Find a Top Orthopedic Surgeon Near Me in Santa Monica, CA – Book an Appointment Instantly

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.

About

ALTA ORTHOPAEDICS

Serving the Santa Barbara community for over 30 years, Alta Orthopaedics is dedicated to getting patients back to active, healthy lifestyles and a better quality of life. With locations in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Solvang, and Oxnard, California, the team strives to return their patients to the lifestyle and any activities desired through their expertise in orthopaedic surgery, pain management, and sports medicine.

The multidisciplinary team of orthopaedists, physician assistants, and physical therapists provides modern, state-of-the-art care for nearly all orthopaedic problems, including deformities, injuries (fractures, as well as sprains and strains), and developmental and degenerative processes like arthritis.

The fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons are skilled in all aspects of spine surgery, interventional spine injections, sports medicine, hand and upper extremity conditions, shoulder replacements, hip and knee replacements, orthopaedic trauma and foot and ankle surgery.

Alta Orthopaedics employs the most contemporary and proven diagnostic and treatment techniques available. Diagnostically, their clinicians use in-house radiographs and ultrasound. Treatment options include injection therapy (viscosupplementation, amniotic fluid, bone marrow aspirate concentrate), physical therapy, and, when necessary, surgery (including microsurgery, arthroscopy, and minimally-invasive computer-navigated total joint replacement).

For the highest quality care and personalized treatment approaches, call any Alta Orthopaedics office, or book your appointment online today.

Amit Nathani, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Alta Orthopedics with fellowship training in both sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He sees patients in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Solvang, and Oxnard California. Dr. Nathani is accepting new patients. Dr. Nathani was fellowship-trained at Stanford University, where he served as a team physician for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.

Dr. Nathani specializes in injuries affecting the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, as well as general orthopedics and fracture care. He performs minimally invasive surgery (arthroscopy) and open surgery, including joint replacement of the shoulder. He is trained in the latest cartilage-restoring procedures, helping many avoid joint replacements. These advances include the use of biologic and FDA-approved regenerative cell therapies.

Dr. Nathani has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and textbooks on sports medicine injuries and treatment. His research includes anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, running injuries, rotator cuff tears, and hip injuries. He has lectured internationally and is an active member of several orthopedic societies that focus on improving care and outcomes for his patients.

Dr. Nathani holds privileges at several conveniently located hospitals. He accepts all types of patients, including those in professional sports, recreational athletes, and patients looking to resume a pain-free and active lifestyle. He prides himself on providing comprehensive and compassionate care and sees patients throughout their entire course of treatment, including overseeing their physical therapy and rehabilitation process. He believes in taking the time to explain a diagnosis properly and ensuring that patients leave the office fully understanding the treatment plan.

Dr. Nathani is a former Division I Tennis player and continues to enjoy golf and tennis recreationally. He is active in global humanitarian healthcare and donates time to surgical care for the underserved in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He currently lives in Santa Barbara with his wife Isabella, three children, and two rescue dogs.

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.

Anand Shah, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon and the owner of Valley Orthopedic Institute in Palmdale and Ridgecrest, California. In addition to treating patients of all ages with general orthopedic problems, Dr. Shah specializes in hand and upper extremity trauma and reconstruction.

Opening the doors to Valley Orthopedic Institute marked a homecoming for Dr. Shah, who went to Quartz Hill High School in Lancaster, California, which is just a few minutes away from Palmdale in the Antelope Valley. 

Dr. Shah graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in physiology and neuroscience. He excelled in earning his medical degree at Chicago Medical School in North Chicago in 2002, graduating first in his class and gaining election to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Next came an orthopedic residency at the University of Miami, Florida, and then Dr. Shah returned to UC San Diego for a fellowship program for hand, upper extremity, and microsurgery. 

During his fellowship, Dr. Shah also contributed two chapters in a medical textbook, “Master’s Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery – The Wrist,” one on hamate hook fractures and the other on radial styloidectomy.

Dr. Shah is affiliated with two hospitals where he also treats patients: Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster and Palmdale Regional Medical Center in Palmdale.

Mehul Taylor, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Valley Orthopedic Institute in Palmdale and Ridgecrest, California. In addition to treating male and female patients of all ages who have general orthopedic issues, Dr. Taylor specializes in diagnosing and treating athletic injuries and arthroscopic surgeries.

Dr. Taylor has firm roots in Southern California, having grown up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County and graduated from Calabasas High School in Calabasas. Dr. Taylor earned his Bachelor of Science in physiological sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). 

Dr. Taylor then earned his medical degree at Chicago Medical School in North Chicago, where he graduated with honors in 2002. He was also elected to the noted Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Next came an orthopedic residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, before Dr. Taylor traveled to Minnesota for the University of Minnesota’s sports medicine fellowship program. There, he received advanced training in arthroscopic surgery and served as an assistant team physician for the university’s football team.

Dr. Taylor is affiliated with two hospitals where he also treats patients: Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster and Palmdale Regional Medical Center in Palmdale.

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.