UC Davis Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

10/08/2025

Meet Michael McGrath, a professor at UC San Francisco School of Medicine, who underwent a complex hip replacement surgery at UC Davis Health after years of mobility issues caused by prior medical complications.

His surgery, performed by Dr. Adam Taylor, allowed him to stand upright for the first time in over a year. Following the successful procedure, McGrath experienced significant improvements in his daily life.

He was able to stand and lecture at a conference on his pioneering work developing a drug to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and played golf for the first time in three years!

“Being able to do simple things like walk and go to meetings and travel has been so huge for me,” McGrath said. “It’s been life changing.”

Read more about his story here:

Michael McGrath’s complicated medical history caused some surgeons to turn down his request for surgery to restore his mobility. Thanks to a UC Davis Health orthopeadic surgeon, he’s back on his feet.

10/08/2025

We were honored to host exceptional leaders in sarcoma research for our annual Shingle Springs Subaru Sarcoma Symposium.

Santiago Lozano Calderón, MD, PhD, from Harvard Medical School, presented a comprehensive analysis of myxofibrosarcoma behavior and treatment. Additionally, Ryan Roberts, MD, PhD, from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, shared a heuristic approach to understanding the process of osteosarcoma metastasis. Their lectures were nothing short of inspiring!

Thank you to our dedicated research team for sharing their impactful work — Danielle Brown, MD, Gabriela Loots, PhD, Thomas H. Ambrosi, PhD, Janai Carr-Ascher, MD, PhD, Elysia Alvarez, MD, and Cyrus Sholevar, MD.

This event would not have been possible without the immense generosity of the McCarver family. Together, we are taking a step forward in advancing critical .

UC Davis Health

UCDHOrtho

10/06/2025

We are honored to welcome 2025 North American Traveling Fellows (NATF) to UC Davis Health. This prestigious, five-week program brings promising orthopaedic leaders together for an intensive clinical and scientific exchange.

As a host institution, we are privileged to showcase our clinical and research innovations and offer firsthand exposure to the diverse approaches shaping the future of orthopaedic care. Special thanks to Ryan Freshman, MD, and our faculty for their exceptional efforts in hosting this esteemed group.

09/23/2025

Congratulations to Thomas Ambrosi, PhD, for his exceptional research, which uncovered potential ways to reverse bone loss.

In collaboration with distinguished Professor Nancy Lane, MD, from the Department of Rheumatology, the research team has made a promising discovery to treat various bone loss conditions, including age-related osteoporosis.

“This research is a major step forward in understanding how steroid treatments affect bone health. Identifying Basigin as a driver of bone deterioration opens the door to targeted therapies that could help patients maintain strong, healthy bones — even while undergoing long-term glucocorticoid treatment," said Ambrosi.

Their findings were published in Nature Communications.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-study-finds-potential-keys-to-reversing-bone-loss/2025/09
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UC Davis Health

A new study from rheumatology and orthopaedic researchers reveals a promising new way to treat various bone loss conditions, including age-related osteoporosis.

08/20/2025

💛 We invite you to JOIN US for the Race to Cure Sarcoma (RTCS)💛

Each year, the Sarcoma Foundation of America, Inc. (SFA) raises awareness and funds for much-needed research through more than 20 RTCS events across the country. We are excited to share that they are bringing the event to the Sacramento Valley on November 8th!

Sarcoma patients, survivors, their friends, and loved ones come together as a community to support innovative research for better treatments and an end to sarcoma. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to unite in support of a vital cause and patients. Your involvement directly supports the mission to improve outcomes for those diagnosed with .

Whether you decide to run, walk, or volunteer, every effort truly makes a difference! Every step you take can help raise awareness and funds for sarcoma research.

This event is open to all—bring your pets along! 💛

👉 LEARN MORE: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Roseville/RaceToCureSarcomaSacramentoValley

08/19/2025

We are absolutely delighted to share that Michael W. Chapman, MD, FAOA, was recognized by The American Orthopaedic Association as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession. https://www.aoassn.org/michael-w-chapman-md-faoa/ #

This honor acknowledges Dr. Chapman’s legacy for his exceptional leadership, commitment to mentoring, and the profound impact he’s had on orthopaedic surgery throughout his impressive career. His innovative work has transformed the field of modern orthopaedic trauma surgery and earned him a well-deserved international reputation as a trailblazer.

Dr. Chapman served as the longest sitting Chair of the UC Davis Health Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, crafting a clinical and academic foundation that continues to herald excellence at all levels of orthopaedics thanks to his efforts.

On behalf of the entire , congratulations, Dr. Chapman! Your dedication lights the way for future generations.

Thank you to the champions Michelle James, MD, R. Lor Randall, MD, and Marc Swiontkowski, MD, for this effort. https://youtu.be/6GM8iBN-Pps?si=YDuo41sxw1uEhhjO

08/18/2025

Ortho Med Students Shine at COMPADRE Program! 👏

Our medical students participated in the California Oregon Medical Partnership to Address Disparities in Rural Education and Health (COMPADRE) program. This collaboration between the UC Davis School of Medicine and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), along with over 30 graduate medical education programs across ten healthcare systems, aims to combat the persistent physician shortages in underserved and rural communities in the Northern CA and Southern OR region.

7 abstracts were selected from Ortho at this year's conference, themed "United During Uncertainty: Uplifting Underserved Communities." We are proud of the excellent presentations by students, many of whom are part of the UC Davis Rural PRIME scholars program, dedicated to serving these populations.

Congratulations to all the presenters for their commitment and growth as clinical researchers. Special thanks to Postdoctoral Scholar David Dallas-Orr and the PI on most of the projects for his mentorship and to our faculty for their valuable contributions to the research.

Learn more about the COMPADRE program https://www.learncompadre.com/
UC Davis Rural-PRIME program: https://health.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/rural_prime/about.html

08/08/2025

On a , resharing helpful tips to prevent injuries while playing the fastest-growing sport in America, particularly among those aged 55 and older.

With its rising popularity, our sports service has seen an increase in various types of injuries, such as muscle strains, fractures, and more.

Stay in the game with expert advice from Chief Cassandra Lee, MD, and Mariano E. Menendez, MD.

We are also excited to expand Sports medicine at the new Folsom Medical Care Clinic, set to open in early September.

https://youtu.be/R1dO6eE5Mhw?si=r0ixQa6MoBTFBNn0
UC Davis Health

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with paddles and a ball much like a whiffleball. Especially popular with those 55 and older, it is America’s ...

08/06/2025

Excited to share highlights from our department's participation in the annual Western Orthopaedic Association (WOA) meeting held in beautiful Hawaii! Our team showcased their outstanding research being conducted at UC Davis Health. Congratulations to Nicholas Stamatos, MD, PGY3, for receiving the 2025 WOA/WOF Jennette Boakes, MD Donor Travel Grant, recognizing his research on "Functional Bracing vs. Spica for Pediatric Femur Fractures: Cost Reduction."

We are proud of all our presenters and grateful for the dedication and support of our faculty and alumni in advancing the future of . Together, we are fostering excellence in both academia and patient care!

07/24/2025

July is ! Join us to honor and support those impacted by this rare form of cancer. , which can invade bone or soft tissue, makes up about 15% of childhood cancers.

Thank you to Shingle Springs Subaru and the McCarver family for their generous support in the fight against sarcoma. Since 2021, their efforts have raised nearly $400,000 through Subaru's Share the Love Event, helping to boost research at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

To further enhance UC Davis's efforts in sarcoma research, the McCarver family partnered with Dr. Randall to host the Shingle Springs Subaru Sarcoma Symposium.

“Our hope is that this annual event will bring together the brightest minds to find a cure for sarcoma,” McCarver said.

The next Shingle Springs Subaru Sarcoma Symposium will be held on Oct. 7.

Learn more about their story and how you can get involved to advance research.

Its Sarcoma Awareness Month. Shingle Springs Subaru is honored by cancer center for raising support and money for research to fight the disease.

07/17/2025

A huge congratulations to Gabriela Loots, PhD, and her team—Damian Genetos, PhD from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Aimy Sebastian, PhD, from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Blaine Christiansen, PhD, for securing grants over $2.2 million from the DOD to advance research.

More than $2.2 million in Department of Defense research funding is headed to Orthopaedic Surgery scientists to study bone and joint health.

05/15/2025

Congratulations to Weston Ryan, MD, on matching with HealthPartners University of Minnesota for his Hand Fellowship! 🖐️

We're so proud of all our PGY4s this year and can’t wait to see the incredible things you all will accomplish. Congratulations again!