Experts in Joint Replacement

Growing up with an affinity for competitive sports and an extended family full of physicians, Dr. Vardiabasis felt a natural pull toward a career in sports medicine. His own experiences as a young soccer and basketball player in southern California sparked his initial research interests and orthopedic work with athletes during his undergraduate years in sports medicine at Pepperdine University. Later, during a fellowship at Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital, Dr. Vardiabasis provided orthopedic care for professional athletes in Major League Baseball, the United Soccer League, and the USA Rugby team at the World Cup.

Dr. Vardiabasis specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopy for shoulder, hips and, knees, as well as shoulder replacement, and cartilage repair and preservation. While his medical degree is in osteopathic medicine, he sees that as just one part of a larger, more holistic approach to patient care. “When helping a patient, I’m not seeing only that one joint. That’s tunnel vision. Instead, I’m approaching the whole person, so I can come up with the best treatment.”  

Dr. Vardiabasis uses a model of shared decision-making, or “letting the patient be captain of the ship.” He shares information with patients and supports them as they consider and express their preferences and views throughout the decision-making process. His goal is to find common ground, present all his knowledge in an easy, direct and thorough way, while presenting plenty of opportunities for patients to to ask questions and express concerns.

Dr. Vardiabasis’ patients have found him caring, empathetic, a good listener, and always current on the latest medical approaches. He enjoys building a relationship with his patients—getting to know them, their interests, hobbies, background and goals—and spending extra time with them to address both their surgical and nonsurgical needs. 

“Helping a patient, I’m not seeing only that one joint. Instead, I’m approaching the whole person, so I can come up with the best treatment.”  

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Away from work, Dr. Vardiabasis enjoys spending time with wife and twin daughters. 

PROCEDURES

• TOTAL SHOULDER REPLACEMENT
• KNEE ARTHROSCOPY
• SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY
• HIP ARTHROSCOPY
• ROBOTIC (MAKO) TOTAL AND PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
• CARTILAGE REPAIR & PRESERVATION

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Vardiabasis spent most of his academic career in California, beginning as an undergraduate at Malibu’s Pepperdine University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine and cum laude distinction. Next, he graduated with honors from medical school at Western University of Sciences in Pomona, and was rewarded an orthopedic scholarship upon graduating.

Dr. Vardiabasis’ attended Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley  for his medical internship and residency, where he focused on orthopedic surgery and received a scholarship for academic achievement.

Dr. Vardiabasis’ fellowship then took him across the country to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, enabling him to hone his skills in orthopedic sports medicine while working with professional baseball players on the Pittsburgh Pirates, professional soccer players on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and world-class rugby players on the U.S. national team.

In testament to his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Vardiabasis received a sponsorship to attend the annual national meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, of which he is a member. He is also a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and has published papers on orthopedics. 

TIMELINE

• Undergrad: 2004-2007, Pepperdine University, BS Sports Medicine, cum laude
• Medical School: 2008-2012, Western University of Sciences, with honors
• Internship & Residency: 2012 – 2017, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, orthopedic surgery
• Fellowship: 2017-2018: Allegheny General Hospital, orthopaedic sports medicine 

CERTIFICATION & MEMBERSHIPS

Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), member

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), member

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), member

World Rugby Level 2, certification