Surgery is not the only answer
Advanced surgical and non-surgical care for the same conditions, so the recommendation depends on the problem rather than the tool.
Orange County’s premier hand, wrist & elbow specialist
Amar A. Patel, MD is double board-certified in orthopedic surgery and hand surgery, fellowship-trained at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He provides both surgical and non-surgical care for the hand, wrist and elbow. Dr. Patel serves on the Board of Directors of OrthoWest and is Chairman of the MemorialCare Saddleback Surgery Centers.
No appointment needed — you can also just walk in during clinic hours.
Most PPO and HMO plans and Medicare accepted. Second opinions welcome.
Training & recognition
Accelerated pre-medical/medical training at Penn State, Alpha Omega Alpha at Thomas Jefferson, trauma-heavy residency in Miami, and fellowship at the internationally recognized Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center.
Fellowship
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Hand, wrist and elbow · microsurgery, peripheral nerve, pediatric hand
Residency
Univ. of Miami / Jackson Memorial
Orthopaedic surgery · extensive trauma experience at Ryder Trauma Center
Medical school
Thomas Jefferson University
Elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Undergraduate
Pennsylvania State University
Accelerated Pre-Medical/Medical program
Leadership
OrthoWest
Board of Directors
Leadership
MemorialCare Saddleback Surgery Centers
Chairman
Leadership
SCOS
Executive Committee
Membership
ASSH
American Society for Surgery of the Hand · serves on multiple committees
2×
Double board-certified — in orthopedic surgery and in hand surgery
Top 7%
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, awarded to the top 7% of physicians in the United States
3 yrs
Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2024, 2025 and 2026, plus Top AAPI Doctor in 2026
AΩA
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Thomas Jefferson University
Meet your surgeon
Raised in Southern California, Dr. Patel combines a subspecialty hand practice with physician leadership across the Orange County medical community — the Board of Directors of OrthoWest, Chairman of the MemorialCare Saddleback Surgery Centers, and the SCOS Executive Committee.
Amar A. Patel, MDHand & Upper Extremity Surgery
Board of Directors, OrthoWest
Advanced surgical and non-surgical care for the same conditions, so the recommendation depends on the problem rather than the tool.
Residency at Ryder Trauma Center means complex fractures and severe injuries are familiar territory, not an exception.
As part of OrthoWest, your care connects to in-house imaging, hand therapy and pain management without starting over somewhere else.
What Dr. Patel treats
Advanced surgical and non-surgical care for conditions of the upper extremity, in patients of every age.
How a visit works
Step one
No appointment needed. Walk in to the office nearest you during clinic hours, or request a time online if you prefer.
Step two
You are examined in person, your imaging is reviewed with you on the screen, and you get a straight answer about what is going on.
Step three
You go home knowing your options in order — what to try first, what to try next, and what surgery would involve if it ever came to that.
Find us
Dr. Patel sees patients at the OrthoWest office on El Toro Road in Laguna Woods.
Before you come in
Not always. Many PPO plans let you schedule directly. Some HMO plans do require a referral — text the office and we will check your plan with you before you come in.
A photo ID, your insurance card, a list of your medications, and any imaging you have already had — X-rays, MRI or CT on a disc or through a patient portal.
No. Many hand, wrist and elbow conditions are treated without an operation. Dr. Patel provides both surgical and non-surgical care, and the recommendation depends on the problem and on what you want out of treatment.
Most PPO and HMO plans and Medicare. If you are unsure about your plan, text the office and we will verify your coverage before your visit.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for sudden severe pain, loss of strength or numbness, or an open injury. Those need emergency evaluation, not an office appointment.
Stop working around the pain
Request an appointment with Dr. Patel online, or text the Laguna Woods office.
Second opinions welcome. Most PPO, HMO and Medicare plans accepted.