Jervis Yau, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Physician

09/03/2026

Ever wonder what happens when a physical therapist tears their own ACL?

- Christine Pieton’s injury didn’t follow the textbook rulesL: she had full range of motion and could still hike out! But a hidden complete tear meant surgery with Dr. Yau was the only way back to her active lifestyle.

Her biggest takeaway? Healing takes physical strength and mental grit. Today, she's back to running and playing the sports she loves. Read the full story ⬇️

As a physical therapist and owner of Pieton Physical Therapy, Christine Pieton has made health and wellness an important part of her life. Not only is she active in her work, Christine is also a marathon runner and beach volleyball player. In December of 2015, Christine

09/02/2026

Two people can have similar SLAP tear findings on an MRI but need completely different treatments.

Why? Because treatment depends on much more than the image. Your symptoms, age, activity level, injury and other shoulder problems all help determine whether the SLAP tear is actually contributing to your pain.

The right treatment starts with understanding you, not just what appears on an MRI. Learn more ⬇️

Labral Tear & SLAP Repair Surgeon Are you an athlete who participates in sports that involve throwing overhead? If so, you may be at risk of developing a shoulder labral tear or a SLAP tear. Shoulder labral tears and SLAP tears are common injuries sustained after a fall on an outstretched

09/01/2026

What happens when tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow doesn’t improve?

Treatment typically starts with conservative care: activity modification, stretching and strengthening. If symptoms continue, imaging can help determine the extent of tendon damage and guide the next step, which may include PRP, minimally invasive debridement or surgical repair.

Elbow Epicondylitis/ Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow Surgeon Are you an athlete who participates in golf, tennis, racquet sports or activities requiring repetitive motions? If so, you are at an elevated risk of developing a condition known as epicondylitis. Elbow epicondylitis causes pain on the inn...

08/28/2026

"I saw Dr. Yau for shoulder pain and was very impressed and pleased with my visit. As a surgeon myself, I probably have excessively high standards, and Dr. Yau certainly met them. He was on time, took time to hear my concerns, was not quick to suggest surgery, and offered several alternatives, including the pros and cons of each.

He was thoughtful and thorough and a pleasure to speak with. His staff was also helpful and friendly. Dr. Yau was recommended to me by my anesthesiologist, who works with him and feels Dr. Yau is great in the operating room. I can attest that he seems excellent outside of the operating room as well, and I would absolutely recommend Dr. Yau as a top orthopedic surgeon in Santa Barbara, the Central Coast, and Southern California." -Adam Lowenstein

08/27/2026

Seeing cam morphology on an X-ray doesn't automatically mean it's causing your hip pain.

A diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement depends on the whole picture: your symptoms, examination and imaging. That's why treating the image alone can sometimes lead to the wrong treatment.

When pain and limited motion continue despite appropriate nonsurgical care, hip arthroscopy may be an option to address the underlying impingement and related damage.

The goal is better hip function, not simply a better-looking X-ray.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) Specialist Are you experiencing deep pain, catching or locking in the hip, or a pinching sensation when the hip is flexed or rotated? If so, you may have Femoroacetabular Impingement or FAI. FAI is a condition that may result in pain and damage to the hip joint due

08/25/2026

Bowlegs and knock knees don't always require surgery.

Treatment often starts with nonsurgical options such as activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, unloader braces and, when appropriate, injections to reduce pain and improve knee function.

If significant malalignment continues to cause problems, surgery may be considered. Younger patients may benefit from a knee osteotomy to realign the leg, while some older patients may be candidates for partial or total knee replacement.

The right treatment depends on your age, symptoms, activity level and degree of alignment.

Knee Malalignment (Bow Legged and Knocked Knees) Specialist Are you experiencing malalignment of your knees? If so, you may have bow legs or knocked knees. Many individuals have some level of malalignment but it does not lead to injury, while other specific patients with bow legs or knocked knees ar...

08/20/2026

Catching or locking in your joint? Loose bodies (small pieces of bone/cartilage) are diagnosed through:
1️⃣ A thorough medical review & physical exam
2️⃣ Joint mobility & strength testing
3️⃣ X-rays & MRIs to locate the fragment & plan treatment

More details ⬇️

Loose Bodies & Hip Specialist Are you experiencing sharp pain in the hip that occurs during specific motions or movements? If so, you may have a loose body. A loose body is a term that can be used to describe a floating piece of cartilage or bone inside of a joint.

08/19/2026

Your shoulder is more than just a ball-and-socket joint.

Pain around the shoulder blade, popping, or grinding sensations may come from the connection between your scapula and rib cage.

Snapping scapula syndrome and scapulothoracic bursitis are often overlooked, but finding the correct diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment.

Here is what else you should know 👇

Snapping Scapula (Scapulothoracic Bursitis) Syndrome Specialist Are you experiencing shoulder blade pain and a grating, snapping or grinding sound in the scapula area? If so, you may have scapulothoracic bursitis, or more commonly known as snapping scapula. Snapping scaupla specialist, Dr. Jervis Ya...

08/18/2026

Because early diagnosis and prevention are critical, exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis can often be avoided by following these key steps:
· Progressive Training: Exercise regularly, ensuring a gradual increase in workout intensity over time rather than sudden, extreme leaps.
· Proper Conditioning: Commit to dedicated, consistent training well before participating in strenuous competitions or events (such as marathons, triathlons, or ironmans).
· Proactive Hydration: Hydrate aggressively before, during, and after physical exertion.

What is Rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition that arises from muscle injury. When muscle fibers die because of direct or indirect injury, it releases toxic contents into the blood stream which can lead to pain, weakness, confusion and kidney failure. Causes of rhabdomyolysis include...

08/14/2026

Why does an ACL reconstruction sometimes fail?

Many patients think a failed ACL means the graft simply “didn’t work.” The reality is more complex. Recovery depends on many factors, including proper surgical technique, healing, rehabilitation, and protecting the knee during the recovery process.

If an ACL reconstruction fails, understanding why it happened is critical to creating the best path forward.

The goal isn’t just another surgery, it’s a stable, functional knee you can trust again.

Learn more ⬇️

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgeon Are you an athlete who participates in sports that involve jumping or quick stopping? If so, you may be at risk of tearing your anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. An ACL injury is one of the most common injuries suffered by athletes. ACL specialist, Dr. Jerv...