Derek Ward, MD
Orthopedic surgeon
Dr. Derek Ward is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating adults who need hip or knee reconstruction for arthritis. He cares for patients with all types of degenerative diseases of the hip and knee, as well as those with complications from past joint replacement.
Ward takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing hip and knee pain, incorporating the latest advances in pain management during every stage of surgery and recovery. His expertise encompasses a minimally invasive hip replacement technique called the direct anterior approach, outpatient surgery for hip and knee replacement, partial knee replacement and complex revision surgery (surgery to restore joint function when an implant has failed or developed complications).
Ward has won national and regional awards for his research, which includes investigating health care policy, assessing management and risk during all stages of surgery, and analyzing revision surgery – including its complications.
After earning his bachelor's degree, Ward spent several years working in health care policy in Washington, DC, and a year volunteering in Africa. He then earned his medical degree at UCSF, where he devoted an extra year to health policy research. He remained at UCSF to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery. He then completed a fellowship in adult reconstruction at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before returning to UCSF as faculty.
Ward is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, California Orthopaedic Association and Western Orthopaedic Association.
