Surfing with my surgeon

A UCLA doctor and his patient hit the waves after knee replacement surgery and recovery
Two men wearing wetsuits while carrying surfboards and walking through shallow water on the beach

Life After Knee Replacement Surgery and Recovery 

Getting patients back to doing the things they love after joint replacement surgery is what all UCLA orthopaedic surgeons strive for. Yet it’s not every physician that makes a commitment to celebrate a patient’s recovery by joining him for dawn patrol.

Meet Adam Sassoon, MD, and his patient Robert Lombard.

When Lombard learned he needed two knee replacements, he was determined to find a surgeon who understood that his top priority was to be able to return to the sport that fulfilled his body and soul – surfing.

He found one in Dr. Sassoon, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in knee and hip replacement surgery.

(Click to enlarge photos.)

Close up of Robert Lombard's knees displaying the scars from the surgery
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard  throwing up a "hang loose" sign with their hands on the beach
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard swimming in the ocean on top of their surfboards. A white boat is visible in the background
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard standing with their surfboards in front of Lifeguard tower 4
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard  throwing up a "hang loose" sign with their hands on the beach
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard walking with their surfboards on the beach while talking
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard preparing to go into the ocean with their surfboards
Dr. Sassoon waxing his surfboard in the back of a car
Robert Lombard catching a wave
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard  having a conversation on the shore beside their surfboards
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard high fiving on the beach beside their surfboards
Dr. Sassoon and Robert Lombard carrying their surfboards down to the ocean
Dr. Sassoon catching a wave

“The best part of my job is taking people who are crippled by pain, arthritis or injury, and getting them moving again and back to the things they love,” says Dr. Sassoon.

“Since I share Robert’s passion for surfing, I couldn’t think of a more meaningful — or enjoyable — way to commemorate his recovery.”

Photos by Joshua Sudock. Video by Milo Mitchell.

Request an appointment or learn more about orthopaedic surgery and joint replacement.