What are the opening hours?

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.

12/12/2025

You’ve probably heard the phrase “bone on bone,” and yes, it sounds intense. But let’s break it down.

👉 It usually means that the cartilage in your joint (often the knee or hip) has significantly worn down, causing the bones to rub more closely together. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, but it doesn’t always mean you need surgery right away.

We look at your full picture: pain levels, function, imaging, and lifestyle before recommending treatment.

📞 If you’ve been told you’re “bone on bone,” don’t panic. Schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll walk you through your options, whether that’s conservative care or surgical support.

12/10/2025

New year, new fitness goals? Great, just don’t let poor form or overtraining land you in our office.

Here are some of the most common mistakes we see that lead to orthopedic injuries:

❌ Skipping the warm-up – Cold muscles = higher injury risk
❌ Lifting with poor form – Especially during squats, deadlifts, or overhead presses
❌ Training too hard, too fast – Progress takes time; rushing it can cost you
❌ Ignoring pain – Discomfort is one thing; sharp or persistent pain needs attention
❌ Neglecting mobility work – Tight hips, shoulders, or hamstrings can throw off your form

Stay strong and safe.

📞 Not sure if your pain is soreness or something more? Book an evaluation, we’ll help you prevent minor issues from becoming major injuries.

12/08/2025

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the median nerve, which runs through your wrist, becomes compressed or irritated inside the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in your wrist.

Common symptoms include:
✔️ Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, or middle finger
✔️ Wrist or hand pain, especially at night
✔️ Weak grip or dropping objects
✔️ Symptoms that get worse with repetitive hand movements

Early treatment can often prevent long-term nerve damage and may include splinting, activity modification, or, in some cases, surgery.

📞 Not sure if your hand pain is carpal tunnel? Book a consultation with our orthopedic team,and we’ll get to the root of it and help you feel better, faster.

12/05/2025

Not imagining it, your joints really can feel stiffer in the cold.

Here’s why:
🧊 Lower temperatures can cause your muscles and connective tissues to tighten up, reducing flexibility and range of motion.
🌡️ Cold weather may also affect circulation, making joints feel achy or slow to “warm up.”
🛋️ Plus, people tend to move less in winter, and inactivity = increased stiffness.

The good news? Gentle movement, staying warm, and targeted exercises can help keep your joints feeling better through the colder months.

12/03/2025

Not all pain is created equal and understanding the type of pain you’re experiencing helps us treat it more effectively.

Nerve Pain often feels like:
⚡ Sharp, shooting, burning, or tingling
⚡ Pain radiating down an arm or leg
⚡ Numbness or weakness in the limb

Structural Joint Pain often feels like:
🔧 Achy, deep, or throbbing
🔧 Stiffness, especially after rest
🔧 Pain that worsens with movement or weight-bearing

At our orthopedic practice, we evaluate both the nerves and the joints to find the true source of your discomfort so you get the right treatment, not just a temporary fix.

$One wrong step on icy ground can lead to serious injuries, especially hip, wrist, and shoulder fractures. Here’s how to ...$

12/01/2025

One wrong step on icy ground can lead to serious injuries, especially hip, wrist, and shoulder fractures. Here’s how to stay safer this winter:

✅ Wear shoes with good grip, look for non-slip soles
✅ Take shorter steps and walk slowly
✅ Keep hands out of your pockets to help maintain balance
✅ Use handrails when available
✅ Watch for black ice, especially in early mornings and shaded areas
✅ Step down, not out from vehicles
✅ Avoid carrying heavy loads that can throw off your balance

Even with caution, accidents happen, and we’re here if they do.

📞 If you’ve taken a fall or notice pain afterward, schedule an evaluation with our team. Early treatment = better recovery.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us! We’re so grateful for the opportunity to care for our patients and be part of your health journey.

11/25/2025

StimuBlast is an advanced bone grafting material used during orthopedic procedures to support and accelerate bone healing. It combines demineralized bone matrix with bioactive carriers to stimulate the body’s natural bone regeneration process. Surgeons often use StimuBlast in procedures like spinal fusions, fracture repairs, or joint reconstructions where additional bone support is needed. Because it enhances the environment for bone growth, it can lead to more reliable healing and better surgical outcomes, especially in patients with compromised bone quality.

11/21/2025

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy has become a popular non-surgical option for treating shoulder pain, especially in cases involving rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis, or arthritis. PRP involves using a concentrated sample of your own blood, rich in growth factors, to promote natural healing in damaged tissues. While research is still ongoing, many patients report reduced pain and improved function after PRP injections, particularly when other conservative treatments haven’t worked. It’s not a quick fix for everyone, but in the right cases, PRP can be an effective way to manage shoulder pain and delay (or even avoid) surgery.

11/19/2025

Protecting your knees during workouts is all about smart movement and proper support. Start with a good warm-up to get your joints ready, and always focus on form over speed or weight. Poor alignment is one of the top causes of knee strain. Strengthening the muscles around your knees, especially your quads, hamstrings, and glutes, can provide critical joint stability. Don’t skip rest days — your knees need recovery time just as much as your muscles do. And if you’re doing high-impact exercises, make sure your shoes offer proper cushioning and support. Listen to your body, discomfort is a sign to adjust, not push through.

11/17/2025

“Minimally invasive” surgery means performing procedures through smaller incisions using specialized instruments and advanced technology, all designed to reduce trauma to the body. Unlike traditional open surgery, this approach typically results in less pain, lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. In orthopedics, it’s used for everything from joint repairs to spine procedures, allowing surgeons to access problem areas with precision while preserving healthy tissue. The goal isn’t just a smaller scar, it’s a safer, more efficient surgical experience with a smoother path back to daily life.

11/14/2025

A proximal hamstring tendon tear is a serious injury that occurs where the hamstring attaches to the pelvis, often from a sudden, forceful movement like sprinting or slipping. When the tendon is completely torn or retracted, surgical repair is often necessary to restore strength, stability, and function. Proximal hamstring tendon repair involves reattaching the torn tendon to the bone using anchors, typically through a minimally invasive or open approach, depending on severity. With proper rehab, most patients regain full function and return to sports or active lifestyles, but early diagnosis and treatment are key to the best outcome.

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/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when James Chen, MD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to James Chen, MD:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Practice
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in San Francisco?