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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.

02/04/2026

🏃‍♀️ Shin splints got you wincing every time your foot hits the ground?
They’re caused by inflammation in the muscles and tissues along your shinbone, usually from overuse, poor footwear, or a sudden jump in activity (hello, New Year workout goals). Running on hard surfaces, flat feet, or tight calves can also be major contributors. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Slow down and support me better.”

👉 Still dealing with shin pain that won’t go away? Let’s figure out what’s really going on and get you back to moving pain-free.

02/03/2026

Hip pain: is it muscle, joint, or nerve?
That ache in your hip could be coming from more than one place, and treating the wrong source won’t fix the real problem. If the pain is sharp or deep in the groin, the joint itself might be the culprit. Outer hip or glute soreness? Likely muscular. If it’s radiating down your leg, tingling, or paired with back pain, nerves (like sciatica) could be involved.
Don’t settle for guessing, if your hip pain is getting in the way of walking, sleeping, or daily movement, let’s figure out what’s behind it and get you some real relief.

01/30/2026

Whether you’re an athlete or just active, focusing on strength, stability, and proper movement can significantly reduce your risk.

Here are key ACL injury prevention tips:
🏋️ Strengthen your hips and glutes, they control knee alignment
🦵 Build hamstring strength to balance the quadriceps
⚖️ Work on balance and proprioception (single-leg drills)
🏃‍♂️ Practice proper landing mechanics, soft knees, controlled movement
🔄 Add agility and change-of-direction training with good form
🤸 Warm up before workouts to prepare muscles and ligaments
👟 Wear supportive footwear suited for your sport or surface

Good technique and smart conditioning protect your knees, on the field, in the gym, and in everyday life.

✨ If you’ve had knee pain or a previous ACL injury, schedule an evaluation — personalized prevention makes all the difference.

01/28/2026

Overhead athletes develop shoulder pain because the joint is pushed to its limits with repeated, high-stress motions.
Sports like swimming, baseball, tennis, and volleyball rely heavily on the shoulder’s mobility, but that also makes it vulnerable.

Common causes include:
🎯 Repetitive overuse
💥 Rotator cuff strain or irritation
⚖️ Muscle imbalances
🎾 Poor scapular control
🧱 Tight chest or lat muscles
🔁 Not enough recovery between sessions

These factors overload the shoulder and can lead to pain, inflammation, and long-term injury.

✨ If overhead movement is causing pain, schedule an evaluation, early care keeps athletes performing their best.

01/26/2026

Slippery winter weather is one of the leading causes of preventable orthopedic injuries but a few simple habits can help you stay safe.

Here’s how to reduce the risk of falls, sprains, and fractures:

🧤 Wear proper footwear with good traction and non-slip soles
🏃‍♂️ Take shorter, deliberate steps on wet or icy surfaces
❄️ Use handrails when stairs or ramps may be slick
🧊 Keep walkways clear of ice, snow, or wet leaves
📦 Don’t carry heavy loads that throw off balance
🌙 Use extra caution at night, when slick spots are harder to see
🏠 Warm up before shoveling to prevent back and shoulder injuries

Winter slips can cause serious injuries (from wrist fractures to torn ligaments), but a little preparation goes a long way.

01/23/2026

Strength training isn’t just about muscles, it’s one of the best things you can do to protect your joints long-term.
When you build strong muscles, you create better support and stability around your joints, reducing strain and lowering your risk of injury.

Here’s how strength training helps:
💪 Stabilizes joints by strengthening surrounding muscles and ligaments
🦴 Improves bone density, lowering fracture risk as you age
⚖️ Balances movement patterns, reducing wear and tear
🏃 Enhances shock absorption, especially in the knees, hips, and spine
🛡️ Prevents injuries during daily activities and workouts

You don’t need heavy weights... consistent, controlled strength training makes the biggest difference.

01/21/2026

Tendonitis and tendinosis are both tendon injuries but they’re not the same, and treatment depends on knowing the difference.

🔹 Tendonitis
• Short-term inflammation of a tendon
• Often triggered by overuse or sudden activity
• Usually responds well to rest, ice, and short-term activity modification

🔹 Tendinosis
• Chronic degeneration of the tendon fibers
• Happens over time when a tendon doesn’t heal properly
• Treatment focuses on strengthening, load management, and improving tendon quality, not just reducing inflammation

Why it matters:
Treating tendinosis like tendonitis (just ice and rest) often doesn’t work and can prolong recovery.

✨ If you’ve had tendon pain for more than a few weeks, schedule an evaluation, understanding which condition you have is the key to healing properly.

01/19/2026

Not all injuries show up on an x-ray and there’s a good reason why.
X-rays are excellent for seeing bones, but many common orthopedic injuries involve soft tissues, which x-rays can’t capture.

Here’s what x-rays can’t show:
🔹 Ligament tears (like ACL or ankle sprains)
🔹 Tendon injuries
🔹 Muscle strains
🔹 Meniscus or labral tears
🔹 Cartilage damage
🔹 Early stress fractures

That’s why patients can have real pain, swelling, or limited movement even when their x-ray looks “normal.”

When symptoms persist, we often need MRI, ultrasound, or CT scans to see what’s really going on beneath the surface.

01/16/2026

Hamstring sprain recovery takes time and the right steps make all the difference.
Hamstring strains happen when the muscle is overstretched or overloaded, and healing too quickly or improperly can lead to reinjury.

Here’s what recovery typically involves:
🧊 Rest + reducing inflammation in the first few days
🏃 Gradual stretching to restore flexibility
🏋️‍♂️ Progressive strengthening, especially eccentric exercises
🦵 Correcting muscle imbalances in the hips and glutes
🎯 Return-to-sport training once strength and mobility match the uninjured side

Rushing back too soon is the #1 cause of repeat hamstring injuries, patience and guided rehab are key.

✨ If you’re dealing with hamstring pain or a recent strain, schedule an evaluation. We’ll help you recover safely and prevent future setbacks.

01/14/2026

Gym form mistakes are one of the most common causes of preventable orthopedic injuries and most people don’t realize they’re making them.
Here are the top errors that lead to joint pain, muscle strain, and long-term damage:

🏋️ Lifting too heavy, too soon
Overloading joints and tendons before they're ready increases the risk of tears and back injuries.

📉 Rounding the back during deadlifts or squats
This puts unsafe pressure on the spine and can lead to herniated discs.

📏 Poor knee alignment
Letting knees collapse inward during squats or lunges stresses the ACL and cartilage.

💥 Using momentum instead of muscle
Swinging weights instead of controlling them strains shoulders, elbows, and low back.

🔁 Repetitive overuse with improper mechanics
Even light exercises cause injury when done incorrectly for long periods.

⚡ Skipping warm-ups
Cold muscles and tight tendons are far more vulnerable to strain and tears.

Good form protects your joints, improves performance, and prevents long-term orthopedic issues, no matter your fitness level.

01/12/2026

Not all hip pain starts in the hip, sometimes the real source is the lower back.
Conditions affecting the spine, nerves, or surrounding muscles can create pain that’s felt in the hip even though the hip joint itself is healthy.

Common back issues that mimic hip pain include:
🔹 Herniated discs
🔹 Sciatica or nerve compression
🔹 Lumbar arthritis or stenosis
🔹 SI joint dysfunction
🔹 Tight lower back or glute muscles

Signs your hip pain may be coming from your back:
• Pain travels down the leg
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Pain worsens with bending or sitting
• Hip imaging looks normal

The hip and spine are deeply connected, which is why the right diagnosis matters.

01/09/2026

Ever wondered why your x-ray looks “normal,” but you’re still in pain?
X-rays only show bones, which means many common injuries simply won’t appear on them.

Here’s what x-rays can’t detect:
🔹 Ligament tears (ACL, ankle sprains)
🔹 Tendon injuries
🔹 Muscle strains
🔹 Meniscus or labral tears
🔹 Cartilage damage
🔹 Early stress fractures

That’s why real pain, swelling, or mobility loss can still exist despite a “clear” x-ray. In these cases, advanced imaging like MRI or ultrasound gives the full picture.

✨ If your x-ray was normal but your pain isn’t, schedule a follow-up, the right imaging leads to the right diagnosis.

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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