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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

James Chen, MD

Dr. Chen believes in treating the whole patient and not just the injury. He places special emphasis

James Chen, MD is a general orthopaedic surgeon with a focus on sports-related injuries. His practice covers a broad range of orthopaedic treatments, from fracture care to joint replacements, anatomic ACL reconstruction, or ligament repair. Dr. Chen believes in treating the whole patient, not just the injury. He places special emphasis on the important face time before and after surgery, making sure he and his staff are present, available, and ready to answer any questions you might have.

10/03/2025

🏃 The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the key stabilizers of your knee. Running diagonally through the center of the joint, it connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and keeps the knee from sliding out of place. The ACL is essential for stability during pivoting, jumping, and sudden stops, which is why injuries are so common in athletes. 💙 Protecting and strengthening this ligament is vital for maintaining healthy, pain-free movement. 👉 If you’ve experienced knee instability or suspect an ACL injury, schedule a visit today for expert evaluation and care.

$🦴 Did you know your body has an incredible ability to repair itself after a fracture? When a bone breaks, the healing pr...$

10/01/2025

🦴 Did you know your body has an incredible ability to repair itself after a fracture? When a bone breaks, the healing process begins right away: first with a blood clot (to protect the area), then with new “soft callus” tissue, followed by stronger bone that remodels over time. This process can take weeks to months, depending on the type of fracture and your overall health. 💙 Proper alignment, rest, and care are essential for bones to heal correctly, and follow-up care, including chiropractic and rehab, can help restore strength and mobility. 👉 If you’re recovering from a fracture, schedule a visit to support your healing journey.

09/29/2025

When it comes to orthopedic pain, the answer is simple: don’t. Pain is your body’s warning sign, it’s not something to ignore or push past. What feels like ‘just soreness’ could actually be an underlying injury that worsens without proper care.

Our advice: listen to your body and get evaluated by a specialist. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference in your recovery and long-term performance.

09/26/2025

Warming up properly before a soccer game isn’t just about loosening your muscles, it’s about preparing your entire body for explosive movements, quick changes of direction, and endurance.

🔥 A good warm-up should include:
Dynamic stretches (like walking lunges & high knees) to increase mobility
Activation drills (glute bridges, mini-band walks) to fire up key muscles
Ball drills to connect mind, body, and game readiness

✅ The right warm-up boosts performance and lowers your risk of strains, sprains, and pulls.

09/24/2025

When a rotator cuff tear can’t be repaired, there’s still hope.
For patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears, Superior Capsular Reconstruction (SCR) is an advanced surgical option designed to restore stability and function in the shoulder. By using a graft to reconstruct the capsule, this procedure helps prevent upward migration of the humeral head, reduces pain, and improves range of motion.

This technique is especially valuable for active patients who want to avoid a reverse shoulder replacement and get back to sports, work, and everyday activities.
👉 If you’ve been told your rotator cuff tear is “irreparable,” know that innovative options like SCR may help you regain function. Schedule a consultation to explore whether this is the right solution for you.

09/22/2025

The ACL is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in sports, especially in athletes who pivot, jump, and cut. While not every tear can be avoided, the risk can be significantly reduced with the right strategies:

✅ Strengthening the hamstrings, quads, and hips
✅ Neuromuscular training for balance + landing mechanics
✅ Proper warm-ups before practices and games
✅ Sport-specific conditioning to handle quick changes in direction

Prevention isn’t just about avoiding surgery, it’s about protecting your stability, performance, and long-term joint health.

09/19/2025

Injuries and chronic pain don’t just slow athletes down, they affect everyday movement and performance. Today’s orthopedic innovations are changing recovery:

🔹 Minimally invasive procedures to reduce downtime
🔹 Regenerative therapies (PRP, stem cells) to repair tissue at the source
🔹 Advanced imaging & diagnostics to pinpoint root causes
🔹 Personalized rehab & pain control plans for lasting results

Instead of masking pain, we focus on restoring strength, stability, and confidence, whether you’re an athlete or simply want to move without limits.

👉 Ready to explore modern solutions for pain relief and recovery? Schedule a consultation today.

09/17/2025

⚠️ Is Your Pain Serious or Just Temporary?
We all experience aches from time to time, but how do you know when it’s more than just soreness?

🔑 Red flags to watch for:
Pain that doesn’t improve with rest
Sudden, sharp, or severe pain
Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities
Numbness, tingling, or weakness
Swelling, redness, or deformity around the joint or muscle

👉 If your pain lingers beyond a few days, worsens, or limits your mobility, it’s time to see a professional. Don’t wait for it to get worse, early diagnosis can prevent bigger problems down the road.

09/15/2025

The tibia, your shinbone, is the second-largest bone in the body and a key player in weight-bearing and movement. When it breaks, whether from sports, accidents, or trauma, it often requires surgical repair to restore stability and function.

🔧 Repair Options:
Internal fixation with rods, plates, or screws to hold the bone in place
External fixation for severe or complex fractures
Personalized rehab plans to restore strength, flexibility, and mobility

Recovery takes time, but with expert surgical techniques and guided physical therapy, most patients return to their daily activities and even sports with confidence.

A tibia fracture isn’t the end of your active lifestyle. With the right repair and rehab, it’s the start of your comeback.

09/12/2025

When it comes to movement, muscles usually get all the attention, but it’s your ligaments that keep everything in place.

Ligaments are tough bands of connective tissue that connect bone to bone, acting like natural stabilizers. They prevent excessive motion, protect your joints from injury, and allow smooth, controlled movement.

When a ligament is stretched or torn, like in an ACL injury, the joint loses stability, which can lead to pain, swelling, and long-term issues if untreated. Strong muscles support your ligaments, but healthy ligaments are essential for lasting stability. Protect them with proper warm-ups, strength training, and by avoiding overuse.

📲 Think you may have a ligament injury? Schedule a consultation today to get a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

09/10/2025

🧠 How Stress Impacts Recovery
Stress doesn’t just affect your mind, it slows down your body’s ability to heal. Elevated stress hormones like cortisol can:

✔️ Delay tissue repair and wound healing
✔️ Increase inflammation in the body
✔️ Disrupt sleep, which is essential for recovery
✔️ Lower your immune system’s defenses

Recovery isn’t only about physical rest, it’s also about creating an environment where your body can repair itself. Managing stress through breathing exercises, movement, mindfulness, and proper sleep can make all the difference in how quickly you bounce back.

💡 Healing happens best when stress is under control.

09/08/2025

🏈 The #1 Injury in Football You Should Know About
Football is one of the most physically demanding sports and with high impact comes a higher risk of injury. The most common? ACL tears.

These knee injuries often occur during quick pivots, sudden stops, or direct tackles. They can sideline athletes for months and may even require surgery followed by extensive physical therapy.

But prevention is possible. Strength training, agility drills, flexibility work, and proper warm-ups can all reduce the risk of ACL and other football-related injuries.

💡 Protecting your knees means protecting your game.

Address

450 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA
94108

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14159003000

Website

http://www.jameschenmd.com/

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