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About Dr. Unal

Berkay Unal, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery with an emphasis on shoulder and knee disorders, sports injuries, and arthritis. He treats patients at Samimi Orthopedic Group at its Los Angeles area offices in Brentwood, West Covina, and Sherman Oaks, California. 

Dr. Unal completed his undergraduate studies at The University of California, Berkeley, earning his bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology. Following his undergraduate studies, he held a research position at The University of California, Irvine, where he was involved in multiple

publications in molecular biology and infectious disease. 

Dr. Unal realized his true passion was medicine and direct patient care. He attended medical school at The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, receiving his medical degree in 2011. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Dr. Unal did an additional year of subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopy at The University of Kentucky's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship in Lexington. 

Dr. Unal started his practice in Bakersfield, California, treating high-complexity injuries. He brings his experience and expertise to the Samimi Orthopaedic Group team. 

Dr. Unal believes in a non-surgical approach as the initial step in treating most orthopedic conditions. He believes in a personalized approach and takes pride in providing knowledge and guidance to ensure his patients feel comfortable and informed.

He is a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Unal enjoys spending time with his wife and his two daughters, weight lifting, hiking, exploring nature, snowboarding, and a variety of recreational sports in his free time. He likes to maintain an active lifestyle and aims to help his patients do the same.

Tigran Garabekyan, MD, is a leading orthopedic specialist renowned for his expertise in treating shoulder, hip, and knee conditions. At Millstein Orthopedics in Century City, California, he offers a comprehensive range of joint-preserving and joint-replacement options tailored to patients of all ages. With a keen focus on labral tears, articular cartilage injuries, femoroacetabular impingement, hip dysplasia, osteitis pubis, hip tendon injuries, and osteoarthritis, Dr. Garabekyan integrates advanced techniques into his practice. 

Particularly skilled in hip arthroscopy and realignment osteotomies (PAO/DFO), Dr. Garabekyan is known for his holistic approach to hip dysplasia. His innovative method of performing hip arthroscopy without a perineal post allows for simultaneous bilateral procedures, significantly reducing recovery time and expediting patients' return to their activities.

An accomplished researcher and academic, Dr. Garabekyan has authored numerous journal articles, textbook chapters, and online publications in orthopedic surgery. His research explores acetabular dysplasia, femoral torsion, and capsular management during hip arthroscopy. He has also been a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, sharing his insights and research findings.

In addition to his clinical and research expertise, Dr. Garabekyan served as the Assistant Team Physician for Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where he treated sports injuries in Division One athletes and played a crucial role in their return to competitive play.

Fluent in English and Armenian, Dr. Garabekyan provides compassionate care and advanced treatment options to a diverse patient base, helping them achieve optimal outcomes and improve their quality of life.

Eric S. Millstein, MD, Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgeon, a Beverly Hills board certified orthopedic surgeon, is a leading expert in advanced arthroscopic techniques for knee and shoulder surgery. He has vast experience treating sports injuries including arthroscopic surgery and reconstruction of the knee and shoulder, as well as joint replacement surgery for arthritis of the shoulder and knee.

Dr. Millstein regularly uses his surgical skills to repair or reconstruct injured bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. However, he believes in effective communication with his patients to allow for a full discussion of all treatment options before proceeding with surgery. In all cases, his ultimate goals are minimizing pain, maximizing function and restoring lifestyle.

Dr. Millstein was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate pre-medical curriculum and graduated with honors in mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (Magna Cum Laude). While living a very active lifestyle that included basketball, football, softball, skiing and other sports at Penn, Dr. Millstein discovered his love of sports could be incorporated into his career. He then attended medical school at UPenn, receiving the George Marshall Award for Excellence and graduating with AOA honors.

Dr. Eric Millstein has been recognized as a Southern California Super Doctor (a doctor directory that only lists the top 5% of physicians in each state) on more than one occasion for his expertise in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.

During his medical training he attended the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for an externship in spinal cord injury and pediatric rehabilitation. He also explored research in a laboratory investigating the causes of a rare orthopedic genetic disease. After graduating from medical school, he completed his general surgery internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the prestigious University of Chicago Hospitals. 

Dr. Millstein spent the next eighteen months at the renowned Southern California Orthopedic Institute with an Orthopedic Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. This advanced training included arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery of the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. Upon completion of his fellowship training, Dr. Millstein began his private practice in Century City, eventually relocating to Beverly Hills.

He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. He is also Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Millstein has presented research on long-term outcomes of ACL reconstruction and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. He believes ‘Knowledge is Power’ and continues to teach other surgeons complex arthroscopic techniques as a complement to his clinical practice. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and expertise by mentoring young med-students and participating in humanitarian work.

Dr. Millstein has been included in Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor listing because of his orthopedic expertise. The listing features some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country and is based on peer nomination, extensive research, careful review and a comprehensive screening process.

The U.S News & World Report has also identified Dr. Millstein as one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country, presenting him with the ”Top Doctor” award in 2012. The U.S. News rankings offer grounded guidance to supplement what patients learn from their healthcare providers and other sources.

Also in 2011 and 2012, Dr. Millstein received the prestigious Patients’ Choice Award, identifying him as one of California’s favorite physicians.

Dr. Millstein stays extremely active and enjoys playing basketball, skiing and running with his two dogs as much as possible. He is fluent in Spanish and participates in volunteer work with a suicide prevention program. Dr. Millstein also donates his time every month as a volunteer at the Venice Family Clinic.

See Dr. Millstein’s CV.

Welcome to the practice of William Sheppard, MD, MPH, in Santa Monica, California. As an expert orthopedic & neurological spine surgeon, I and my staff use our years of spine surgery experience to deliver lasting pain relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life to our patients.

Our office is inside the UCLA Health Spine Center. Ample on-site parking is available, and we offer cutting-edge diagnostics, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.

The collaborative treatment process we use emphasizes patient participation and feedback. Instead of making blanket treatment recommendations, we dedicate time to our patients, listening to their symptoms, concerns, and goals. We use that information to develop outcome-oriented treatment plans.

People from all over Los Angeles visit us for our spine expertise. We regularly diagnose and treat common back problems, including degenerative spinal disorders like scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and spinal disc herniation.

Rather than relying on open surgery, we primarily recommend minimally invasive surgery. This looks different for each patient, but I specialize in several techniques, including cervical spine surgery, cervical spine replacement, lumbar spine surgery, laminoplasty, robotic surgery, and endoscopic spine surgery.

Minimally invasive spine surgery provides various benefits. It requires less anesthesia, causes less blood loss, and uses smaller incisions that heal quickly. It allows patients to return to their lives quicker and risks significantly fewer complications.

Don’t let back or neck problems keep you from living your best life. Take the first step toward pain relief today. Call the practice of William Sheppard, MD, to schedule a new-patient appointment, or book your visit online.

Kristopher Downing, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Ortho 1 Medical Group in San Diego, and La Jolla, California. Dr. Downing specializes in orthopedic and hand surgery. He holds board certifications from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) as a fellow and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH).

Dr. Downing earned his bachelor’s degree in 2001 at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), completing a seven-year biomedical sciences program that included enrollment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) during his fourth year. In 2004, he received his medical degree from UCLA.

After graduation, Dr. Downing completed his surgical internship at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California, before relocating to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for his surgical residency. He received extensive training at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Health System hospitals, the only freestanding orthopedic surgery department in the US.

Dr. Downing later received additional training at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, completing a hand surgery fellowship. Today, he uses his expertise to perform surgery to correct trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other painful hand conditions.

He is an expert in wrist arthroscopy, trigger finger release, and cubital tunnel release. Dr. Downing also uses his skill as an orthopedic surgeon to perform arthroscopic surgery on the knees, shoulders, and elbows. This minimally invasive technique results in less pain and downtime than traditional open surgery.

Dr. Downing is a compassionate and patient-focused surgeon. His goal is to help his patients recover from injury using the least invasive methods possible. His meticulous care has helped countless patients return to the activities they love without pain or restricted mobility.

When away from work, Dr. Downing loves to spend time with his wife and three children. He comes from a family of carpenters and considers himself a craftsman much in the same way. While his father and brother build and repair homes, he uses his training to restore function and strength to the human body.

Chris S. Pallia, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon on the team at Ortho 1 Medical Group specializing in knee and shoulder disorders. Practicing in La Jolla and Coronado, California, Dr. Pallia is committed to helping his patients find pain relief and maximizing function through non-operative techniques and surgical correction for injured or diseased joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. 

Dr. Pallia approaches every patient as an individual and looks at every problem as important. He earned a degree in Bioengineering from UC San Diego, which has given him a unique appreciation of the structure and function of the human body. He was exposed to the top minds and thought leaders in medicine while studying Medicine at UCLA. 

After becoming board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Pallia‘s sub-specialty training and board certification in arthroscopy and sports medicine have provided him with the tools to optimally care for injured and degenerative joints (knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow).

Dr. Pallia has taken a keen interest in knee joint preservation, using the latest techniques to avoid joint replacement, such as biologic resurfacing with cartilage cells, joint realignment, and even bone fortification for stress reaction due to arthritis. He holds himself to the highest standards and treats everyone with the utmost courtesy and professionalism. Continually acquiring new knowledge and skills, Dr. Pallia uses all the latest techniques and equipment. He finds joy in helping all of his patients achieve their goals in life.

Braden McKnight, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained spine surgeon at Ortho 1 Medical Group in La Jolla, San Diego, and Coronado, California. 

A native of San Diego County, Dr. McKnight completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Los Angeles, before receiving his medical degree from the University of Southern California. He remained at USC’s prestigious Keck School of Medicine for his orthopedic surgery residency.

With enthusiasm for continued education, Dr. McKnight relocated to Ohio to complete a combined neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at one of the top hospitals in the country, the Cleveland Clinic. Here, he trained in the most cutting-edge, complex, and minimally invasive techniques in the field.

Dr. McKnight specializes in the surgical treatment of all back and neck disorders. He is particularly interested in minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, complex revision surgery, and adult spinal deformity. He authors numerous peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters and consistently presents his research at top meetings throughout the country. 

While highly experienced in surgery, Dr. McKnight believes surgery should be a last resort for patients with back and neck problems. He prioritizes optimizing non-operative care for his patients and encourages this treatment path should always come before considering surgery. If surgery is necessary, Dr. McKnight ascribes to the “less is more” mentality, where the least invasive operation is considered first, avoiding fusion whenever possible. He aims to get patients back to being active and feeling better while minimizing recovery time. This multi-specialty approach is the safest and best way to treat back and neck problems, working with physical therapists, primary care physicians, and physiatrists for a holistic approach to spine care.

When not in the office, Dr. McKnight is an avid tennis and pickleball player and enjoys spending time with his family. He is thankful to call the city of San Diego home.

Norman Kane, MD, FACS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with 36 years of experience. At Ortho 1 Medical Group in La Jolla, California, Dr. Kane specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Canada and previously served as a team physician for the San Diego Sockers, a professional indoor soccer franchise.

Dr. Kane earned his medical degree in 1973 from the University of Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa. He completed a pre-graduation externship in 1972 at St. Joseph Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a surgical internship in 1973 in the intensive care unit of Addington Hospital in Durbin, South Africa.

Dr. Kane brings a breadth of knowledge to Ortho 1 Medical Group. He has extensive experience in sports medicine and minimally invasive orthopedic surgery. He uses the most advanced diagnostics and surgical procedures available to treat conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

From tendon repair and total knee replacement to shoulder arthroscopy and ACL repair, Dr. Kane uses the latest orthopedic innovations to restore his patients’ function and mobility, minimize their pain, and improve their quality of life.

In addition to his work at Ortho 1 Medical Group, Dr. Kane is a top specialist at the Knee Center of San Diego in San Diego, California. He is a Board of Orthopaedic Surgery diplomate. Dr. Kane is also an active member of the Western Orthopaedic Association and the San Diego County Medical Society.

James Andry, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon focusing on shoulder arthroscopy and reconstruction, sports medicine, knee arthroscopy and reconstruction, and fracture care. He strives to provide the best in orthopedic care to his patients at Ortho 1 Medical Group in La Jolla, San Diego, and Coronado, California. 

Dr. Andry grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, he went on to graduate from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center of Columbia University. Dr. Andry was then selected to complete a fellowship in shoulder arthroscopy and reconstruction through the American Shoulder and Elbow Society. 

Following his training, Dr. Andry moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife to start their family and built a high-volume orthopedic practice focusing on complex shoulder diseases, sports medicine, and trauma. In addition, Dr. Andry also joined the faculty as an associate professor of surgery at Creighton University School of Medicine and was active in teaching residents and fellows as well as designing new practical teaching techniques. 

Dr. Andry and his wife decided to return to southern California to raise their family. He continues to treat a variety of shoulder and sports medicine diseases and diagnoses, including rotator cuff tears, labrum injuries, instability of the shoulder, arthritis of the shoulder, elbow injuries, throwing injuries, ACL ruptures, meniscus tears, arthritis and damaged cartilage, ligament sprains, as well as trauma and fracture care. 

Dr. Andry is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the California Medical Association. He has extensive training and experience and will provide personalized, thoughtful care to his patients at Ortho 1 Medical Group.

A native of South Africa, he completed both his undergraduate studies and his medical degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Tradonsky went on to complete his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. He then did a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital Center, Chicago, Illinois. 

Visit Dr. Kusnezov's personal website

Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov, or "Dr. K" as he is known to his patients, is a premier, nationally recognized, board-certified, and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon currently practicing in Southern California. At Ortho 1 Medical Group in La Jolla, San Diego and Coronado he specializes in total joint replacement with extensive experience in managing complex sports and traumatic injuries. His interests currently lie in muscle-sparing anterior total hip replacement, state-of-the-art robotic joint replacement, and rapid recovery protocols. 

Born on the East Coast, Dr. K spent his formative years in Southern California, graduating summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in bioengineering and AOA from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. He was the only dual recipient of the Edward K Rice Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award and the university-wide Outstanding Bachelor of Science Award. He was also solely bestowed the Longmire Surgical Society Award for his distinctive achievement and surgical aptitude. 

After medical school, Dr. K was commissioned into the U.S. Military as an officer. He completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery through the U.S. Army at the combined program of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. During his tenure at the exceedingly busy Level 1 trauma center, Dr. K served as chief resident, coordinating residency-wide academics and research. He not only graduated with distinguished honors but received the highest score on the Orthopaedic Boards Exam nationwide. He currently holds the record as the only three-time consecutive Texas Orthopaedic Association Quiz Bowl champion in history. 

Following graduation, Dr. K served out his military commitment in Nashville, TN, where he built and headed an advanced adult reconstruction program, establishing the infrastructure for a cutting-edge, high-volume joint replacement center of excellence. He dually served as the "team physician" to the revered 5th Special Forces group, 160th and 101st airborne division for four years. Upon deployment with the 349th combat support hospital and 379th air expeditionary wing, he served as the brigade orthopaedic surgeon and group physician to the SOCCENT special operations group. 

Dr. K served his country with distinction, earning multiple Meritorious Service and Army Commendation Medals. For his unsurpassed service to the community, he was consecutively bestowed the distinct honor of the Kentucky Colonel and Tennessee Aide de Camp by the respective governors. During his time in Midwest, he went on to complete an Orthopaedic Trauma Apprenticeship at Vanderbilt University and served as Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Pikeville Medical Center, frequently providing needed coverage to underserved trauma centers throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Upon honorable completion of his military service, he returned to his home in sunny Southern California to complete the nationally renowned Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, relocating thereafter to San Diego to begin his ultimate practice as the premier Joint Replacement Specialist with Ortho 1 Medical Group in San Diego, in affiliation with the Sharp and Scripps Healthcare systems.

In addition to a decorated career in the U.S. Military, Dr. K is actively engaged in graduate medical education and clinical research, having co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and top-read research manuscripts in top-tier orthopaedic journals. He is a lifelong lover of education and an author and Managing Editor at Orthobullets, the foremost source of orthopaedic education worldwide. Dr. K continues to teach through case-based didactic as a chief contributor to AAOS Orthopaedic Knowledge Update and Figure1. 

Dr. Kusnezov has been recognized numerous times not only for his scholarly activity -- receiving first-place podium and research awards both regionally and nationally -- but for his clinical excellence and surgical skill by Top Doctors of America, Continental Who's Who, and Best in California Magazine. 

However, beyond the impressive achievements, and perhaps most important of all, there is a man who deeply cares for the well-being of his patients. Dr. K believes that each patient is special and each situation unique and that it is paramount to build a strong doctor-patient relationship in order to understand each patient's goals and to thereby foster the best possible outcomes. Whether this is improved pain and function, returning to an active lifestyle, or going on to gold-medal in a world championship, Dr. Kusnezov has your back and will get you there. He is currently licensed to practice in Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and California.

In his leisure time, Dr. K enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and two daughters, playing occasional pick-up racquetball, and of course, weight training, as a reigning proud member of the 1000lb club.