Dr. David Gazzaniga is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, with a particular focus on knee preservation, cartilage restoration, and complex ligamentous injuries. His clinical practice is centered on the care of high-demand individuals and athletes, with an emphasis on restoring joint integrity, optimizing performance, and preserving long-term function.

A Southern California native, Dr. Gazzaniga completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College, where he was a varsity football player, team captain, and Most Valuable Player. He earned his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School before completing orthopedic surgery residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program. He subsequently pursued fellowship training in sports medicine at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic, where he trained in advanced arthroscopic and joint preservation techniques.

Dr. Gazzaniga has served as Head Team Physician for the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Chargers, providing orthopedic care at the highest levels of professional sport. His experience in these settings has shaped a clinical approach grounded in precision, efficiency, and an understanding of the physical and psychological demands inherent to elite competition.

His areas of expertise include cartilage restoration of the knee, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and the management of complex knee injuries. He is also an expert in labral injuries, rotator cuff pathology, and instability of the shoulder, as well as sports-related injuries of the elbow and hip. He is widely regarded as one of the leading surgeons in Orange County in the area of cartilage restoration and joint preservation, and he performs a high volume of complex knee procedures annually.

Dr. Gazzaniga’s practice is defined by a commitment to individualized, evidence-based care. His treatment philosophy integrates advanced surgical techniques with a comprehensive understanding of biomechanics and performance, with the goal of returning patients to their highest level of function.

While he routinely cares for professional and elite athletes, he applies the same rigor and attention to detail to every patient. Outside of medicine, Dr. Gazzaniga maintains a strong commitment to family life. He and his wife have raised five children, all of whom have been dedicated athletes, with four competing at the collegiate level and a fifth currently pursuing that path. His personal experience provides a meaningful perspective on the role of sport in shaping discipline, resilience, and identity.