Ali Azad, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery

Associate Program Director of the Residency Program

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Overview

Ali Azad, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC who specializes in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions, including tendonitis, arthritis and compressive neuropathy. Dr. Azad also has special expertise in the reconstruction of simple and complex traumatic injuries of the hand, wrist and elbow. Dr. Azad is a skilled microvascular surgeon, which enables him to treat complex neurovascular and soft tissue injuries of the upper extremity. He is deeply committed to establishing a trusting relationship with his patients, believing that shared decision-making starts with respectful and compassionate communication.

After completing his internship and residency at the University of Southern California, Dr. Azad did a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at New York University. After completing his fellowship, he joined the faculty at NYU Langone Health. He is now an assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and he is actively engaged in clinical care, research and education.

Publications

  • Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Denervation Has Lower Reoperation Rates Than Trapeziectomy for Thumb Base Arthritis: A Retrospective Database Study. J Hand Surg Am. 2026 May 25.. View in PubMed
  • Characteristics and outcomes of cubital tunnel decompression in diabetic patients receiving glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Clin Shoulder Elb. 2025 Dec; 28(4):403-410.. View in PubMed
  • Humerus Plate-Nail Construct for Salvage of Humeral Nonunion with Failed Free Fibula Flap: Technique and A Report of 2 Cases. JBJS Case Connect. 2025 Oct 01; 15(4).. View in PubMed
  • Vaccine hesitancy and bone health: Musculoskeletal sequelae of vaccine-preventable diseases. Osteoporos Sarcopenia. 2025 Sep; 11(3):83-91.. View in PubMed
  • Exploring Lower Tourniquet Pressures in Upper Extremity Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Wrist Surg. 2026 Aug; 15(4):380-385.. View in PubMed
  • Surgical outcomes in chronic perilunate dislocations: A systematic review. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2025 Sep; 44(4):102212.. View in PubMed
  • Utility of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Prognosis of Corticosteroid Injection Treatment Success for Trigger Finger and de Quervain’s Stenosing Tenosynovitis. Hand (N Y). 2026 Apr; 21(4):595-603.. View in PubMed
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Preoperative Evaluation and Postoperative Imaging. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2025 Feb; 29(1):76-84.. View in PubMed
  • Investigating the Association between Preflap Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy and Surgical Outcomes in Extremity Free Flap Reconstruction: A Systematic Review. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2025 Jul; 41(6):515-520.. View in PubMed
  • Needle Arthroscopy Versus Conventional Arthroscopy in the Evaluation of Carpal Pathology: A Comparative Study. Hand (N Y). 2025 Nov; 20(8):1278-1283.. View in PubMed