Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in bones, joints, muscles and ligaments, with and without surgery. Below are 50 orthopaedic surgeons practising in California, across Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange and Bakersfield, with what to bring and ask so your visit counts.
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Listings come from the CMS NPPES NPI Registry, the public federal record of licensed providers, checked October 2026. Being listed is not a recommendation or an endorsement, and we do not receive anything from these doctors. Call the office to confirm insurance, availability and that they are accepting new patients. In an emergency, call 911.
When to see an orthopaedic surgeon
Common reasons
Knee, hip and shoulder pain
Back and neck problems
Sports injuries and fractures
Arthritis
Recovery after joint surgery
Signs it may be time
Joint pain limits your daily life
An injury is not improving after a few weeks
Your primary care doctor or physical therapist referred you
You are deciding whether surgery makes sense
How to get the most from your orthopaedic surgeon visit
1
Before: what to bring
A list of everything you take, including supplements, with how often
Your insurance card and photo ID
Recent lab results or imaging reports, if another clinician ordered them
X-rays or MRI reports and discs, if you have them
Notes on what movements make the pain worse or better
2
During: questions to ask
What is causing the pain, and what are my options without surgery?
If surgery is an option, what does recovery look like?
What activities should I avoid or keep doing?
How will we know if things are improving?
3
After: what to keep track of
Pain level each day and what you were doing
Physical therapy exercises completed
Sleep and swelling
After your visit
Keep the plan going between appointments
Recovery happens at home, one day at a time. Tracking pain, exercises and progress lets your surgeon or physical therapist see whether you are on track, and catch setbacks early. Emerge Care, free to download on iPhone, is built for exactly that: tell it how you feel in your own words, get plain answers with the source behind every fact, and walk into your next orthopaedic surgeon appointment in California with a one-page summary and your questions ready.
Log symptoms and side effects by talking
Answers that name their source
One-page visit summary PDF
Health records stay on your iPhone
Emerge Care never diagnoses or replaces your doctor.
Questions
How do I find an orthopaedic surgeon in California?
This page lists 50 orthopaedic surgeons practising in California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange and Bakersfield, from the federal NPI Registry. Call the office to confirm they take your insurance and are accepting new patients.
Do I need a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon in California?
It depends on your insurance plan, not the state. HMO plans usually need a referral from your primary care doctor; many PPO plans do not. Check with your plan before booking.
What should I bring to my first orthopaedic surgeon appointment?
A list of everything you take, including supplements, with how often; Your insurance card and photo ID; Recent lab results or imaging reports, if another clinician ordered them; X-rays or MRI reports and discs, if you have them; Notes on what movements make the pain worse or better.
Do I need a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon?
Many insurance plans need one; some do not. Check your plan before booking.
Does seeing an orthopaedic surgeon mean I need surgery?
No. Many conditions are treated without surgery, with physical therapy, activity changes or injections.
