Derek H. Ochiai, M.D.
Dr. Derek Ochiai is a graduate with honors from Cornell University. He attended Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he received several awards and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society. Dr. Ochiai is fellowship trained in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He completed his orthopedic residency at Albany Medical Center and his fellowship training at the Nirschl Orthopaedic Center and Georgetown University. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and specializes in injuries to the upper and lower extremities, including hip, knee, and shoulder arthroscopy. Dr. Ochiai uses both non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical techniques to help his patients return to their active lifestyles. He has been performing cutting-edge hip arthroscopies since 2003.
EDUCATION
- BS with Honors, Cornell University
- MD, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
RESIDENCY
- Orthopedic Surgery, Albany Medical Center
FELLOWSHIP
- Nirschl Orthopaedic Center and Georgetown University Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons
PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS
- Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
- Teaches hip arthroscopy courses in the U.S. and Internationally
- Published article entitled “Arthroscopic hip labral repair preferred for young patients with repairable tears” in October 2023 issue of Orthopedics Today
- Published two academic texts for orthopedic surgeons
- Awarded Arthroscopy Association of North American Traveling Fellowship in Advanced Arthroscopy
- International Society for Hip Arthroscopy
- American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
- Sports Medicine Consultant to Inside Lacrosse Magazine
- Medical Advisory Board of Washington D.C. Ballet
- Past President of Virginia Orthopedic Society
- Two-time U.S. Karate National Champion
- Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society
- Holds two U.S. patents
TEAM PHYSICIAN
- Yorktown High School
AREAS OF TREATMENT
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Hip
- Sports medicine
- Ankle
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome
- Hip labral tears
- Greater trochanteric bursitis
- Snapping hip
- Gluteus medium and minimus tears
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Complex ligament and revision reconstruction
- Cartilage surgery
- ACL reconstruction
- Biceps repair
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff and labral repairs
SPECIAL PROCEDURES/TECHNIQUES
- Hip preservation
- Arthroscopic hip procedures
- Cartilage restoration
Dr. Derek Ochiai was Featured in the HuffPost article “I’m A Hip Surgeon. Here’s The 1 Thing I’d Never Do If I Have Hip Pain.”
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Congratulations to Dr. Ochiai for being named 2024 Arlington Magazine Top Doctors in the category of Orthopaedic Surgery!
Dr Ochiai was published in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery in an article called “Sexual Function Improves After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement”.
Dr. Ochiai will be included in the AAOS Annual Meeting panel discussion on the value of immersive VR
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Congratulations to Dr. Ochiai for being Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors 2023 for orthopedic surgery.
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Dr Ochiai was published in Orthopedics Today’s October issue in an article called “Arthroscopic hip labral repair preferred for young patients with repairable tears”.
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Congratulations to Dr Ochiai for being named 2023 Top Doctors by Arlington Magazine!
Dr. Ochiai was featured on American Journal of Sports Medicine podcast.
Click Here To Listen >>
Dr Ochiai was published in Orthopedics today’s March 2023 issue in an article called “Surgeons weigh surgical options for primary hip labral tears”
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Dr Ochiai’s new research study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine
Congratulations to Dr. Ochiai for making the NOVA TOP DOCS 2023
Congratulations to Dr. Ochiai for the Top Score In Virtual Hip Arthroscopy Award from The Hip Preservation Society.
Dr. Ochiai gave a talk at the AANA (CORE) Comprehensive Orthopaedic Resident & Fellows Education Conference about Hip Arthroscopy.
Link To Video: https://bit.ly/3gDsZur
Congratulations to Dr Ochiai for being named 2022 Top Doctors by Castle Connolly!
Congratulations to Dr. Ochiai for being named Northern Virginia’s Best Doctors
Read Dr. Ochiai’s article in The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery
Congratulations to Dr. Ochiai for being named Virginia Living Top Doctors 2020
Dr. Ochiai Talks Hip Pain in an Italian Magazine
Dr Ochiai Discusses How The Increase In Hip Injuries In Younger People Is Related To Sports Injuries
Hip Arthroscopy and the Elite Athlete
How do I know whether my surgeon can treat my Hip Labral Tear and FAI?
Hip Labral Tears and Femoroacetabular Impingement A Frequent Cause of Non-Arthritic Hip Pain
Why I Love Teaching
Treatment of Partial Thickness Undersurface Abductor Tears of the Hip: Like Backwards a Bike Riding
Business Hall of Fame award winner – Best Sports Medicine Clinic in Arlington 2017
Nirschl Orthopaedic Center Recieved the Angies List Super Service Award for 2016
Should orthopedic surgeons be involved in social media
Dr. Derek Ochiai was Featured in WTOP News Discussing Washington Nationals Pitcher Stephen Strasburg’s Injury
Dr. Derek Ochiai was Featured in the Pioneer Press Discussing Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson’s Injury
Congratulations Dr. Ochiai voted “Top Doc in Arlington 2016” for Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Surgery/Hip Arthroscopy
Dr. Derek Ochiai @DrDerekOchiai will be participating in a visiting professorship and guest lecture series at Detroit Medical Center @DMC_Heals on HipArthroscopy this Wednesday March 9th.
Do I Need Rotator Cuff Tear Surgery?
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Dr. Derek Ochiai offers insight into Kobe Bryant’s latest physical setback
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Dr. Ochiai was featured on SportingNews Discussing Jabari Parker’s ACL Injury
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Dr. Ochiai offers insight in Jadeveon Clowney’s recovery period after undergoing microfracture surgery
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Dr. Ochiai was featured on ABC News Discussing The dangers of CrossFit
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Dr. Derek Ochiai will be chairing an Instructional course on hip arthroscopy at the 6th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA) October 9-11, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ISHA is the premier society for the advancement of hip arthroscopic techniques and provides a unique international forum for attendees to share scientific information and learn the latest advancements of arthroscopic surgery for the hip.
Check out Dr. Derek Ochiai in this months Cosmopolitan Magazine. Yep you got that Cosmo! How Hard is Too Hard? Grueling workouts like CrossFit, Tough Mudder and endurance races maybe be all the rage, but too much of a good thing can backfire.
Experts say injury won’t keep Tiger Woods from returning to old form
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Dr. Derek Ochiai was Featured on Fox Channel 5 News
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Hang Time Podcast (Episode 139) Featuring Dr. Derek Ochiai And Trail Blazers’ Radio Voice Brian Wheeler
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Dr. Ochiai was featured on NBC Washington’s “Fixing Hurt Hips”.
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Dr. Ochiai Appeared on WTOP to discuss “Why flip-flops aren’t good for your feet”
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Dr. Ochiai optimistic Dennis Pitta can return from hip injury next season
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Dr. Ochiai Discusses “Avoiding the Dangers of Metal Hip Implants”
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Dr. Ochiai quoted in The News Tribute article “Don’t follow workout fads blindly; you want to feel better, not worse”
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Dr. Ochiai Comments on Alex Rodriguez’s Hip in New York Times Baseball Blog
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Dr. Ochiai Quoted in US Today About Alex Rodriguez’s Hip Injuries
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Dr. Ochiai discusses “Workout Fad Injuries” on 9 News Now Health Alert.
Check out Dr. Derek Ochiai and Sports Medicine Therapist Mike on Channel 9 news tonight at 11:00 pm Discussing dangerous work-out fads.
Congratulations to Dr. Derek Ochiai for being named “Favorite Doctor” by
Dr. Ochiai is featured in Inside Lacrosse Magazine click here to read article
Dr. Ochiai article titled, Surgeon Moves From Knees to Hips in the Washington Post
Dr. Ochiai is in Orthopedics Today in article titled, Orthopedic surgeon and karate champion makes martial arts a part of his life
Hidy Ochiai’s demonstration of slicing an apple off his sons neck
FAI Hip Surgery Questions You Should Ask
Hip Injuries in Baseball Players – Hip Pain/Hip FAI Injuries
Hip Pain, Hip Trochanteric Bursitis, Hip Tendinitis/Hip injury
Hip Pain/Hip FAI Injury – What is Hip FAI
Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Derek Ochiai on treatment for Hip Pain/Hip FAI Injuries
Arthroscopic Technique for Treatment of Combined Pathology
Femoroacetabular Impingement Osteoplasty Post-Operative Protocol
Aquatic therapy for the Post-Op Hip Patient
Walking with Crutches After Hip
Injury/Hip FAI surgery
Exercises Level One
Post Hip FAI operation Passive
Range of Motion Program
Exercises Level Two
Questions to ask prior to Hip Arthroscopic Surgery
Check List For Out of Town Surgeries
Patient Interview Traveling For Surgery
Our society is becoming more global and travel friendly. Many times, patients with a specific medical issue may decide to travel out of town to have definitive medical treatment, including surgery. While there may be very good reasons to want or need to do this, the patient may have additional issues and needs that must be considered prior to making this commitment. As a surgeon who often sees patients who travel from out of town for a specialized procedure that I do, I am well aware of these issues. This article will talk about what to ask and look out for when traveling for surgery.
Patients have reasons that they wish to travel to have surgery. The doctor or center that they are choosing may have a specific expertise for a medical condition. The patient may also travel to be closer to their family to make for an easier recovery.
There are four specific issues that a patient should consider prior to having surgery out of town. First, how long can the patient stay away from home? While a surgery may normally take a set amount of time for initial recuperation, the surgery may not be without complications. If the surgeon wants you to stay an extra week after the procedure, is that personally and financially feasible? Second, what happens if there is a late complication after the patient returns home? The surgeon may request that you return for follow-up care and this can be an additional expense and time away from home and work. If you cannot get back to that surgeon, are their other physicians local to you who would be willing and able to treat you? Third, how communicative is the surgeon? Many orthopaedic procedures rely on physical therapy and post-surgery protocols after surgery. If the patient or other health care providers have questions regarding this, how does this get communicated to the surgeon? Does he/she answer email? Is the surgeon comfortable with treating a patient “over the phone”? Finally, how comfortable is the surgeon treating a patient whom he/she will not be following long term? Do they have a system in place to handle issues of communication and follow-up?
The most important step a patient can take is to research doctors and facilities ahead of time. Many times, doctors who are accustomed to seeing patients from out of town have a system in place to accommodate this. The patient can gather their medical records, radiographic images and MRI’s, which can be mailed ahead of time for the surgeon’s review. If a patient is thinking about having their surgery performed out of town, a call to the surgeon, asking if this system is in place, can save some unnecessary expense. It is far better for patients to know ahead of time if they are an appropriate candidate for a procedure, rather than travel to the facility only to find out otherwise. A patient should also ask to speak to the billing department, as the center and surgeon either may not participate with their insurance or the specialized procedure may not be covered by their insurance. By talking to the staff, the patient can definitely get a sense of how experienced the office is in dealing with patients from out of town, which can help with the patient’s comfort level.
All patients should set up a pre-operative appointment well before an intended surgery. This will relieve pre-surgery anxiety for the patient who now knows their doctor prior to having the surgery. Sometimes, no matter how great a doctor looks on the internet or how convenient it would be to have the surgery there, a patient may meet the surgeon and decide to look elsewhere. If the pressure of already scheduling the surgery is looming, this may unduly influence an important decision. Keep in mind that many centers may also have a surgical cancellation fee. Medical tourism has its benefits and drawbacks. If a patient actively researches and prepares before surgery, the benefits can be maximized, and the drawbacks diminished.
Dr. Derek Ochiai is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in Hip Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center for Sports Medicine and Joint Reconstruction. Follow him on Twitter @DrDerekOchiai. For more information go to the web site at www.nirschl.com.
FAI Hip Surgery Questions You Should Ask
Hip Pain, Hip Trochanteric Bursitis, Hip Tendinitis/Hip injury
Hip Injuries in Baseball Players – Hip Pain/Hip FAI Injuries
Hip Pain/Hip FAI Injury – What is Hip FAI
Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Derek Ochiai on treatment for Hip Pain/Hip FAI Injuries