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.

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.

02/20/2026

🏌️‍♂️ Love golf but feeling it in your back, elbow, or shoulder? You’re not alone.
Golf might look low-impact, but the repetitive motion and powerful rotation can lead to a range of orthopedic issues, like golfer’s elbow (yep, it’s a real thing), rotator cuff strain, lower back pain, wrist tendonitis, and even hip irritation. Poor swing mechanics, lack of mobility, or pushing through discomfort can turn a minor tweak into a chronic injury. 👉 If you’re feeling pain during or after your round, don’t shrug it off, we’ll help you get back to the course with less pain and more power.

02/18/2026

🏃‍♂️ Mobility vs strength: both matter, but they do very different things in your recovery.
Mobility is your body’s ability to move through a full, pain-free range of motion. Strength is your body’s ability to control those movements. After injury or surgery, we often need to restore mobility first, so the joint moves well, and then build strength around that new range to keep it stable. Skip one, and you risk re-injury or chronic compensation. 👉 Not sure which one your body needs right now? Let’s take a look, we’ll guide you through the right balance for lasting recovery.

02/16/2026

✅ Wondering if your recovery is actually on track?
Healing doesn’t always feel linear, but there are signs you’re moving in the right direction: pain is decreasing (even slowly), swelling is manageable, mobility is gradually improving, and daily tasks are getting easier. You’re sleeping better, needing less medication, and you’re sticking to your rehab plan, even on the tough days.
Recovery takes time, but progress is progress. If you’re unsure or just need reassurance, we’re always here to check in and guide you through every phase.

$🩻 X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds help us see what the eye (and even hands) can’t. Whether we’re looking for fractures, so...$

02/13/2026

🩻 X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds help us see what the eye (and even hands) can’t. Whether we’re looking for fractures, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, or inflammation, imaging gives us the full picture, so we can make the right diagnosis and tailor your treatment with precision. It helps rule things out, spot hidden damage, and avoid unnecessary procedures. 👉 If your pain’s been a mystery or not improving, imaging can reveal the “why” and we’ll walk you through exactly what we see and what to do next.

02/11/2026

If you hear or feel a pop, snap, or click in your hip when walking, standing up, or kicking your leg out, you might have snapping hip syndrome. It usually happens when a muscle or tendon moves over a bony structure in your hip, think tight hip flexors or IT band tension. Most cases are harmless and more annoying than painful, but if it’s causing discomfort, weakness, or limiting your movement, it’s worth checking out. If your hip’s been talking (and snapping) back, let’s take a look and get it moving smoothly again.

02/09/2026

💪 Rotator cuff repair coming up? Here’s what to expect.
This surgery is designed to reattach torn shoulder tendons and restore strength and function, especially if pain, weakness, or limited range of motion are getting in the way of daily life. Recovery typically involves a few weeks in a sling, followed by physical therapy to gradually rebuild movement and strength. It’s not an overnight fix, but with patience and the right rehab plan, most people get back to doing what they love.

Thinking about rotator cuff surgery or preparing for recovery? Let’s walk through it together, we’ve got your shoulder (literally).

02/06/2026

🦴 Hip pain: is it muscle, joint, or nerve?
Not all hip pain is created equal, and pinpointing the source is key to getting relief. Muscle pain often feels like soreness or strain on the outside of the hip or buttock, especially after activity. Joint pain tends to be deeper, often felt in the groin or front of the hip, and can get worse with weight-bearing. Nerve-related pain (like from the lower back or sciatic nerve) might shoot down the leg, feel tingly, or come and go.

If your hip pain’s been sticking around, don’t guess, we can help figure out what’s going on and get you back to moving comfortably.

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.

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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