Dr. Shafagh Monazzam

Fellowship-Trained Hip & Knee Replacement Specialist

Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon | MAKO Robotic Hip & Knee Replacement | Primary & Revision Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery

Dr. Shafagh “Shan” Monazzam is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of hip and knee conditions, with particular expertise in hip replacement, total and partial knee replacement, robotic-assisted joint replacement, and complex revision surgery.

Dr. Monazzam focuses on helping patients remain active, reduce pain, and regain mobility through individualized treatment. When surgery is appropriate, he uses modern surgical techniques and technology, including MAKO robotic-assisted surgery, to help optimize implant positioning and surgical planning.

Areas of Expertise

  • Hip arthritis and hip pain
  • Knee arthritis and knee pain
  • Total knee replacement
  • Partial knee replacement
  • Total hip replacement
  • MAKO robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement
  • Failed or painful joint replacements
  • Revision hip replacement
  • Revision knee replacement
  • Complex hip and knee reconstruction

Education and Training

Dr. Monazzam completed both his undergraduate education and medical degree at the University of California, San Diego.

While at UC San Diego, he worked with the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic and helped expand access to musculoskeletal care, including establishing orthopedic and physical therapy services for underserved patients.

Following medical school, Dr. Monazzam completed his surgical internship at UC San Diego Medical Center. He then spent two years conducting orthopedic research at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, studying the development and treatment of complex hip abnormalities.

He completed his Orthopedic Surgery residency at the University of California, Davis, where he received broad training in orthopedic trauma, sports injuries, fractures, joint reconstruction, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr. Monazzam subsequently completed advanced fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at the University of Chicago. His fellowship focused on primary and complex revision hip and knee replacement, including robotic-assisted joint replacement.

During his fellowship, he trained with Dr. Henry Finn, internationally recognized for complex primary and revision joint reconstruction, and Dr. Hue Luu, a leader in robotic-assisted joint replacement.

A Southern California Physician with Local Roots

Dr. Monazzam grew up in Southern California.

His parents, physical therapist Jafar Monazzam and Sheepa Seekaroudy, established South Gate Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center in 1994. Growing up around their practice shaped his interest in medicine and his commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care to the communities they served.

After completing his orthopedic training, Dr. Monazzam returned to Southern California and, together with his wife Alicia Monazzam, NP, established Advanced Care Orthopedics.

Today, he provides orthopedic care with an emphasis on personalized treatment, clear communication, and helping patients return to the activities that are important to them.

Research & Academic Work

Presenting research at the 2018 AAOS Annual Meeting

Dr. Monazzam has authored numerous peer-reviewed orthopedic publications and has presented research at national orthopedic meetings, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

His research has included joint replacement, hip abnormalities, orthopedic trauma, surgical imaging, and three-dimensional surgical planning.

Publications

  1. Shelton TJ; Monazzam S; Calafi A; Leshikar HB; Haus BM. Preoperative 3D Modeling and Printing for Guiding Periacetabular Osteotomy. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Mar 1;41(3):149-158
  2. Monazzam S, Williams KA, Shelton TJ, Calafi A, Haus BM. Anterior centre-edge angle on sagittal CT: a comparison of normal hips to dysplastic hips. Hip Int.2018;28(5):535-541.
  3. Meehan JP, Monazzam S, Miles T, Danielsen B, White RH. Postoperative Stiffness Requiring Manipulation Under Anesthesia Is Significantly Reduced After Simultaneous Versus Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am.2017;99(24):2085-2093.
  4. Monazzam S, Goodell PB, Salcedo ES, Nelson SH, Wolinsky PR. When are CT angiograms indicated for patients with lower extremity fractures? A review of 275 extremities. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016.
  5. Nelson EM, Monazzam SM, Kim KD, Seibert JA, Klineberg EO. Intraoperative fluoroscopy, portable X-ray, and CT: patient and operating room personnel radiation exposure in spinal surgery. Spine J. 2014;14:2985-2991.
  6. Nelson EM, Monazzam SM, Kim KD, Siebert JA, Klineberg EO. Intraoperative fluoroscopy, portable X-ray, and computed tomography: patient and operating room personnel radiation exposure in spinal surgery-Author Response. Spine J. 2015;15:799-800.
  7. Lowe JB, Monazzam S, Walton B, Nelson E, Wolinsky PR. How to Use Fluoroscopic Imaging to Prevent Intraarticular Screw Perforation During Locked Plating of Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Cadaveric Study. J Orthop Trauma. 2015;29:e401-407.
  8. Monazzam S, Agashe M, Hosalkar HS. Reliability of overcoverage parameters with varying morphologic pincer features: comparison of EOS(R) and radiography. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013;471:2578-2585.
  9. Monazzam S, Bomar JD, Agashe M, Hosalkar HS. Does femoral rotation influence anteroposterior alpha angle, lateral center-edge angle, and medial proximal femoral angle? A pilot study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013;471:1639-1645.
  10. Monazzam S, Bomar JD, Cidambi K, Kruk P, Hosalkar H. Lateral center-edge angle on conventional radiography and computed tomography. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013;471:2233-2237.
  11. Monazzam S, Bomar JD, Dwek JR, Hosalkar HS, Pennock AT. Development and prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement-associated morphology in a paediatric and adolescent population: a CT study of 225 patients. Bone Joint J. 2013;95-B:598-604.
  12. Dwek JR, Monazzam S, Chung CB. Radiologic analysis of femoral acetabular impingement: from radiography to MRI. Pediatr Radiol. 2013;43 Suppl 1:S61-70.
  13. Monazzam S, Bomar JD, Pennock AT. Idiopathic Cam Morphology Is Not Caused by Subclinical Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: An MRI and CT Study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2013;1:2325967113512467.
  14. Monazzam S, Dwek JR, Hosalkar HS. Multiplanar CT assessment of femoral head displacement in slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Pediatr Radiol. 2013;43:1599-1605.
  15. Monazzam S, Krishnamoorthy V, Bittersohl B, Bomar JD, Hosalkar HS. Is the acetabulum retroverted in slipped capital femoral epiphysis? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013;471:2145-2150.
  16. Monazzam S, Newton PO, Bastrom TP, Yaszay B. Multicenter Comparison of the Factors Important in Restoring Thoracic Kyphosis During Posterior Instrumentation for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Spine Deformity. 2013;1:359-364.

Presentations

  1. Monazzam S, Calafi A, Haus B.  3D Modeling with Intraoperative 3D Printed Models Predict Postoperative Hip Coverage Parameters in Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy. AAOS 2018 Podium
  2. Monazzam S, Miles T, Danielsen B, White RH. Meehan JP, Manipulation under Anesthesia is Significantly Reduced after Simultaneous-Bilateral versus Staged-Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty. AAOS 2018 Poster
  3. Monazzam S, Williams K, Calafi A, Shelton T, Haus B. Normal anterior center edge angle on Sagittal Computed Tomography: A study of 320 patients. POSNA 2017 Poster, PRiSM 2018 podium
  4. Monazzam S, Calafi A, Haus B. The Use of Preoperative 3D Modeling and Printing for guiding Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy in Hip Dysplasia. POSNA 2017 Poster
  5. Monazzam S, Goodell P, Salcedo E, Nelson S, Wolinsky P When are CT angiograms indicated for patients’ with lower extremity fractures? Poster 2015 OTA, Podium 2016 AAOS
  6. Lowe L, Monazzam S, Walton B, Nelson E, Wolinsky P.  How to prevent intra-articular screw perforation during locked plating of proximal humerus fractures with fluoroscopy: a cadaveric study. Podium 2014 OTA
  7. Monazzam S, Bomar JD, Pennock A.T.  Idiopathic Cam Morphology is not caused by subclinical slipped capital femoral epiphysis: A MRI and CT study. Podium 2014 AAOS
  8. Monazzam S, Krishnamoorthy V, Bittersohl B, Bomar J, Hosalkar H. Acetabular Morphology in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Computed Tomography study. Poster 2013 AAOS
  9. Monazzam S, Bomar J, Hosalkar H, Pennock A. At What Age Do Cam and Pincer Morphology Become Apparent: An Analysis of 225Pediatric And Adolescent CT Scans. Podium 2012 ISHA, Podium 2013 AAOS and 2013 POSNA.
  10. Monazzam S, Newton P, Bastrom T, Yaszay B, Harms Study Group. Multi Center Comparison of the Factors Important in Restoring Thoracic Kyphosis During Posterior Instrumentation for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.  Presented at 2011 SRS, 2012 AAOS , 2012 AAP