Ralph A. Gambardella, M.D. is a Sports Medicine surgeon and serves as Chairman and President of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. After earning his medical doctorate at the University of Southern California, Dr. Gambardella completed a surgery internship at Tufts in Boston, and then returned to USC for his orthopaedic surgery residency before becoming a Sports Medicine Fellow at Kerlan-Jobe. Dr. Gambardella is active in a number of professional organizations, including the Association of Major League Team Physicians (former President), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Arthroscopic Asoociation of North America and the International Cartilage Research Society

Dr. Gambardella serves an orthopaedic consultant to the LA Dodgers, Loyola Marymount University athletics and USC athletics, and is on the faculty at the USC School of Medicine. He is widely sought in the orthopaedic industry as a medical advisor and serves on numerous advisory boards. He remains active with USC alumni and is a former board member of the USC Alumni Association. Los Angeles Magazine has consistently voted Dr. Gambardella as a Super Doctor. He is a frequent lecturer at academic and industry conferences, and has a passion for advancing cartilage repair techniques and practice.

At Kerlan-Jobe, we specialize in helping people who are on-the-go to stay healthy and active. We are considered the experts in comprehensive sports medicine and rehabilitation and we are able to offer complete evaluation and treatment for injuries to help each patient achieve his or her goals. All of our physicians are board certified and acknowledged experts in their sub-specialties. What is more, virtually all of our procedures are on the forefront of innovation in their particular field.

We will take the time to evaluate your condition and will insure that you understand your diagnosis completely. Based on your evaluation, you may be X-rayed on the spot or have a more complex imaging session scheduled such as an MRI or CT scan. We will determine a specific course of treatment based on your goals. Recommended treatment may involve conservative therapies such as medications and physical therapy, or it may involve surgical intervention. No matter the determined course of treatment, you will be an active participant in the process.

Dr. Gambardella specializes in the diagnosis of traumatic (new) and chronic sports-related injuries. The most common sports-related injuries include cartilage tears, ligament ruptures in the knee, and shoulder or knee pain. Once diagnosed, he will discuss a wide range of treatment options to determine which one is right for you. Their physical therapists can also help you to prevent future injuries by working with you on exercises to help you regain your strength and flexibility.

The physicians at Kerlan-Jobe have gained national and international recognition as pioneers in the field of sports medicine. They have had a profound effect on the training and exercise routines of professional athletes in nearly every type of sport. As a result of many years providing specialized treatment and conducting research and education, the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic has succeeded in meeting the standards not only of the professional athlete, but also of the many people from all walks of life who have entrusted them with their rehabilitation.

A few of the procedures that Dr. Gambardella is known for include:

Tendon Repair

• Rotator Cuff Repair of the Shoulder
• Achilles Tendon Repair of the Ankle

Ligament Reconstructions

• Tommy John Procedure (Reconstruction of the Elbow)
• ACLR: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction of the Knee

Arthroscopic Surgery

• Joint Debridement
• Labral Repair of the Shoulder
• Partial Menisectomy of the Knee