Richard F. Santore, MD

Dr. Santore is a Harvard University-trained Orthopaedic Surgeon with Fellowships in Total Hip, Total Knee and Osteotomy surgery from Harvard University and AO of Switzerland. He served as Chief Resident of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the first medical school to train doctors in the United States.

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He is one of the world's leading surgeons in his field. Dr. Santore’s areas of clinical expertise include Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO), lntertrochanteric Osteotomy (ITO), Total Hip Replacement and Total Knee Replacement.

 

​Dr. Santore is a Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery (Voluntary) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He has served as President of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, President of the California Orthopaedic Association, President of the Western Orthopaedic Association, President of the San Diego Surgical Society, Division Chief of Adult Reconstruction of UCSD, Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery of Sharp Memorial Hospital and President of the San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association. He was Chief of Staff of the 1,200 Physician medical staff of Sharp Memorial Hospital and now serves as Medical Director of the Sharp Hip Preservation Center.

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He is a highly sought after speaker and/or visiting professor at educational meetings that span the globe, internationally and within the United States. He is the recipient of the UCSD Orthopaedic Teacher of the Year award, the Leadership award of the California Orthopaedic Asssociation and the Distinguished Service award of the San Diego Orthopaedic Association.

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He is a member of the Hip Society, the International Hip Society, the Knee Society, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Research Society, the Biomechanics Society, the Western Orthopaedic Association, the International Cartilage Research Society, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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Our current research is focused on the relationship between joint hypermobility and hip dysplasia and we have organized the world's largest data base with over 1,000 patients entered. Publication of the results is anticipated in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in the summer of 2020. Grants are in production for a multi-center study of the genetics and genomics of hypermobility and hip dysplasia and the biomechanics of soft tissues in hypermobile and normal individuals.

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Dr. Santore has performed periacetabular osteotomies (PAOs) on an out-patient basis since Feb. of 2019, with a growing number of patients who elect the out-patient protocol for rapid recovery without narcotics. The bikini incision was incorporated in mid 2019. Total hips and knees are now being done as out-patient procedures as well. His office and hospital are a short 15-minute ride from the San Diego International Airport.