Kristofer J. Jones, MD
- Orthopedic Sports Medicine|
- Orthopedic Surgery
About
Dr. Kristofer J. Jones is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports-related musculoskeletal injuries of the knee, shoulder and elbow. His clinical expertise includes advanced minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures and complex reconstruction of these joints. He has specialized training in the field of biologic joint preservation procedures, including modern cartilage restoration and transplantation techniques. As such, he is a select participant in a number of nationwide clinical research trials investigating novel surgical treatments for cartilage injuries.
As a former intercollegiate athlete, Dr. Jones understands the unique demands and concerns faced by athletes at all levels of participation (from professional to recreational) and his goal is to return patients back to their regular activities using evidence-based medicine to guide his treatment plan. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, where he was a four-year letter winner and All-Conference tailback for the varsity football team. He was awarded the Howell-Murray Alumni Medal upon graduation. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he received the Jonathan Rhoads Prize for Surgical Scholarship. Dr. Jones completed his orthopaedic residency training at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, frequently recognized as the #1 Hospital for Orthopaedic Surgery by US News & World Report. He subsequently completed a traveling fellowship and acquired further expertise in shoulder and cartilage surgery at specialized centers across Europe, including Lyon and Paris, France. Dr. Jones returned to HSS to complete another fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery. During this time, he served as assistant team physician for the Brooklyn Nets (NBA), New York Red Bulls (MLS), and Iona College Athletics, as well as an orthopaedic consultant to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and US Open Tennis Tournament. He is currently the Head Team Physician and Director of Orthopaedic Surgery for the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), the Head Team Physician for USA Basketball and a Team Physician for the UCLA Bruins athletic teams.
Languages
Education
Medical Board Certification
Fellowship
Residency
Internship
Degree
Recognitions
- Super doctors, Southern California, 2024
-
Top doctors, Los Angeles Magazine's Top Doctors 2024
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2024
- Super Doctors® Southern California, 2022-2024
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021-2022
- See More
Locations
Westwood Orthopaedic Surgery
Hospital Affiliations
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
Medical Services
Areas of Focus
Videos
Research
Interests
- Clinical Research Trials
- Novocart 3D Autologous Chondrocyte Implant – Phase 3 Clinical Trial
- PROGRESS IV Clinical Trial investigating nStride Autologous Protein Solution for the treatment of knee cartilage injury
- Clinical
- Clinical efficacy of cartilage repair/restoration procedures, including microfracture, osteochondral allograft/autograft transplantation, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), and particulated juvenile allograft transplantation
- Biologic augmentation of cartilage restoration procedures with platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and novel mesenchymal stem cell treatment
- Clinical outcomes following rotator cuff repair and labral repair for shoulder instability using knotless suture anchor technology
- Laboratory
- Restoration of normal joint contact pressure following articular cartilage procedures, including osteochondral allograft/autograft transplantation
- Evaluation of knee joint kinematics following ligament reconstruction
Publications
In the News
- "Effect of revision UCL reconstruction on return to play in MLB pitchers" - AAOS Now, May 2013.
- "Docking technique to repair torn elbow ligament yields favorable results in adolescent baseball players" – Science Daily, March 21st, 2013.
Insurance
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield of California
- Centivo
- Cigna
- First Health
- Health Net of California
- Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
- L.A. Care
- Medicare Advantage
- MultiPlan
- UFCM Health System
- Prime Health Services
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- TRICARE
- UnitedHealthcare
The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change.
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.
Visit our health insurance information page for more details.
Recognitions
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2024
- Super Doctors® Southern California, 2022-2024
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021-2022
- Super Doctors® Southern California Rising Stars 2019-2021
- W.F. Enneking Career Development Award (MTF) – 2017
- MTF (Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation) Young Investigator Award – 2016
- ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) Annual Merit Research Award – 2015
- AAOS Clinician Scientist Development Award – 2014
- AOA (American Orthopaedic Association) Emerging Leader – 2014
- J. Robert Gladden Society Scholarship Recipient – 2012
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Award of Excellence – 2012
- Jonathan Rhoads Prize for Surgical Scholarship (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) – 2007
- Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – 2006
- Russell C. Hibbs Award in Clinical Science (Scoliosis Research Society) – 2006
- Smith & Nephew Resident Research Award – 2006
- Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) New York Metropolitation Area Resident Research Award – 2006
- University of Pennsylvania Annual Research Symposium Award Winner (Clinical Research Section) – 2006
- Center of Excellence Research Award – University of Pennsylvania – 2005
- University Athletic Association (UAA) Scholar Athlete Award (University of Chicago) – 2001
- Varsity Football – Offensive Player of the Year (University of Chicago) – 2001
- UAA Conference 1st Team Offensive and 2nd Team Special Teams Honors (University of Chicago) – 2001
- Howell Murray Alumni Association Medal (University of Chicago) – 2000
- Maroon Key Society Inductee (University of Chicago) – 1999
- University of Chicago Dean's Grant (University of Chicago) – 1997
- Golden Key National Honor Society – 1997