Education

  • College: Stanford University, Department of Biological Sciences, Palo Alto, CA,
  • Medical School: University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
  • Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA
  • Fellowship: Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Biography

Kevin J. Choo, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in primary hip and knee replacement for the treatment of degenerative osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, avascular necrosis, hip dysplasia, and post-traumatic arthrosis. He is fellowship-trained in direct anterior hip replacement, the use of computer- and robotic-assisted technology, and partial knee replacement. His clinical interest also includes revision hip and knee surgery for the treatment of failed joint replacement due to infection, loosening, or recurrent dislocation.

Dr. Choo earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago and completed his internship and residency at UCSF (University of California- San Francisco). He received fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Choo has presented and published on such topics as the biology of bone healing, the reduction of opioid use after orthopedic surgery, periprosthetic joint infection management, and partial joint replacement. Dr. Choo was named an Emerging Leader by the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). He is a reviewer for the Journal of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) and the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (JOT). He is also a 2023 Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Affiliations & Honors

  • American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), Emerging Leader, UCSF
  • American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), C.McCollister Evarts Leadership, UCSF
  • Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) Traveling Fellowship, UCSF (Managua, Nicaragua)
  • Scholarship and Discovery Research Grant, University of Chicago
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Research Grant, Stanford University
5 Star Review on HealthgradesPatient

“I had been suffering when walking for three year ,because of pain from arthritis. Finally, I couldn’t walk even one block. I decided to get an anterior hip replacement. Dr. Choo was my surgeon. He always answer my questions kindly and patiently. In the hospital, everyone was so kind and took care of me so well. After surgery, I recovered so quickly. My X ray 2 week after looked very good. Actually after surgery I didn’t need much medication for my pain. Now, after only about a month, I can walk smoothly. I am amazed. I thank God for giving my life again through Dr. Choo’s help. Dr. Choo has terrific skills as a surgeon. He is also very kind and thoughtful.”

5 Star Review on HealthgradesPatient

“My recent anterior hip replacement surgery was so successful that here I am, 6 weeks later, back to my normal active routine. It's as if I never had a hip issue. I can attest to this fabulous achievement since I can compare it to the posterior procedure used on my other hip several years ago. The recovery time has been one third the length of that operation. Dr. Choo's surgery follow-up phone calls and office visits give me total confidence in him as a person as well as a highly skilled professional. “

5 Star Review on HealthgradesPatient

“I met Dr Choo when I wanted to start physical therapy for advanced arthritis in my right hip. Dr Choo reassured me that PT is a first good step whether or not you have hip replacement & he said while hip replacement was medically indicated in my case , it was my decision on when & how to proceed. After PT & a year of normal life, my arthritis advanced & I decided to move forward with right anterior hip replacement at ONS. Dr Choo's professionalism is very reassuring & he takes time to fully explain the medical condition, medical treatment, anterior hip replacement process & recovery including anesthesia. I was confident with Dr Choo & am thrilled with the result and the pre and post surgery process. The ONS team is fantastic & Dr Choo is wonderful. I am 2 weeks after surgery and navigating easily with a cane & no pain. I enthusiastically recommend Dr Choo and regard him as an expert, trusted medical provider. He is simply the best!! “

Videos

 

Joint Replacement Symposium

Published Research

Short Term Results of Triathlon Cementless versus Cemented Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Yazdi, H, Choo KJ, Restrepo C, Hammad M, Sherman M, Parvizi J. Short Term Results of Triathlon Cementless versus Cemented Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. The Knee. 2020. (accepted, pending publication)

Irrigation and debridement, modular exchange and implant retention for acute periprosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty

Choo KJ, Austin M, Parvizi J. Irrigation and debridement, modular exchange and implant retention for acute periprosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) Essent Surg Tech. 2019.

A Goal-directed Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Opioid Prescriptions After Orthopaedic Procedures

Choo KJ, Grace TR, Khanna K, Barry J, Hansen EN. A Goal-directed Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Opioid Prescriptions After Orthopaedic Procedures. JAAOS Global Research & Reviews. 2019 Sept 17;3(9)

A Review of Inpatient Opioid Consumption and Discharge Prescription Patterns after Orthopaedic Procedures

Grace TR, Choo KJ, Patterson J, Khanna K, Feeley, BT, Zhang AL. A Review of Inpatient Opioid Consumption and Discharge Prescription Patterns after Orthopaedic Procedures. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2019.

The Influence of Preoperative Opioid Use on Inpatient Opioid Requirements and Discharge Medication Prescriptions After Primary Shoulder Arthroplasty

Grace TR, Khanna K, Choo KJ, Croci R, Feeley BT, Ma CB, Zhang AL. The Influence of Preoperative Opioid Use on Inpatient Opioid Requirements and Discharge Medication Prescriptions After Primary Shoulder Arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018; Apr 24. pii S1058-2746(18)30173-

Variability in Conflict of Interest Disclosures by Physicians Presenting Trauma Research

Wong K, Burns R, Mohan R, Yi PH, Choo KJ. Variability in Conflict of Interest Disclosures by Physicians Presenting Trauma Research. World J Orthop. 2017; Apr18;8(4):329-335

Variable Reporting by Authors Presenting Arthroplasty Research at Multiple Annual Conferences

Choo KJ, Yi PH, Burns R, Mohan R, Wong K. Variable Reporting by Authors Presenting Arthroplasty Research at Multiple Annual Conferences. J Arthroplasty. 2017; 32:315-219

Knockout Mice Developed More Severe Osteoarthritis Associated with Increased Susceptibility of Chondrocytes to Apoptosis

Wang Z, Tran M, Bhatia N, Hsing A, Chen C, LaRussa M, Fattakhov E, Rshidi V, Hang KY, Choo KJ, Nie X, Mathy J, Longaker MT, Dauskardt R, Helms J, Yang GP. DEL1 Knockout Mice Developed More Severe Osteoarthritis Associated with Increased Susceptibility of Chondrocytes to Apoptosis. PLoS One. 2016 Aug 9;11(8)

Graduates of Orthopaedic Residency Training are Increasingly Subspecialized: A Review of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II Database

Horst PK, Choo K, Bharucha N, Vail TP. Graduates of Orthopaedic Residency Training are Increasingly Subspecialized: A Review of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II Database. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015 May 20;97(10): 869-7

Internal Fixation of Posterior Pelvic Ring Injuries Using Iliosacral Screws in the Dysmorphic Upper Sacrum

Morshed S, Choo KJ, Kandemir U, Kaiser SP. Internal Fixation of Posterior Pelvic Ring Injuries Using Iliosacral Screws in the Dysmorphic Upper Sacrum. JBJS Essent Surg Tech. 2015 Feb 11; 5 (1): e3

How Do Supervising Physicians Decide to Entrust Residents with Unsupervised Tasks? A Qualitative Analysis

Choo KJ, Arora VM, Barach P, Johnson JK, Farnan JM. How Do Supervising Physicians Decide to Entrust Residents with Unsupervised Tasks? A Qualitative Analysis. J Hosp Med. 2014 Mar;9(3):169-75

Postoperative Complications After Repair of Tibial Plateau Fractures

Choo KJ, Morshed S. Postoperative Complications After Repair of Tibial Plateau Fractures. J Knee Surg. 2014 Feb;27(1):11-9

Intra-carotid Delivery of CD49d FACS Sorted Neural Stem Cells Enhances Angiogenesis and Improves Functional Outcome After Stroke

Guzman R, De Los Angeles A, Choo K, Gaeta X, Cote J, Cheshier S, Steinberg GK. Intra-carotid Delivery of CD49d FACS Sorted Neural Stem Cells Enhances Angiogenesis and Improves Functional Outcome After Stroke. Stroke 2008 (39);527-72

Textbooks

Treating Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis with Unicompartmental and Bicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Choo KJ, Lonner JH. (2019) Treating Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis with Unicompartmental and Bicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty. Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Indications, Surgical Techniques and Complications. New York, NY: Springer Publishing. [textbook chapter]

Presentations

Dual-Mobility Bearings and Constrained Liners in Revision Total Hip Arthroscopy: A Comparison of Outcomes

Choo KJ, Malkani K, Cooper AM, Yazdi H, Parvizi J. Dual-Mobility Bearings and Constrained Liners in Revision Total Hip Arthroscopy: A Comparison of Outcomes. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) National Meeting (2020)

Does Tailoring Discharge Opioid Regimens to Inpatient Use After Orthopaedic Procedures Affect Refill Rates

Grace T, Khanna K, Choo K, Zhang A. Does Tailoring Discharge Opioid Regimens to Inpatient Use After Orthopaedic Procedures Affect Refill Rates. Western Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting, Snowmass, CO. 2018 August 2.

Psychological Distress after Diagnosis and Treatment for Prosthetic Joint Infection

Choo KJ, Sing D, Hansen E. Psychological Distress after Diagnosis and Treatment for Prosthetic Joint Infection. UCSF Abbott Society Scientific Program (2018)

Conflict of Interest in Orthopaedic Surgery

Choo KJ. Conflict of Interest in Orthopaedic Surgery. UCSF Dept. Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds (2017)

Femoral Pathologic Fracture in Morbidly Obese Patient Managed with External Fixation and Compressive Osseointegration

Choo KJ, Morshed S, Wustrack RL, O’Donnell RJ. Femoral Pathologic Fracture in Morbidly Obese Patient Managed with External Fixation and Compressive Osseointegration. Advances in Orthopaedic Osseointegration Conference (2015)

When Do Supervising Physicians Decide to Entrust Residents With Unsupervised Tasks? A Qualitative Study

Choo KJ, Arora VM, Barach P, Julie JK, Farnan JM. When Do Supervising Physicians Decide to Entrust Residents With Unsupervised Tasks? A Qualitative Study. Society of General Internal Medicine- National Conference (2012)

Factors that Determine Entrustment, Supervision, and Autonomy of Housestaff During Inpatient Medicine Rotations: A Qualitative Study

Choo KJ, Farnan JM, Barach P, Arora VM. Factors that Determine Entrustment, Supervision, and Autonomy of Housestaff During Inpatient Medicine Rotations: A Qualitative Study. Society of General Internal Medicine- Midwest Conference (2011)

Histomorphometric Analysis of Tibial Bone Fracture in Del-1 Knockout Mice

Choo KJ, Wang Z, Longaker MT, Yang GP. Histomorphometric Analysis of Tibial Bone Fracture in Del-1 Knockout Mice. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress (2009)

Poster Presentations

Effect of Femoral Head Material on Head-to-Trunnion Impaction Motion and Taper Stability

Choo, KJ, Rajaravivarma, R, Hozack W. Effect of Femoral Head Material on Head-to-Trunnion Impaction Motion and Taper Stability. Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting (2020)

Factors that Determine Entrustment, Supervision, and Autonomy of Housestaff During Inpatient Medicine Rotations: A Qualitative Study

Choo KJ, Farnan JM, Barach P, Arora VM. Factors that Determine Entrustment, Supervision, and Autonomy of Housestaff During Inpatient Medicine Rotations: A Qualitative Study. Midwestern Hospitalist Medicine Conference (2011)

Salivary Gland Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: An Institutional Review

Choo KJ, Taxy J, Blair EA. Salivary Gland Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: An Institutional Review. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress (2010).