Bio

Dr. David Oji is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the operative and non-operative treatment of all aspects of foot and ankle disorders. After finishing his orthopaedic surgery residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, he did his fellowship at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland under the leadership of Dr. Lew Schon, the former president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. There he underwent advanced training in the forefront of foot and ankle surgery including total ankle replacements, use of stem cells to promote healing of acute and chronic conditions, non-fusion techniques of great toe arthritis, and complex ankle and foot reconstruction.

During his training, he assisted in treating the Baltimore Orioles and amateur ballet dancers. Dr. Oji also took part in conducting advanced biomechanical and clinical research and has written chapters in textbooks with topics ranging from arthroscopic treatment of talar cartilage defects to the diabetic foot.

After fellowship, he was in private practice working closely with the community as the team physicians for many of the local high school sports teams.

In June of 2017, Dr. Oji joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor. In addition to his usual clinical and educational responsibilities, he is also one of the team physicians for Stanford University Athletic programs.

Since starting at Stanford, he has been on the forefront of ankle and foot surgery. He has performed the first out patient total ankle replacement and the first total talar replacement at Stanford. He is an advocate of minimally invasive ankle and foot surgery performing one of the first MIS (minimally invasive surgery) bunion surgeries in the Bay Area. Whenever possible, the smallest incision and the least invasive approach will be done to allow the patient to heal faster including tendosopy, small joint arthroscopy, endoscopic Haglund's resection, minimally invasive osteotomy, and minimally invasive great toe cheilectomy.

He has a special focus in the treatment of ankle and foot orthopaedic sports injuries such as chronic ankle instability, cartilage injuries, Achilles injuries, using surgery only as a last resort to return the patient to peak athletic form.

In addition, he has extensive experience in complex ankle and foot reconstruction such as ankle replacements, flatfeet reconstruction, fusions of the foot and hindfoot, and Charcot foot/ankle reconstruction.

Clinical Focus

  • Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
  • Sports Medicine
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Foot and Ankle Surgery

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Team Physician, Stanford University Athletic Department (2017 - Present)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2012 - Present)
  • Member, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (2014 - Present)
  • Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2015 - Present)
  • Member, Physician Resource Committee - AOFAS (2016 - Present)
  • Editor, FootEducation.com (2017 - Present)
  • Reviewer, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2018 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Residency: Johns Hopkins University Hospital Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery (2012) MD
  • Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery (2015)
  • Fellowship: Medstar Union Memorial Hospital (2013) MD
  • Medical Education: Case Western Reserve School of Medicine (2007) OH

Contact

  • Clinical (Primary)  Stanford Foot and Ankle Services 420 Broadway St 1st Fl Pavillion D MC 6415 Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 721-3411 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Links

All Publications

  • Varying Distance Between Suture Buttons Does Not Improve Stability of the Transected Syndesmosis and Deltoid Ligament in a Motion-Tracking Cadaveric Model ORTHOPAEDIC JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE Stauffer, T., Anastasio, A., Kim, B. I., Joseph, G., Brinson Jr, K., Chan, C., Storaci, H., Oji, D., Chou, L., Lau, B. C. 2026; 14 (7): 23259671261449125

    Abstract

    A growing body of evidence favors the use of dynamic fixation techniques such as suture button fixation over rigid screw fixation for syndesmotic injuries. However, specific dynamic fixation techniques have been poorly evaluated.To compare single suture button (SEB) fixation to double fixation with suture buttons placed 1 cm apart (DSEB 1) and double fixation with suture buttons placed 3 cm apart (DSEB 3).Controlled laboratory study.A total of 24 lower leg specimens from 12 cadavers were tested using a custom biaxial apparatus. Internal rotation, external rotation, and anterior and posterior translation of the tibia and fibula were examined using motion-tracking systems after transection of deltoid and syndesmotic ligaments to compare 3 syndesmotic repair techniques: (1) an SEB placed 1 cm above the joint line, (2) 2 suture buttons placed 2 and 3 cm above the joint line, and (3) 2 suture buttons placed 1 and 4 cm above the joint line.All 3 button constructs improved the stability of the syndesmosis by reducing aberrant motion after transection. There was no clear superiority of SEB, DSEB 1, or DSEB 3. DSEB 3 and DSEB 1 showed equal median laxity for tibial internal rotation (2.7°; DSEB 1, 2.0° to 3.2°; DSEB 3, 2.3° to 2.8°), tibial external rotation (-0.2°; DSEB 1, -0.4° to 0.4°; DSEB 3, -0.4° to 0.3°), and fibular external rotation (-0.3°; DSEB 1, -0.7° to 0.3°; DSEB 3, -0.7° to 0.7°).We found that utilization of a second suture button does not contribute additional stability to the syndesmosis after transection of the major syndesmotic ligaments. Moreover, we found that wider spread of 2 buttons (1 cm vs 3 cm apart) also did not confer additional stability. Future research should build upon these findings to further investigate the optimal configuration of suture button constructs.Our study provides a framework for clinicians to reconsider syndesmotic suture button repair techniques based on our finding that there appears to be no enhanced syndesmotic stability with additional buttons.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/23259671261449125

    View details for Web of Science ID 001809967400001

    View details for PubMedID 42404924

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC13328981

  • IDENTIFICATION OF SENESCENCE IN HUMAN OSTEOARTHRITIS TALUS JOINTS USING NOVEL IMAGING APPROACHES von Kruechten, R., Wrobel, S., Derycz, V., Lerner, C., Dreisbach, A. M., Meade, T., Oji, D., Singh, S., Varniab, Z., Tang, J., Gerencser, A., Suryadevara, V. ELSEVIER SCI LTD. 2025

    View details for Web of Science ID 001481830500054

  • Are Large Language Model-Based Chatbots Effective in Providing Reliable Medical Advice for Achilles Tendinopathy? An International Multispecialist Evaluation. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine Liang, Z., Wang, M., Abdelatif, N. M., Arunakul, M., Borbon, C. A., Chong, K. W., Chow, M. W., Hua, Y., Oji, D., Ahumada, X., Siu, K. M., Tan, K. J., Tanaka, Y., Taniguchi, A., Yung, P. S., Ling, S. K. 2025; 13 (4): 23259671251332596

    Abstract

    Large language model (LLM)-based chatbots have shown potential in providing health information and patient education. However, the reliability of these chatbots in offering medical advice for specific conditions like Achilles tendinopathy remains uncertain. Mixed outcomes in the field of orthopaedics highlight the need for further examination of these chatbots' reliability.Three leading LLM-based chatbots can provide accurate and complete responses to inquiries related to Achilles tendinopathy.Cross-sectional study.Eighteen questions derived from the Dutch clinical guideline on Achilles tendinopathy were posed to 3 leading LLM-based chatbots: ChatGPT 4.0, Claude 2, and Gemini. The responses were incorporated into an online survey assessed by orthopaedic surgeons specializing in Achilles tendinopathy. Responses were evaluated using a 4-point scoring system, where 1 indicates unsatisfactory and 4 indicates excellent. The total scores for the 18 responses were aggregated for each rater and compared across the chatbots. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to assess consistency among the raters' evaluations.Thirteen specialists from 9 diverse countries and regions participated. Analysis showed no significant difference in the mean total scores among the chatbots: ChatGPT (59.7 ± 5.5), Claude 2 (53.4 ± 9.7), and Gemini (53.6 ± 8.4). The proportions of unsatisfactory responses (score 1) were low and comparable across chatbots: 0.9% for ChatGPT 4.0, 3.4% for Claude 2, and 3.4% for Gemini. In terms of excellent responses (score 4), ChatGPT 4.0 outperformed the others, with 43.6% of the responses rated as excellent, significantly higher than Claude 2 at 27.4% and Gemini at 25.2% (P < .001 for both comparisons). Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated poor reliability for ChatGPT 4.0 (0.420) and moderate reliability for Claude 2 (0.522) and Gemini (0.575).While LLM-based chatbots such as ChatGPT 4.0 can deliver high-quality responses to queries regarding Achilles tendinopathy, the inconsistency among specialist evaluations and the absence of standardized assessment criteria significantly challenge our ability to draw definitive conclusions. These issues underscore the need for a cautious and standardized approach when considering the integration of LLM-based chatbots into clinical settings.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/23259671251332596

    View details for PubMedID 40322749

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12046157

  • Understanding Radiographic Measurements Used in Foot and Ankle Surgery. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Lau, B. C., Allahabadi, S., Palanca, A., Oji, D. E. 2021

    Abstract

    Given the high volume of patient visits for foot and ankle complaints, developing a systematic approach to evaluation of foot and ankle pathology is important for orthopaedic providers. A thorough evaluation of weight-bearing radiographs is essential to differentiate acute and chronic injury from normal findings to dictate treatment. Radiographic changes and varying degrees of deformity can influence surgical considerations. The purpose of this article was to review and define radiographic measurements relevant to surgical decision making for common foot and ankle pathologies and treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00189

    View details for PubMedID 34768261

  • Short-term outcomes following dehydrated micronized allogenic cartilage versus isolated microfracture for treatment of medial talar osteochondral lesions. Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Allahabadi, S., Johnson, B., Whitney, M., Oji, D., Chou, L., Lau, B. C. 2021

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) have been traditionally treated with bone marrow stimulation techniques such as microfracture. However, conventional microfracture results in a biomechanically weaker repair tissue of predominantly type I collagen. Acellular micronized cartilage matrix (MCM) serves as a bioactive scaffold to restore hyaline cartilage. The purpose was to compare short-term outcomes after microfracture with and without augmentation with MCM for medial-sided OLTs.METHODS: A retrospective review was performed between 2010-2019 for medial-sided OLTs undergoing treatment with either microfracture augmented with MCM or isolated microfracture. The MCM was hydrated with either bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, Foot and Ankle Activity Measure (FAAM) scores, return-to-daily activities, and return-to-sport.RESULTS: 48 patients (14 MCM with PRP, 6 MCM with BMAC; 28 isolated microfracture) with average age 35.5 years (range: 13.8-67.2 years) and mean follow-up 4.0±3.4 years (range,.13-10.7) were included. There was no difference in average lesion size between MCM and microfracture groups (64.0±49.4 mm2 versus 57.3±44.2 mm2, P=.63) and a trend toward larger lesion size for BMAC compared to PRP (106.5±59.2 versus 45.9±32.1 mm2, P=.056). There was no difference in time to return-to-activity (83.5±18.8 versus 87.3±49.1 days) or return-to-sports (151.9±62.2 versus 165±99.2 days) with MCM versus isolated microfracture. However, the MCM group had a significantly greater improvement in VAS pain score at final follow-up (4.9±2.2 versus 2.7±2.6, P=.0032) and significantly higher post-operative FAAM-Activities of Daily Living subscale scores (97.2±8.2 versus 79.7±32.8, P=.033).CONCLUSIONS: Augmenting microfracture with MCM hydrated with PRP or BMAC may result in beneficial changes in pain scores and activities of daily living, but similar return-to-activities and return-to-sport times compared to microfracture alone in management of medial OLT.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.fas.2021.07.012

    View details for PubMedID 34366249