Douglas Chang, MD, PhD | San Diego, CA | Orthopedic Surgeon

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Dr. Douglas Chang is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and physical therapy. He earned his medical degree from the University of California Davis School of Medicine and completed his residency at LAC USC Medical Center. With 26 years of experience in orthopedic care, Dr. Chang brings extensive knowledge to treating musculoskeletal conditions and sports-related injuries. He speaks both German and English.

Dr. Chang practices at UC San Diego Health in La Jolla and is affiliated with University of California San Diego Jacobs Medical Center. His expertise focuses on treating arthritis, athletic injuries, and back pain. He performs physical therapy, strength training, and manual therapy to help patients recover from injuries and improve their mobility. Patients have given him an average rating of 2.8 on Vitals.

Overview based on verified provider data

accepting new patients
2.7

21 Ratings
26 years of experience
45 insurance plans accepted
speaks German, English
Lac Usc Medical Center
12 written reviews
4 specialties
15 areas of expertise
5 board certifications
1 hospital affiliation
1 office location
Male

Douglas Chang's Ratings and Reviews

2.7

21 Ratings with 12 written Reviews

Average Wait Time 19 Minutes

How was your appointment with
Douglas Chang?

Patients’ Perspective

Gave an accurate diagnosis: (4) Did WellNeeds Improvement (10)
Had a good bedside manner: (3) Did WellNeeds Improvement (11)
Spent time with me: (3) Did WellNeeds Improvement (11)
Provided follow-up after the visit: (3) Did WellNeeds Improvement (10)
Flexible scheduling: (4) Did WellNeeds Improvement (8)
Saw me in a timely manner: No Ratings
Staff was courteous: No Ratings

21 ratings & reviews

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Showing 1 to 10 of 12 reviews

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This Dr is dismissive, rude and arrogant He does not respond to messages and it’s like pulling teeth to get him to advocate for pre authorizations needed in order to get imaging. His admin staff is also very rude and dismissive. Not the experience I would expect from a UCSD Dr

June 26th, 2026

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After reading the previous reviews of Dr. Chang I was hesitant to follow through with my appointment. But I am glad I did. I found Dr. Chang to be very friendly and he was very thorough explaining every detail of every process he administered to me, especially the cortozone injections in my knees which terrified me. He put me at ease and the injections were not as bad as I thought they would be. I would recommend Dr. Chang and I will be seeing him again. Thank you Dr. Chang.

February 18th, 2023

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If I could leave negative stars I so would. This unprofessional worst doctor I have ever seen in my life literally would not even listen to what my concerns were. Stormed out to get an X-ray and then lied on my medical file about me being reluctant to move my foot. I couldn’t move my foot because of debilitating pain and was in a wheelchair mind you. Oh and he told me to go walk on my foot that has been getting worse for the past 10 days, he refused to do any imaging to understand the root of the pain (my foot is 2X its usual size). Don’t waste your time go somewhere else. Made swear off uscd.

September 30th, 2022

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he was super nice and willing great person to be with helps with pain alot

February 5th, 2020

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No explanation on the treatment plan.

April 23rd, 2019

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Rude and ignorant

April 23rd, 2019

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No thorough evaluation on the patient and ignore patient’s questions

April 23rd, 2019

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Doctor Chang is more like a scam. Totally doesn’t match with the UCSD reputation. Stay away from him at all costs.

April 22nd, 2019

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I have been getting caudel epidural injection by Dr. Chang for 12 years. Without him I wouldn’t be able to sit, stand or walk. The only relief from pain is with the injections. Dr. Chang is one of the best.

April 18th, 2019

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One of the worst doctors I have ever seen. He was so bad that I no longer want anything to do with UCSD healthcare. Does not seem to care about patients at all.

June 13th, 2018

UC San Diego Health

4520 Executive Drive UC San Diego Health - La JollaSan Diego, CA 92121

Tel: (858) 657-8200

Mon9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tue9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wed9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thu9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Fri9:00 am - 5:00 pm

SatClosed

SunClosed


Douglas Chang, MD, PhD	Dr. Michael Klassen, MD	Dr. David B Lavine, MD	Dr. Pressley Suzuki, MD
Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic Surgery	Anesthesiology	Sports Medicine
Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients
2.7 (21 Ratings)	4.9 (764 Ratings)	0 (0 Ratings)	0 (0 Ratings)
26 Years of Experience	37 Years of Experience
No Virtual Visit Option	Virtual Visit Available	No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option
Speaks German, English	Speaks English	Speaks English, Spanish	Speaks Spanish, English
San Diego , CA	Monterey , CA	La Jolla , CA	El Cajon , CA
Med School: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE	Med School: David Geffen School of Medicine - UCLA
Current Profile	View Profile	View Profile	View Profile

Search for your insurance and plan

Electrodiagnosis
EMG/Nerve Conduction Studies
General Orthopedics
Hip Osteoarthritis
Injury
Knee Osteoarthritis
Nerve Damage
Osteoarthritis (Hand and Wrist)
Pain
Physical Therapy
Prosthetics
Rehabilitation
Sport Medicine Specialist
Sports Medicine
Surgery Recovery

Education & Training

Residency

Completed their residency at Lac Usc Medical Center.

Medical School

Graduated from UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE in 2000.

NPI Number

Douglas Chang's NPI number is 1962450031.

Dr. Robert Carney, MD
Sports Medicine
| El Cajon, CA
(0)
Dr. Alan Piefer, MD
Sports Medicine
| El Cajon, CA
(0)
Dr. David Arlen Haaland
Hand Surgery
60 Years Exp | Oceanside, CA
(0)
Dr. Amber Renee Debarge
Sports Medicine
| San Diego, CA
(0)
Dr. Amrit Singh Ahluwalia
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
9 Years Exp | SAN DIEGO, CA
(0)
Dr. Mary Foster
Sports Medicine
| San Diego, CA
(0)
Jonathan T Wu
Orthopedic Surgery
| San Diego, CA
(0)
Dr. Brett Monson, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
8 Years Exp | San Diego, CA
(0)
Dr. Michael John Hennessy, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
56 Years Exp | San Diego, CA
(0)
Dr. Brendan Oleary
Orthopedic Surgery
3 Years Exp | San Diego, CA
(0)

Which hospitals is Douglas Chang affiliated with?: Douglas Chang is affiliated with University Of California San Diego Jacobs Medical Center.
Where is Douglas Chang's office located?: Douglas Chang's office is located at 4520 Executive Drive UC San Diego Health - La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92121.
What languages does Douglas Chang speak?: Douglas Chang speaks German and English.
How can I make an appointment with Douglas Chang?: You can find contact information for Douglas Chang here on Vitals.
Does Douglas Chang accept virtual/telehealth appointments?: Douglas Chang has not indicated that they accept virtual/teleheatlh appointments. Contact their office through their Vitals profile to check for availability.

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