Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH
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Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Average rating: 4.8
 
Spine Center | 1131 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-319-1234
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About

Download Dr. Chen's complete CV

Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH, FAAPMR is a double-boarded Physiatrist specializing in non-operative and minimally invasive treatments of the spine. He is an Associate Professor at UCLA, and specializes in treating acute and chronic spine and musculoskeletal conditions, without using opiates. He also serves as the Director of Strategy and Partnerships for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Chen completed his undergraduate education at Harvard and his MD at NYU. He completed residency at University of Washington and his Pain fellowship at UCLA/West LA VA. Prior to his appointment at UCLA,he was the Chief of Ambulatory Spine at the Och Spine Hospital at New York Presbyterian and Columbia University, where he played a central role in building a large multidisciplinary spine hospital. He regularly lectures nationally and internationally, and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and chapters, including in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Chen has been interviewed by several media outlets, including the Huffington Post, Reuters, The New Yorker, Boston Globe, Refinery29, Readers Digest, and WNYC Public Radio.

Languages

English

Education

Medical Board Certifications

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2010
Pain Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2010

Fellowship

Pain Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 2010

Residency

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Washington School of Medicine, 2009

Internship

Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, 2006

Degrees

MD, New York University School of Medicine, 2005
MPH, UCLA School of Public Health, 2000

Recognitions

Locations

Santa Monica

Spine Center

Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine| Spinal Cord Injury Medicine| Spine Surgery +2 more specialties
310-319-1234
Fax:424-259-6930
Location Details

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Medical Services

Spine Care

Research

Interests

Interventional Spine

Regenerative Medicine

Publications

  1. Chen A, Robinson L. “Proximal median neuropathy masquerading as carpal tunnel syndrome.” American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2008 Oct; 87(10): 862.
  2. Dreyfuss P, Cohen S, Chen A, Bohart Z, Bogduk N. “Is Immediate Pain Relief After a Spinal Injection Procedure Enhanced by Intravenous Sedation?” PM&R. January 2009, Vo. 1 No. 1 60-63.
  3. Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA, Heagerty PJ, Deyo RA, Sullivan SD, Bauer Z, Bresnahan BW, Avins AL, Nedeljkovic SS, Nerenz DR, Standaert C, Kessler L, Akuthota V, Annaswamy T, Chen A, Diehn F, Firtch W, Gerges FJ, Gilligan C, Goldberg H, Kennedy DJ, Mandel S, Tyburski M, Sanders W, Sibell D, Smuck M, Wasan A, Won L, Jarvik JG. “A Randomized Trial of Epidural Corticosteroid Injection for Spinal Stenosis.” New England Journal of Medicine. July 2014; 371:11-21.
  4. Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA, Heagerty PJ, Deyo RA, Bauer Z, Avins AL, Nedeljkovic SS, Nerenz DR, Shi XR, Annaswamy T, Standaert CJ, Smuck M, Kennedy DJ, Akuthota V, Sibell D, Wasan AD, Diehn F, Suri P, Rundell SD, Kessler L, Chen AS, Jarvik JG. “Long-Term Effects of Repeated Injections of Local Anesthetic With or Without Corticosteroid for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Trial.”  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2017;98:1499-507
  5. Mirchandani A, Chen A. Isolated Neck Extensor Myopathy: A Case Presentation of Rapid Onset and Spontaneous Recovery. PM&R. 2018 May; 10(5):552-554
  6. Chen A, Miccio VF, Smith CC, Christolias GC, Blanchard, AR. Procedural Pain During Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks With and Without Skin Wheal Anesthesia: A Prospective Comparative Observational Study. Pain Medicine. 2019 Apr 1;20(4):779-783
  7. Xu E, Lee C, Pritzl S, Chen A, Lohmueller T, Cohen B, Chan E, Schuck PJ. Infrared-to-ultraviolet upconverting nanaoparticles for COVID-19-related disinfection applications. Optical Materials: X. 12 (2021) 100099.
  8. Chen A, Brown M, Buser Z, Arekelyan A, Shamie N, Holly L, Liu J, Wang J. A Tale of Two Institutions: COVID-19 Positive Rates in Asymptomatic Patients Pre-Screened for Spine Procedures and Surgeries in Los Angeles, California. Global Spine Journal 12/2021.  doi: 10.1177/21925682211057489. PMID: 34870486
  9. Chen A, Solberg J, Smith C, Chi M, Lowder R, Christolias G, Singh JR. Intraarticular Platelet Rich Plasma vs Corticosteroid Injections for Sacroiliac Joint Pain – A Double Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial. Pain Medicine Nov 2021, https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnab332.

National Societies:

  • Instructor, Spine Intervention Society Instructor
  • Instructor, North American Spine Society
  • Education Division Vice-Chair, Spine Intervention Society
  • CME Committee Vice-Chair, Spine Intervention Society
  • CME Committee, North American Spine Society

Invited Lectures:

  • Chen A, “Principles of Radiofrequency Ablation,” 11th Congress of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Hangzhou, China, 5/18
  • Chen A, “Regenerative Medicine,” 11th Congress of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Hangzhou, China, 5/18
  • Chen A, “Regenerative Medicine and Biologics,” Global Spine Congress, Singapore, 5/18
  • Chen A, “Ultrasound vs. Fluoroscopic Injection Techniques,” Global Spine Congress, Singapore, 5/18
  • Chen A, “Principles of Spinal Cord Stimulation,” The International Musculoskeletal Society, 11th Annual Symposium on Current Concepts in Orthopedics, Spine, and Pain & Rehabilitation Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon, 7/18
  • Chen A, “Principles of Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy,” The International Musculoskeletal Society, 11th Annual Symposium on Current Concepts in Orthopedics, Spine, and Pain & Rehabilitation Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon, 7/18
  • Chen A, “Biologics and Guided Injections,” Sociedad Iberolatinamerica De Columna (SILACO). CLEMI, Bogota Colombia. 10/18
  • Chen A, “Pre-Test and Post-Test Probability,” Sociedad Iberolatinamerica De Columna (SILACO). CLEMI, Bogota Colombia. 10/18
  • Chen A, “Biologics and Guided Injections,” Sociedad Iberolatinamerica De Columna (SILACO). CLEMI, Bogota Colombia. 4/19
  • Chen A, “The Use of Diagnostic Spinal Injections for Surgical Planning,” Sociedad Iberolatinamerica De Columna (SILACO). CLEMI, Bogota Colombia. 4/19
  • Chen A, “Theory and Evidence Base for Pulsed Radiofrequency Non-Ablative Therapy.” Global Spine Conference, Toronto, CA. 5/19
  • Chen A, “Failed Back Surgery – The Quest for a Pain Generator.” NASS/Ukraine Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. 12/21
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Facet Mediated Pain.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “ SIJ Pain, Diagnosis, and Medical Management.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “ Interventional treatments for Lumbar Disc Herniation.” ArabSpine Course Diploma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/21
  • Chen A, “C0-1 and C1-2 Facet Joint Injections; Anatomy, Presentation, and Technique.” SIS Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada 9/22

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California 2021-2024
  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021
  • Southern California Rising Stars, Super Doctors®, 2019
  • Southern California Rising Stars, Super Doctors®, 2018