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About Scott Taber Ball, MD

Scott Ball, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement surgery for both the hip and knee, and salvage reconstruction for failed joint replacements. Using minimally invasive approaches, he helps facilitate reduced complication rates and faster recovery. Dr. Ball has expertise in hip resurfacing surgery, a technique that is used to preserve the hip bone, allowing younger patients with good bone quality to resume high levels of activity in sports such as surfing, skiing, basketball, and running.

His care emphasizes a comprehensive, personalized approach and open communication with patients. Dr. Ball also strives for individuals to go through treatment smoothly, with as little psychological stress as possible, and the full comfort of knowing they are in expert hands. His ultimate goal is for patients to have a rapid return to a high quality of life.

Dr. Ball has been honored with awards for clinical and basic science research and has published a number of articles on the subjects of hip resurfacing, cartilage tissue engineering and osteochondral allografts. He is currently studying the effects of hip replacement on the muscles surrounding the hip, to optimize post-operative muscle function and recovery. He is also doing research to understand the underlying mechanism of complications from metal-on-metal implants to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected reactions. A regional expert on this topic, Dr. Ball is frequently consulted by surgeons on adverse reactions to hardware used for joint replacement surgery.

He completed a fellowship in joint reconstruction at Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles and residency training at UC San Diego School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College) in Philadelphia. He is board certified in general orthopaedics.

Dr. Ball was named a top doctor in orthopedic surgery by the San Diego Medical Society in both 2009 and 2010. He was also honored as a San Diego Health Care Champion finalist in the San Diego Business Journal in 2010.

Outside of work, Dr. Ball enjoys surfing, skiing and travel. He is married and has two children.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Orthopedics.

Insurance Information
UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans, but you should verify that your plan covers this provider and all services and locations. The information in the link below does not apply to affiliate providers, who are not employed by UC San Diego Health.
Health Insurance Plans Accepted
Open Payments Program Notification
For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.
View Open Payments data for Dr. Ball

Medical Degree

  • Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

  • Orthopedic Hospital, Los Angeles, CA

Residency

  • UC San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CA

Gender

  • Male

Languages

  • Spanish

Date Joined Staff

  • 2006-07-13

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • General Orthopaedics

Conditions and Treatments

  • Knee Pain
  • Hip Replacement
  • Hip Surgery
  • Knee Surgery
  • Knee Replacement
Insurance Information
UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans, but you should verify that your plan covers this provider and all services and locations. The information in the link below does not apply to affiliate providers, who are not employed by UC San Diego Health.
Health Insurance Plans Accepted
Open Payments Program Notification
For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.
View Open Payments data for Dr. Ball