Find a Top Orthopedic Surgeon Near Me in Mission Viejo, CA – Book an Appointment Instantly

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, he completed his undergraduate work at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. He received his medical doctorate from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Peterson completed his surgery internship at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and an orthopaedic residency at Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California. His post graduate training included two fellowships: Hand Surgery at Naval Medical Center, San Diego, and Foot and Ankle Surgery fellowship at Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Post fellowship positions included Staff Orthopaedic Surgeon, Director, Foot and Ankle Surgery Service and Staff Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California.

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.

Dr. Kristofer J. Jones is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports-related musculoskeletal injuries of the knee, shoulder and elbow. As a former intercollegiate athlete, Dr. Jones understands the unique demands and concerns faced by athletes at all levels of participation (from professional to recreational) and his goal is to return patients back to their regular activities using evidence-based medicine to guide his treatment plan. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, where he was a four-year letter winner and All-Conference tailback for the varsity football team. He was awarded the Howell-Murray Alumni Medal upon graduation. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he received the Jonathan Rhoads Prize for Surgical Scholarship. Dr. Jones completed his orthopaedic residency training at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, frequently recognized as the #1 Hospital for Orthopaedic Surgery by US News & World Report. He subsequently completed a traveling fellowship and acquired further expertise in shoulder and cartilage surgery at specialized centers across Europe, including Lyon & Paris France. Dr. Jones returned to HSS to complete another fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery. During this time, he served as assistant team physician for the Brooklyn Nets (NBA), New York Red Bulls (MLS), and Iona College Athletics as well as an orthopaedic consultant to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and US Open Tennis Tournament. He is currently the Head Team Physician and Director of Orthopaedic Surgery for the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and a Team Physician for the UCLA Bruins athletic teams.

Dr. Jones is accomplished in both clinical and laboratory research and has authored more than 100 scientific manuscripts and textbook chapters that have received national recognition and awards within the field of sports medicine. He is frequently invited to teach and lecture on these topics both nationally and internationally. Dr. Jones is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), a diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has been recognized as an "Emerging Leader" within the field of orthopaedic surgery/sports medicine by the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). He also holds memberships and committee positions in several professional organizations including the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), S.T.O.P (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Sports Injuries Outreach Committee, the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS), Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), the NBA Team Physicians Society, and the NFL Musculoskeletal Injury Committee. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Am). 

Dr. Jones currently provides care at the UCLA Orthopaedic Center in Westwood on the main hospital campus, as well as the UCLA Orthopaedic Center in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Brandon A. Ortega, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who provides comprehensive and personalized spinal care to adults in Torrance and Long Beach, California. His dedication to helping each patient regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life has earned the respect of everyone in the community struggling with neck and back pain.

Dr. Ortega received his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. He stayed at USC to complete his orthopedic surgery residency, where he served as chief resident.

He pursued specialized training in spine surgery, completing a fellowship at the prestigious University of California, Davis. During his fellowship training, he learned traditional, minimally invasive, and image-guided techniques for treating complex adult and pediatric spinal deformities.

Dr. Ortega specializes in diagnosing and treating all cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) conditions. His areas of interest include motion-preserving and minimally invasive surgery and using advanced technologies like navigation, robotics, and endoscopy to improve patient safety and outcomes.

He has published many peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters and presented his research at national and international medical conferences. 

Taking a compassionate and patient-centered approach, Dr. Ortega believes in treating each patient as a person and tailoring treatment to meet their specific needs and goals. 

He creates treatment plans that integrate nonoperative interventions, including lifestyle and activity changes, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pain management. His whole-person approach addresses each patient’s spine condition, optimizing conservative treatments and helping them avoid surgery whenever possible.

Dr. Ortega welcomes new patients and looks forward to providing ongoing care to his current patients, working with them to restore an active, healthy life.

Welcome to Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, providing cutting-edge care for complex shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. As sports medicine and orthopaedic specialists, we know how to treat musculoskeletal injuries effectively in athletes and nonathletes alike.

Our practice is built on three pillars –– excellence in clinical service, excellence in teaching, and excellence in research. We strive to be one of the preeminent orthopaedic centers in the world, offering high-quality care for various musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries, joint stiffness, frozen shoulder, and knee injuries. 

We take a conservative, minimally invasive treatment approach whenever possible. Instead of automatically prescribing surgery, we first exhaust other options like orthobiologic treatment and physical therapy.

Our practice is conveniently situated near the University of Southern California and features plenty of on-site parking. We never rush appointments and make time to understand each patient’s symptoms, concerns, and treatment goals.

Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury or have a child suffering from a knee deformity, our compassionate and knowledgeable providers can help. Call Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online.

Welcome to Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, providing cutting-edge care for complex shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. As sports medicine and orthopaedic specialists, we know how to treat musculoskeletal injuries effectively in athletes and nonathletes alike.

Our practice is built on three pillars –– excellence in clinical service, excellence in teaching, and excellence in research. We strive to be one of the preeminent orthopaedic centers in the world, offering high-quality care for various musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries, joint stiffness, frozen shoulder, and knee injuries. 

We take a conservative, minimally invasive treatment approach whenever possible. Instead of automatically prescribing surgery, we first exhaust other options like orthobiologic treatment and physical therapy.

Our practice is conveniently situated near the University of Southern California and features plenty of on-site parking. We never rush appointments and make time to understand each patient’s symptoms, concerns, and treatment goals.

Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury or have a child suffering from a knee deformity, our compassionate and knowledgeable providers can help. Call Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online.

UC Davis Medical Center- Sacramento, California

Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Specializing in Foot and Ankle Disorders & Hip and Knee Replacements

Medical Degree

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Sarah Graham Kenan Scholarship
John B. Graham Research Society

Internship

Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Orthopedic Residency

Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Orthopedic Fellowship

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

Research Presentations

• Clinical and radiographic results of 227 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties using a femoral component with proximal and distal precoating and built-on centralizers. Found significant association between initial cement mantle radiographic grade and mechanical loosening. Presentation at the 1999 North Carolina Orthopaedic Association Conference and at the 2000 John B. Graham Student Research Day.
• Effect of barium sulfate particle size on production of IL-1, IL-6. and TNF-alpha. Found no difference in cytokine production between micro- and nano-sized particles exposed to mouse macrophages. 2003. Presentation at 2003 MCV Resident's Day.
• Short term outcomes after tibial shaft fractures: a retrospective study at MCV hospital. Found that institutional data correlates with similar outcome studies in the trauma literature which included a low complication rate and a functional deficiencies in a majority of patients. 2005. Presentation at 2005 MCV Resident's Day.
• Open reduction and internal fixation of the symptomatic type II accessory navicular. Found no significant difference between excision and ORIF of symptomatic accessory navicular bones. 2006. Video poster presentation at 2006 Summer AOFAS meeting. Presentation at 2006 North Carolina Orthopaedic Society Meeting. Poster presentation at 2007 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Publications

• Scott A, Sabesan V, Saluta JR, Easley ME. Open reduction and internal fixation of the symptomatic type II accessory navicular. Foot Ankle Int. in press 2008.
• Saluta JR, Nunley JA. Chapter: Percutaneous open reduction and internal fixation of fifth metatarsal base fractures. MIS Techniques in Orthopaedics. Springer. 2009. In press.
• Saluta JR, Nunley JA. Ankle injuries in athletes. The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine. 23:195-201; 2006.
• Saluta JR, Nunley JA. Foot and ankle rehabilitation success hinges on screening accuracy: Biomechanics. June, 2006.

Lectures

• Grand Rounds: Five foot and ankle problems every doctor should know. Good Samaritan Hospital 4/05/2007. California Hospital Medical Center 4/08. St. Vincent Medical Center 5/08.
• Grand Rounds: My Experience with Hip, Knee, and Ankle Arthritis. Good Samaritan Hospital. 1/16/2008.
• Foot and Ankle Injuries in Running. Speaker at McDonalds Expo. Los Angeles Marathon. 2/29/08 and 3/01/08.
• Advancements In Orthopaedics: Hip, Knee, and Ankle Technologies. Speaker. Stryker International. 3/19/08

Media

• Care of the Foot and Ankle. Radio Manila. Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon. Health segment of one hour international radio talk show. Dec 2006.
• Governor Schwarzenegger recovering from surgery. KABC-TV Los Angeles evening news. Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dec 2006.
• What Happens Next: When a Bone Breaks. Banner Caswell Productions. Television documentary. Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon. Veria channel, Dish network. Dec 2007.

Professional Affiliations

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
• Piedmont Orthopaedic Society
• California Orthopaedic Association

Community

• 2008-2010 Official Medical Team Los Angeles Marathon
• 2008-2010 National Youth Leadership Forum Volunteer Speaker
• January 2010 Medical Mission at California Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines
• 2006 Member of Orthopaedic Trauma Team at California Hospital, Level 2 Trauma Center