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https://www Photo

Is Super
Southern California Super Doctors
Specialty:
Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma
Department Affiliation:
Orthopaedic Surgery
Hospital Affiliation:
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
State License:
G77516
Phone:
310-319-1234
Health Plans:
Accepted Plans
  • About Me
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About Me

David R. McAllister, MD is a native of Southern California and has been a member of the full time faculty at UCLA Health since 1998. Dr. McAllister is Chief of the Sports Medicine Service, Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with subspecialty Board Certification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Dr. McAllister also serves as the program director of the sports medicine fellowship at UCLA which trains orthopedic surgeons to become sports medicine specialists. In addition, he is responsible for teaching UCLA medical students and orthopedic surgery residents.

Dr. McAllister provides care to athletes of all skill levels including professional, collegiate, high school, and recreational athletes. He is the Head Team Physician for the UCLA Athletic Department. He has extensive experience caring for athletes in a variety of sports including football, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, volleyball and track. He has also served as a team physician for the 2002 United States Figure Skating Championships. He was the medical director and team physician for the 2004 United States Golf Association Senior Open Tournament. He was a team physician for the 2015 Special Olympics and was the head team physician for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2016-2018. As a recognized expert in sports medicine, Dr. McAllister routinely treats patients from other areas of the state, the region and the world.

He specializes in all areas of orthopedic sports medicine and has special expertise in knee ligament injuries, meniscus injuries and articular cartilage problems. He has extensive clinical and research experience in the area of knee ligaments as well as biomechanics including ACL, PCL and posterolateral corner reconstructions. He has lectured extensively on these topics both nationally and internationally. In addition, he has published multiple original manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. McAllister belongs to many national and international societies and has held leadership positions/committee positions in the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS), and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS). Dr. McAllister routinely serves on the faculty for courses designed to educate other orthopedic surgeons in the area of sports medicine. He also serves on the editorial board of numerous orthopedic publications.

Links
uclahealth.org/ortho
uclahealth.org/ortho/sports-medicine
Primary Office
Orthopaedics
100 UCLA Medical Plaza
Suite 755
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Get Directions
View Map
Phone
310-319-1234
Fax
310-825-3285
Medical Board Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2000
Certification 2
Sports Medicine, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2008
Fellowship
Sports Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 1997-1998
Residency
Orthopedic Surgery, UC Irvine Medical Center, 1993-1997
Internship
Surgery, UC Irvine Medical Center, 1992-1993
Degree
Ohio State University College of Medicine, MD, 1992
Interests
  • Achilles Tendon

    Achilles Tendon Injuries

    Achilles tendon injuries affect the Achilles tendon, a fibrous band of tissue that links the muscles in your calf to your heel. The strength and flexibility of this tendon are important for jumping, running, and walking.
    Learn more >
  • Achilles tendon repairs

    Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery

    Achilles tendon repair surgery is a type of surgery to fix a damaged Achilles tendon. This is the strong, fibrous cord in the lower leg that connects the muscles of your calf to your heel. It's the largest tendon in your body.
    Learn more >
  • Anterior cruciate ligament/Posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL)

    Ligament Injuries to the Knee

    There are 4 major ligaments in the knee. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bones to each other and provide stability and strength to the joint. The 4 main ligaments in the knee connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shin bone).
    Learn more >
  • Arthroscopic Ankle
  • Arthroscopic Knee
  • Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
  • Arthroscopic Shoulder
  • Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization & Labral Repair
  • Arthroscopic Surgery
  • Arthroscopic Surgery (Ankle, Knee, Shoulder)
  • Arthroscopy

    Arthroscopy

    An arthroscope is a small, tube shaped instrument that is used to look inside a joint. Orthopedic surgeons use arthroscopy to diagnose and treat joint problems. Originally, arthroscopy was used mainly for planning a standard open surgery. But with new tools and advanced surgical methods, many conditions can also be treated using an arthroscope.
    Learn more >
  • Cartilage Implant
  • Cartilage Knee
  • Dislocations
  • Elbow
  • Elbow Arthroscopy & Ligament Reconstruction
  • Joint Disease
  • Knee Pain

    Knee Pain and Problems

    The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities, such as jogging and aerobics. Common knee problems include sprains, strains, torn cartilage, and arthritis.
    Learn more >
  • Ligament Knee
  • Minimally Invasive
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery

    Methods of Surgery

    An "open" surgery means cutting the skin and tissues so that the surgeon has a full view of the structures or organs involved. Minimally invasive surgery is a relatively new approach that allows the patient to recuperate faster with less pain. Not all conditions are suitable for this type of surgery.
    Learn more >
  • Osteotomy
  • Pediatric and adolescent sports injuries

    Sports Injuries and Children

    Detailed information on sports injuries in children, including  prevention, overuse injuries, sprains, strains, and heat-related illnesses (Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke).
    Learn more >
  • Re-do Knee
  • Re-operation Surgery
  • Revision ACL Surgery
  • Revision Labral Repair
  • Revision Labral Repair Tommy John Surgery
  • Revision Rotator Cuff Repair
  • Revision Shoulder Arthroscopy
  • Shoulder

    Anatomy of the Shoulder

    The shoulder is a complex joint made up of several layers, including: Bones, Joints, Ligaments, Acromion, Tendons, Muscles, Rotator cuff, and Bursa.
    Learn more >
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Sports Medicine

    What Is Sports Medicine

    Sports medicine healthcare providers have special training to restore function to injured patients so they can get moving again as soon as possible. They are experts on preventing illness and injury in active people.
    Learn more >
  • Tendon Repair
  • Youth Sports Injury

    Sports Injuries and Children

    Detailed information on sports injuries in children, including  prevention, overuse injuries, sprains, strains, and heat-related illnesses (Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke).
    Learn more >
  • Zenker's Diverticulum
Research Interests
  • Knee Ligament Reconstruction
  • Biomechanics
  • Tissue Engineering
Publications
  1. Du PZ, Markolf KL, Levine BD, McAllister DR, Jones KJ. Differences in the Radius of Curvature Between Femoral Condyles: Implications for Osteochondral Allograft Matching. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2018 Aug 1;100(15):1326-1331. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.17.01509. PMID: 30063595
  2. Markolf KL, Du PZ, McAllister DR. Contact force between the tibial spine and medial femoral condyle: A biomechanical study. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2018 Sep 27;60:9-12. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.09.025. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 30292063
  3. Du PZ, Markolf KL, Boguszewski DV, McAllister DR. Femoral Contact Forces in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Knee: A Robotic Study. Arthroscopy. 2018 Dec;34(12):3226-3233. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2018.06.051. Epub 2018 Nov 2. PMID: 30396801
  4. Markolf K, Boguszewski D, Yamaguchi K, Lama C, McAllister D. Prediction of ACL Force Produced by Tibiofemoral Compression During Controlled Knee Flexion: A New Robotic Testing Methodology. J Biomech Eng. 2018 Jul 5. doi: 10.1115/1.4040775. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 30029210
  5. Markolf K, Yamaguchi K, Matthew J, McAllister D. Effects of Tibiofemoral Compression on ACL Forces and Knee Kinematics Under Combined Knee Loads. J Orthop Res. 2019 Jan 24. doi: 10.1002/jor.24233. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 30676657
  6. Markolf KL, Yang PR, Joshi NB, Petrigliano FA, McAllister DR. In vitro determination of the passive knee flexion axis: Effects of axis alignment on coupled tibiofemoral motions. Med Eng Phys. 2019 May;67:73-77. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2019.03.009. Epub 2019 Mar 25. PMID: 30917910
  7. Markolf KL, Wang D, Joshi NB, Cheung E, Petrigliano FA, McAllister DR. Cyclic testing of tibialis tendon allografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using suture-post versus spiked washer tibial fixation. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2019 Jul 23;70:8-15. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2019.07.025. PMID: 31377634
  8. Sharma AK, Levian B, Shah P, Mosich GM, Husman R, Ariniello A, Gatto JD, Hu VJ, McClintick DJ, Jensen AR, McAllister DR, Péault B, Dar A, Petrigliano FA.. Aged Mice Demonstrate Greater Muscle Degeneration of Chronically Injured Rotator Cuff. J Orthop Res. 2020 Feb;38(2):320-328. doi: 10.1002/jor.24468. Epub 2019 Oct 15.PMID: 31517395
  9. Harada GK, Arshi A, Fretes N, Formanek B, Gamradt S, McAllister DR, Petrigliano FA. Preoperative Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Higher Postoperative Complications in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2019 Jul 3;3(7):e075. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00075. eCollection 2019 Jul. PMID: 31579883

Link to Dr. McAllister's PubMed publications >

In The News

*Note: News website links may expire without notice.

How to Keep Exercising Even When You're Hurt, GQ On-line, September 29, 2015
UCLA researchers team up with robot for solutions to debilitating knee injuries, UCLA Newsroom, January 26, 2016
Victor Cruz's Recovery Is Hopeful, but History Is Not on His Side, Bleacher Report, July 21, 2016
After Tiger Woods withdraws from Dubai tournament, could his return to L.A. be in jeopardy?, Los Angeles Times, February 3, 2017
UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind forms advisory council, UCLA Newsroom, July 10, 2017
More students pass California physical fitness test after 8 weeks in exercise program, UCLA Newsroom, December 17, 2017
Kevin Durant Faces Long Recovery, Good Prognosis After Achilles Rupture, Experts Say, Daily Beast, June 13, 2019
CTE, Avocado health, Clippers and Lakers injuries, UCLA Health Zone Radio Interview on October 12, 2019, iHeartRadio 570 AM
A Patient’s Guide to Knee Pain Knee pain can sideline anyone. Here's how you can relieve discomfort and stay active., US News and World Report Oct. 22, 2019
UCLA athletes set to voluntarily return to campus on unfamiliar terms?, Los Angeles Times, June 20, 2020
An Update on the Virus Spike, Safest Ways to Travel, Testing Student Athletes, MLB Arms & More, UCLA Health Zone Radio Interview on June 27, 2020, iHeartRadio 570 AM

Awards
  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021
  • Visiting Professor, Steadman Philippon Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, Vail, Colorado, April 14, 2020
  • Keynote Speaker, Oregon Orthopedic Association Annual Orthopaedic Conference, Cutting Edge Orthopaedics, Portland, Oregon, November 1-2, 2019.
  • Visiting Professor, Southern California Orthopaedic Institute Fellows Graduation, Van Nuys, California, June 8, 2019.
  • American Academy of Orthopaedics Surgeons Kappa Delta Award, 2019
  • Visiting Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Symposium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May17-18, 2018.
  • Visiting Professor, University of Colorado Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds, Denver, Colorado, November 2, 2016.
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Poster Award-1st place Poster Award, 2016.
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