Elite Skills,
Empathetic Care.

Dr. Mark Schultzel is San Diego’s premier orthopedic surgeon. Offering expertise in cutting-edge surgical techniques, from minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery to complex joint arthroplasty using 3-D printing, spatial computing, and augmented reality, he proudly serves his patients in the San Diego and Temecula communities. His practice philosophy is to combine his skills with patient-centered empathetic care for all patients seeking treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, offering a concierge-level of service for his patients. As one of the highest volume shoulder and elbow surgeons in San Diego, Dr. Schultzel offers world-class expertise in complex shoulder and elbow conditions such as rotator cuff, labral tears, shoulder arthritis, cubital tunnel syndrome, and Tommy John injuries.

Services

Sports Surgery: Glenoid Labrum, SLAP, and Meniscus Repair

Sports injuries to cartilage structures in the joint, like the labrum and meniscus, are very common. Using minimally-invasive arthroscopic techniques, we can repair these torn structures to better preserve the joint, to reduce the risk of early-onset arthritis.

Rotator Cuff Surgery

Rotator cuff tears are exceedingly common in the over 50 crowd and are fixed using a minimally invasive technique called arthroscopy. In arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, the rotator cuff is stitched with strong Kevlar-like stitches, and placed through a bioabsorbable anchor, which is used to re-attach the tendon to the bone. We also use bioinductive tissue patches often to augment the repairs and improve healing rates, as well as balloon spacers when cuff repair is not possible.

Arthritis Care: Shoulder and Elbow Replacements

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint due to loss of cartilage, and is a very common orthopaedic condition. We treat arthritis with many techniques, from medication to bracing, physical therapy, injections, and shoulder and elbow replacement surgeries.

Tommy John Surgery (UCL Repair)

Injuries to the medial or ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow are exceedingly common in baseball players and throwing athletes, especially pitchers. Using advanced techniques learned from the birthplace of Tommy John surgery (the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic), we offer reconstruction of this ligament to return our athletes to sport quickly.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is an overuse injury affecting the lateral (or outside) part of the elbow. Treatment options can range from medications to bracing, occupational therapy, injections using PRP, and sometimes surgical debridement.

Biceps Injuries

Biceps ruptures, both proximal and distal (at the shoulder or the elbow) can happen. Treatment options include physical therapy and sometimes surgical reconstruction.

Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist, while cubital tunnel syndrome is compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, both of which can cause painful numbness and tingling in the fingers. We use safe, evidence-based techniques to release the transverse carpal ligament and ulnar nerve compression sites and safely free the nerves from compression. We also use amniotic fluid nerve wraps often to prevent scar formation and improve healing rates.

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a condition where the pulleys guiding the tendons in the finger become thickened and inflamed. The result is a “sticking” or triggering of the finger in flexion. Treatments may include medications, hand therapy, injections, and surgical release.

Fracture Care

Broken bones happen, but many can be fixed. Using plates, screws, nails/rods, and sometimes even joint replacement, we use the newest technology and clinically validated techniques to restore anatomic alignment and function.

Injections

Injections into joints can be a useful tool for pain control and healing in musculoskeletal injuries. Injection types include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA or “gel”), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and can be delivered accurately using ultrasound guidance.

Spatial Computing/Robotics/Artificial Intelligence

We utilize technology such as the Apple Vision Pro, robotics, as well as CT and MRI-guided technology that utilizes AI and augmented reality (AR) to improve patient outcomes, especially in arthroscopy (scope) and in the planning for shoulder arthroplasty (joint replacement) surgeries. We focus on patient-specific instrumentation, augmented reality, and targeted surgical planning to achieve the best results possible for our patients.

Sports Team Coverage

We have extensive experience in covering sports at a club, collegiate, Olympic and professional level, and carry SafeSport and BLS certifications. We currently support Team USA Kendo and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Sports Medicine Program.

Surgical Pain Management

We pride ourselves on offering the best pain relief possible while recovering from surgery. We achieve a comfortable recovery and lasting pain relief by employing the ERAS protocol and the latest in multimodal pain protocols, including liposomal bupivicaine (Exparel) nerve blocks and Journavx (suzetrigine).

International Concierge Surgical Care

Dr. Schultzel’s team offers medical and surgical orthopaedic care for international patients. Be it a visitor traveling from abroad, an expat living in the USA, or a patient in another country in need of advanced care, Dr. Schultzel has created a system partnering with local physicians internationally to facilitate the best in concierge surgical care. He is fluent in both Spanish and Japanese, with office staff fluent in many other languages (Tagalog, Korean, etc) and is proud to serve the international community, in concert with Global Patient Services at Sharp Healthcare.

Physical Therapy

Dr. Schultzel’s team offers physical therapy through his practice at United Medical Doctors Physical Therapy, in convenient locations within the Encinitas and Temecula practice areas. His staff all have expertise as Doctors of Physical Therapy, with added certifications in orthopaedics, sports medicine, and pelvic floor therapy; additionally, his kinesologists offer sports-specific, return to sport, and safe weightlifting training through United Medical Fitness.

Musculoskeletal Imaging

All of Dr. Schultzel’s offices feature in-house x-ray capability, and this imaging modality is offered to all of his patients seeking care. In-house MRI imaging services through United Medical Doctors Imaging are available in the Encinitas and Temecula areas as well.

Hospital Affiliations

Dr. Mark Schultzel is proud to represent United Medical Doctors and provides treatment with the most prominent medical networks in the San Diego area including Sharp, Scripps, and Palomar Health. He is also affiliated with the UC San Diego Health Clinically Integrated Network (CIN).

Testimonials

Dr. Schultzel is known for his warm and empathetic bedside manner, the caring quality of his staff, and the excellent patient outcomes he achieves through surgical and medical treatment. He has been named a San Diego Top Doc and Castle Connolly Top Doctor for multiple consecutive years running, and has been identified as an Emerging Leader in Orthopaedic Surgery by several international orthopaedic surgery societies.

Click the links below to read patient reviews of Dr. Schultzel through these sites:

Orthopaedic Associations

Dr. Mark Schultzel is a proud member of some of the most prominent orthopedic medical associations in the world:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is the pre-eminent provider of musculoskeletal education to orthopaedic surgeons and others in the world, engaging in health policy and advocacy activities on behalf of musculoskeletal patients and the profession of orthopaedic surgery.
• American Orthopaedic Association:
  The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) is an orthopaedic honor society that recognizes the top 10% of orthopaedic surgeons, who have distinguished themselves in among their colleagues through their leadership, mentorship, altruism, integrity, professionalism, and high quality standards for patient care.
• American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons:
  The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) is an elite shoulder and elbow society, made up of the leading experts in the world from orthopaedic surgeons who have received fellowship training in shoulder and elbow musculoskeletal care.
• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery:
  The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) exists to serve the best interest of the public and the medical profession by establishing educational standards for orthopaedic residents and by evaluating the initial and continuing qualifications and competence of orthopaedic surgeons.

Contact

Please call our main office at the number below to schedule an appointment.

Email us: markschultzelmd@gmail.com

• For QME questions, please contact MDPanel: info@mdpanel.com
• For MedLegal evals and IME’s, please email us directly.

Dr. Schultzel is available at one of three locations within the greater San Diego area.

• Kearny Mesa: 3750 Convoy St. #201, San Diego, CA 92111
• Encinitas: 777 N. El Camino Real, Suite 100, Encinitas, CA 92024
• Temecula: 31170 Temecula Pkwy Suite 100, Temecula, CA 92592