Alvin W. Su, MD, PhD

Orthopedics

Primary Office

Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware 1600 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19803 Appointment: (800) 416-4441

Other Offices

Get to Know Me

Alvin Su, MD, PhD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and pediatric orthopedics. He serves as associate professor of orthopedic surgery and pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and an adjunct professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware. 

He serves on the Editorial Board as an associate editor of the official Journal of POSNA (Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America). He has served on the committees of POSNA and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). He is an active member of Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) and Asian-Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA). 

In 2025, Dr. Su was selected as one of three Traveling Fellows representing the AOSSM for international scholarly exchange.

Dr. Su has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, is a principal reviewer for American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM) and has presented at many national and international conferences. 

His research interests, which have been supported by NIH, AOSSM and POSNA, and the OREF (Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation), include translational scientific research in biomechanics and tissue engineering, articular cartilage repair, sports motion capture analysis and medical economics modeling. These research endeavors are highly aligned with his clinical interests and surgical expertise, including sports medicine surgery of the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle, cartilage and meniscus injury treatment, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other ligamentous reconstruction, and fracture care.

He also has keen interest in martial arts and loves spending time with his two teenage children. His ultimate career goal is to promote the physical and mental health of all, by synergizing the merits that he learned from the East and the West. 

Why I Treat Children

I love to help kids do what they enjoy and help their childhood memories be as splendid as they can be. Being a father of two teens myself, kids’ smiles and laughter are always the light of my life. 

What I'm Passionate About

I’m passionate about all aspects of pediatric sports medicine, with an emphasis on the prevention and treatment of injuries in young patients. As a surgeon, I strongly believe that surgery is only necessary after all non-surgical options have been maximized. Some of my specific areas of interest are:

  • Sports Injury Care
  • Sports Surgery
  • ACL Reconstruction
  • Cartilage Restoration 
  • Hip Arthroscopy 
  • Knee Arthroscopy 
  • Shoulder Arthroscopy 
  • Elbow Arthroscopy 
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) 
  • Fracture Care

How I Try to Make A Difference

I try to make a difference by promoting the physical and mental health of young patients, by synergizing the merits from the East and the West — as an academic orthopedic surgeon, a scientist, a father of two teens, and an amateur martial artist.

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery - The University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 2018
  • Orthopedic Sports Medicine - Washington University in St. Louis, 2017
  • Orthopedic Sports Medicine - University of Pennsylvania Health System Program, 2016

Residency

  • Orthopedic Surgery - Taipei Veteran's General Hospital, 2010

Medical/Dental School

  • PhD - University of California, San Diego, 2014
  • M.D. - National Yang-Ming University, 2004

Awards & Recognition

  • 2026Nemours Clinician Research Excellence Award
  • 2026Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Career Development Award
  • 2025American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Traveling Fellow
  • 2025POSNA-Directed Research Grant for ACL and meniscus research
  • 2023Steven P. Arnoczky Young Investigator Award, from American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
  • 2022Best Team Award (chief orthopedic surgeon on team) Nemours Children's Health, Deptford
  • 2020Award for Excellence in Patient Care at Nemours, from Press Graney
  • 2015 Travel Grants for Orthopedic Research Translation, from ORS (Orthopaedic Research Society) and OREF (Orthopaedic Research & Education Foundation)

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Better Health of Maryland Medicaid
  • Aetna Better Health of Maryland Medicaid-Chester County Only
  • Aetna Better Health PA Kids HMO
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna PPO/EPO/POS
  • Aetna PPO/POS/EPO
  • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware
  • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware - Delaware & Chester CTY & TJU Sites ONLY
  • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware - Deptford only
  • Carefirst MD Community Health Plan Mcaid
  • Carefirst MD Community Health Plan Mcaid
  • Celtic Transplant Network for Ambetter
  • Celtic Transplant Network for Centene
  • Celtic Transplant Network for Delaware First Health
  • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS/EPO
  • Cigna & Great West PPO
  • Cigna/Great West HMO EPO POS
  • Cigna/Great West PPO
  • Delaware First Health
  • Delaware First Health - Concordville & Media Sites ONLY
  • Delaware First Health - Deptford only
  • Delaware Medicaid/Diamond State
  • Fidelis Care NJ Medicaid HMO
  • First Health PPO
  • First Health/Affordable PPO
  • Geisinger Health Plan Commercial
  • Health Partners Medicaid/Kidz Partner HMO
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware *PA Loc Contiguous to DE*
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware *PA Loc NONContiguous to DE*
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pennsylvania
  • Highmark Health Options Medicaid - Deptford only
  • Highmark Medicaid Health Options
  • Highmark Medicaid Health Options - Delaware & Chester CTY & TJU Sites ONLY
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • Independance Blue Cross/Amerihealth/Keystone Health Plan
  • Independence Blue Cross/Amerihealth/Keystone Health Plan
  • Insurance Administrators of America
  • INTEGRA Administrative Group (ClaimsBridge)
  • Keystone First CHIP
  • Keystone First Medicaid HMO
  • Maryland Medicaid
  • Maryland Medicaid Chester County ONLY
  • Multiplan PPO
  • National Transplant (Humana)
  • New Jersey Medicaid
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO DE/PA
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO NJ
  • Pennsylvania Medicaid
  • Preferred Healthcare PPO
  • Priority Partners John Hopkins
  • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Qualcare HMO/POS/PPO
  • Redion/GMMI DE/PA
  • Redion/GMMI NJ
  • Six Degrees Health Transplant
  • Six Degrees Health-Lucent
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services/CHAMPVA
  • United Healthcare HMO/POS/PPO/EPO
  • UPMC Medicaid/CHIP
  • US Family Health Plan
  • USFHP-John Hopkins
  • Wellpoint Maryland Medcaid
  • Wellpoint Maryland Medicaid - Chester County Only

  • Elbow Conditions
  • Fracture Management
  • Hip Conditions
  • Knee Conditions
  • Shoulder Conditions
  • Spinal Deformities
  • Sports Medicine

Research Activities

Dr. Su’s research interests include:

  • Articular cartilage repair & restoration
  • Population-based clinical outcome investigation
  • Medical economics modeling
  • Translational research in biomechanics 
  • Mechanobiology of cartilage impact injury
  • Martial arts injury and analysis
     

He had rigorous basic science and translational research training at the University of California - San Diego, where he earned his PhD in Materials Science & Engineering. He also had a thorough clinical research experience, including a year of research fellowship at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. He is an associate editor of Journal of POSNA — the official journal of POSNA, as well as a principal reviewer for the American Journal of Sports Medicine, the leading orthopedic sports medicine journal in the country, and has a particular interest in cartilage restoration, meniscus repair, and martial arts and their related injuries. 
 

See Dr. Su’s selected publications and academic profiles here.

  • A Pilot Study to Quantify In Vivo Meniscus Mechanics Under Load Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Journal of Biomechanical Engineering; (2026).

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  • Bioorthogonal Tuning of Hydrogel Stiffness Promotes Zonal Redifferentiation of Passaged Chondrocytes; Unknown Source; (2026).

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  • Common Injuries and Their Management Among Youth to Elite Artistic Male and Female Gymnasts; Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2026).

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  • Fibronectin Coating of Tissue Culture Polystyrene to Improve Superficial Zone Chondrocyte Expansion; Unknown Source; (2026).

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  • The effects of hypothermic storage on passaged chondrocyte viability and redifferentiation potential; Cytotherapy; (2026).

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  • Commentary on Quality Improvement Case Series: “Osteogenesis Imperfecta or Non-accidental Trauma”; Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; (2025).

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  • Enhanced Superficial Zone Chondrocyte Expansion and Redifferentiation by Culture on Chondrocyte-Derived Decellularized Matrices; CARTILAGE; (2025).

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  • One-stage Combined Hip Arthroscopy and Periacetabular Osteotomy; Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; (2025).

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  • Scaffold-free generation of non-contractile bioengineered cartilage to investigate the effects of inflammatory mediators on human chondrocytes; SciEnggJ; (2025).

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  • Targeting the reorganization of F-actin for cell-based implantation cartilage repair therapies.; Differentiation; research in biological diversity; (2025).

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  • The Effects of Hypothermic Storage on Passaged Chondrocyte Viability and Redifferentiation Potential; Unknown Source; (2025).

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  • Adolescent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Decade of Rising Surgical Cost; The American Journal of Managed Care; (2024).

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  • Combined Single-Shot Intra-articular Injection of Ropivacaine and Contrast Media for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Surgical Decision Making for Hip Arthroscopy in Young Patients; JAAOS: Global Research and Reviews; (2024).

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  • Industry Partners Support Innovation: 2024 AOSSM Research Workshop.; Sports Medicine Update; (2024).

  • Invited Perspective International Pediatric Orthopaedics Research: the POSNA POGO Scholars Initiative; Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; (2024).

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  • Martial Arts: Orthopaedic Injuries and Related Biomechanics; Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2024).

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  • Passaged Articular Chondrocytes From the Superficial Zone and Deep Zone Can Regain Zone-Specific Properties After Redifferentiation.; The American journal of sports medicine; (2024).

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  • Long-Term Outcomes at Skeletal Maturity of Combined Pelvic and Femoral Osteotomy for the Treatment of Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease; Journal of Clinical Medicine; (2023).

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  • Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering Design: An Innovative Duet toward a Better Tomorrow; Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; (2023).

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  • POSNA-POGO Scholars Research Initiative: Capacity and Needs; Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; (2023).

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  • Surgical Management of Traumatic Meniscus Injuries; Pathophysiology; (2023).

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  • Visual Disturbances After Concussion; Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports; (2023).

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  • Medial Tibial Slope Determined by Plain Radiography Is Not Associated with Primary or Recurrent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears; Journal of Knee Surgery; (2020).

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  • Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Pilot Economic Decision Analysis; Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine; (2020).

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  • The Cost and Educational Experience of Treating Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: A Pilot Analysis on Standardizing Surgical Care; Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Global Research and Reviews; (2020).

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  • Distal Junctional Failure Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion; Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics; (2019).

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  • Low-Dose Computed Tomography Reduces Radiation Exposure by 90% Compared With Traditional Computed Tomography Among Patients Undergoing Hip-Preservation Surgery; Arthroscopy - Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery; (2019).

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  • Association of the Graft Size and Arthrofibrosis in Young Patients After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2018).

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  • Biomechanics of osteochondral impact with cushioning and graft Insertion: Cartilage damage is correlated with delivered energy; Journal of Biomechanics; (2018).

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  • Impact insertion of osteochondral grafts: Interference fit and central graft reduction affect biomechanics and cartilage damage; Journal of Orthopaedic Research; (2018).

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  • Letter to the Editor: Richerand et al, J Pediatr Orthop. 2016;36:530-533.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2018).

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  • How Does Patient Radiation Exposure Compare with Low-dose O-arm Versus Fluoroscopy for Pedicle Screw Placement in Idiopathic Scoliosis?; Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics; (2017).

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  • Addition of mesenchymal stem cells to autologous platelet-enhanced fibrin scaffolds in chondral defects: Does it enhance repair?; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Volume; (2016).

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  • Perioperative Vision Loss in Spine Surgery and Other Orthopaedic Procedures; Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2016).

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  • Risk factors for 30-day unplanned readmission and major perioperative complications after spine fusion surgery in adults a review of the national surgical quality improvement program database; Spine; (2016).

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  • Switching to a Pediatr; Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics; (2016).

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  • Magnetic expansion control system achieves cost savings compared to traditional growth rods: An economic analysis model; Spine; (2015).

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  • Pediatric Ankle Fractures: Concepts and Treatment Principles; Foot and Ankle Clinics; (2015).

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  • Effectiveness of plate augmentation for femoral shaft nonunion after nailing; Journal of the Chinese Medical Association; (2012).

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  • A surgical protocol of ankle arthrodesis with combined ilizarov's distraction-compression osteogenesis and locked nailing for osteomyelitis around the ankle joint; Journal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care; (2010).

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  • Primary Hyperparathyroidism With Brown Tumor Mimicking Metastatic Bone Malignancy; Journal of the Chinese Medical Association; (2010).

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  • Innovative trident fixation technique for allograft knee arthrodesis for high-grade osteosarcoma around the knee; Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology; (2009).

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