About Us / James S. Hamada, M.D.
James Hamada, M.D. is an accomplished Orthopedic Spine Surgeon with wide ranging experience from Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) for the spine to the most complex tumor and deformity cases which require extensive open surgery both anterior (front) and posterior (back).
In Minimal Invasive Surgery he has routinely performed true percutaneous (Band-Aid) discectomy using an endoscope, laser and direct instruments in over a hundred cases as well as micro-discectomy using an operating microscopes and a small incision allowing for same day discharge of the patient.
Dr. Hamada has advanced the recently FDA-approved X-stop procedure for applications in severe lumbar spinal stenosis. Complex pediatric scoliosis cases are regularly performed at UCLA Medical Center and other neck, upper and lower back procedures are performed at well-equipped community hospitals.
Patients are thoroughly evaluated with multi-specialty consultation required and every recommendation is made specific to the needs of the patient in the way of medication, non-surgical modalities and post-operative care and rehabilitation.
Curriculum Vitae
ACADEMIC POSITION
Assistant Clinical Professor –UCLA, 1995-Current
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Qualified Medical Examiner
American Board Spine Surgery
Part I written, passed November 2002
Part II oral, passed October 2003
CURRENT HONORS
Examiner, American Board of Spine Surgery Oral Exam
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Consumer Research Council of America- America’s Top Surgeons
Listed in the 2002-2003 Edition
Listed in the 2004-2005 Edition
Listed in the 2005-2006 Edition
Listed in the 2006-2007 Edition
Listed in the 2007-2008 Edition
CURRENT HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS
Tri-City Reginal Medical Center Hospital – Director of Spine Program 2006-2008
Torrance Memorial Hospital, IPA: Consultant for Complex Spine Deformity
- Member Medical Executive Committee 2006-2008
Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital – Director of Spine Program
UCLA/ Orthopaedic Hospital – Pediatric Scoliosis
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
UCLA Orthopaedic Program
Dr. Harian Amstutz, Division Orthopaedic Surgery
Richter M.D., Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery UCLA / Wadsworth Hospital
Internship:
LAC-USC Medical Center- Los Angeles, CaliforniaMedical School:
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine-Cincinnati, Ohio
Number 8 in class of 100, Senior yearUndergraduate Training
University of California- Berkeley, California
Bachelor of Science Degree- Psychology
(Honors Program completed in Major)
Minor in Physics
TEACHING AFFILIATIONS
Current:
Assistant Clinical Professor, Harbor- UCLA Adult Spine Clinic
Director, 1990-1998
PATENTS
- U.S. 6,425920 BI
- U.S. 6,436101 BI
- U.S. 6,84064 BI
- U.S. 7,351244 B2
Pending:
- US 10/280,624
- US 11/001268
- US 11/168295
- US 11/230420
- US 11/267618
- US 11/489858
- US 11/510804
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Western Orthopaedic Association
- North American Spine Society
- International Spinal Injection Society
- Arthroscopy Association of North America
- Fellow, American College of Spine Surgery
HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
- Tri City Regional Medical Center, Hawaiian Gardens, CA -present
- San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, San Pedro, CA 2001-present
- Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Torrance, CA 1992-present
- Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Torrance, CA 1978-present
- Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center
Memorial, Marina & Centinela Campus 1978-present
SPECIAL CONSULTANT
Spine Consultant and Surgeon for:
- Torrance Memorial IPA Current
- Danek- Clinical Investigation “Maverick” Total Disc Replacement
Prior Consultant and Surgeon for:
- FHP- Revision of Total Joint Arthroplasty and Spine Surgery
- Depuy Acromed- Lecturer in Spine Surgery
MEDICAL DIRECTORSHIPS
- Virginia Slims Professional Tennis Tournament
Manhattan Beach Country Club, CA 1984-1994
- Acura Classic professional Tournament 1995-1997
- United States Olympic Badminton Team 1987-1988
- American Youth Soccer Organization
National Finals Tournament, Torrance, CA 1992
MEDIA EXPERIENCE
- Low Back Pain
Health Matters, Television Program November 1989
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Health Matters, Television Program November 1987
GUEST LECTURER- INTERNATIONAL
- Operations for failed back surgery
Soul Korea November 2007 - ACL Reconstruction
American Medical Technology Seminar
Consulate of the United States of America
Fukuoka, Japan 1992
- Repair of Peripheral Meniscus Tears Using Arthroscopy Technique
International Symposium of Orthopaedics China 1983
- Operative Arthroscopy
Surface Replacement of Hips
China 1981
GUEST SURGICAL TREATMENT LECTURER 1997-Present
- Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital
Surgical treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractions
Thoracic and Lumbar Spine January 2004
- Western Occupational Health Conference
Occupational Medicine
Getting to W.O.R.K.
Workforce, Outcomes, Research, Knowledge September 2001
- Current Controversies in Spine
Daniel Freeman Hospitals
Park City, UT January 1997
Our Hospital at a Glance
Tri-City Regional Medical Center is a not-for profit acute care facility that provides inpatient and outpatient services. We are fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and are licensed for 137 beds.
The hospital, located in Los Angeles County, serves the immediate communities of Hawaiian Gardens, Artesia, Cerritos, Long Beach and Norwalk. Through our unique and special programs, Tri-City Regional Medical Center also provides medical care to patients from other states and counties including Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties.
As your health care partner, we utilize the most current knowledge and the latest technological advances in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of all our patients. We at Tri-City Regional Medical Center are dedicated to achieving health care excellence in everything we do.
Pain Management
Chronic pain can interfere with normal daily activities and make every day a challenge. At Tri-City Regional Medical Center we are here to help. Our multi-disciplinary programs are dedicated to addressing the individual needs of each patient. Our goal is to find the proper treatment for management and control of chronic pain. Frequently treated conditions include:
| •Back pain | •Herpes Zoster / shingles |
| •Persistent pain after back surgery | •Pain from amputation |
| •Headache | •Post Herpatic Neuralgia |
| •Neck and shoulder pain | •Extremity pain |
| •Musculoskeletal pain | •Failed back syndrome |
| •RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) | •Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
| •Facial pain | •Accident / athletic injury |
| •Abdominal and pelvic pain | •Arthritis pain |
| •Cancer pain | •Rare Conditions |
We offer many advanced treatment options designed to treat pain and restore you to your maximum functional ability. These treatment options include:
•Faucets block (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
•Differential nerve root block
•Epidural catheter or injection
•Trigger point injection
•Sympathetic blocks with our without neurolytic procedure
•Neurolytic procedures
•Neuroma injection and cryoneurolysis
•Sphenopalatine ganglion block
•Dorsal Column Stimulator placement
•Intrathecal catheter and morphine pump placement
Whatever your situation, we at Tri-City Regional Medical Center are prepared to work with you for the best results. As with all our departments, you can be assured that you will receive the best care available given by trained professionals who are dedicated to your health.
Please feel free to visit the Hospital web site for more information.