Orthopedic Surgeon
9834 Genesee Ave
Ste 228
La Jolla, CA
Top reviews
In May 2023, I underwent rotator cuff surgery, a procedure that, for many, can be daunting. I had the good fortune of being under the care of Dr. Downing, whose expertise and skill are truly commendable. From the initial consultatShow moreion to the post-operative care, Dr. Downing displayed a level of professionalism and empathy that greatly eased my concerns. His ability to explain the procedure in understandable terms and his willingness to answer every question I had showed a level of patient care that is rare. The surgery itself was a complete success, thanks to Dr. Downing's exceptional surgical skills. The post-operative instructions were clear and helpful, contributing significantly to a smooth and efficient recovery. Now, in January 2024, I am thrilled to share that I have fully recovered, much to the credit of Dr. Downing's excellent work and my outstanding physical therapists at ASIS Physical Therapy. His follow-up and continued guidance through the recovery process have been outstanding. I am now ready to return to the soccer field, something I couldn't have imagined doing so soon after such a surgery. For anyone in need of orthopedic care, especially relating to the upper extremity, I cannot recommend Dr. Downing highly enough. His combination of surgical excellence, patient care, and professional integrity makes him a standout in his field.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Downing on relatively short notice with the help of the efficient office staff. I found Dr. Downing to be everything I was looking for in the surgeon who'll be performing Show moremy rotator cuff surgery. During the initial visit we focused on the challenges with complete tears of three tendons and bicep dislocation. He explained the primary plan for surgery, as well as alternatives once he's 'inside' the shoulder. As an electronics engineer I have a desire to acquire as many facts as I can in order to make good decisions. At 78 years old and healthy, it was important that I have confidence in the 'team' who'll be managing my surgery and recovery. After spending time with Dr. Downing, asking questions and getting answers, I'm confident I've selected the best surgeon for my injury. I'm looking forward to receiving my surgery date in the near future, Stephen Taylor
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Dr. Kristopher Downing, MD?
Kristopher Downing, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in both orthopedic surgery and hand surgery who treats patients that are of adolescent age and older. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). He is a founding member of Ortho 1 Medical Group. He is the founder of the practice of Upper Extremity Specialists—of Ortho 1 Medical Group in San Diego, La Jolla, Chula Vista, and Coronado California. Dr. Downing specializes in surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic treatment for injuries and diseases that affect the entire upper extremity, including the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. A wide myriad of nonoperative care is offered including guided observation, durable medical equipment (braces, splints, slings), nutriceuticals, topical and oral medications (pharmaceuticals), therapy and its associated modalities (physical therapy, occupational therapy, certified hand therapy), chiropractic care, acupuncture, bracing/supports, injections (corticosteroids, viscosupplementation agents, reparative medicine agents such as platelet rich plasma and lipoaspirate). Reparative medicine options can also be used as an adjunct to surgical treatment options to augment surgical outcomes.
Dr. Downing offers care in a variety of environments and works within multiple offices (in La Jolla, Del Mar, Kearny Mesa, San Diego, and Chula Vista) in various settings seeing patients under their private health plans, via cash payment with reasonable and customary fee schedules based on local fair market value, as an injured worker covered under worker’s compensation insurance and within medical-legal situations. He is on staff at multiple hospitals within Sharp, Scripps, Prime Healthcare and Tri-City health systems, working in both inpatient and outpatient capacities, providing elective, urgent and emergent general orthopedic as well as hand and upper extremity subspecialized care. He also works at many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) throughout San Diego County providing novel outpatient based surgical and reparative medicine care for a wide variety of orthopedic conditions. Common surgical procedures performed include: arthroscopic procedures (shoulder: rotator cuff tear repair/debridement, long head of biceps tendon repair/debridement/release, labral repair/debridement, stabilization procedures, chondroplasty/microfracture, subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision, superior capsular reconstruction; elbow: partial synovectomy, loose bodies removal, tennis elbow debridement/release, capsular releases, osteocapsular arthroplasty), arthroplasty procedures (shoulder: anatomic total shoulder replacement with stemmed and “stemless” options, reverse total shoulder replacement with ongoing evolving use of evolving implant options, hemiarthroplasty in limited situations; elbow: partial and total elbow replacement; wrist: partial and total wrist replacement as well as fusions; thumb: basilar joint reconstruction; fingers: silicone and pyrocarbon small joint replacements as well as fusions), open elbow stabilization procedures (lateral ulnar collateral and/or medial ulnar collateral ligament repairs or reconstructions), tennis elbow and golfer elbow surgeries, nerve decompressions (endoscopic and open carpal tunnel release, endoscopic and open cubital tunnel release and other types of less common nerve decompressions), painful neuroma resections, nerve repairs, nerve reconstructions (using Axogen Avance cadaveric nerve allograft to rebuild irreparable nerve injuries), tendon transfers for unrecoverable nerve palsies/injuries, ganglion cyst and other mass/tumor removals, deQuervain’s release, trigger finger release, Dupuytren surgery (including partial fasicectomy, needle aponeurotomy as well as the Xiaflex in-office injectable option), tendon repairs/reconstructions/tenolyses (rotator cuff, proximal long head of biceps, distal biceps, extensor tendons of the hand and wrist, flexor tendons of the hand and wrist), local/regional/free flaps and other microsurgical work (usually coordinated with a co-surgeon plastic surgeon also trained in microsurgery/microvascular work), and the wide variety of surgical care related to trauma of the upper extremity (lacerations, crush injuries, amputations, broken bones/fractures/dislocations/malunions/non-unions of the collar bone/clavicle, AC joint, shoulder blade/scapula, shoulder joint, proximal humerus, humeral shaft, distal humerus, capitellum, trochlea, elbow joint, olecranon, coronoid process, radial head, radial neck, radial and/or ulnar shaft, distal radius, distal ulna, ulnar styloid, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), wrist joint, carpus [scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, pisiform], carpometacarpal joints and hand bones and joints [metacarpals, phalanges, metacarpophalangeal joints, interphalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, distal interphalangeal joints]).
Dr. Downing completed his bachelor of science (BS) degree in 2001 within a 7-year Biomedical Sciences program at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), which included concurrent enrollment at UCR and UCLA in the fourth year of education, before earning his Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 2004 at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He completed his surgical internship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California and his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Health System hospitals in Philadelphia. UPenn has the distinction of having the first freestanding orthopedic surgery department in the United States. Dr. Downing also participated in the rigorous Joseph H. Boyes hand and upper extremity fellowship training program at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. USC has the distinction of having the first hand surgery fellowship training program in the United States. After 13 years of post high school education and training, Dr. Downing began independent private practice orthopedic surgery related services in 2010 at age 30.
Besides his unique qualifications to practice upper extremity orthopaedics (as well as general orthopedics), Dr. Downing is a kind, meticulous and patient-focused surgeon. His training, experience, drive and genuine obvious concern for his patients’ welfare aid him in garnering the best possible outcomes for his patients. He gives each patient the time and attention they need, explaining procedures and answering questions relevant to the risks, benefits and alternatives to proposed procedures to ensure that they feel confident under his care. His passion for clinical medicine and truly serving patients’ needs exudes at each patient visit. In addition, he services his patients by remaining up-to-date with his practice which mirrors trends in orthopedic literature and overall evidence-based medicine as well as elevated standards of care trending in orthopedic surgical practices within the United States and internationally, ensuring to his patients his ongoing education and high quality value-based outcomes strived towards as he provides their care.
Dr. Downing’s native language is English but he understands the unique needs of his Spanish speaking population and continues to work on his Spanish, que continúa mejorando diariamente. He also has Spanish speaking staff to aid in translation as needed. The uniquely metropolitan binational communities of Tijuana and San Diego with juxtaposition on the US-Mexican border has created a diverse industrious burgeoning cultural environment begging for qualified orthopedic surgeons to care for this American, Mexican-American, American expat, and Mexican patient population.
Dr. Downing grew up in San Jose and northwestern Alabama. The majority of his education and adult life has been spent in Riverside, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA. Throughout high school and college, he played competitive soccer and participated in musical pursuits related to his abilities on the saxophone and piano. He was also an avid competitive video gamer for much of his adolescent and young adult life. He also competitively engaged in street skateboarding, which translated into the eventual love of snowboarding and surfing—all of which are board sports. He treats many patients with board sports related injuries that expectedly are results of falls onto outstretched and subsequently injured upper extremities. The patient population in San Diego is inherently very active and injury prone given the beautiful weather enjoyed in this part of the world and the high volume of outdoor and otherwise physical fitness related activities.
Dr. Downing also has a growing family, currently with a wife and three children that he enjoys having consume much of his free time. Also, like his father and younger brother who are both carpenters, Dr. Downing is a human carpenter (doing work on bones and joints and tendons) and also does plumbing (blood vessels related work) and electrical (nerve related work).
ACL Repair
Ankle Arthroscopy
Bicep Tendon Repair
Carpal Tunnel
Carpectomy
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Elbow Injuries
Excisional Mass Biopsy
Foreign Body Removal
Hand Injuries
Hardware Removal
Knee Arthroscopy
Meniscectomy
Non Operative Orthopedics
Open Reduction Internal Fixation
PRP Injection
Partial Knee Replacement
Regenerative Orthopedics
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Injuries
Sports Medicine
Tendon Repair
Total Hip Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Total Shoulder Replacement
Trauma
Trigger Finger
Wrist Arthroscopy
Wrist Injuries
Locations (2)
Upper Extremity Specialists
9834 Genesee Ave
Ste 228
La Jolla, CA, 92037
Upper Extremity Specialists
750 Medical Center Court
Ste 14
Chula Vista, CA, 91911
More About Dr. Kristopher Downing, MD
Practice
Upper Extremity Specialists
Specialties
NPI Number
1851451439
Provider's Gender
Male
Reviews
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Dr Downing was excellent and honest about my condition and explained it very well. He was professional and to the point. Highly recommend him.
Highly recommendsf
Muy buen médico Ortopédico trato humano y cordial
As I have said before Dr. Downing has a real concern and commitment to helping his patients. He never is too busy to listen to your concerns and questions.He listens to your feedback and let you take an active part and in your healing.
Very good service and attention
Dr Downing is the very best with shoulder and hand. Plus he is very kind and dedicated doctor. God has given him his greatness
Very good
First I want to start with a Huge Thank You! Thank You to Dr. Kristopher Downing and his Amazing Staff. Dr. Downing is quite the Impeccable Orthopedic Dr /Surgeon. My visit with Dr. Downing was in regards to my rotator cuff tears. Dr. Downing is what I call The Perfect Dr. 1. Overly Knowledgeable 2. Extremely Kind & Compassionate 3. Plus his staff was always warm and helpful. Thank you all . Amara Stewart
Dr. Downing is extremely knowledgeable, professional and caring. He views each patient as a person first. He is one of most competent and caring doctors I have ever met.
Dr Downing is a patient advocate and his care reflects his knowledge. My recent wrist injury under his care has brought much needed relief. I highly recommend him!
Es muy amable trata a sus pacientes con profesionalismo un buen ser humano te explica todo muy detalladamente
Very professional and nice
Dr Downing is the most humanistic, professional, kind person, very empathetic with patients, I would defenetely recomend him
Good and fast
Dr Downing is caring and very professional.
Dr Downing is excellent .
I was so happy that I chose to see Dr. Dowling. Very thorough and knowledgeable. I felt very comfortable with him and would highly recommend him.
Dr. Downing is delightful. Not only is he an excellent surgeon, but he's friendly, warm, and so very unusually humble. Before my effective and healing shoulder surgery, he said, thank you for allowing 'us' to serve you." His lovely personality is sadly rare for physicians. I would like to recommend him and his staff highly. I was fortunate to find him.
he was good and makes me feel comfortable about my sore ring finger
Excellent, competant and compassionate are the words that come to mind when describing Dr. Gold and his staff. Grateful to be one of his patients.
Very very good Doctor. Explained to me very thoroughly the problems and needed cure in my problems. Staff are helpful and friendly. Always smiles.
Everyone is great, I haven't met a single person who was kind courteous and professional with me, and Dr Downing is great
Very good
Very good
It makes you feel safe.
Great bedside manner and excellent description of findings and treatments. I was able to get my first injection right away at that first appointment, which saved me a trip. Very efficient.
Outstanding physician & surgeon!
In May 2023, I underwent rotator cuff surgery, a procedure that, for many, can be daunting. I had the good fortune of being under the care of Dr. Downing, whose expertise and skill are truly commendable. From the initial consultation to the post-operative care, Dr. Downing displayed a level of professionalism and empathy that greatly eased my concerns. His ability to explain the procedure in understandable terms and his willingness to answer every question I had showed a level of patient care that is rare. The surgery itself was a complete success, thanks to Dr. Downing's exceptional surgical skills. The post-operative instructions were clear and helpful, contributing significantly to a smooth and efficient recovery. Now, in January 2024, I am thrilled to share that I have fully recovered, much to the credit of Dr. Downing's excellent work and my outstanding physical therapists at ASIS Physical Therapy. His follow-up and continued guidance through the recovery process have been outstanding. I am now ready to return to the soccer field, something I couldn't have imagined doing so soon after such a surgery. For anyone in need of orthopedic care, especially relating to the upper extremity, I cannot recommend Dr. Downing highly enough. His combination of surgical excellence, patient care, and professional integrity makes him a standout in his field.
Very caring and passionate person seems to care about people
Excellent Service...Dr. Downing and staff were great...Thank again for me comfortable and letting me know exactly what was happening with my treatment!! I feel good!!!