David J. Burnikel, MD

Dr. Burnikel was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the Temple University School of Medicine and the Ochsner Clinic orthopedic surgery residency program. After residency, he served in the United States Navy as an active-duty orthopedic surgeon in Newport, RI. Following his Navy service, he undertook further subspecialty training as a Sports Medicine Fellow at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA. Since then, he has been in private practice here in San Diego.

Dr. Burnikel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon whose primary focus is arthroscopic treatment of knee and shoulder disorders, including shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, ligament reconstruction and cartilage restoration. He has a keen interest in complex arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee and ankle, but treats a wide variety of general orthopedic conditions.

Dr. Burnikel maintains an active interest in total joint replacement and fracture care, both of which were strong components of his residency training. Following his tour of duty with the US Navy he completed an additional year of training specifically in sports medicine. This provided him with focused and advanced training in the operative and non-operative treatment of rotator cuff tears, cartilage and ligament injuries of the knee, shoulder instability and other sports-related injuries.

Dr. Burnikel treats a wide variety of orthopedic conditions and maintains an active practice of joint replacement and fracture fixation. He believes that staying active and moving is vital to maintaining a healthy life, and he makes it his primary goal to allow every patient to pursue this course.

Practice Locations

College Area – CC12
6719 Alvarado Road, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92120

Phone: (619) 229-3932