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Jim C. Hsu, MD, FAAOS

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About

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Medical School Recruit - Associate Professor (AC)

Biography

Dr. Jim C. Hsu is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon and Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at Yale University, specializing in arthroscopic and minimally-invasive surgery of the shoulder, knee, elbow, and other areas.

With extensive clinical and surgical experience, and a strong affinity for surgical technology and product design, Dr. Hsu has focused his practice and research activities on developing and refining new surgical techniques that deliver the benefits of minimal invasiveness to his patients. He is working with leading industry experts in orthopaedic technology on novel surgical techniques and treatment possibilities.

Dr. Hsu’s areas of surgical expertise include: arthroscopic all-inside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; arthroscopic ACL-preserving repair; arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; bone-preserving distal biceps tendon repair without metal implants; arthroscopic meniscus repair; all-arthroscopic repair of bone and cartilage fractures within the knee and the shoulder; and repair of proximal hamstring tears entirely through endoscopy portals.

Dr. Hsu graduated with honors from the Indiana University School of Music with a degree in Violin Performance. He then received his Doctor of Medicine degree with Distinction in Research from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Dr. Hsu completed an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the Washington University in St. Louis, followed by an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, where he served as a fellow physician for professional athletic teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, and Angels. During his Kerlan-Jobe fellowship, Dr. Hsu had the privilege of working directly with the pioneer of the Tommy John procedure, Dr. Frank Jobe, whose innovation has continued to save the careers of countless competitive and professional athletes worldwide.

Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Hsu loves art and music of a wide gamut of styles, as a listener and sometimes a performer. Dr. Hsu is also a dedicated running athlete, having completed 16 marathons to date, including Boston and New York City Marathons as time qualifiers. He finds the experience of training for a marathon humbling, challenging, but renewing every time, and always learns lessons from his own experience that help him better understand his patients and to best help them accomplish their goals.

Appointments

Education & Training

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship
Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic
Orthopaedic Residency
Washington University School of Medicine (2004)
MD
University of Rochester School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine (1999)

Research

Overview

Current prevalent distal biceps tendon technique has been in use for almost 20 year. Since then, advances in our understanding of tissue healing biology, implant design, and biomechanics all combine to suggest new directions in distal biceps repair. Our study will examine tendon suturing techniques and suture types, tendon-bone attachment methods, and effectiveness of anatomy restoration.

Currently, the only option for problematic mid-substance PCL tears is a full reconstruction. We have developed a new technique to repair the tear that may allow for a faster recovery and with less pain and other complications. We are working on laboratory studies to consider its strength and compare it to the reconstruction option.

Research at a Glance

Publications Timeline

A big-picture view of Jim C. Hsu's research output by year.
21Publications

Publications

2022

2021

2010

  • Mini-Incision Fixation of Pr.oximal Humerus Four-Part Fractures
    Scuderi GR, Tria AJ, editors: Minimally Invasive Surgery in Orthopedics. Springer, New York: 32-44, 2010.
    Chapters

2007

2005

  • Hsu JC, Luhmann SJ. Arthroscopic Lateral Release in Adolescents for Treatment of Recalcitrant Anterior-Medial Parapatellar Pain.
    Presented at the Arthroscopy Association of North America Annual Meeting, Vancouver, May 2005.
    Peer-Reviewed Original Research

2004

  • Elbow Arthroscopy.
    Miller M, Cole B, editors: Textbook of Arthroscopy. Elsevier, Philadelphia: 289-306, 2004.
    Chapters

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

  • activity

    Arthroscopy Association of North America

  • activity

    American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

  • honor

    Alpha Omega Alpha

  • honor

    M.D. with Distinction in Research

Clinical Care

Overview

Jim C. Hsu, MD, is an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive shoulder, knee, and elbow surgery.

“My goal is to return patients to their activities better and faster, which makes minimally invasive approaches ideal because it allows us to do more treatment with very small incisions,” Dr. Hsu says. “These procedures are often complex and demanding, both mentally and physically. But they are rewarding to learn, master, and perform—especially when I know they ultimately will benefit the patients who often recover faster and with much less pain.”

Dr. Hsu aims to educate his patients so they can make informed and confident choices. “There are many situations in orthopaedics where more than one valid treatment exists. And to decide, patients need to understand their injury and their options. I love to explain and discuss the anatomy, the injury, why certain types of injuries heal while others don’t, and what different types of treatments entail,” he says, adding that he often sketches and diagrams to help his patients better understand. “I always make sure their questions are fully answered. I love when patients tell me at the end of the visit, ‘Now I really get it,’ or ‘Thank you for spending the time to explain it all to me!’”

An accomplished violinist and marathon runner, Dr. Hsu says he draws from both hobbies for his medical work. “I love to understand how machines and gadgets work and the cleverer the design, the more I am fascinated. As a violinist, I am likewise drawn to musical works that challenge me,” he says. “And as with the violin, for running the biggest impact is the mental aspect. The learning process takes a long time. It can sometimes be frustrating. But perseverance is essential.”

At the end of the day, one can complete a marathon and then do another and improve, Dr. Hsu says, but with medicine, perseverance is even more meaningful. “The goal of the whole experience is to improve patient outcomes, and personal satisfaction is just a bonus,” he says.

“As a surgeon, I am most excited when I can combine progress in the biology of bone and soft tissue healing with breakthroughs in implant technology and surgical techniques, to help treat patients better,” Dr. Hsu says.

His research involves development of new techniques and applications for orthopaedic technology to improve treatment success. “Currently, I am studying a distal biceps tendon repair technique I have developed that uses less invasive repair methods and more robust suturing techniques to improve tendon-to-bone fixation strength while decreasing complications,” he explains.

Other interests include endoscopic proximal hamstring tendon repair, arthroscopic cartilage and meniscus repair, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and all-arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction versus ligament-preserving ACL repair.

Clinical Specialties

Minimally Invasive Surgery; Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery; Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery; Sports Medicine; Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Orthopaedic Surgery

    Certification Organization
    AB of Orthopaedic Surgery
    Latest Certification Date
    2018
    Original Certification Date
    2007

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