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  • Thomas J. Welle, D.O.
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Add to Favorites: Thomas J. Welle, D.O.

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Thomas J. Welle, D.O.
4.7 /5
251 surveys
About These Ratings

Thomas J. Welle, D.O.

(831) 316-4525
Santa Cruz Chanticleer Center 2907 Chanticleer Avenue 1st floor Santa Cruz, CA 95065
My Health Online

Orthopedic Surgery

Accepting new patients

Sports Medicine

Accepting new patients

Accepted Health Plans

Below is a list of plans accepted by this doctor.

While we strive to keep this list up to date, it's always a good idea to check with your health plan to determine the specific details of your coverage, and to contact the doctor's office to verify acceptance of your particular plan.

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Professional Interests

Orthopedic Surgery

  • ACL joint pathology, ACL reconstruction, Cartilage implantation and transfer, Cartilage restoration and repair, Elbow arthroscopy, Impingement syndrome, Instability/dislocation/labral injuries, Knee arthroscopy, Knee ligament repair, Knee problems, Knee surgery, Knee tendon repair, Meniscus repair

  • Microfracture surgery, Minimally invasive surgery, Osteochondral defects, Periarticular fractures, Reconstructive surgery, Rotator cuff repair, Shoulder arthroscopy, Shoulder labrum repair, Shoulder ligament repair, Shoulder surgery, Shoulder tendon repair, SLAP injuries, Sports medicine, Tendinitis, Trauma
Show moreon Orthopedic Surgery Open

Sports Medicine

  • ACL joint pathology, Adolescent athletes, Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Arthritis of the hip and knee, Articular cartilage restoration, Cartilage disorders, Fracture care, Hand and upper extremity injuries, Impingement syndrome, Knee disorders, Labral injuries, Meniscus injuries

  • Non-surgical management of orthopedic problems, Overuse injuries, Pediatric sports medicine, Prevention of sports-related injuries, Rotator cuff and shoulder instability, Rotator cuff injuries, Rotator cuff tears, Shoulder dislocation, Shoulder disorders, SLAP injuries, Sports-related injuries, Women's sports medicine
Show moreon Sports Medicine Open

Affiliations

Hospital Affiliations

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

Medical Affiliations

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

-  Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group

Sutter Medical Network

Practice Locations

View Map of 2907 Chanticleer Avenue,Santa Cruz,CA,95065
Address:
Santa Cruz Chanticleer Center2907 Chanticleer Avenue 1st floor Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • View Map of 2907 Chanticleer Avenue,Santa Cruz,CA,95065
(831) 316-4525
Hours
Monday – Friday8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Board Certifications

BOARD CERTIFIED IN:

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Credentials & Notables

Medical School:

Western University of Health Sciences, formerly College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Residency:

Ohio University at Grandview Hospital, OH

Internship:

Ohio University at Grandview Hospital, OH

Fellowship:

American Sports Medicine Institute, Arthroscopic Surgery & Sports Medicine Fellowship

Languages

Primary Language(s)

English

Additional Information

Arthroscopic surgery (rotator cuff repairs and labral repair), SLAP repair and knee and shoulder arthroscopic reconstructive surgery

Community Activities

Dr. Welle is the team physician for UCSC, Cabrillo Junior College, six high schools and the NBA D-league Santa Cruz Warriors basketball team.

Personal Interests

My wife and I very involved with family and sports. My oldest son, Cole, plays basketball for the University of California, Berkeley. My daughter Karsen, is a senior in high school looking to play volleyball or row crew in college. My next son Blake is a sophomore in high school and well on his way to follow in his brother’s footsteps. My youngest, Chase, is in fourth grade and loves every sport imaginable.

Philosophy of Care

I believe that when a patient sees an orthopedic physician, the patient can obtain the best possible results if the patient has a realistic, sensible perspective and understands the need for patient personal responsibility to act on the information received and to diligently do the exercises and treatment prescribed.

I enjoy educating my patients and providing to them handout information in non-medical jargon. For many musculoskeletal problems, my philosophy is to emphasize the use of non-surgical measures and to wait for healing before considering surgery. Many muscle, tendon, joint and bone (non-emergency) problems are "self limited." This means that there is no irreversible harm that will be done by waiting -- if the problem worsens later, it would have worsened later anyway.

I have found that patients benefit from obtaining a diagnosis and non-surgical treatment by a non-surgeon physician (such as primary, physiatrist, sports medicine or rheumatologist) before presenting their problem for consideration from a surgeon. These non-surgical physicians will use the many necessary non-surgical methods that should be tried before considering surgery.

My surgical approach emphasizes three aspects: multi-modal pain control (coordinating anesthesia/anesthesiologist techniques before and during the operation -- as well as multi-modal pain control techniques post-operatively), reduced tissue trauma surgical techniques (known also as minimally invasive surgery), and patient responsibility (recognition that the after surgery care is just as important as what occurs in the operating room).

Having been the team physician for U.C. Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College for many years, I emphasize a "sports medicine" approach for recovery to all of my patients.

Physicians Nearby

Karl Christoffersen, M.D.

Karl Christoffersen, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery

James D. Spiegel, M.D.

James D. Spiegel, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery

Frank Jan, M.D.

Frank Jan, M.D.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Sports Medicine

Robert (Zefu) Liu, D.O.

Robert (Zefu) Liu, D.O.

Orthopedic Surgery

Sports Medicine

Timothy Allari, M.D.

Timothy Allari, M.D.

Internal Medicine

Sports Medicine

Stefan F. Klein, M.D.

Stefan F. Klein, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery

Casimir L. Dowd, M.D.

Casimir L. Dowd, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery

Hand Surgery

Susan L. Lewis, M.D.

Susan L. Lewis, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery

Sports Medicine

Nancy Ting, M.D.

Nancy Ting, M.D.

Sports Medicine

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

View All Physicians

Related Service Lines

  • Back and Spine Services
  • Neuroscience
  • Orthopedic Services
  • Surgical Services

Disclaimer

This physician directory is provided as a convenience to you. It is not intended as a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any particular provider. Physicians are not employees or agents of Sutter Health or its affiliates. The information is submitted by each doctor and we make no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy of the information. Sutter Health is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on this information. You should verify the accuracy of the information directly with the physician's office.

All doctors on this site are affiliated with Sutter's network of care - members of the medical staff of Sutter-affiliated hospitals, affiliated medical groups, and independent practice associations that participate in clinical initiatives. Doctors do not pay a fee to be included in this directory. If a physician ceases to fall within one of the categories noted, he/she would no longer be listed on the site. Doctors meeting your search criteria are presented in alphabetical order by last name, or by geographic proximity if a zip code has been used as search criterion. Find out more about star ratings.

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