James Chen, MD

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.

03/20/2026

Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) is an advanced shoulder procedure designed for patients with a massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear. When the torn tendon cannot be repaired directly, SCR helps restore stability and function to the shoulder joint.

During the procedure, a graft is placed to reconstruct the superior capsule of the shoulder, preventing the humeral head from shifting upward and improving joint mechanics. This can reduce pain, improve range of motion, and help patients regain strength without immediately resorting to a shoulder replacement.

If you’ve been told your rotator cuff tear is “irreparable” and are still experiencing pain or weakness, schedule an evaluation to discuss whether superior capsular reconstruction may be an option for you.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Knee Health? 🔧Total Knee Replacement is a transformative procedure designed to alleviate ...
03/18/2026

Ready to Take the Next Step in Knee Health? 🔧

Total Knee Replacement is a transformative procedure designed to alleviate pain and restore mobility by replacing damaged knee joints with artificial implants. Whether it's due to arthritis or severe joint damage, this surgery can help you regain your freedom and get back to the activities you love. 🏃‍♀️✨

🌟 Want to learn more about how Total Knee Replacement can improve your quality of life? Contact us today to explore your options and take the first step toward a pain-free future.

👉 Schedule your consultation now!

Understanding the difference between a sprain, strain, and fracture can help you better assess injuries:Sprain: Stretch ...
03/16/2026

Understanding the difference between a sprain, strain, and fracture can help you better assess injuries:

Sprain: Stretch or tear of ligaments (the tissues connecting bones). Commonly occurs in the ankle, knee, or wrist.
Strain: Stretch or tear of muscles or tendons (tissues connecting muscles to bones). Often happens in the back or hamstrings.
Fracture: A break in the bone, ranging from minor cracks to complete breaks. It requires medical attention for proper healing.
Knowing the difference helps in treating injuries effectively and getting back to your activities safely! 🏃‍♀️💪

Want to speed up healing without surgery? PRP might be your answer. 💉🩸PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy uses your own b...
03/13/2026

Want to speed up healing without surgery? PRP might be your answer. 💉🩸

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy uses your own blood spun down to concentrate powerful growth factors to jumpstart the body’s natural healing process. When injected into injured tendons, ligaments, or joints, PRP can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support tissue repair. It’s commonly used for arthritis, tendonitis, and sports injuries with promising results.

👉 Curious if PRP is right for you? Schedule a consult today and let’s talk about regenerative options that help you heal naturally.

03/11/2026

A proximal quadriceps tendon repair is a surgical procedure performed to reattach a torn quadriceps tendon to the top of the kneecap (patella). This injury often occurs after a sudden fall, forceful jump, or direct trauma and can cause severe pain, swelling, and difficulty straightening the knee.

During the procedure, the surgeon re-secures the torn tendon using sutures and specialized fixation techniques to restore strength and stability to the knee. Early diagnosis and timely repair are critical for optimal recovery and return to activity.

If you’re experiencing sudden knee pain, weakness, or an inability to extend your leg, schedule an evaluation to determine whether a quadriceps tendon injury may be the cause.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm, becomes compressed at th...
03/09/2026

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm, becomes compressed at the wrist. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can include:

Numbness and Tingling: Often felt in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers. This sensation may worsen at night or after activities that involve gripping or repetitive hand motions.
Pain: Pain in the wrist, palm, and fingers, which may radiate up the arm to the elbow or shoulder.
Weakness: Weakness in the hand, making it difficult to grasp or hold objects. This can be especially noticeable when trying to perform fine motor tasks.
Clumsiness: A feeling of clumsiness or difficulty in performing everyday activities, such as typing, using a smartphone, or holding a cup.
Worsening Symptoms: Symptoms often worsen at night or with repetitive hand movements, like typing, knitting, or using a mouse.

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage!

🦴 Intraosseous Bioplasty (IOBP): A Breakthrough in Joint Pain Relief! 🦴Struggling with joint pain? Intraosseous Bioplast...
03/06/2026

🦴 Intraosseous Bioplasty (IOBP): A Breakthrough in Joint Pain Relief! 🦴

Struggling with joint pain? Intraosseous Bioplasty (IOBP) is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure designed to target and treat bone marrow lesions and joint pain at the source. Using specialized techniques, IOBP helps regenerate bone tissue, reduce pain, and restore mobility—so you can get back to living life to the fullest! 🌟

🔍 Curious if IOBP is right for you? Reach out to us today to learn more about this innovative treatment and how it can help you regain your active lifestyle.

👉 Contact us to schedule your consultation now!

03/04/2026

De Quervain’s tendon release is a surgical procedure used to relieve pain caused by inflammation of the tendons along the thumb side of the wrist. This condition, known as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, often results from repetitive hand or wrist movements and can make gripping, lifting, or turning the wrist painful.

During the procedure, the surgeon carefully releases the tight tendon sheath to reduce pressure and allow the tendons to glide smoothly again. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure with a relatively quick recovery.

If you’re experiencing persistent thumb or wrist pain that hasn’t improved with rest, bracing, or injections, schedule an evaluation to discuss whether De Quervain’s tendon release may be right for you.

Orthopedic surgeons see you on your best and worst days. The road from injury to recovery can be challenging, and the ri...
03/02/2026

Orthopedic surgeons see you on your best and worst days. The road from injury to recovery can be challenging, and the right surgeon will make a world of difference. Dr. James Chen is a board-certified and fellowship-trained general orthopedic surgeon who focuses on treating sports-related injuries and helping individuals regain their quality of life. He specializes in minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery for the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, and ankle, which means a quicker, easier recovery for patients, with the added benefit of less scarring. He also treats fractures and performs sports arthroplasty — minimally invasive joint replacement of the knee, shoulder, hip, and elbow.

02/27/2026

🦵 Think your joint pain is just aging? Maybe not.
While wear and tear happens over time, pain that’s sharp, swelling that lingers, stiffness that limits your movement, or joints that ache even at rest are not things you should just “deal with.” These can be signs of arthritis, inflammation, injury, or underlying joint damage, and catching it early means easier treatment and fewer long-term issues.
If your joints are starting to feel more frustrating than functional, let’s take a closer look, aging might be part of the picture, but it’s not the full story.

If your shoulder pops or clicks without pain, it’s usually just tendons gliding over bone or minor joint movement... tot...
02/25/2026

If your shoulder pops or clicks without pain, it’s usually just tendons gliding over bone or minor joint movement... totally common, especially in active people. But if that sound comes with pain, weakness, catching, or limited motion? That could signal issues like a labral tear, rotator cuff injury, or joint instability. If your shoulder’s starting to sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies and it hurts, let’s take a closer look, early treatment = smoother movement later.

02/23/2026

⏳ How long does it really take to recover from ACL surgery?
On average, full recovery takes about 6–9 months, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. The first few weeks focus on reducing swelling and regaining basic motion. After that, rehab ramps up to rebuild strength, balance, and joint stability. Athletes returning to sport may take closer to 9–12 months, depending on progress and goals. The real key? Consistency with physical therapy and patience with your body.
Thinking about ACL surgery or already in recovery? We’ll walk with you through every step from surgery to strong comeback.

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

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