Dr. John McDonald
Orthopedic Surgery
Austin, TX
18 years experience male
Locations
Office
Austin
About
Bio
Dr. McDonald is a native of Houston, TX and a sports enthusiast. He takes a team approach to his practice. When patients, their families, physical and occupational therapists, and physicians all work together, the patient can achieve a quicker recovery through both nonsurgical and surgical means.
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 Surgery
Doctor Q&A
33 Answers
19 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Other causes: Don't forget that there can be other causes to lateral hip pain (outside of the hip joint). Abductor strains, piriformis syndrome, weakness of the sho... 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. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Depends: If you had surgery, it depends on the type of surgery and fracture. The bone may not have healed, the ball (femoral head) may not have a good blood s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Many!: Many things can present as knee pain: meniscus tears, cartilage injury, muscle strain (calf or thigh), arthritis, bone bruise, infection, nerve injury... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Arthritis: The meniscus acts as the cushion/shock absorber in the knee. When all or part of it has to be removed, the cartilage and bone see more stress over tim... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Call surgeon: Can be a very serious problem if incisions continue to leak after the first day or so. Higher risk of infection. Your surgeon would definitely want to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Likely yes: About 82% of pro athletes return to play at the same level as prior to a hip scope. The average time to return to play at the professional level for ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
No, but often: The lateral (fibular) collateral ligament is uncommonly injured, but if it is injured in the setting of other ligament injuries (acl, pcl), it needs t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Arthroscopy?: If you mean repair of the labrum in the hip arthroscopically, typically pro athletes return to play at an avg of 4 months postop. Most normal folks ge... 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. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Usually very: Usually it is very successful with improvement in symptoms in over 90% of patients. About 85% of professional athletes can return to the same high le... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Brace: A lateral (fibular) collateral ligament injury can be treated in a hinged knee brace x 6 wks followed by strengthening and return to activities in 8-1... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Ortho eval: Hip replacement is generally reserved for older patients with arthritis. Repair is a bit vague. Some torn things in the hip (cartilage, labrum) can be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
2 incisions: Usually two small incisions, a traction table to create a working space by pulling on the leg, a small camera, a bur to remove the extra bone on the b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Maybe: Synvisc (hylan g-f 20) is an off label use in the hip. Insurance typically does not pay for it in the hip for this reason. It tends to work very well ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
PT: Typically certain stretching exercises for your hip flexor, it band, and glutes are begun. It's important to do these with an experienced pt and to no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Depends on the cause: Many teenagers experience pain with activities from softening of the cartilage of the kneecap or from growth plate traction (osgood-schlatter disease)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
PT: There are many different bursae in the body. Hip bursitis (greater trochanter) can be relieved with it band stretching, ice, nsaids, hip abductor stre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Unlikely: The lateral (or fibular) collateral ligament does not typically cause pain. An injury to the fcl can cause instability in the knee. Unlike the mcl, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
6-12 weeks: The lateral (fibular) collateral ligament is uncommonly injured, but if it is injured in isolation, it can be treated in a hinged knee brace x 6 wks a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
No: A meniscus can heal on its own. This typically occurs in the first 6 weeks or so after injury. However, some tears become asymptomatic and can be mana... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Few: This is the most commonly performed ortho surgery. Risks include bleeding, pain, infection, damage to nerves (specifically the saphenous) and blood ve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Lots of things!: The most common reason for knee stiffness and pain is arthritis. Treatment can be nsaids/tylenol, physical therapy, ice, non impact aerobic exercise,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Relax: General anesthesia is done exceptionally frequently and has rare complications. Stay hydrated the day before surgery and drink a lot of water. Avoid a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Brace: A lateral (fibular) collateral ligament injury can be treated in a hinged knee brace x 6 wks followed by strengthening and return to activities in 8-1... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Careful: Depends on the ligament. It is very important to get your motion back first after a ligament injury. Range of motion exercises (wall slides, etc.) and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Maybe: Arthritis is damage to the cartilage which covers the end of the bone at the joint. Damage to ligaments, cartilage, or a meniscus (cushion/shock abso... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Depends: The lateral (fibular) collateral ligament is uncommonly injured, but if it is injured in isolation, it can be treated in a hinged knee brace x 6 wks a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Depends on the cause: Most aches and pains in the knee without a major injury can be improved with non-impact aerobic activity (swimming, biking, elliptical), quadriceps an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Careful: Depending on the knee injury, simple weight-bearing could be bad for your knee. See an orthopaedic surgeon before beginning any new therapy program a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
ASAP: This should be a priority from day 1 postop. Hopefully by 2 weeks you have it. It is much harder to get after the first 6 weeks. If you don't get it, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Not terrible: The pin typically is removed in the office by pulling on it. Occasionally, local anesthetic is given, but not usually. Usually, once it is loose and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Hip or Shoulder?: If you are referring to the hip, a trial of physical therapy, nsaids, and activity modification is attempted. Then, hip arthroscopy can be used (or l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Taping is stronger: Taping provides more support for your ankle than an ace wrap. Taping can provide compression to decrease swelling as well as support a weaker joint. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. John McDonaldanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 18 years experience
Not uncommon: About 5% of patients have transient numbness either on the top of the foot, the inner thigh, or the genitalia. This almost always (99%) resolves withi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >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.
2
Recommendations
112
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. McDonald is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. McDonald is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I'm going to try these tips. Thank you!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, TX
Graduated 2005MD
Affiliations
Texas Orthopedics, Sports, & Rehabilitation
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