Dr. Powell provides comprehensive knee surgery in Santa Monica, CA, serving patients from Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Malibu, and throughout Southern California. Fellowship-trained at Kerlan-Jobe, he uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques for ACL tears, meniscus injuries, cartilage damage, and ligament instability — with a commitment to restoring full function as quickly and safely as possible.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction restores knee stability after complete ACL tears — the most common severe sports injury in soccer, basketball, skiing, and football. Dr. Powell performs arthroscopic ACL surgery using patellar tendon or hamstring autograft, often supplemented by cadaver graft and tailored to each patient's anatomy and activity goals.
The meniscus is the cartilage cushion of your knee, torn through twisting injuries or degenerative wear. Dr. Powell performs arthroscopic meniscus repair (preferred) or partial meniscectomy depending on tear location and patient age. In extreme cases of meniscal damage, Dr. Powell performs meniscal transplants which reduces the long term risk of arthritis.
Articular cartilage damage causes deep knee pain and aching accelerates arthritis if untreated. Dr. Powell offers microfracture, osteochondral autograft (OATS), and MACI cell implantation to regenerate joint surface cartilage — delaying or preventing the need for knee replacement.
Minimally invasive knee arthroscopy diagnoses and treats multiple knee conditions through tiny incisions with locan anesthesia and/or mild sedation. This technique in comparison to open surgery, offers less pain, reduced scarring, lower infection risk and faster recovery. This is the standard of care for most knee procedures today.
Beyond ACL injuries, the PCL, MCL, and LCL can also be sprained or torn. Dr. Powell reconstructs multi-ligament knee injuries with precise surgical planning, addressing complex instability patterns that require advanced technique for successful outcomes and full return to sport.
Not every knee problem requires surgery. Dr. Powell provides corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation, and PRP therapy injections for knee osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinopathy — helping patients manage pain and maintain function while avoiding or delaying surgical intervention.
ACL reconstruction recovery takes 6–9 months before returning to competitive sport. Physical therapy begins within days of surgery. Return-to-running occurs around 3–4 months. Full return-to-sport clearance — including strength symmetry and agility testing — comes at 6–9 months depending on graft type and individual healing.
Meniscus repair stitches the torn tissue back together — the preferred option for younger patients with tears in the vascular zone. Meniscectomy removes the damaged portion and is done when repair isn't viable. Dr. Powell always attempts repair when possible, as preserving meniscal tissue dramatically reduces long-term arthritis risk.
Yes — the vast majority of patients return to their previous sport after ACL reconstruction. Dr. Powell has performed ACL surgeries on professional athletes from the Lakers, Dodgers, and U.S. Soccer teams who returned to play at the highest level. The keys are precise surgical technique, proper graft selection, and a structured rehabilitation program.
Cartilage restoration is preferred for younger, active patients (typically under 55) with isolated cartilage defects rather than global osteoarthritis. It restores the native joint surface and can delay or prevent the need for total knee replacement by many years. Total knee replacement is better suited for patients with diffuse arthritis throughout the entire joint.
Shoulder injuries are among the most common orthopedic conditions affecting athletes and active adults throughout Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Dr. Powell specializes in arthroscopic shoulder surgery for rotator cuff tears, labral tears, SLAP lesions, biceps tendon injuries, and shoulder instability — restoring full strength and range of motion with minimal downtime.
Rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, or subscapularis cause significant shoulder weakness and pain. Dr. Powell performs arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using suture anchors to reattach torn tendons to the humeral head, restoring strength and overhead function.
Labral tears — including SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) lesions at the biceps anchor — cause pain, clicking, and shoulder instability. Arthroscopic labral and SLAP repair restores shoulder mechanics and stability using suture anchors, critical for overhead athletes such as quarterbacks, pitchers and swimmers.
Biceps tenodesis relocates the long head of the biceps tendon to eliminate pain from biceps tendon tears and SLAP lesions while preserving full arm strength. Often performed alongside rotator cuff repair for comprehensive shoulder restoration and pain elimination.
Subacromial impingement syndrome occurs when rotator cuff tendons are pinched between the humerus and acromion. Arthroscopic acromioplasty removes bone spurs and inflamed bursa tissue to create more space, eliminating painful pinching and restoring full overhead motion.
Recurrent shoulder dislocations and chronic instability require surgical stabilization. Dr. Powell performs arthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior instability and posterior stabilization procedures to restore shoulder integrity and prevent repeat dislocations in athletes returning to contact sports.
Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation from falls or contact sports creates a visible bump and chronic pain at the top of the shoulder. Dr. Powell reconstructs the AC joint using minimally invasive techniques to restore proper shoulder anatomy, stability, and strength.
Rotator cuff repair recovery typically takes 4–6 months for return to most activities and up to 9–12 months for full overhead sport. The shoulder is immobilized in a sling for 4–6 weeks, followed by physical therapy to restore range of motion, then progressive strengthening. Tendon-to-bone healing takes approximately 3–4 months.
Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears can often be managed non-surgically with physical therapy, PRP injections, and activity modification. Full-thickness tears — especially those causing significant weakness in active patients — typically require surgical repair for full restoration of function. Dr. Powell evaluates each case individually to recommend the most appropriate approach.
A SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) tear involves the top portion of the shoulder labrum where the biceps tendon attaches. Common in overhead athletes — pitchers, volleyball players, swimmers — it causes deep shoulder pain, clicking, and reduced throwing velocity. Treatment ranges from physical therapy for mild tears to arthroscopic labral repair or biceps tenodesis for significant injuries.
After a first-time dislocation, surgery is not always required. However, young athletes under 25 have a recurrence rate of up to 70–90%, making early surgical stabilization worth considering. For older patients or those with milder instability, physical therapy is the first-line treatment. Dr. Powell reviews imaging and activity demands to guide each patient to the right decision.
Elbow injuries are especially common in overhead athletes — baseball pitchers, tennis players, golfers, and volleyball players. Dr. Powell is one of Southern California's most experienced elbow surgeons, offering Tommy John surgery (UCL reconstruction), elbow arthroscopy, and tendon repair procedures for patients throughout Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
UCL reconstruction — universally known as Tommy John surgery — replaces the torn ulnar collateral ligament with a tendon graft, restoring elbow stability for baseball pitchers and overhead athletes. Dr. Powell has performed Tommy John surgery on athletes at every level, with high return-to-sport rates.
Elbow arthroscopy diagnoses and treats elbow conditions through small incisions using a tiny camera and instruments. Dr. Powell uses it to remove loose bodies, treat osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), address elbow arthritis, decompress the ulnar nerve, and remove impinging bone spurs — with minimal recovery time.
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) are overuse tendon disorders causing significant elbow pain. Most cases resolve with conservative care — physical therapy and PRP injections. When conservative treatment fails, Dr. Powell offers minimally invasive surgical debridement for lasting relief.
Tommy John (UCL reconstruction) requires 12–18 months for full recovery. After brief immobilization, progressive rehabilitation begins. A light toss program starts at 9–12 months, with full return to competitive pitching at 12–18 months depending on position, graft type, and individual healing response.
No. Partial UCL tears and sprains without complete instability can often be managed non-surgically with rest, PRP therapy, and a structured throwing rehabilitation program. Only athletes who fail conservative treatment or have complete UCL tears with significant functional instability require surgery. Dr. Powell carefully evaluates each patient's MRI and throwing demands before recommending any procedure.
Yes — the majority of tennis elbow cases respond to non-surgical treatment. Physical therapy, eccentric stretching, counterforce bracing, and PRP therapy resolve symptoms in 80–90% of patients within 6–12 months. Surgical debridement is reserved for refractory cases that haven't improved after at least 6 months of thorough conservative care.
Ankle injuries — from acute sprains to chronic instability — are among the most common sports injuries seen by orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Powell provides expert ankle surgery in Santa Monica for athletes experiencing recurrent ankle sprains, lateral ligament instability, ankle impingement, osteochondral lesions, and fractures.
The Brostrom procedure repairs and tightens the stretched lateral ankle ligaments — ATFL and CFL — to restore stability in patients with chronic ankle instability. Performed arthroscopically or through a small incision, it is the gold-standard surgery for lateral ankle instability after repeated sprains and failed physical therapy.
Acute ankle sprains range from minor ligament stretches to complete lateral ligament tears. Dr. Powell provides comprehensive evaluation, grading, and individualized treatment — from conservative management and bracing for mild-to-moderate sprains, to surgical stabilization for complete tears causing persistent functional instability.
The Brostrom procedure tightens and repairs the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) — the primary lateral stabilizers of the ankle — to correct chronic lateral instability. It is the most widely performed and evidence-supported surgical procedure for chronic ankle sprains, with high success rates and reliable recovery times for athletes.
Surgery for ankle instability is typically considered after recurrent ankle sprains that have failed a proper trial of physical therapy (3–6 months). Patients with persistent instability, giving-way episodes during daily activities or sport, and documented ligament laxity on examination are good candidates for the Brostrom stabilization procedure.
The Brostrom procedure recovery takes approximately 4–6 months for full return to sport. The ankle is immobilized in a boot for 2–4 weeks, then progressive physical therapy begins. Most patients return to light activity at 6–8 weeks, running at 3 months, and full sport at 4–6 months.
Not every orthopedic condition requires surgery. Dr. Powell offers advanced non-surgical and regenerative medicine treatments in Santa Monica for patients seeking to manage joint pain, tendon injuries, and osteoarthritis without surgery. These evidence-based treatments reduce pain, accelerate healing, and help active patients maintain their lifestyle.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy concentrates growth factors and healing proteins from your own blood and injects them directly into damaged tissue. PRP accelerates healing of tendon injuries — tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinitis — ligament sprains, and knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Powell uses ultrasound-guided injections for precision placement and optimal results.
Lipogems processes a small amount of your own fat tissue into microfragmented fat clusters rich in mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors. Injected into arthritic or damaged joints, Lipogems reduces inflammation, supports tissue repair, and can delay the need for surgical intervention — a cutting-edge alternative for active patients with joint pain.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) viscosupplementation injections lubricate arthritic joints — particularly the knee — to reduce pain and improve mobility. FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis, HA injections are an excellent option for patients with mild-to-moderate arthritis who want to maintain an active lifestyle without surgery.
PRP therapy has shown positive outcomes for knee osteoarthritis and tendon injuries in multiple clinical studies. Research demonstrates improved pain scores and functional outcomes compared to corticosteroid injections — with longer-lasting benefits. PRP is particularly effective for active patients with early-to-moderate knee arthritis or active tendon inflammation.
Most patients receive 1–3 PRP injections, spaced 4–6 weeks apart depending on the condition. Tendon injuries often respond to a single injection combined with physical therapy. Osteoarthritis may benefit from a series of 2–3 injections. Dr. Powell evaluates each patient's response and adjusts the treatment plan accordingly.
Hyaluronic acid injections typically provide pain relief lasting 6–12 months. Some patients experience relief for up to 2 years. The procedure can be repeated as needed. HA injections are most effective for patients with mild-to-moderate knee arthritis who lead an active lifestyle and wish to delay or avoid surgical intervention.
In addition to his orthopedic surgical expertise, Scott Powell, MD provides comprehensive lumbar spine evaluation and medical management for patients with back pain, radiculopathy, and degenerative spine conditions. Drawing on 35+ years of musculoskeletal experience at his Santa Monica private practice, he offers thorough diagnostic assessment and evidence-based non-surgical treatment options.
Comprehensive lumbar spine assessment including clinical examination, imaging review (MRI, X-ray, CT), and neurological evaluation. Conditions evaluated include lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica) — with an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan for each patient.
Evidence-based non-surgical management of lumbar spine conditions: activity modification, physical therapy coordination, anti-inflammatory treatment, epidural steroid injections, and facet joint injections. For patients requiring surgery, Dr. Powell coordinates referral to top spine surgeons in Los Angeles to ensure seamless continuity of care.
Most joint pain has more than one viable treatment path. Dr. Powell will examine you, review imaging, and walk through the surgical and non-surgical options before anything is scheduled.
2021 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 408E · Santa Monica, CA 90404
(818) 570-5000 · frontdesk@scottpowellmd.com
Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM