Dr. Christopher Hajnik
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery
Encinitas, CA
20 years experience male
Locations
Office
Encinitas, CA
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Blue cross blue shield
United healthcare
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
155 Answers
44 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Depends: If you do not engage in pivoting type athletic activities, you may be able to function with minimal limitations. Bracing and rehab may be all you nee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Yes: This should be followed as a child and later after skeletal maturity to ensure that there is adequate coverage of the femoral head. Inadequate covera... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Depends: Follow your surgeon's instructions. Usually patient's are non-weight bearing for 4-6 weeks after meniscus repair surgery. Meniscectomy, or removal o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Usually: It depends on your age, the physical exam findings, degree of degenerative changes on xray, and your activity level.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Flexion & extension: Simple exercises include sitting with your knee straight and repeatedly tightening your quad to work on extension or sitting with your knee bent allow... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Yes: You only need a functional acl for pivoting type activities.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Likely surgery: If you have completely ruptured your patellar tendon or quad tendon, surgery is usually necessary to allow for successful healing and maintenance of y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Mechanical: Usually an acute meniscus tear causes pain with ambulation, stiffness when sitting for long periods of time, and tenderness either medially or lateral... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Probably: It sounds like you have a fracture non-union and surgery is indicated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Seek 2nd opinion: At your young age, i recommend seeking a second opinion from a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement. This is a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Rest: Rest, activity modification, otc pain meds, and ice are your best options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Low: Patient factors, implant factors, and surgeon factors all contribute to the longevity of hip replacements. Based on european registry data, greater t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Low-impact exercise: Riding the stationary bike or using the eliptical machine and judiciously using anti-inflammatory medications (follow the label) can help with your sy... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
No: Other than maintaining a balanced diet, there is no supplement that will speed up the process.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Physical Therapy: Most elderly patients experience a mild regression in their ambulatory status after a hip fracture. Regular physical therapy is an important factor i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
No difference: Assuming hip replacement is indicated based on clinical exam and xrays, you will likely have a good result regardless of the use of prp. Prp might no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Activity mod: This is likely patellofemoral syndrome. It usually responds to pt focused on vmo strengthening, avoidance of squats, lunges, and stairs, and a short ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Depends: This depends if the tear can be repaired (longer recovery with some early restrictions) or not (shorter recovery with no restrictions). Recovery shou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Depends: It all depends on your insurance and copayment or deductible. Straight cash price would include surgeon and anesthesiologist fees as well as or fees.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Not recommended: Your acl provides stability during pivoting type activities. Assuming that you are young with minimal arthritic changes to your knee, pivoting sports... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
2 comments
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Possibly: It depends on whether the mcl has healed and is providing the needed stability. Ask your orthopaedic surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
High impact sports: "bad knees" could mean any number of problems. Generally, low-impact activities such as swimming (+/- breaststroke) or cycling are safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Usually 6 months: Acl rehab is usually criteria-based. Early rehab allows for healing of the graft and focuses on range of motion, with later rehab focusing on strengt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Not at all: Most mensicus surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. Ask your surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Forever: The decision to proceed with elective surgery is yours to make after evaluating recommendations from your orthopaedic surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
No: While anatomic factors may play a role in increasing your risk of acl injury, it usually requires twisting forces higher than what you would experienc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Yes: Most isolated PCL tears are treated non-operatively with minimal functional limitations.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Possibly: Assuming that the knee swelled as well, usually that scenario suggests either a meniscus tear or a ligament injury.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Surgery: An orthopaedist is a surgeon focused on diagnosing musculoskeletal pathology and treating it with surgical intervention if indicated. A physiatrist f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Week or two: With effort on your behalf to regain range of motion, stiffness usually resolves within 1-2 weeks following a simple arthroscopic meniscectomy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Scar tissue: After a knee replacement, achieving maximum knee motion is often a race against your bodies natural healing process. Though your pre-operative range ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Patient motivation: Assuming that you have a good surgeon, and the surgery is appropriately indicated, patient motivation and participation in physical therapy is the mos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Pillow: There is no physical reason preventing you from sleeping on your side. You might try a pillow between your legs if you find it uncomfortable while yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Patella dislocation: During knee flexion, the knee cap or patella normally tracks in a groove in the distal femur called the trochlea. During a patellar dislocation, a tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Many ways: Twisting injuries typically cause a meniscus tear. However, as we age, degenerative tears can also occur. Surgery is usually only indicated for acut... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Usually: Pt after acl reconstruction is usually criteria based, meaning that you advance to more rigorous tasks after you achieve certain milestones. Early pt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
No: Once torn, a meniscus does not generally heal on its own. It may however become asymptomatic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
3+ months: Recovery from a fractured hip can take up to one year, but the bone is usually healed within 3 months.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Usually yes: Assuming that you have no other injuries to the knee, you should be able to bear weight after this injury.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Rehab: Hard to say for certain without more info and an exam, but physical therapy can usually help. Talk to your orthopaedic surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Multiple reasons: Many pathologies can cause knee pain with knee flexion. Without more info and an exam, it is difficult to give a firm diagnosis. If pain is severe, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Inflam. arthritis: Some inflammatory arthropathies cause joint pain and swelling. Analysis of the fluid can determine the cause.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Unsure: I am unsure what you mean by movement limit. A transfemoral or above knee amputation with prosthesis will allow for normal range of motion through yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Sure: If the symptoms do not resolve quickly, are accompanied by weakness or numbness, or frequently recur, contact you primary physician or er.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Depends: Longevity of hip replacements depend on patient factors such as activity and weight, surgeon factors such as the accuracy of implantation, and implant... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
3+ months: Total recovery can take up to 1 year, but most of the recovery is accomplished by 3 months post-op. It usually involves 2-3 days in the hospital, ear... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Relative: It all depends on your insurance plan (or lack thereof). Every surgery involves fees for the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the operating room, and a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Unlikely: Meniscus tears will not heal, but they may not be symptomatic. A lot depends on your symptoms and physical exam.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Plastic bag: Try placing your leg in a plastic trash bag secured at the top with one or two good rubber bands. Dry off the top of the bag before you release the ru... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Christopher Hajnikanswered
Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery 20 years experience
Gout: Gout or pseudo gout causes the deposition of certain crystals within your joints. This can cause a painful inflammatory response.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
367
Thank you notes
Apr 6, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Hajnik is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Hajnik is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you so much i've been freaking out. Do you have advice for knee bone contusions? I have some on my left patella from an injury 2YrsAgo
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I am still under my surgeons care I just can't seem to get satisfactio
HealthTap member
A friend is about to go thru this.Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, PA
Graduated 2003MD
Awards
Top Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgeon , First Place, California - Winter
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
CORE Orthopedics PC
Scripps Memorial Hospital
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