Orthopedic & Trauma Care in San Diego, CA

Name: San Diego Orthopedic Trauma Specialist
Address: 4060 Fourth Ave, Suite 630, San Diego, CA, 92103, US
Telephone: (619) 299-3950
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

Expert Fracture Care & Sports Injury Treatment

Book Appointment Call (619) 299-3950

ABOS Board Certified

U.S. Navy Veterans

OTA Members

20+ Years Experience

Credential explained

What is a Fellowship-Trained
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon?

Not all orthopedic surgeons have the same training. Our three surgeons each completed a prestigious OTA-accredited trauma fellowship at a nationally recognized academic medical center — here's what that means for your care.

Dr. Michael Quacinella

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

Vanderbilt University

Dr. Kevin Kuhn

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

Saint Louis University

Dr. David Dromsky

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

USC — Keck School

The most specialized
fracture surgeon
in orthopedics

A fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeon has completed an extra year of elite, hands-on training at a Level 1 trauma center — on top of a rigorous 5-year residency. The fellowship is accredited by the OTA, the global authority on orthopedic trauma education.

Drs. Quacinella, Kuhn, and Dromsky each trained at nationally recognized academic trauma centers before serving as U.S. Navy surgeons — a combination exceptionally rare in a single practice.

OTA-Accredited Fellowship

Orthopaedic Trauma Association — global standard

ABOS Board Certified

American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

U.S. Navy Veterans

Military precision + academic fellowship training

Level 1 Trauma Center Ready

ACS orthopaedic trauma liaison eligible

13–15

Years of education & surgical training

900+

Supervised cases in fellowship year alone

Our fellowship institutions

Vanderbilt University Saint Louis University USC — Keck School

Accredited by the OTA

The Orthopaedic Trauma Association sets the global standard for trauma fellowship education, research, and practice.

The training journey

Over a decade of education — concluded at three of the country's top academic trauma centers.

4 years
Medical school

MD degree, clinical rotations across all specialties, USMLE board exams. The foundation for everything that follows.
5 years
Orthopedic surgery residency

Full surgical training across all orthopedic subspecialties — sports, spine, hand, joint replacement, and trauma. ABOS written boards completed at graduation.
+1 year · OTA Trauma Fellowship
Fellowship at elite academic trauma centers

An additional year at an OTA-accredited Level 1 trauma center. Minimum 600 cases required — the average fellow performs 900+. Advanced pelvic, acetabular, and complex periarticular fracture training.

U.S. Navy
Military service as Navy trauma surgeons

All three surgeons served as U.S. Navy orthopedic trauma surgeons — adding high-stakes operational experience that civilian training alone cannot replicate.
Board certified
ABOS board certified · San Diego practice

Oral boards passed. Hospital trauma credentialing complete. Serving San Diego with the full depth of academic and military trauma training.

13 – 15 years

From medical school through fellowship and board certification

3 surgeons

3 elite fellowship institutions

What they treat

Fellowship-trained trauma surgeons manage the full spectrum of orthopedic injury — from life-threatening emergencies to common fractures.

High-energy trauma

Common fractures

Also specializes in

Nonunions & malunions Post-traumatic reconstruction Late deformity correction Polytrauma management Periprosthetic fractures Casting & splinting

Fellowship-trained vs. general orthopedics

Specialized fellowship training creates real, credentialed differences in surgical capability and scope.

	Fellowship-Trained Trauma Quacinella · Kuhn · Dromsky	General Orthopedics
Extra OTA trauma fellowship year	Yes	No
Pelvic & acetabular expertise	Yes	Limited
ACS Level 1 trauma liaison eligible	Yes	No
~900+ supervised trauma cases	Yes	No
Complex polytrauma management	Yes	Varies
Full-skeleton fracture scope	Yes	Varies
Military operational trauma experience	Yes	No

Drs. Quacinella, Kuhn, and Dromsky completed their fellowships at Vanderbilt University, Saint Louis University, and USC Keck School of Medicine — all OTA-accredited Level 1 academic trauma centers — before serving as U.S. Navy surgeons. That combination of academic and military trauma experience is exceptionally rare in a single practice.

Why it matters for your care

When you're facing a serious fracture, the training behind your surgeon makes a measurable difference in outcomes.

Focused expertise

Three surgeons dedicated entirely to fracture and trauma care — not splitting time across sports medicine, joint replacement, or spine.

Volume = outcomes

Research consistently links higher surgical volume to better results. Our surgeons handle complex trauma daily — it's all they do.

Ready for anything

Trained at Level 1 academic centers and battle-tested in military service — no fracture is too complex for this team.

Our surgeons · Fellowship institutions

Dr. Michael Quacinella

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

Vanderbilt University

Dr. Kevin Kuhn

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

Saint Louis University

Dr. David Dromsky

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

USC — Keck School

Ready to see a fellowship-trained trauma surgeon?

Same-week appointments available for acute injuries.

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Our Services

From fracture care to sports medicine, our Navy-trained orthopedic surgeons provide comprehensive treatment with a non-surgical first approach.

Fracture Care

Expert diagnosis and treatment of broken bones, from simple fractures to complex trauma cases requiring surgical repair.

Learn more about fracture care

Sports Injuries

Comprehensive care for ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff damage, and other athletic injuries to get you back in the game.

Learn more about sports injuries

Trauma Surgery

Advanced arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques for orthopedic trauma, performed by Navy-trained surgeons.

Learn more about trauma surgery

Casting & Splinting

Professional casting, splinting, and bracing services for fracture stabilization and post-injury support.

Learn more about casting & splinting

Physical Therapy

Personalized rehabilitation programs designed to restore strength, mobility, and function after injury or surgery.

Learn more about physical therapy

Hip Fractures

Specialized treatment for hip fractures in patients of all ages, including surgical and non-surgical management options.

Learn more about hip fractures

Where Does It Hurt?

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Select a body region to explore conditions.

Why Choose Us

Combining military precision with compassionate care to get you back to your best.

Navy Veterans

Our surgeons bring decades of military discipline and precision to every patient interaction.

Non-Surgical First

We always explore conservative treatment options before recommending surgery, because your recovery matters most.

Trauma Experts

As contracted hospital trauma surgeons, we handle the most complex cases every day.

What Our Patients Say

4.9 out of 5

120 patient reviews

"Dr. Quach was thorough and took the time to explain every treatment option. I felt confident in the care plan from the very first visit."

M.R.

Verified Patient

"After my fracture, the team got me into surgery quickly and my recovery has been ahead of schedule. Truly exceptional care."

J.T.

Verified Patient

"I appreciated that they tried physical therapy first before suggesting surgery. The non-surgical approach worked perfectly for my shoulder issue."

S.K.

Verified Patient

* Placeholder testimonials for demonstration. To be replaced with verified patient reviews.

Meet Our Surgeons

Our fellowship-trained, Navy-veteran orthopedic surgeons bring decades of military and civilian experience to your care.

Michael Quacinella, MD

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

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Kevin Kuhn, MD

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

View Profile

David Dromsky, MD

Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon

View Profile

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Latest News & Articles

Stay informed with the latest insights from our orthopedic specialists.

October 1, 2024

Understanding Fracture Types: A Patient's Guide

A comprehensive guide to different types of bone fractures, their causes, and how they're treated.

Read: Understanding Fracture Types: A Patient's Guide

September 15, 2024

When Should You See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Learn the key signs that indicate you should consult an orthopedic surgeon for your pain or injury.

Read: When Should You See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

View All Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications, any relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI results), and a referral if required by your insurance plan. Arrive 15 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork.

What insurance plans do you accept?

All of our surgeons accept the following plans:

Medicare
Humana Medicare Advantage
Aetna
Aetna Medicare Advantage
United Healthcare
Blue Shield
Cigna
Health Smart
Multiplan
Multiplan PHCS
Scripps EPO (for Scripps employees, not HMO)
USA MCO
San Diego PACE

See our Insurance Information page for the full list. Please contact our office to verify coverage for your specific plan and surgeon.

How long will my recovery take?

Recovery time varies depending on your condition and treatment. Minor sprains or strains may heal in a few weeks, while fractures typically take 6 to 12 weeks. Surgical procedures may require several months of rehabilitation. During your consultation, we will provide a personalized recovery timeline.

Do I need a referral to see an orthopedic surgeon?

In most cases, a referral is not required. However, some insurance plans, particularly HMOs, may require a referral from your primary care physician. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before scheduling.

What is your approach to treatment?

We follow a conservative-first philosophy — we always explore non-surgical options such as physical therapy, medication, injections, and bracing before recommending surgery. As trauma surgeons contracted with hospitals, we have no financial incentive to recommend unnecessary procedures. If surgery is necessary, our surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques to minimize recovery time.

Need Help Getting Put Back Together?

Schedule your appointment today or call us directly.

Book Appointment Call (619) 299-3950

Orthopedic & Trauma Care in San Diego, CA

What is a Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon?

The most specialized fracture surgeon in orthopedics

Our Services

Fracture Care

Sports Injuries

Trauma Surgery

Casting & Splinting

Physical Therapy

Hip Fractures

Where Does It Hurt?

Why Choose Us

Navy Veterans

Non-Surgical First

Trauma Experts

What Our Patients Say

Meet Our Surgeons

Michael Quacinella, MD

Kevin Kuhn, MD

David Dromsky, MD

Latest News & Articles

Understanding Fracture Types: A Patient's Guide

When Should You See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help Getting Put Back Together?

What is a Fellowship-Trained
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon?

The most specialized
fracture surgeon
in orthopedics