Alvin W. Su, MD, PhD

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

I am a full-time practicing orthopedic surgeon in the US. My surgical practice focuses on youth sports medicine, including knee, shoulder, hip and elbow arthroscopic surgeries, ligamentous reconstruction for ACL injuries and patellar instability, cartilage repair/restoration, meniscus procedures and general fracture care. I am determined to pursue the career trajectory of a leading surgeon-scientist in sports medicine and pediatric orthopaedic surgery. I earned my PhD in Materials Science & Engineering from University of California – San Diego. My PhD dissertation used a translational model and answered key clinical questions on the biomechanics of knee cartilage repair. Further, I am currently the principal investigators of several research grants and projects analyzing the biomechanics of various scales in sports medicine, from martial arts motions to tissue scale repair structures, as well as developing a novel approach to bioengineer cartilage repair constructs and meniscus biomechanics. Additionally, I also have keen interest and experience in clinical research and have published in epidemiology, medical economics and patient outcomes. My internal drive on research is to answer clinically relevant questions that would bring future paradigm shifts in pediatric sports medicine. This is a growing sub-specialty that continues to benefit from new discovery research in translational science, since “young patients are not always just smaller-sized adults†when it comes to surgery and post-operative rehabilitation. I currently serve on the Editorial Board of JPOSNA (Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America) and the Research Committee of the AOSSM, and have chaired the Research Subcommittee of the POSNA Global Outreach Committee. I have also served on the Research Committee and the Microgrant Committee of POSNA and have been a member of the ORS. I am one of the AOSSM/APKASS Traveling Fellows as well as a member of the Magellan Society.

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

Education

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

  • Biomechanics
  • Cartilage
  • Karate
  • Martial Arts
  • Medical Economics
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine

  • 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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