Howard J. Marans, M.D.
11190 Warner Ave. Suite #306
Fountain Valley, CA USA 92708
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Phone 714-979-8981
Fax 714-432-9988


Monday 8:30am - 12:00pm
Tuesday on call
Wednesday 8:30am - 12:00pm
Thursday on call
Friday 8:30am - 12:00pm
Saturday on call
Sunday on call

Arthroscopic surgery is a surgical procedure in which a small camera called an “arthroscope” is used to view the inside of a joint. Arthroscopy can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of joint problems. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and as such it is preferable to open joint surgery in many cases.

How it Works

During arthroscopy, the doctor makes a tiny incision near the joint and inserts the camera. The camera is connected to a television in the operating room, so that the doctor can see a real-time image of the joint. Pictures can be taken as the procedure progresses. If arthroscopy is being performed for diagnostic purposes, visualization may be all that is done during the procedure.

If treatment is to be performed, the doctor will make one or more further incisions near the joint. Through these incisions, small tools are inserted, allowing the doctor to operate on the joint. Complex procedures can be performed through arthroscopic surgery.

Benefits of Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic surgery has a number of advantages over open joint surgery, although both types of surgery are appropriate in different situations. Some advantages include:

• No large incision – Only tiny incisions are required during arthroscopy, as opposed to the large incisions required to open up the joint. This can also mean that there is no large scar.
• No hospital stay – Every case is different, but most patients who have arthroscopic surgery don’t need to stay in the hospital. Instead, the procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and most patients can return home the same day.
• Lower risk of certain side effects – Thanks to the smaller incision and lack of hospital stay, the risk of certain side effects, like bleeding and infection, is lower. However, the overall risk of complications with both types of surgery is low.
• Shorter recovery time – The recovery time varies heavily based on individual healing times and the nature of the condition. However, the recovery time from arthroscopic surgery is usually shorter than with open joint surgery.

Uses

Theoretically, arthroscopy could be used on any joint in the body. However, it is most frequently used on larger joints to treat certain conditions.

• Knee – Arthroscopy can be used to treat ligament tears, meniscal tears, and damage to the cartilage.
• Shoulder – Arthroscopic surgery is often used for rotator cuff tears, impingement, and recurrent dislocations.
• Hip – Femoroacetabular impingement, dysplasia, synovitis, and loose bodies can all be treated with arthroscopy.
• Wrist – Arthroscopic surgery can be used for carpal tunnel syndrome, ligament tears, and w...

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Board certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1993
Recertified, 2003
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 1989

Education
Pre-Medical Education
University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
1976/78

Masters Degree
University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
MSc, Orthopaedic Research 1983/85

Medical School
University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
MD 1978/82

Orthopaedic Residency
Gallie Surgical Program - University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
FRCS(C), Orthopaedic Surgery 1984/89


Knee/Shoulder Fellowship
Orthopaedic & Arthritic Hospital, Toronto Canada
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Knee & Shoulder 1989/90

Knee/Shoulder Fellowship
Sportsmed.SA & the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide South Australia
Sports Medicine/Arthroscopic Surgery 1990/91

Hospital/academic affiliations
Hospital
- Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center | Fountain Valley, CA
- Orange Coast Memorial Hospital | Fountain Valley, CA

Surgical Center
- Newport Plaza Surgical Center | Costa Mesa, CA
- Orange County Multi-Specialty Surgical Center | Tustin, CA

Society memberships
State Society Memberships
- State Medical Society

Specialty Society Memberships
- Arthroscopy Association of North America

Additional Society Memberships
- Orange County Medical Association
- Royal College of Surgeons of Canada

Achievements
J.C. Kennedy Award for Excellency in Sports Medicine

Excellence in Research Award (Sport Sciences) American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Community activities
I have provided volunteer medical assistance/coverage to several High Schools/Colleges over the past 19 years.

Presently I am the Team Physician for Orange Lutheran High School and Tustin High School. In the past I have taken care of Irvine and Northwood High Schools, Concordia University, and was a medical officer for the Special Olympics.

I continue to provide medical coverage at many Local, National, and International Cycling Events.

Dr. Howard Marans is an expert in sports medicine and has treated hundreds of elite and thousands of amateur athletes over the course of his career. Athletes are at an increased risk of orthopedic problems due to the nature of their lifestyle, and they have unique needs when it comes to recovering from injuries. That’s why seeing a sports medicine doctor is so important.

Athletes Have Unique Needs

When it comes to treatment for orthopedic problems and injuries, athletes have unique needs from the rest of the population. Some examples of this include:

• Athletes are typically in peak physical condition
• More prone to injury due to training (especially in cases of over-training or incorrect form)
• Education on ways to prevent future injury is essential
• Restoring full functionality to the injured body part is a priority

Approach to Treatment

One of the major ways in which athletes differ from other patients is that they require full use of the injured part in most cases. Although sometimes an orthopedic injury is so severe that the athlete will be unable to ever return to their previous level of achievement, in many cases it is possible to restore full functionality.

Because of this, sports medicine tends to be more aggressive in treating injuries than general orthopedic medicine. While an older or less active patient may receive treatment aimed at relieving symptoms in the least invasive way possible, athletes usually want to be able to perform strenuous physical activity over many years.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is often a cornerstone of sports medicine, whether or not surgery is also used. Physical therapy can restore flexibility to stiff joints and strengthen muscles that weakened due to injury. In addition, physical therapy can help athletes develop the good form that they will need to prevent future injuries.

Surgical Treatment

Many common sports injuries, like shin splints, muscle sprains, and simple fractures, can be treated without ever entering the operating room. However, conditions that are unlikely to heal on their own may need surgery, especially given that restoring full functionality is a priority.

Many sports injuries, like ACL tears and rotator cuff tears, can be treated using arthroscopic surgery in an outpatient setting. For more severe and extensive injuries, it may be necessary to perform traditional, open procedures, which might require a hospital stay.

Prevention of Future Injuries

In sports medicine, preventing future injuries is an important part of treatment. After sustaining an injury, athletes are often eager to get...

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