South County Orthopedic Specialists

07/21/2025

Physical Therapy Exercise Program After a Colles' Fracture.

If you have fallen onto an outstretched hand (or a FOOSH injury), then you may have suffered a Colles' fracture. A Colles' fracture a break in the radius bone of the forearm, very close to the wrist joint.

07/18/2025

Study uses artificial intelligence to classify patient pain archetypes after knee replacement.

A study using artificial intelligence to classify patient pain archetypes and identify risk for severe pain after knee replacement has earned a Best of Meeting award at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA).

07/14/2025

Causes of Blisters on Toes and What to Do About Them.

A blister on the toe is a fluid-filled pocket that often develops due to friction. Blisters can be caused by insect bites, allergies, burns, skin infections, autoimmune diseases, and excessive exposure to sun or moisture.

07/09/2025

We are THRILLED to announce that Dr. Emily Clarke will be joining us in September 2025! Emily Clarke, M.D. is an orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon and will be joining us in our Los Alamitos and Fountain Valley offices. Emily grew up in Southern California and is excited to be back serving her community. She will be joining Dr. Patel and Dr. Malhotra in our hand and upper extremity department, and we can't wait for her to start!


Dr. Clarke’s practice includes all facets of surgery from the shoulder to the fingertips in both children and adults. She has specialized training in techniques for hand, wrist, and elbow, including arthroscopy, microsurgery, nerve and tendon repair and reconstruction, small joint replacement, sports injuries, wide-awake hand surgery, and work-related injuries. She also has vast experience with shoulder arthroplasty. She has a particular interest in upper extremity fracture care, including joint replacement for fractures. Dr. Clarke believes in individualized treatment for each patient depending on their goals and interests.


Quick Facts:
Undergraduate: UCLA, BS in Physiological Science
Medical School: USC, Keck School of Medicine (Elected to AOA Honor Society)
Orthopedic Surgery Residency: UCI (Elected Administrative Chief Resident)
Hand Surgery Fellowship: The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Hobbies: Scuba diving, cooking, beach volleyball, skiing, golf, sailing

07/07/2025

What is the relationship between posture and scoliosis?

Scoliosis refers to when a person has a sideways C- or S-shaped curve in their spine. It can occur at any age but most often presents during a person’s teens. Bad posture cannot cause scoliosis. However, practicing and maintaining optimal posture can help reduce pain and slow the condition’s pro...

07/04/2025

Wishing you and your family a Happy Independence Day!

06/30/2025

16 Causes of Armpit Pain: When You Need to Worry.

Armpit pain can have many causes, ranging from injuries and irritants to infections that cause swollen lymph nodes. Less commonly, the pain—referred to as axillary pain—may be due to an autoimmune or arterial disease, nerve compression, and malignancies like breast cancer.

06/23/2025

Understanding the Causes of Knee Pain on the Outer (Lateral) Part of Your Knee.

An injury or arthritis most likely causes pain outside the knee. A doctor can determine the cause based on your other symptoms and the results of imaging tests.

06/20/2025

UCL repair with internal bracing may yield faster return to sport vs. Tommy John surgery.

UCL repair with internal bracing yielded faster return to practice and faster return to competition vs. UCL reconstruction. Both UCL repair and reconstruction had high rates of return to sport.

06/17/2025

We are EXCITED to welcome Keiley Kuwahara, PA-C to our team! 🎉

Keiley is a board-certified physician assistant, born and raised in Orange County, CA. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After completing her undergraduate degree, Keiley gained valuable experience working as a physical therapy aide 🏃‍♀️ and a dermatology medical assistant, which further fueled her passion for healthcare ❤️‍🩹.

Her personal experiences as an athlete, coupled with her interest in medicine, led her to pursue a career as an orthopedic physician assistant. Keiley earned her Master of Medical Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies (MMSPAS) from Chapman University in Irvine, CA, and soon after joined the SCOS team.

Outside of her professional life, Keiley enjoys playing and watching basketball, hitting the driving range, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Keiley is currently working with Dr. Jeffrey Wong and Dr. Abraham Kim 🩺.

Welcome, Keiley! 🎊

06/16/2025

Normal Hip Range of Motion.

Range of motion (ROM) is a measurement of the distance and direction a joint can move to its full potential. Hip ROM is dictated by the ball-and-socket hip joint, which is made up of the femur (thighbone) and pelvis.

06/13/2025

7 Bunion Exercises to Reduce Pain and Pressure.

Bunion exercises can ease the pain caused by bunions, a painful toe joint deformity. You develop a bunion when pressure pushes the big toe toward the second toe. When the top of the toe moves, it forces the bone in the joint at the base of the toe to shift outward. As the bone shifts, it causes a lu...