General Surgery & Recovery
1. How successful is joint replacement?
Over 95 percent of patients enjoy durable pain relief and a stable, well-balanced joint after surgery. That is the objective success we measure by X-rays and complication rates, while subjective success depends on how closely results match the goals we set together. Taken together, joint replacement remains one of the highest-value procedures in modern medicine.
2. What does recovery look like?
We track four overlapping curves—Structural, Functional, Inflammatory, and Analgesic—to show how tissues heal, motion returns, swelling subsides, and pain eases. Most wounds are structurally sound at three months, but strength and stamina keep improving for a full year. Expect ups and downs; each curve has its own timeline.
3. Will I have pain after surgery and how is it managed?
Some discomfort is normal and usually peaks early, then lessens month by month. We combine multimodal medications, ice, elevation, and activity pacing to keep resting pain around 3–4 out of 10. A specialized pain-management team is available if your pain proves harder to control.
4. When can I drive again?
You may drive once you are off narcotics, have good muscle control, and can react quickly in an emergency—typically two to three weeks after surgery. Practice moving from gas to brake in your driveway before venturing onto the road. Always take a short, supervised test drive first.
5. Do I need to donate blood or have a catheter?
Routine blood donation is unnecessary because modern techniques rarely require transfusion. Most patients do not need a urinary catheter; if one is placed, it is removed in the recovery room. These measures help you mobilize sooner and reduce infection risks.
6. What equipment will I need at home?
You will leave the hospital with a walker or cane and compression stockings; many patients also arrange a cold-therapy unit or simple ice packs ahead of time. A raised toilet seat and shower chair can add safety during the first few weeks. Let our team know if you need help sourcing any items.
7. How soon may I fly after surgery?
Air travel is fine once you can walk easily, perform ankle pumps, and have begun your prescribed blood-thinner—usually after your first post-op visit. On travel days, walk the aisle hourly, stay hydrated, and continue your aspirin regimen if instructed. Always call us first if you have clotting risk factors.
8. Who should I contact with post-op questions?
For incision changes, swelling, or pain concerns, call Dr. Yun’s office at (310) 281-5010 or send a MyUSCChart message—do not go to the ER unless instructed. Your medical doctor can handle routine issues such as blood pressure or constipation. Clear communication keeps small problems from becoming big ones.
9. What happens if something goes wrong?
First, we look for objective causes like infection, implant loosening, or scar tissue and address them directly. If no mechanical problem emerges, we shift to targeted therapies—physical therapy, pain specialists, or second opinions—rather than rushing into more surgery. Our commitment is continuous, even when answers are complex.
10. Do I need antibiotics for dental or other procedures?
Routine cleanings can resume after three months, and current guidelines no longer require prophylactic antibiotics for most patients. Urgent dental work within the first three months may still merit a short antibiotic course at the dentist’s discretion. The same timetable applies to colonoscopy and bladder procedures.
Anterior Hip Replacement
1. What is an anterior approach hip replacement?
It is a minimally invasive technique that reaches the joint from the front, slipping between muscles instead of cutting them. By sparing muscle and tendon attachments, it reduces early pain and speeds mobility. Patients often walk unassisted sooner than with traditional posterior approaches.
2. What advantages can I expect?
Benefits include a smaller incision, lower dislocation risk, and a quicker return to normal gait. Because key stabilizing muscles stay intact, many people climb stairs and sleep comfortably on their side earlier. These functional gains build confidence throughout rehabilitation.
3. Are there risks unique to the anterior approach?
Front-hip skin is thinner, so meticulous wound care matters, especially in higher-BMI patients. Temporary numbness along the outer thigh is common and usually fades with time. Precise femoral stem sizing is technically demanding, which we address through detailed pre-op planning and collared implants.
4. Will I need hip-precaution positions?
Standard posterior precautions (no bending past 90°, no crossing legs) are unnecessary. The anterior capsule is repaired, and the posterior tissues remain untouched, giving the joint inherent stability. You may move naturally while still listening to your body’s limits.
5. Could my legs end up different lengths?
We use calibrated intra-operative X-rays and soft-tissue tests to match leg lengths as closely as possible. On rare occasions, a few millimeters of length are added to ensure the hip stays stable. Any perceived difference usually evens out as muscles rebalance.
6. Will this help my trochanteric bursitis?
By eliminating arthritic impingement inside the joint, hip replacement often reduces the rubbing that aggravates bursitis. However, bursitis arises from soft tissues outside the joint, so it may require separate therapies like stretching or injections. Distinguishing these pain sources sets realistic expectations.
7. Why doesn’t Dr. Yun use a robot for hips?
Current hip robots track only the pelvis and cannot see the femur, leaving half the data missing. Instead, Dr. Yun pairs fluoroscopic navigation with his high-volume experience to control length, offset, and component version precisely. If future platforms add full femoral tracking, we will reevaluate their value.
8. How low is the dislocation risk?
Anterior dislocation is “exceedingly rare” because the posterior capsule is left intact and the hip is stress-tested during surgery. Patients therefore avoid the traditional lifetime precautions associated with posterior hips. Enjoy normal sitting and sleeping positions as comfort allows.
9. Which implants do you use and why?
Our standard construct pairs a Corail® collared stem for femoral stability with a Trident II cup lined by X3® polyethylene to minimize wear. Both components have long-term survival data exceeding 94 percent at 30 years. They are selected and aligned to fit your exact anatomy.
10. What is heterotopic ossification (HO) and should I worry?
HO is extra bone that may form in soft tissues after surgery; it shows up on X-rays in up to 90 percent of cases but causes symptoms in only about 2 percent. We minimize the risk with anti-inflammatory protocols and careful technique. If HO ever limits motion, non-operative treatments usually keep you comfortable.
How Dr. Yun Performs Hip Replacement
1. Which surgical approach do you use and why?
Dr. Yun performs every total hip through the direct anterior approach, entering the joint
between natural muscle planes so no muscles or tendons need to be cut. This muscle-sparing
corridor speeds recovery, reduces post-operative pain, and makes the new hip inherently more
stable, giving dislocation rates that are “exceedingly rare.”
2. How do you ensure each component is positioned with millimetric accuracy?
Before surgery he templates the case on calibrated X-rays and chooses a collared femoral
stem and matching cup sized to your anatomy. In the operating room he uses real-time
fluoroscopic navigation to confirm cup inclination/version and femoral length-offset, then tests
the joint through full motion before final impaction. These steps, combined with the collar resting
on the calcar, resist subsidence and keep legs equal in length.
3. What is the step-by-step sequence once I am in the operating room?
You are positioned on a specialized HANA table, the hip is exposed through a 3- to 4-inch front
incision, and the arthritic femoral head is removed. A press-fit Trident II cup with X3®
polyethylene is implanted first, followed by broach-only preparation of the femur and seating of
the collared Corail® stem with a ceramic head. After stability and leg length are verified, the
capsule and skin are closed with absorbable sutures, leaving no staples to remove later.
Hip Implants
1. How does the hydroxyapatite coating on the Corail® collared stem promote long-term
fixation?
The stem is plasma-sprayed with a 150-μm hydroxyapatite layer whose chemistry matches
bone mineral, so osteoblasts bond directly to the surface. This biologic interface eliminates
cement and still delivers 94 percent stem survival at 30 years. Immediate press-fit stability
therefore matures into true osseointegration.
2. What mechanical role does the collar play on the Corail stem?
Resting on the resected calcar, the collar transforms axial load into compressive forces that
resist subsidence and micromotion. It also acts as a rotational stop, lowering torsional shear at
the bone–implant interface. By controlling both axial and rotational stability, the collar helps
preserve leg-length accuracy over time.
3. Why pair a fixed-bearing X3® polyethylene liner with the Trident® II cup instead of a
dual-mobility insert?
A fixed bearing removes one articulation surface, reducing wear mechanisms to a single metalon-
poly couple. X3 polyethylene is sequentially irradiated and annealed to raise cross-link
density, cutting wear debris by up to 97 percent versus conventional PE. The simpler construct
offers excellent longevity without the added bulk and intraprosthetic dislocation risk of dualmobility
designs.
4. How does the Tritanium™ porous titanium surface of the Trident II cup optimize
fixation?
The cup is 3-D-printed with a cancellous-bone-like lattice that yields high initial friction for
press-fit stability. Pore size and roughness are engineered to guide bone ingrowth, converting
mechanical fixation into biologic fixation over months. Screw holes exist but are rarely needed
because the porous shell alone achieves secure primary stability.
5. What is the advantage of broach-only femoral preparation for the Corail stem?
Sequential broaches compact rather than remove cancellous bone, increasing local density
around the implant. This bone-preserving technique enhances mechanical interlock and forms a
robust bed for hydroxyapatite-mediated ingrowth. Preserving proximal bone stock is invaluable
should revision ever be required.
Knee Replacement & Mako Robotics (10)
1. What is Mako SmartRobotics™?
Mako is a CT-based robotic-arm system that lets us create a 3-D model of your knee, plan
implant size and alignment, and execute bone cuts with sub-millimeter accuracy. It combines
pre-operative data with real-time feedback in the OR. The goal is a knee that feels more natural
from day one.
2. How does the robot work during surgery?
After we register your anatomy, the robotic arm guides our instruments and locks out motion
beyond the planned boundaries. Ligament tension is measured live so we can fine-tune balance
before final implantation. Throughout, the surgeon—not the robot—remains in full control.
3. What benefits has Mako shown?
Clinical studies reveal better implant alignment, less soft-tissue trauma, lower pain scores, and
shorter hospital stays than manual techniques. Registry data even shows lower six-year revision
rates. Patients commonly report an easier, more predictable recovery.
4. Why do I need a pre-op CT scan?
The scan builds your personal 3-D knee model so we can size the components, set rotation,
and plan bone preservation before stepping into the OR. This advanced preview reduces
guesswork and surgical exposure. It is a cornerstone of our tissue-preserving philosophy.
5. Does the robot perform the operation?
No—the robot is simply a smart guide. Think of it as cruise control with lane-assist: it augments
human skill but never replaces it. Every bone cut, soft-tissue check, and implant decision
belongs to your surgeon.
6. Which knee implant do you use?
We implant the Triathlon® Total Knee System by Stryker, used in over three million patients
worldwide. Its single-radius design gives steady ligament tension through motion, and X3®
polyethylene cuts wear by up to 83 percent. Patient-reported satisfaction exceeds 98 percent at
three years.
7. How long will the implant last?
With modern metallurgy and highly cross-linked polyethylene, most knees easily pass the 20-
year mark, and registry data suggests even longer survival. Wear particles are dramatically
reduced compared with older materials. Long-term activity level and bone health remain the
main variables.
8. Will I need a CPM machine or special ice device?
Continuous-passive-motion machines are no longer required; regular walking and simple
bending exercises achieve better results. An ice machine is optional—standard ice packs work
well if used for 30 minutes at a time. Choose whichever option you will use consistently.
9. Is the clicking I hear normal?
Yes—a soft, painless click occurs when metal and plastic components meet during motion. It
usually fades over the first year as tissues adapt. The sound is harmless and not a sign of
loosening or wear.
10. How quickly can I get back to activities?
Thanks to precise alignment and less tissue disruption, many patients walk unaided indoors by
three to four weeks and resume golf or tennis after three months. Range-of-motion gains peak
in the first 12 weeks but continue for up to a year. Staying active—without overdoing it—is the
fastest path forward.
How We Perform Total Knee Replacement
1. How does the Mako SmartRobotics™ system guide the operation?
A pre-operative CT generates a 3-D model so implant size, rotation, and alignment are planned
before you arrive. During surgery optical trackers feed live data to the robotic arm, which
confines bone cuts to sub-millimeter boundaries while Dr. Yun dynamically balances your
ligaments. Clinical studies show this method delivers up to four-fold greater accuracy, less pain,
and lower six-year revision rates than manual techniques.
2. What tissue-preserving techniques set this knee procedure apart?
The incision follows a vastus-retention path that leaves the quadriceps tendon intact, protecting
extensor strength. He preserves and repairs the suprapatellar pouch and closes the joint space
watertight, which reduces early effusion and stiffness. The entire case is done without a thigh
tourniquet, minimizing ischemic muscle damage and post-operative swelling.
3. What is the typical workflow and timeline in the operating room?
After spinal or regional anesthesia, a 4- to 6-inch midline incision exposes the knee; the patella
is gently slid aside—never everted—and no muscles are cut. Robotic bone preparation, trialing,
cementation of the Triathlon® components, and absorbable subcuticular closure bring total skinto-
skin time to 45–60 minutes, while your stay in the surgical suite lasts about two hours
including anesthesia setup and recovery hand-off. Because no external stitches remain and soft
tissues are preserved, most patients walk the same day with less pain and faster quadriceps
control.
Knee Implants
1. Why does the Triathlon® femoral component use a single-radius design?
Keeping the center of curvature constant from full extension to deep flexion maintains nearconstant
collateral-ligament length. That geometry produces smoother mid-range kinematics
and greater stability during gait and stair ascent. Consistent tension also limits edge loading on
the polyethylene insert.
2. How does X3 polyethylene achieve an 83 percent wear reduction?
The resin undergoes three sequential irradiation-annealing cycles that create a highly crosslinked
network while scavenging free radicals. Pin-on-disc testing shows up to 83 percent less
volumetric wear and superior resistance to oxidation and cracking. Lower debris load directly
translates to longer implant survivorship.
3. How does the Mako SmartRobotics™ system deliver sub-millimeter bone preparation
accuracy?
A pre-operative CT builds a 3-D model so implant size and alignment are finalized before the
first incision. Optical trackers register patient anatomy, and the robotic arm constrains the
sawblade to the planned boundaries, updating in real time every 0.1 mm. This closed-loop
control yields up to four-fold greater accuracy than manual instrumentation.
4. Why are the femoral and tibial trays made of cobalt-chromium alloy?
Cobalt–chromium–molybdenum offers high hardness and a mirror-polished surface that resists
abrasive wear against polyethylene. Its corrosion resistance preserves surface integrity in
synovial fluid over decades. The alloy’s strength allows thinner component profiles, conserving
bone while withstanding cyclic loads exceeding three times body weight.
5. How does the Triathlon system permit deep flexion to 150 degrees without
impingement?
Extended posterior condyles and a tapered posterior geometry let the tibial insert clear the
femur at high flexion angles. Complementary articular surfaces keep the contact patch
centralized, minimizing shear and backside creep. These features enable activities like kneeling
and squatting while controlling polyethylene stress.
Preparation
1. How do I get medically cleared for surgery?
Every patient completes a history-and-physical, blood work, and (when indicated) an EKG;
anyone with heart, lung, or kidney issues also sees the appropriate specialist before we confirm
a date. These clearances help us tune anesthesia, post-op medicines, and overall monitoring to
your specific health profile. Surgeries are postponed if complete records are not in hand ten
days before the procedure to keep safety front and center.
2. What should I do in the weeks leading up to surgery?
Read the entire education booklet, attend a virtual or in-person joint-replacement class, and
finalize your surgical date with our scheduling team. These steps answer common questions
early and let us review any special needs well before you arrive. Informed, organized patients
usually experience smoother hospital stays and recoveries.
3. Why do I need a caregiver and what will they do?
An adult caregiver must be available for at least the first 24 hours at home to help with
stockings, meals, medication reminders, and moral support. Many patients keep that help for
two weeks, whether from family or a hired service, because it lowers stress and speeds
functional milestones. Think of your caregiver as an essential teammate in the recovery plan we
build together.
4. What will happen on the morning of surgery?
In the pre-op area you will change into a gown, cleanse your skin with antiseptic wipes, receive
a nasal swab and oral rinse, and have compression stockings applied. Nurses start your IV, give
multimodal pain and anti-nausea medicines, and review consents while we mark the operative
site. This streamlined routine reduces infection risk and ensures every medication is active by
the time you wake up.
5. How can nutrition help me heal faster?
Surgery raises your need for protein, vitamins, and minerals, so we recommend daily protein
supplementation plus vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium. Good hydration, high-fiber foods, and
iron-rich meals support wound healing and prevent constipation or anemia. Patients with
complex needs may receive a personalized plan from the USC Center for Clinical Nutrition.
PAIN
1. How does your multimodal anesthesia plan keep pain low after hip or knee
replacement?
We start with a regional spinal anesthetic plus gentle IV sedation, which lowers bloodpressure–
related bleeding and largely removes the need for opioids while you are asleep.
For knees, we add an ultrasound-guided adductor-canal nerve block so the main pain pathway
from the joint is already “quiet” before you wake up.
Layered on top of that, we irrigate the tissues with long-acting local anesthetic and give
scheduled anti-inflammatories, creating several overlapping lines of defense so most patients
describe early pain as “soreness” rather than sharp surgical pain.
2. What level of pain should I expect in the first 48 hours and beyond?
Because the blocks and local anesthetics are already working, pain is typically well-controlled
in the recovery room; you focus on icing and gentle motion while we fine-tune oral medicines so
you meet the “pain-managed” discharge goal within a day.
As the regional block fades over 12-24 hours, you will notice more deep ache, but by then antiinflammatories and scheduled non-opioid tablets are at steady-state, keeping discomfort in the
mild-to-moderate range for most people.
Pain continues to trend down through the first week; if you ever feel your pain is unusually high,
we involve our dedicated USC Pain-Management team early so you are never left struggling.
3. What exactly is the On-Q® pump and why do you recommend it for knee replacement?
The On-Q system is a tiny catheter placed next to the adductor-canal nerve that delivers a
continuous trickle of local anesthetic for about five days, extending the life of the block without
numbing the whole leg.
Because the medication is confined to the surgical area, you get steady relief but avoid the
grogginess, constipation, and nausea associated with high-dose opioids.
Most patients report needing far fewer narcotic tablets, and the pump is disposable—removal at
home is quick and virtually painless, with 24-hour support if questions arise.
4. How is Exparel® (liposomal bupivacaine) used during hip replacement, and what are
its advantages?
At the end of the anterior hip procedure we infiltrate the capsule and incision with Exparel, a
time-release form of bupivacaine whose lipid “microspheres” slowly dissolve over 72 hours,
bathing local nerves in anesthetic well beyond the hospital stay.
Dr Yun’s published work with liposomal bupivacaine shows it can match—or outperform—
continuous infusions while freeing patients from external pumps.
This single-dose strategy dovetails with our early-mobilization philosophy: you can walk on your
new hip the same day with low pain scores, minimal tubing, and dramatically fewer opioid
tablets.
5. How does the overall pain-management program reduce opioid use and their side effects?
By attacking pain through several non-narcotic pathways—regional blocks, Exparel or On-Q
pump, scheduled acetaminophen, anti-inflammatories, and ice—we blunt the pain “signal”
before it reaches the brain, so smaller rescue doses of narcotics (if any) are needed .
Less opioid means less nausea, dizziness, constipation, and brain-fog, all of which speeds
physical therapy and helps you hit early milestones such as climbing stairs and independent
dressing.
For the small percentage who still struggle, we individualize the regimen and can involve pain
specialists quickly, ensuring comfort without sacrificing safety or recovery momentum.
Surgical Risks & Our Mitigation Strategies
1. Are blood clots a concern and how are they prevented?
Yes—surgery itself increases clot risk, so we start you on aspirin or an alternative blood thinner
for three weeks and encourage early walking plus ankle pumps. High-risk patients receive
screening ultrasounds and, if needed, a stronger agent such as Eliquis. Compression stockings
and twice-daily home exercises round out the strategy.
2. How do you minimize infection risk?
We layer protections: antiseptic skin wipes, a nasal decolonization swab, IV antibiotics before
incision, and waterproof dressings sealed to national orthopedic standards. Diabetic patients
receive extra attention to blood-sugar control, and those with prior joint infections go home on a
short oral-antibiotic course. Our infection rate is far below national benchmarks.
3. Could I need a transfusion or have excess bleeding?
Routine pre-op labs, medication adjustments (for example pausing additional NSAIDs), and
tourniquet-free knee techniques all cut blood-loss risk. You will still sign a transfusion consent in
case of an unexpected drop in hemoglobin, but most patients never need blood. Judicious
hemostasis and careful wound closure seal the plan.
4. What about medical complications like heart attack or stroke?
Comprehensive clearance, specialist input when required, and daily rounds by a hospitalist
team keep systemic issues in check. Post-operatively we tailor pain and clot medicines to
kidney or cardiac status so organs are never over-taxed. These safeguards make our seriousevent
rate markedly lower than the national <5 percent average.
5. Are anesthesia risks addressed?
Your anesthesiologist reviews your records, plans the best block or general technique, and
monitors you continuously in the OR and recovery. Modern agents wear off quickly, reducing
nausea and grogginess. Should an airway or blood-pressure issue arise, the anesthesia team is
already at the head of the bed to intervene immediately.
6. Can surgery injure nerves?
A small skin-nerve branch may be divided, leaving a patch of thigh or knee numbness that
often fades over one to two years and never affects strength. Deeper nerves are protected by
incision placement away from major trunks and by avoiding aggressive retraction. If neuralgia
develops, medications and time usually calm it.
7. How do you prevent fractures or other bone injuries?
Pre-operative templating and collared stems for hips, plus CT-guided robotic planning for
knees, let us size implants accurately and limit stress on bone. Should a minor crack occur, it is
fixed immediately, and major fractures are extremely rare. Patients with dense or fragile bone
are flagged in advance for extra caution.
8. What keeps me from getting stiff after surgery?
Tourniquet-less knee surgery, capsular repairs, and early same-day physical therapy all cut
swelling—the main driver of stiffness. We also prescribe home exercises and, when indicated,
in-home or outpatient PT within days. Most motion gains occur in the first 12 weeks, and our
approach maximizes that window.
9. Could the implant loosen or fail early?
Robotic arm guidance places knee components within sub-millimeter accuracy, and collared,
hydroxyapatite-coated stems promote rock-solid bone ingrowth in hips. X3® polyethylene and
press-fit titanium cups further cut wear and add long-term stability. Registry data show lower
revision rates at six years with these technologies.
10. Will my legs end up different lengths or my knee poorly aligned?
For hips we use calibrated intra-operative X-rays and offset tests, accepting only millimeterlevel
variance unless a slight length boost is needed for stability. For knees the Mako system
dynamically balances your ligaments and locks implant cuts to the pre-planned 3-D model.
These safeguards give you straight, stable alignment and nearly equal leg lengths.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Andrew Yun and His Practice
1. Why does Dr. Yun focus only on hip and knee replacement?
He chose a narrow scope—no injections, trauma cases, or general orthopaedics—because
mastering a few operations allows him to deliver the highest possible consistency and quality.
After more than twenty years refining technique and outcomes, he believes depth outperforms
breadth when your joint health is on the line.
2. What makes his surgical practice different from others?
Every operation is planned in detail, executed with exacting precision, and supported by a core
team that has worked together for nearly two decades. This continuity builds a shared culture of
safety and efficiency that patients feel before, during, and long after surgery.
3. How much experience does Dr. Yun have?
He has spent “more than two decades trying to get it exactly right,” performing thousands of hip
and knee replacements while holding leadership roles in hospital joint-replacement programs.
That longevity translates into seasoned judgment for both routine and complex cases.
4. Where did he train?
Dr. Yun earned a chemistry degree magna cum laude at Princeton, an MD at Stanford, then
completed residency and trauma fellowships at Harvard-affiliated hospitals and a jointreplacement
fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He later added an MBA
with honors from Pepperdine to broaden his perspective on health-care systems.
5. How does he plan each surgery?
Operations begin well before the OR with advanced imaging, templating, and—when
appropriate—CT-based robotics to map every cut and implant position. Intra-operative
navigation or robotic guidance keeps execution within sub-millimeter limits, while a “self correcting
engine” of post-case review drives constant refinement.
6. Who will be involved in my care?
Your circle includes experienced physician assistants, nurse practitioners, hospitalists,
anesthesiologists, nurses, physical therapists, and front-office staff who educate, comfort, and
guide you from first visit through full recovery. Dr. Yun personally leads the team and remains
your primary surgeon and point of surgical decision-making.
7. Why does he use robotics for knees but not for hips?
Knee robotics track both femur and tibia, giving the real-time data Dr. Yun needs to perfect
alignment and balance; hip platforms currently track only the pelvis, leaving half the picture
missing. Until femoral tracking is available, he prefers computer-assisted fluoroscopy for hips,
which still lets him verify length, offset, and component version precisely.
8. How does he handle complications?
Dr. Yun has an “intolerance for complications” and studies every adverse event in depth with
his team, turning discomfort into improvements that benefit the next patient. Objective problems
get decisive treatment pathways, while hard-to-explain pain triggers deeper diagnostics or
targeted therapies before considering more surgery.
9. What roles do teaching and research play in his work?
As a Clinical Professor at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, he teaches residents and
students—an exchange that sharpens his own practice. His research focuses on real-world
challenges such as implant failures and recovery hurdles, with dozens of peer-reviewed
publications informing evidence-based care.
10. How does Dr. Yun’s MBA help patients?
Studying business taught him to streamline processes, reduce implant costs, and optimize
safety metrics, ensuring that cutting-edge care remains both efficient and financially responsible
for patients and hospitals alike.
11. Will Dr. Yun personally perform my entire operation?
Yes—he conducts every critical step from incision to implant placement; only skin closure is
delegated to a trusted assistant so that he can begin preparing for the next case without delay.
12. What is his philosophy of tissue preservation in knee replacement?
He favors quadriceps-sparing exposure, synovial-pouch repair, and tourniquet-free robotic cuts
to preserve strength, reduce swelling, and speed functional return. The aim is to restore the
knee’s architecture rather than simply replace worn surfaces.
13. How does he maximize implant longevity and precision?
For knees, the Mako SmartRobotics™ system ensures components are placed where planned,
improving balance and lowering six-year revision rates; for hips, collared stems and X3®
polyethylene liners cut wear and loosening risks. Precision today translates into durable results
tomorrow.
14. What honors and leadership roles has he held?
Highlights include Medical Director of Joint Replacement at St. John’s, Vice-Chair and later
Board member at the same hospital, Lead Physician for Quality and Safety in Total Joints, and
multiple research and teaching awards from Harvard and Princeton onward. Such roles reflect
both clinical excellence and system-level vision.
15. What can I expect from the overall experience with his team?
Expect disciplined preparation, transparent education, and a personal commitment to your
goals—delivered by a seasoned surgeon who sees each case as both a craft and a promise.
From the first consultation to long-term follow-up, the focus remains on getting you back to the
activities that make life meaningful.
1. What motivates Dr. Yun as a surgeon?
He describes an “intolerance for complications”—any adverse event sends him walking miles
with his wife, dissecting every detail until the lesson is absorbed and practice protocols improve. After more than two decades focused solely on hip and knee replacement, he believes depth of mastery and disciplined refinement are what give patients the safest, most dependable results. That drive has created a “self-correcting engine” in his practice, where each case—good or bad—shapes the next one for the better
2. How does Dr. Yun balance life outside the operating room, and why does it matter to
patients?
He re-centers through yoga, long walks, and time with his wife and children, habits that keep
him physically strong and mentally clear for long surgical days . A lifelong chemist at heart, he
still looks for the “kinetics of healing” during those quiet moments, turning personal wellness into
fresh ideas for recovery protocols. Patients often notice this balance in the calm, unhurried
attention he brings to each visit.
3. What can I expect when I meet Dr. Yun in the office?
You will sit down with a surgeon who personally plans every operation, leads a core team that
has worked beside him for nearly twenty years, and reviews each X-ray himself before you
leave. Conversations are direct and data-driven—yet always circle back to your own goals,
because he sees great surgery as both craftsmanship and partnership. Patients say this mix of
precision and approachability lets them walk into the operating room already confident about the
path ahead.
Office
1. What is the standard timetable and format for my routine follow-up visit?
Your first post-operative appointment is pre-scheduled for 3–5 weeks after surgery; if it was not
set before you went home, simply call (310) 281-5010 and the team will book it. Most early visits
are conducted by Dr. Yun’s highly experienced physician assistants or nurse practitioner, who
check wound healing, swelling, motion, and review X-rays while Dr. Yun later audits every note
and is paged immediately for any concern. If everything looks good, no additional in-person
appointment is required unless you request one.
2. I live outside the Los Angeles area—must I travel back for the post-op check?
No; while Dr. Yun usually likes to see patients about three weeks after surgery, out-of-town
patients may choose a secure virtual visit instead, during which we review digital photos of the
incision and discuss progress on video. This option spares you the cost and fatigue of early air
travel yet still lets the team assess wound integrity, swelling, and functional milestones. Should
any issue arise later, we can schedule an in-person visit or coordinate local care as needed.
3. Where is the clinic located, and what are the office hours and contact numbers?
All routine office visits take place at Keck Medicine of USC – Beverly Hills Orthopaedic Surgery, 9033 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 360, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; appointments and after-hours paging both begin with the main line, (310) 281-5010. For secure messaging or paperwork requests, we encourage patients to use the MyUSCChart portal whenever possible.