Orthopedic Surgeon
5643 copley Dr
suite 300
San Diego CA 92111, CA
92111
Top reviews
Dr. Downing is one of the best medical professionals I’ve had the privilege of dealing with. I’ve had a number of surgeries for sports injuries over the years (not my first rodeo) and the experience working with Dr. Downing to getShow more my hand back to normal was outstanding. A few things to note are that he was very thorough and he was very patient with questions surrounding My condition, the procedure, and the recovery. His team was also outstanding and a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend working with Dr. Downing and his team.
Fantastic Surgeon, he repaired the nerve damage in my right hand and wrist and right elbow... Still have a few months till full recovery, but it's looking good. I also have an upcoming complete right shoulder replacement that Dr DShow moreowning will be doing and I'm really looking forward to it, I highly recommend Dr Downing if you require a orthopedic surgeon he's one of the best. And his staff of nurses are awesome and all the ladies at the front desk are absolutely fantastic they couldn't be nicer.
Got questions for
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).
Elbow Injuries
Hand Injuries
Non Operative Orthopedics
Regenerative Orthopedics
Shoulder Injuries
Sports Medicine
Trauma
Wrist Injuries
ACL Repair
Ankle Arthroscopy
Bicep Tendon Repair
Carpal Tunnel
Carpectomy
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Excisional Mass Biopsy
Foreign Body Removal
Hardware Removal
Knee Arthroscopy
Meniscectomy
Open Reduction Internal Fixation
PRP Injection
Partial Knee Replacement
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Spine Surgery
Tendon Repair
Total Hip Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Total Shoulder Replacement
Trigger Finger
Wrist Arthroscopy
Locations (3)
Upper Extremity Specialists
5643 copley Dr
suite 300
San Diego CA 92111, CA, 92111
Upper Extremity Specialists
9834 Genesee Ave
Ste 228
La Jolla, CA, 92037
Ortho 1 Medical Group
5643 Copley Dr
Suite 300
San Diego, CA, 92111
More About Dr. Kristopher Downing, MD
Practice
Upper Extremity Specialists
Specialties
Insurance
NPI Number
1851451439
Reviews
I received an excellent service from Dr. Downing yesterday. Very professional and took care of my issues and requested the right treatment. I would highly recommend him to any patient who has hand issues. The office is top of the line and the staff are so friendly and helpful. Thank you for the great experience.
Is an excellent doctor, very kind and explains everything. I would highly recommend him.
Dr Downing is great! He takes his time explaining what is going on and the steps that you need to take to heal. The first contact I had with him was when my mom fell and broke her hand. He was very patient and thoughtful with my mom and her care. Then when I needed help with my hand injury, I knew he was the only choice for my care. The entire staff at Ortho 1 is very friendly. Highly recommend!
Dr Downing always gives you the best care. He takes time to answer your questions and explains everything. He is a fanrastic, skilled, and caring surgeon. I highly recommend him.
Dr Kristopher Downing is an Awesome surgeon. I highly recommend him to everyone.
Knowledgeable and helpful and pleasant
Both Dr McKnight and Donning are great.
Dr. Downing is a wonderful doctor. Of all the doctors that I have seen he is my favorite. Friendly and knows his practice. I had shoulder pain and hand surgery. I feel great now. I would recommend him without a doubt.
Dr Kristopher Downing is a nice doctor, you can feel his sincerity on his profession. He explained everything, the diagnostics, procedure to be done, in an easy way to understand. He is compassionate. The staff are nice kind and cheerful as well.
Dr Downing is an incredibly down-to-earth person with passion for identifying and “fixing” orthopedic injuries in the best way that suites the patients needs. He is so very knowledgeable and is eager to explain everything in as much detail as you need.
Good service
Great experience.. explaining patiently every detail of care.. thank you
Dr. Downing was very attentive, not pre-occupied like many of my other drs. I felt heard. He took his time and I didn't feel rushed. He diagnosed quickly and gave me answers and suggestions.
A doctor that I can trust, very kind, explains everything very well; very professional
Good Doctor
Dr. Downing is very knowledgeable and resolved my issue right away!
Always a great experience whenever I go in for an appointment. He always explains things well and addresses my concerns.
Dr Downing as much as I don’t want to be seeing you again
Fantastic Surgeon, he repaired the nerve damage in my right hand and wrist and right elbow... Still have a few months till full recovery, but it's looking good. I also have an upcoming complete right shoulder replacement that Dr Downing will be doing and I'm really looking forward to it, I highly recommend Dr Downing if you require a orthopedic surgeon he's one of the best. And his staff of nurses are awesome and all the ladies at the front desk are absolutely fantastic they couldn't be nicer.
The staff very polite and professional. Dr. Downing is very knowledgeable and answered all my questions and concerns in great detail, making sure I understood all that he presented to me in a patient manner.
Muy buena atención y muy buen servicio gracias.
Dr. Downing is one of the best medical professionals I’ve had the privilege of dealing with. I’ve had a number of surgeries for sports injuries over the years (not my first rodeo) and the experience working with Dr. Downing to get my hand back to normal was outstanding. A few things to note are that he was very thorough and he was very patient with questions surrounding My condition, the procedure, and the recovery. His team was also outstanding and a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend working with Dr. Downing and his team.
Dr. Downing took really good care of me. He made sure he did my surgery in a timely manner. Exactly 7 days after my injury ,he did my surgery and I started my road to recovery.
Dr. Downing is a very kind and compassionate doctor. He takes the time to listen, and explains everything so that you can understand it. He is a very skilled surgeon with an excellent bedside manner. I would recommend him to anyone that has needs an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in upper extremities.
Dr. Downing is an excellent physician and the staff is great!
Dr. Downing's staff is very courteous and professional. Dr. Downing is very knowledgeable about his field of expertise and explained my condition, my options and my process moving forward. Dr. Downing explained my tricep tendon tear procedure in a manner that was easy to understand and gave me the greatest assurance in his abilities. I look forward to sharing an update after my surgery.
The entire process was very easy. I was well informed pre and post op, I was made comfortable and placed at ease with a very professional staff. Dr. Downing was easy to talk to, explained the procedure in detail, and executed professionally.
Everything explained thoroughly surgery executed perfectly and as far as healing time three months or less perfect timing great job
Great service great doctor
First time visit but all went well.