Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
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.
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.
“Very professional and knowledgeable doctor. Very impressed with his overall care and bedside manner. Lillit his scheduler is very responsive and knowledgeable as well. Highly recommend Dr. Jones!”
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Shaun Chandran, MD, and the team at Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery offers high-quality, conservative orthopedic care at their office in Torrance, California.
They are proud to provide individualized, patient-centered care for adult patients age 20 and up. The skilled team at Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery provides comprehensive care that includes sports medicine, knee surgery, hip replacement, shoulder arthroscopy, joint replacement, and general orthopedics.
They treat a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, and foot and ankle pain. The Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery providers always use the most conservative treatments available. If surgery is necessary, they use minimally invasive and robotic procedures whenever possible.
Dr. Chandran uses the most advanced technologies in orthopedic surgery, including robot-assisted and computer-navigated procedures, to ensure the best patient outcomes. He specializes in Makoplasty, which is robotic arm-assisted knee resurfacing to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
For excellent care of all types of joint pain, sports injuries, and other orthopedic conditions, call Chandran Orthopaedic Surgery or request an appointment online today.
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.
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
Daniel R. Stephenson, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He brings his renowned expertise, bedside manner, technical skill, and compassion to the Coastal Ortho team with offices in El Segundo and Torrance, California.
He joined Coastal Ortho in 2015 because of their reputation in the South Bay for caring so much about their patients. Dr. John Stratton, a founding partner of the practice in 1971, was also one of his role models.
Dr. Stephenson pursued orthopedics after becoming injured during his freshman year of college. As an NCAA Division I water polo player and swimmer, he was eager to return to athletics after the incident. His doctors and therapists were incredible during the whole process, successfully helping him get back to sports. This experience inspired Dr. Stephenson to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine to focus on patients with complex knee problems, joint preservation needs, shoulder injuries, and sports medicine issues.
Although he is one of the area's top surgeons, Dr. Stephenson works closely with his patients before beginning treatment. He feels it's essential to start with non-surgical treatments whenever possible because everyone has their own goals and lifestyle needs.
Dr. Stephenson completed his fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at the University of Kentucky in 2010. During this one additional year of intense training and experience, he had the opportunity to serve as a team physician to professional athletes and student athletes from three universities and many high schools. Today, he sees patients of all ages and from all sports and activity levels.
Dr. Stephenson was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, so staying local was another key influence. He deeply values getting to know so many of the wonderful people in the area.
Jai Bhakta, PA-C, is an orthopedic and sports medicine physician assistant with more than four years of experience. At Coastal Ortho in Torrance and El Segundo, California, Jai provides comprehensive care for numerous injuries and pain disorders, including shoulder pain and fractures.
After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of California, Riverside, in Riverside, California, Jai completed the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Jai completed his orthopedic surgery fellowship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Redlands, California, where he gained extensive experience in general orthopedics splinting and casting, and was trained to manage orthopaedic care in the acute and chronic setting to improve musculoskeletal function.
Jai also brings experience in spine surgery, joint replacements, and trauma cases to Coastal Ortho.
Having worked with numerous orthopedic surgeons, Jai believes the best healthcare providers take a multifaceted approach to care, whether their patients suffer from foot and ankle pain or joint damage from arthritis.
When he isn’t providing exceptional care, Jai enjoys hiking, playing basketball, woodworking, and spending time with his friends and family.
James M. Loddengaard, MD, is an accomplished spine surgeon. He diagnoses and treats patients at Coastal Ortho at the Torrance, California office.
Dr. Loddengaard's fascination with orthopedic medicine came from several influences. He has been captivated by science and technology since childhood. His drive to solve three-dimensional challenges and work with his hands and tools was only the beginning of his journey. As his career took shape, he discovered how extremely gratifying it was to improve people's lives through surgery.
Dr. Loddengaard moved from New York to California in 1970 to study at the California Institute of Technology. He then completed medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles, and residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He studied and has practiced in California ever since, settling in the South Bay in 1990.
He is married with three adult children and continues to enjoy his favorite outdoor sports, skiing, cycling, snowmobiling, and hiking.
John F. Flemming, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Coastal Ortho with offices in El Segundo and Torrance, California. He joined the team in 2017 because he was impressed by how the practice built a reputation of trust, respect, and empathy that aligns with his values.
As a child, Dr. Flemming spent his days off school at his mother’s workplace, a chiropractor’s office on the south side of Chicago. He followed the doctor, noticing that he was always kind, informative, and adored by his patients. This inspired him to want to make that kind of impact someday. Dr. Fleming ultimately chose to specialize in orthopedic spine surgery because of its unique and profound capacity to improve the lives of his patients.
Born in Chicago, Dr. Flemming graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. During his surgical training, he sought new challenges around every bend because he knew it would eventually pay off for his patients.
Today, he is trained in a relatively new form of minimally invasive spine surgery called the MidLIF (Midline Lumbar Interbody Fusion). It utilizes advanced imaging during the operation to decrease incision size and minimize the amount of internal surgery necessary to achieve spinal fusion.
Dr. Fleming also has advanced training in the side-body incision technique of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, which avoids dissecting large amounts of muscles from the back. These options are combined with traditional open surgery to find the best-fit operation for each individual.
He also invests his time in research and intraoperative and clinical teaching for the orthopedic residents at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
When not working, you can find him paddle boarding, cycling, hiking, and enjoying the beach community. He also attends Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and is thankful for his community.
Even with such specialized surgical training and experience, Dr. Fleming believes in first looking at all options and tailoring a specific treatment plan for each patient.
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