Find a Top Orthopedic Surgeon Near Me in San Clemente, CA – Book an Appointment Instantly

Kushagra Verma, MD, MS, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at Advanced Spine Care in Los Alamitos and Marina Del Rey, California. He is fellowship-trained in complex spine surgery and has many years of experience. He offers surgery when it’s the best option to ensure the highest quality of life for his patients.

Dr. Verma earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell University School of Engineering in Ithaca, New York, and a master’s degree in molecular biology from the NYU Graduate School of Arts & Sciences in New York City. He completed medical school at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Verma also completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University’s Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an adult and pediatric spine fellowship (with a focus on spinal deformities) at the University of California at San Francisco. 

Dr. Verma has been recognized many times for his expertise. He was selected by The Leading Physicians as a Top Orthopedic Surgeon of the Spine. He also received the Top Doctor Award in Los Alamitos and numerous other professional recognitions for his excellence. 

Dr. Verma is an experienced college educator with experience at the University of Washington in Seattle, Long Beach Memorial in Long Beach, California, and the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. 

He specializes in treating spinal anomalies, including spinal stenosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, and flatback syndrome. Dr. Verma is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). He has contributed to nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications. 

Dr. Verma spends as much time as patients need to ensure they feel heard with all of their questions addressed. He fully explains their diagnoses, thoroughly reviews all imaging results, and discusses detailed treatment options — always giving patients a voice in their treatments. He uses the latest technological advances and procedures to ensure long-lasting outcomes.

Dr. Verma welcomes new and existing patients to Advanced Spine Care and looks forward to optimizing their spinal health and overall quality of life.

STEPAN KASIMIAN, M.D.

Stepan Kasimian, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon with specialty training in complex spinal reconstruction and minimally invasive spine surgery. His primary interests include degenerative spine disease and spinal deformity. He has extensive experience in treating multiple spine disorders including disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, scoliosis, tumors, and spinal trauma in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

EDUCATION

Dr. Kasimian received his undergraduate degrees in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and History from the University of California, Los Angeles. He completed his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. After residency, Dr. Kasimian obtained further training in complex spinal reconstruction surgery at Cedars-Spinal Medical Center, Institute for Spinal Disorders.

RESEARCH

Dr. Kasimian has presented his research at the International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques and has written a chapter on endoscopic thoracic disc herniations in a prominent spine textbook.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS

He is a member of the American Medical Association, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, North American Spine Society, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In order to better serve his patients, his practice is located in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Rancho Cucamonga and he maintains privileges in numerous hospitals including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

Matthew J. Gargulinski, DO, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing in California since 2007. Today, he's proud to join the OasisMD team in Encinitas, San Diego, and Temecula, California, where Dr. Gargulinski works tirelessly to help his patients recover from injuries and achieve optimal health.

Dr. Gargulinski is a graduate of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After completing his undergraduate education, he attended medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri.

While in college, he suffered a severe injury while playing football. This incident inspired him to specialize in orthopedic medicine, and he completed his residency at Michigan State University/Mt. Clemens Regional Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan (now known as McLaren Macomb). Later, he also completed his fellowship in sports medicine at OASIS MSO Inc in San Diego, California. During this time, he was mentored directly by David Chao, MD, a leading surgeon at OasisMD.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gargulinski has served as team physician for various sports, including football and rugby. He is experienced in treating cases in professional athletes, as well as on collegiate or high school teams. 

An active member of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, Dr. Gargulinski is also dedicated to helping his patients recover from the effects of injury or arthritis. He strives to help patients achieve and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Dr. Gargulinski provides his patients with the compassionate, expert care they need to improve their quality of life. 

As a dedicated athlete, Dr. Gargulinski enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and beach activities. When not assisting patients, he can often be found spending time with his wife and son in the great outdoors.

Navid Ghalambor, MD, is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow and wrist surgeries, with special emphasis on the treatment of shoulder and elbow conditions.
​He received his medical degree from the University of Southern California - Keck School of Medicine.
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He subsequently completed his orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of Southern California – Los Angeles County Medical Center. Dr. Ghalambor underwent fellowship training in shoulder arthroscopy and reconstruction at the renowned Harvard Shoulder Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston. He also underwent an adult arthritis and reconstruction fellowship at the UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital in Los Angeles.

​Dr. Navid Ghalambor was awarded the graduate research fellowship during his medical school training at USC. During his orthopaedic surgery training at USC, he was chosen by the faculty to be a chief resident of the program, which was one of the largest orthopaedic residencies in the country. Dr. Ghalambor has served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of orthopaedic surgery at USC for 12 years and during this time he has been involved in the training of orthopaedic surgery residents at the USC Sports Service. He has also served as an instructor of orthopaedic surgery at the Harvard Orthopaedic Surgery Program.

​Dr. Ghalambor has published numerous articles in peer reviewed orthopaedic surgery journals including articles on shoulder arthroplasty, instability and stiffness. He has given numerous local and national presentations including those at the annual meetings of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
His research has been presented at international orthopaedic surgery meetings. Dr. Ghalambor is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, California Orthopaedic Association, Codman Shoulder Society, and Southern California Society for Surgery of the Hand. He has been voted as being one of the “top doctors” in Orange County by Orange Coast Magazine and Orange County Medical Association. Dr. Ghalambor has also been chosen as one of the Southern California’s top doctors by Castle Connolly Medical, LTD.

​​Dr. Ghalambor enjoys trail running and hiking. One of his most memorable sports experiences was being the head coach of his son’s AYSO soccer team for 4 years and leading his BU10 Team to local and regional finals. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and oil painting.

Click to view Dr. Ghalambor's website

Considered one of the top physicians in his field, Dr. Steve Mora is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports related trauma, knee, shoulder and arthroscopic treatment of the hip and the elbow.  He has a passion for treating and preventing injuries related to mixed martial arts and soccer. Dr. Mora has unique perspective on orthopedic surgery, having suffered from serious orthopedic injury himself that required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery time. He knows on a personal level what his patients are going through both physically and emotionally.

Although he has extensive surgical training, Dr. Mora takes a generally conservative, patient-tailored treatment approach, offering non-operative options wherever possible. However, when surgery is necessary, his patients can rest assured that it will be handled with leading-edge technology.

Because of his expertise, Dr. Mora is a frequent lecturer on sports injuries, and has been published extensively on sport injury related topics. He is a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Mora speaks fluent Spanish and is the team doctor for the Pro soccer team the Anaheim Bolts, Foothill High School, and Professional UFC fighters.

For more info go to www.myorthodoc.com 

Specialty

• Orthopedic Knee and Shoulder Specialist
• Knee, Elbow and Hip Arthroscopy

Subspecialty

• Sport Medicine
• Cartilage Restoration

Special Expertise

• Complex Knee and Shoulder Reconstruction
• Partial Knee Replacement
• Complex Cartilage Injuries of the Knee
• Sports-Related Trauma
• Arthritis

Procedures and Services:

Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery for:

– Rotator Cuff Tendon Tears including revision repair for failed Rotator Cuff Repair

– Rotator Cuff Tendon Impingement and Bursitis

– Rotator Cuff Calcium Deposits aka Calcific Tendinitis

– Shoulder Instability (Dislocations) and Labral Tears

– Shoulder Joint Arthritis and Loose Bodies

– Shoulder Joint Stiffness (Frozen Shoulder/ Adhesive Capsulitis)

– Acromio-Clavicular (AC joint) Arthritis and Pain

– Biceps Tendonitis and Tears

– Complications Resulting from Prior Shoulder Surgery 

Open Shoulder Surgery for:

– Total Shoulder Arthroplasty/ Replacement

– Partial Shoulder Replacement/ Hemi-Arthroplasty

– Shoulder Instability with Bone Loss or for failed arthroscopic repair

– Acromio-Clavicular (AC joint) Separation/ Dislocation

– Proximal Humerus Fractures

– Clavicle Fractures

– Pectoralis Major Muscle Rupture

– Acute Proximal Biceps Ruptures 

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for:

– Meniscus Tear Repair or Excision

– Articular Cartilage Damage/ Chondromalacia

– Stiffness/ Catching After Total Knee Arthroplasty

– Patellar Pain

– Loose Bodies
 Synovitis

Open Knee Surgery for:

– Patellar Dislocation/ Subluxation (MPFL Reconstruction)

– Torn Patellar & Quadriceps Tendons

– Reconstruction of Collateral Ligament Instability

– Persistent Bursitis

– Cartilage Resurfacing including Genzyme, OATS, Fresh Allograft, Meniscus – Transplantation 

Elbow Arthroscopic and Open Procedures:

– Fractures including olecranon, radial head and coronoid fractures

– Elbow Stiffness due to arthritis and trauma

– Lateral Epicondylitis

– Persistent Bursitis

Hip Arthroscopy for the treatment of labral tears, impingement and loose bodies

Treatment of most fractures including ankle, forearm, tibia and wrist

Non-Operative Orthopedic Procedures include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Derived Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cell injections and Hyaluronic Acid Injections for the treatment of sports injuries and arthritis.

Education

University of California Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine

• Finished top of his class, earing the coveted Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society

Residency

University of Southern California (USC/LAC) Medical Center

• Gained extensive experience taking care of high energy trauma and complex fractures

Fellowship

Santa Monica Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Group

• Sports arthroscopy, shoulder, knee and cartilage

Message from Dr. Mora

"I hope to create a close patient-doctor relationship based on trust and mutual respect. I believe my patients’ medical treatment begins with their complete understanding of their condition, and I promise to do my very best to understand the cause of your pain and then provide a treatment approach that is tailored to meet your specific needs.

I believe that my success in diagnosing and treating orthopedic problems was borne out of my own personal traumatic injury to my legs. While living in Peru, I was struck by a commuter bus, severely injuring my legs and forever changing my life. I have experienced many of the same surgeries that I now perform on my own patients — and I believe this experience has allowed me to be more in tune with my patients’ concerns, symptoms and experiences.

My family heritage is Peruvian and I speak fluent Spanish."

Gregory Carlson, MD, of Restore Orthopedics and Spine Center in Orange, California, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in spine surgery. He specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery for rapid recovery, including diagnosis and repair of previously failed spinal surgeries, revision surgery, and artificial disc replacement and other motion preservation techniques. He also performs microsurgical procedures for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other neurocompressive problems.

After completing his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology at Southern University in Collegedale, Tennessee, Dr. Carlson attended medical school in California, at Loma Linda University, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. He did his residency and first year of spine fellowship at the University of California, San Diego, and then finished a second spine fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Dr. Carlson has published numerous scientific articles on both basic science and clinical topics, and lectures extensively on spinal reconstructive topics. He continues to teach residents and orthopedic surgeons both locally and abroad. Dr. Carlson is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Carlson serves on the editorial advisory boards for Spine and The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery and regularly provides peer review services for scholarly articles that have been submitted for publication. He has received research funding for clinical and basic research projects resulting in award-winning paper presentations at a number of spine society meetings.

He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the California Orthopedic Association, the Orange County Medical Association, the American Orthopedic Association, and the Cervical Spine Research Society.

Dr. Mitchell McDowell, a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, specializes in hip and knee reconstruction. He co-founded M Bone and Joint and serves as CEO. A Southern California native, he earned his undergraduate degree with Howard Hughes Medical Institute Honors from CSU Long Beach and completed medical training at Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. McDowell completed residency at Riverside University Health System and an Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Rush University. Before founding M Bone and Joint, he practiced for eight years as an award-winning surgeon, mentor, and researcher. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at UC Riverside and Western University. Specializing in primary and revision joint arthroplasty, he is certified in robotic-assisted surgery (MAKO, ROSA) and researches regenerative health, ortho biologics, and shock wave therapy. In his free time, he enjoys guitar, woodworking, cooking, and reading.

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. 

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.

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.