Impingement/ Tendonitis/ Bursitis
Patrick O'Meara, M.D.,
F.A.A.O.S.
Board Certified
Dr. O'Meara is a native of Southern California, born in San Diego. He attended Occidental College, "The Harvard of the West Coast". During his college studies, he attended a summer internship through the University of London researching England's National Health Service. After four years of college, he graduated with Distinctions, Cum Laude, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Dr. O'Meara then attended the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine. After graduating from medical school, Dr. O'Meara attended an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency through the University of Kansas. The residency program provided extensive, high volume and high tech training. The training in Kansas utilized two Level 1 Trauma Hospitals where the latest technology was used to treat complicated injuries and trauma. Both Hospitals were also surgical reconstruction centers that performed high volumes of joint replacements and ligament reconstructions. During six months of his residency program, Dr. O’Meara also trained in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery in St. Louis, through Washington University.
During his residency, Dr. O’Meara authored a multitude of scientific papers that were published in several reputable orthopaedic journals. Because of his accomplishments during his training, Dr. O’Meara was awarded the Mid-America Orthopaedic Residency Award which gave him the opportunity to travel to the prestigious Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee to train in sports medicine including specialized arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder and knee.
Dr. O’Meara established his private practice in Escondido and founded Palomar Orthopaedic Specialists, APMC in 1992. He was recruited to the area by Palomar Medical Center to provide state-of-the-art orthopaedic services to patients within the Palomar-Pomerado Health District. He quickly distinguished himself as the premier orthopaedic surgeon in Inland North County.
Through his commitment to provide the very highest quality of care to his patients, Dr. O’Meara became involved in developing specialized orthopaedic surgery centers where patients could receive a level of care not available at hospitals. Dr. O’Meara helped build and develop Elite Surgery Center in Escondido; The Orthopaedic Surgery Center in La Jolla; and Carlsbad Surgery Center in Carlsbad.
Education
Undergraduate, AB
Occidental College
Medical School,
M.D.
USC School of Medicine
Orthopaedic Residency
University of Kansas-Wichita
General
Orthopaedics
University of Kansas-Wichita
Pediatric
Orthopaedics
Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Washington University, St.
Louis
Sports
Medicine
Campbell Clinic, Memphis
Mid-America Orthopaedic
Association Award in Sports Medicine
Certification
Diplomate,
National Board of Medical Examiners
Diplomate,
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
(QME) Qualified Medical Evaluator
San Diego
Member of the Joint Medical-Legal Commission of the San Diego County Medical Society
Delegate of the California Medical Association
Arthroscopy
is an advanced surgical procedure that utilizes a small fiberoptic camera
in combination with small surgical tools (about the size of a pencil) to
examine and repair a joint through small incisions. Many problems or injuries
of the shoulder, knee, and ankle can be treated and cured through arthroscopic
surgery. 
Anterior
Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
requires extreme accuracy and precision. The success
of the procedure is also very dependent on proper post-op rehabilitation.
A
Meniscus Tear is the most common intra-articular injury of the knee. The
meniscus is the primary shock-absorber of the knee and its preservation
is crucial to prevent progressive degeneration of the knee. Dr. O'Meara
is a published authority on meniscus repair. The surgical technique that
Dr. O'Meara utilizes provides a 20% higher success rate over traditional
methods. 
Most
shoulder problems are biomechanical problems that respond well to a proper
rehabilitation program. Occasionally, surgery is required to resolve a shoulder
problem or repair a shoulder injury. Shoulder surgeries include arthroscopy,
rotator cuff repair, shoulder reconstruction and shoulder replacement. 
Through
many years of wear and tear on a joint, degenerative arthrits can develop.
Arthritis causes pain, stiffness and loss of function. Dr. O'Meara provides
all forms of treatment for arthritis, including medication, rehabilitation,
intra-articular injections, arthroscopic surgery and total joint replacement.
Over
time, an active lifestyle can lead to the development of arthritic destruction
of the joints. This can cause stiffness, pain and loss of function. Once
a joint has "worn out" and shows advanced degenerative joint disease,
Dr. O'Meara can replace the damaged joint to relieve the pain and improve
function so the patient can become active again. Joints commonly treated
include shoulders, hips and knees. 
Sports
medicine involves the treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of athletic-related
injuries. Dr. O'Meara understands how important it is for athletes to return
to action as quickly and safely as possible. His treatment programs are
designed to allow the athlete to remain physically active during recovery
and to allow a rapid but safe return to competition.
Injuries
and accidents do occur from time to time. Dr. O'Meara is well-trained in
treating complex fractures and sprains.
Anterior
Knee Pain or Patello Femoral Syndrome is the most common cause of non-traumatic
knee pain. Only rarely is this caused by an anatomic malalignment which
requires surgical correction. In the vast majority of cases, this is a non-operative
problem which will resolve if treated with a well-structured rehabilitation
program to improve the biomechanics of the knee. Dr. O'Meara has developed
an "Anterior Knee Pain Rehab Protocol" which has produced an extremely
high success rate in treating this problem. 
Isolated
Lesions of the Cartilage surface of the knee can occur as a result of trauma
or Osteochondritis Dissecans. A new surgical technique now makes it possible
to perform cartilage transplant to repair these lesions. 
The
Rotator Cuff or the Subacromial Bursa can become irritated and inflamed
by either an acute shoulder strain or through overuse.
Early treatment utilizes anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification
and a structured exercise program to achieve resolution of the inflammation
and pain. If the problem is allowed to persist and become a chronic condition,
it may become refractory to conservative treatment modalities and require
surgical intervention (e.g. arthroscopic subacromial decompression). 
The
Rotator Cuff is the primary muscular unit that provides stability and function
to the shoulder. It is crucial for the shoulder to maintain an intact Rotator
Cuff. Partial tears may, at times, heal without surgical intervention but
full thickness tears almost always require prompt surgical repair. Partial
tears and very small full thickness tears can be treated with arthoscopic
surgery. A diligent rehabilitation
program is required after surgery but an excellent outcome can be expected
following a successful repair. 
Spontaneously
or following an injury, the shoulder can become stiff and painful. The capsule
around the joint becomes contracted and limits the motion of the shoulder
just like an undersized tight shirt. However, unlike a tight shirt, adhesive
capsulitis is accompanied by pain. Early treatment involves physical therapy
to stretch out and release the adhesions. Resistant cases require the shoulder
to be manipulated under anesthesia or require surgical release of the adhesions.
As soon as your range of motion is restored the pain is resolved.