About the doctor

TREATMENTS AND SERVICES

Dr. Andrew J. Wassef is a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement and the treatment of arthritic conditions affecting the hip, knee and shoulder.

Dr. Wassef is a native of Southern California who was raised in Long Beach, where he currently practices. He is the proud father of a son and daughter and has a father who is also an orthopedic surgeon and the senior partner of their practice. Growing up, he witnessed how fulfilling a career in orthopedics could be and understood the sacrifices needed to become a successful orthopedic surgeon. He attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and then went on to obtain his medical degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., where his interest in orthopedics further flourished.

He completed his orthopedic residency training in Ohio at the University of Toledo Medical Center and returned to Los Angeles for an additional year of specialized fellowship training at the Joint Replacement Institute/LA Orthopedic Institute. In fellowship, he was extensively trained in the treatment of failed total joint replacements, now specializing in complex revision surgeries. He also focused on joint replacements in the younger population and cutting-edge techniques, including robotic-assisted total joint replacement. He continues to support the training of young surgeons and is now the associate director of the LAOI fellowship program.

Dr. Wassef is the medical director of the MemorialCare Joint Replacement Program at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.  As medical director, Dr. Wassef partners with physician leadership at Long Beach Medical Center to advance innovative treatment options and undertake JRC’s ongoing mission to improve patient outcomes.  Dr. Wassef instills the rapid recovery philosophy pioneered by JRC that encourages patients to stand on the same day of surgery and participate in rehabilitation immediately following surgery. This philosophy results in faster and safer recovery, as well as improved patient outcomes.  He is also very active with the Center for Joint Replacement program at Lakewood Regional Medical Center, providing excellent orthopedic care for the Long Beach, Lakewood and surrounding communities.

Dr. Wassef recognizes that Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery is a revolutionary technology set to impact the future of joint replacement surgery and keep Long Beach Medical Center and Lakewood Regional Medical Center on the leading edge of surgical advancements. Mako Technology offers patients the latest surgical technology and precision surgery. In addition, Dr. Wassef teaches surgeons nationwide on the use of Mako and trains them to become proficient with robotic-assisted surgery. Dr. Wassef also is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and has published many works in peer-reviewed journals.

His philosophy is based on providing his patients with the highest quality care possible and involving them in the decision-making process. He strives to care for all of his patients on a very personal level and appreciates all the relationships he makes with an individualized approach to caring for his patients.