International Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Hip Disorders

Michelle’s hip dysplasia halted her dream of dancing. Orthopedic Surgery by Dr. Salil Upasani got her back to pursuing her passion. Watch her incredible story on CBS 8.
The hip preservation center is comprised of an expert team of orthopedic surgeons who have extensively researched hip disorders.
The orthopedic surgeon’s areas of expertise for patients at the hip preservation center include a wide variety of traumatic, congenital, and developmental conditions (including ones involving hip pain) of the hip.
The Center’s goal is to provide world-class care for children, adolescents, and some young adult patients by applying the hip condition knowledge that our world-renowned faculty has gained through their clinical experience and research. As the biology and mechanics of the hip in a developing human are much different than in an adult, our medical and surgical care is tailored to the special needs of the growing child, such as aiding with hip pain and hip preservation.
Our hip condition program begins with orthopedic surgeon care for the infant and includes sophisticated office-based ultrasound analysis of hip dysplasia. As the use of corrective harnesses for baby hip problems was developed at our Center, we have established one of the largest Pavlik harness treatment programs internationally.
As the child gets older, our medical professionals provide advanced knowledge regarding the treatment and surgical management of all complex hip disorders, extending into late adolescence and on occasion, into young adulthood.
The late teen/young adult program focuses on management of the recently defined hip impingement syndromes, commonly seen in young athletes.
Along with providing highly specialized orthopedic surgery for hip preservation, the Center offers:
- Access to and referral for advanced imaging studies
- Parent and patient education
- Expert consultation on the development and progression of all childhood hip conditions
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Destination Care for Pediatric Hip Conditions
The International Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Hip Disorders was launched at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego in 2009. The hip center is now widely recognized throughout the United States and the world as a leading referral center for both simple and complex hip conditions and problems. For more information, contact Matthew Schmitz, M.D. at mschmitz1@rchsd.org.
Conditions Treated
We specialize in treating:
- Hip dysplasia
- Femoroacetabular Impingement
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Pediatric Hip Center Team
The Pediatric Hip Center’s board-certified surgeons have specific advanced training in pediatric orthopedics and have conducted extensive research regarding the care of childhood hip conditions.

Matthew Schmitz, M.D., Director, International Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Hip Disorders, Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Henry Chambers, M.D., Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Madeleine Jackson, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Michael Kwon, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Andrew T. Pennock, M.D., Staff Orthopedic Surgeon; Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Maya Pring, M.D., Staff Orthopedic Surgeon; Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Rachel Mednick Thompson, M.D.., Director, Cerebral Palsy Center, Orthopedic Surgeon; Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
C. Douglas Wallace, M.D., Director of Orthopedic Trauma; Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Salil V. Upasani, M.D., Staff Orthopedic Surgeon, Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, UC San Diego
Contact Us
Medical Office Building, 3rd Floor
3030 Children’s Way
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 858-966-6789