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Dr. Amar Patel, Orthopedic Surgeon, Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon, Irvine, Laguna Woods, CA / About Dr. Patel / Amar A. Patel, M.D.
Profile-Amar A. Patel, MD

Amar A. Patel, M.D. Trusted Fellowship-Trained Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgeon in Orange County

Dr. Amar A. Patel is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery and serving patients throughout Orange County. He provides advanced surgical and non-surgical care for conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, peripheral nerve disorders, sports injuries, and complex conditions of the upper extremity.

Raised in Southern California, Dr. Patel attended Pennsylvania State University through its accelerated Pre-Medical/Medical program and received his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Patel completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, including extensive trauma experience at Ryder Trauma Center. He then completed advanced fellowship training at the internationally recognized Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, where he received specialized training in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery, microsurgery, peripheral nerve surgery and reconstruction, complex fractures, tendon and ligament reconstruction, pediatric hand surgery, and soft-tissue reconstruction.

Dr. Patel has been recognized as an Orange Coast Magazine Physician of Excellence, Super Doctor, and Castle Connolly Top Doctor each year since 2024.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Patel holds several physician leadership positions within the Orange County medical community. He serves on the Board of Directors of OrthoWest, is Chair of the Board of Saddleback Surgery Centers, and serves on the Southern California Orthopedic Specialists (SCOS) Executive Committee.

Dr. Patel is an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), where he serves on multiple committees. He is also a member of the First Hand Club, an educational organization dedicated to collaboration, the study of hand surgery, and the advancement of the specialty.

Dr. Patel has authored peer-reviewed scientific articles, research abstracts, and textbook chapters and has presented his work at national and international medical conferences. He has also provided specialized hand surgery care internationally in Managua, Nicaragua.

In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Patel is a California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) with expertise in workers’ compensation and medical-legal cases. He performs evaluations involving complex upper extremity injuries, causation, apportionment, permanent impairment, and return-to-work considerations.

Amar A. Patel, MD

With advanced fellowship training, recognized clinical expertise, physician leadership, academic contributions, and medical-legal experience, Dr. Patel is committed to providing comprehensive and individualized care for patients seeking a hand surgeon, wrist specialist, or elbow specialist in Orange County.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, cooking, surfing, biking, cocktail making, and watching all sports.

Amar A. Patel, M.D.

Training

  • Undergraduate:
    The Pennsylvania State University
  • Medical School:
    Thomas Jefferson University
  • Internship and Residency:
    University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Hospital (Orthopaedic Surgery)
  • Fellowship:
    The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center (Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery)

Professional Membership

  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • American Association of Hand Surgery
  • American Association of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
  • American Medical Association

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Gujarati

Philosophy

Hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions can be really bothersome and debilitating. Sometimes they happen quickly, and sometimes they creep up slowly. Many conditions are related to nerves and tendons, and others involve joints and bones.

Regardless, my main goal is always to put the patient first and individualize their care. The demands and needs of a child are very different than an elderly patient, so the best treatment needs to take that into consideration.

I am huge believer in shared decision making. I always go over all options, whether that is a splint, therapy, injections, or surgery. With all the options, the patient and I make joint decision in order to get the best possible outcome.

Lastly, I treat every patient like they are family. Most people do not like “going to the doctor”. By caring for patients kindly, I try to ease those fears and limit anxiety. This makes the experience more enjoyable and more productive. Having excellent staff and support from the front desk to therapy to nurses makes things run smoothly and efficiently. We try to have patients scheduled as soon as possible and are flexible for their needs. Wait times are kept to the bare minimum in the office.

Publications

Peer- Reviewed Articles

  1. Patel A, Thacker MM. Cervical Spinal Canal Compromise in a 14-year-old girl with Hereditary Multiple Exostoses. Pediatric Radiology. 2010 Dec;40 Suppl 1:S158.
  2. Anderson DG, Patel A, Maltenfort M, Vaccaro AR, Ratliff J, Hilibrand AS, Harrop J, Sharan A, Ponnappan KR, Rihn JA, Albert TJ. Lumbar Decompression using a Traditional Midline Approach vs. a Tubular Retractor System: Comparison of Patient-Based Clinical Outcomes. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Mar 1;36(5):E320-5.
  3. Kepler CK, Rihn JA, Radcliff KE, Patel AA, Anderson DG, Vaccaro AR, Hilibrand AS, Albert TJ. Restoration of lordosis and disk height after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Orthop Surg. 2012 Feb;4(1):15-20.
  4. Patel A, Smith HE, Radcliff KE, Yadlapalli NK, Vaccaro AR. Odontoid Fractures With Neurologic Deficit Have Higher Mortality and Morbidity. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2012 Jun; 470(6):1614-20.
  5. Patel AA, Blount A, Owens P, Askari M. Functional Outcomes of Replantation for Complete Radiocarpal Amputations. J Hand Surg. 2015 Feb;40(2):266-70.
  6. Patel AA, Buller LT, Fleming ME, Owens P, Chen D, Askari M. National Trends in Ambulatory Surgery for Upper Extremity Fractures: A 10-year Analysis of the National Surveys of Ambulatory Surgery. Hand, NY. 2015 Jun;10(2):254-9..
  7. Patel AA, Zfass- Mendez M, Lebwohl NH, Wang MY, Green BA, Levi AJ, Vanni S, Williams SK. Minimally-Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Open Lumbar Laminectomy and Fusion: Blood Loss, Surgical Complications, and Length of Hospital Stay. Iowa Orthop J. July 2015.
  8. Alhandi AA, Lekic N, Patel AA, Milne EM, Latta LL. Skin Pressure Measurements under a Bi-valved Cast Stabilized by Utilizing a Knob- Wire System: A Cadaver Model Study. Texas Orthopaedics Journal. 2(1):39-45. 2016.
  9. Patel AA, Alhandi AA, Dy CJ, Milne EM, Latta LL, Ouellette EA. Biomechanical Analysis of All-Inside, Arthroscopic Suture Repair Versus Extensor Retinaculum Capsulorrhaphy for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears With Instability. J Hand Surg. J Hand Surg Am. 2016 Mar;41(3):387-93. 2016 Jan.
  10. Patel AA, Patel AA, Kaplan FTD. Radiation Exposure Safety Patterns with the Use of Intraoperative Fluoroscopy. Bull Hosp Jt Dis. 76 (3), 183- 191. 2018.
  11. Patel AA, Lekic N, Fleming ME, Chen DL, Askari M. Prospective Study of the Effect of Corticosteroid Injection Dosage in Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetics . Bull Hosp Jt Dis. 76 (3), 198-203. 2018.

Book Chapters

  1. Tannoury C, Patel A, Anderson DG. Posterior Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion Techniques. Rothman-Simeone: The Spine, 6th Eds: Herkowitz H, Garfin S, Eismont FJ, Bell G, Balderston R. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders-Elsevier. 2011.
  2. Patel AA, Gray R. Arthritic Conditions of the Hand and Wrist. Evaluation and Management of Common Upper Extremity Disorders: A Practical Handbook. SLACK. 2015.
  3. Patel AA, Quinnan S. Traction Pin Placement: Femoral, Tibial, Calcaneal. Case Competencies in Orthopaedic Surgery. Eds: Elsevier. 2015.

Presentations

Podium Presentations

  1. Patel A, Smith HE, Radcliff KE, Albert TJ, Harrop J, Anderson DG, Hilibrand AS, Rihn JA, Vaccaro AR. Spinal Cord Injury Associated with Type II Odontoid Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. February 2011.
  2. Patel AA, Zfass- Mendez M, Wang MY, Green BA, Lebwohl NH, Levi AJ, Vanni S, Williams SK. Minimally-Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Open Lumbar Laminectomy and Fusion: Blood Loss, Surgical Complications, and Length of Hospital Stay. Florida Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. Bonita Springs, FL. May 2014.
  3. Patel AA, Blount A, Owens P, Askari M. Functional Outcomes of Replantation for Complete Radiocarpal Amputations. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. March 2015.
  4. Patel AA, Alhandi AA, Milne EM, Makowski AL, Latta LL, Ouellette EA. Biomechanical Analysis of Repair and Reconstruction Methods for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears. ASSH 70th Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA. September 2015.
  5. Patel AA, Fleming ME, Lekic N, Chen DL, Owens PW, Askari M. The Effect of Corticosteroid Concentration on Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. ASSH 70th Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA. September 2015.
  6. Patel AA, Patel AA, Kaplan FTD. Radiation Exposure Safety Patterns Amongst Members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Annual Tri- State Hand Surgery Meeting. Cincinnati, OH. May 2017.
  7. Patel AA, Patel AA, Kaplan FTD. Radiation Exposure Safety Patterns Amongst Members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Garceau- Wray Annual Lectureship. Indianapolis, IN. June 2017.

Posters and Published Abstracts

  1. Harris E, Massey P, Patel A, Anderson DG. Percutaneous Versus Open Pedicle Screw Placement in Patients Undergoing Fusion For Lumbar Spondylisthesis. Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. October 2008.
  2. Kurd MF, Patel A, Rihn JA, Blood E, Anderson DG, Vaccaro AR, Weinstein J, Hilibrand AS, Albert TJ. Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Who Decides to Have Surgery? Jefferson Orthopaedic Journal; June 2010.
  3. Patel A, Smith HE, Radcliff KE, Yadlapalli NK, Maltenfort M, Albert TJ, Harrop J, Anderson DG, Hilibrand AS, Rihn JA, Ponnappan RK, Vaccaro AR. Spinal Cord Injury Associated with Type II Odontoid Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) 38th Annual Meeting. Charlotte, NC. December 2010.
  4. Patel AA, Nigen D, Clifford PD, Jose J, Cardoso R. Subtle Radiological Findings in Greater Arc Perilunate Injury. Florida Medical Association Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. July 2013.
  5. Zfass- Mendez M, Patel AA, Green BA, Lebwohl NH, Levi AJ, Vanni S, Williams SK. Minimally-Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Open Lumbar Laminectomy and Fusion: Blood Loss, Surgical Complications, and Length of Hospital Stay. Lumbar Spine Research Society 7th Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. May 2014.
  6. Patel AA, Blount A, Owens P, Askari M. Functional Outcomes of Replantation for Complete Radiocarpal Amputations. American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) Annual Meeting. Atlantis, Bahamas. January 2015.
  7. Patel AA, Blount A, Owens P, Askari M. Functional Outcomes of Replantation for Complete Radiocarpal Amputations. American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)/ Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand (JSSH) Combined Meeting. Maui, Hawaii. March 2015.
  8. Patel AA, Buller LT, Fleming ME, Owens P, Chen D, Askari M. National Trends in Ambulatory Surgery for Upper Extremity Fractures: A 10-year Analysis of the National Surveys of Ambulatory Surgery. American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)/ Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand (JSSH) Combined Meeting. Maui, Hawaii. March 2015.
  9. Alhandi AA, Patel AA, Milne EM, Makowski AL, Latta LL, Ouellette EA. Balloon Carpal Tunnel-Plasty versus Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cadaveric Assessment of Median Nerve and Compartment Pressure Changes. Florida Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting. St. Petersburg, FL. May 2015.
  10. Alhandi AA, Patel AA, Milne EM, Makowski AL, Latta LL, Ouellette EA. Balloon Carpal Tunnel-Plasty versus Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cadaveric Assessment of Median Nerve and Compartment Pressure Changes. ASSH 70th Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA. September 2015.
  11. Patel AA, Alhandi AA, Milne EM, Makowski AL, Latta LL, Ouellette EA. Biomechanical Analysis of Repair and Reconstruction Methods for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears. ORS Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. March 2016.
  12. Alhandi AA, Patel AA, Milne T, Makowski AL, Latta LL, Ouellette EA. Balloon Carpal Tunnelplasty versus Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cadaveric Assessment of Median Nerve and Compartment Pressure Changes. ORS Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. March 2016.
  13. Alhandi AA, Lekic N, Patel AA, Milne EM, Latta LL. Skin Pressure Measurements under a Bi-valved Cast Stabilized by Utilizing a Knob-Wire System: A Cadaver Model Study. ORS Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. March 2016.
  14. Patel AA, Patel AA, Kaplan FTD. Radiation Exposure Safety Patterns Amongst Members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. St. Vincent Health System Research Symposium. June 2017.
  15. Elliott I, Herfat S, Kaimrajh D, Patel AA, Latta L, Ouellette EA. A Biomechanical Analysis of a Crisscross Repair Technique for Flexor Tendon Pulley Reconstruction. ORS Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. March 2018.
  16. Patel AA, Patel AA, Kaplan FTD. Radiation Exposure Safety Patterns Amongst Members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. ASSH 72nd Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. September 2018.

Lectures

Lectures

  1. Heat- Related Illness in Sports Medicine. Sports Medicine Lecture Series. University of Miami, August 2012.
  2. Ring Avulsion Injuries. Hand Surgery Lecture Series. University of Miami, October 2012.
  3. Proximal Median Nerve Syndromes. Hand Surgery Lecture Series. University of Miami, September 2013.
  4. Hand and Wrist Review. Orthopedic In- Training Exam (OITE) Review. University of Miami, June 2013.
  5. Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries. Sports Medicine Lecture Series. University of Miami, June 2015.
  6. SLAP Tears in the Athlete. Sports Medicine Lecture Series. University of Miami, January 2016.
  7. Biomechanical Analysis of Repair and Reconstruction Methods for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears. Grand Rounds, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Miami, FL. March 2015.
  8. Major Limb Replantation. Grand Rounds, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Miami, FL. January 2016.
  9. Kienbock’s Disease. Hand Surgery Lecture Series. University of Miami, May 2016.
  10. Cerebral Palsy in Hand Surgery. Hand Surgery Lecture Series. University of Miami, June 2016.
  11. Advances in Joint Replacement of the Upper Extremity, Athletico Therapy, September 2017
  12. Wide- Awake Hand Surgery, Athletico Therapy, July 2019
  13. Advances in the Treatment of Wrist Arthritis, Chicago Metro Hand Study Group, August 2019
  14. Wide- Awake Hand Surgery, Orange County Hand Study Group, June 2020
  15. Occupational Injury, ICL, ASSH 2022
  16. Distal Radius Osteotomy, ICL, ASSH 2023
  17. Elbow Trauma, ICL, ASSH 2023
  18. Wide- Awake Hand Surgery, IMASC, 2024

Leadership

  • MemorialCare Surgery Centers Saddleback Board, Chair 2024- Present
  • SCOS Executive Committee 2024- Present
  • OrthoWest MSO Board 2024- Present
  • Business of Hand Society Committee, ASSH 2023- Present
  • Public Education Committee, ASSH 2020- 2023
  • Domestic Outreach Committee, ASSH 2020- 2022
  • University of Miami Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program June 2014- June 2016
    Curriculum Resident Liaison
  • Jefferson Orthopaedics Society June 2007- June 2011
    Vice President
  • Jefferson Medical College Student Council August 2008-August 2009
    Wellness Center Committee Liaison
  • The Pennsylvania State University Crew Team June 2005- June 2006
    Junior Varsity Oarsman

Honors/ Awards

  • Orange Coast Magazine Physicians of Excellence 2024 – Present
  • Super Doctors 2024- Present
  • Castle Connolly Top Docs 2024- Present
  • Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
    Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society October 2010
  • The Pennsylvania State University
    Dean’s List August 2005- May 2007
    Eberly College of Science Scholar August 2005- May 2007
  • Troy High School
    Top 1% of Class May 2005
    Colorado School of Mines Award in Science December 2004

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Amar A. Patel, M.D.
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • American Association for Hand Surgery
  • Alpha Omega Alpha
  • Florida Orthopaedic Society