though most RCTs can be diagnosed by history and physical exam, I may order x-rays (which will show bone detail) and/or an MRI or ultrasound (which will show the rotator cuff and soft tissue more clearly).
MRI
After the physical exam, I may want to order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis or determine if other structures were injured when the ACL was ruptured. Other tests that may be performed include KT-2000 arthrometer testing. This machine is attached to the knee and measures the distance the tibia moves forward and therefore can help diagnose an ACL tear (see fig 3). This test usually does not hurt either, unless the injury just happened and the joint is very swollen and sensitive.
X-Rays

General Surgery
Orthopedics
Arthroscopy
During arthroscopy, shavers and rotating burrs smooth the cartilage surface and roughen the underlying bone to bring forth a fibro-cartilage biologic resurfacing response (abrasion arthroplasty).
Pinched Nerve
I diagnose a rotator cuff tear (RCT) is based on the symptoms you are experiencing, the physical examination, and diagnostic imaging tests such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and x-rays (fig. 2). Part of the physical exam that I perform includes putting the shoulder through range of motion testing (moving it in all directions), touching it to identify tender areas, testing the strength of the shoulder muscles, and performing special tests that check for instability of the shoulder joint. I will examine your cervical spine (neck) to make sure the pain is not coming from a “pinched nerve” in the neck.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Conservative treatment of meniscal injuries begins with RICE. This acronym stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This is especially important for the first 48 hours following the initial injury to decrease the pain and swelling of inflammation. I may also recommend that you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen. If you don’t have any symptoms such as locking, clicking, or pain you may not require surgery. The majority of the meniscus has a very poor blood supply, and does not heal. If pain or mechanical symptoms continue, surgical removal of the torn area of the meniscus is indicated. Using a minimally invasive surgery called arthroscopic surgery (fig 3), an arthroscope (a small camera that is about the size of a pencil) and other small tools of equal size, can fix the torn meniscus cartilage by removing or trimming just the damaged portion. Occasionally, I can repair a meniscus tear using sutures or absorbable plastic arrows or staples (Fig. 4).
Joint Replacement
If the patient is over 55, and is experiencing persistent pain and other arthritic symptoms, an artificial joint replacement may be an option. However, if the patient is physically active and under 50-55 years old, a procedure called meniscus transplantation may be an alternative. This procedure is relatively uncommon and is not recommended for all patients. If you do meet the criteria for the procedure, the benefits can be substantial.
Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Vangsness educational background includes a Medical Doctorate from the University of Minnesota where he was also born and raised. He carried out graduate studies in public health. His orthopedic surgery training was at the prestigious Hospital for Joint Diseases NYU in New York City. He completed a Bioengineering Fellowship at NYU and finished a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California.
Arthroscopy
A. I start by having patients use crutches after surgery. You can stop using crutches over the next couple of days as you feel comfortable. Your recovery from meniscus surgery is really the recovery from the arthroscopic portals made into your skin. These small holes (portals) can cause pain and swelling. As they heal, the motion and function of your knee will improve. Recovery can be anywhere from 3-6 weeks depending on the inflammation encountered after the surgery and the amount of tissue damage found at the time of arthroscopy. You can drive within days and return to work within a few days. Sport activity can take 3-6 weeks.

Lesions
A. Clicking/popping sounds are quite common occurrence in the knee. Painless sounds from the knee are a normal finding. If pain is associated with the click or pop, injury may have occurred. A loud popping sound, with immediate pain can occur w/ ACL tears. Cartilage lesions can also cause painful popping or clicking.

Physical Therapists

Sports Medicine
In his 35 year career at USC, Dr. Vangsness has won many University and National academic awards as a teacher and researcher and is internationally recognized as an expert in knee and shoulder surgery. He has specialized in the conservative and operative treatment of sports injuries and is skilled at minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of the ACL, meniscus and rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability and cartilage injuries. He continues to see selected patients in consultation and pursues ongoing cutting edge Stem Cell and Exosome Research.
Physical Therapy
Ideal candidates for regenerative medicine may include any patient who would like the option of attempting to help the body heal naturally through various treatment options. Candidates for regenerative medicine usually have injuries or conditions that have either healed poorly or have not healed at all. Athletes are excellent candidates for regenerative medicine because their chosen career depends on their physical well-being, and taking many months off for surgery, recovery, and physical therapy is less than ideal. Additionally, patients with chronic, daily pain who have tried other remedies without success are likely to be good
Frozen Shoulder
A. Patients with “frozen shoulder” have symptoms of pain and often times they cannot do simple everyday life activities such as combing their hair, reaching behind their back, or putting their hand in their back pocket, etc. Pain is usually increased with attempts to lift their hands overhead as this motion is limited.
Shoulder Pain

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