Cassandra A. Lee, M.D.Board-certified Orthopedic SurgeonKnee Joint Preservation and Longevity Surgeon
Philosophy of Care
I believe the best patient care begins with a partnership. My role is to listen, understand your goals, and combine your individual story and symptoms with my experience as an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
I take the time to educate my patients about their injury and the treatment options available, whether that means rehabilitation and activity modification or surgical intervention. My goal is not simply to treat an MRI or an X-ray, but to understand the person behind the diagnosis and help each patient make an informed decision about their care.
Whether you are an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply want to stay active and healthy, I am committed to helping you return to the activities you love and maintain an active lifestyle for the long term.
Clinical Interests
My clinical practice is centered on sports medicine, joint preservation, and the treatment of complex knee and shoulder conditions. I care for athletes and active individuals across all levels, from recreational athletes to collegiate and professional competitors, as well as patients whose primary goal is simply to remain active and independent throughout life.
I have a particular interest in preserving and restoring the natural joint, including the treatment of ligament injuries, meniscal pathology, cartilage injuries, and other conditions that can affect long-term joint health. When appropriate, I use joint-preserving techniques such as ligament reconstruction, meniscus repair and transplantation, cartilage restoration, and emerging orthobiologic and regenerative strategies.
My clinical approach is informed by a longstanding commitment to clinical research and translational science, particularly in cartilage biology, tissue engineering, and the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This perspective allows me to incorporate evolving evidence and technologies into patient care while maintaining a thoughtful, individualized approach to treatment.
I believe excellent sports medicine care extends beyond treating the immediate injury. It requires understanding the individual, their goals, their activity level, and the long-term health of the joint. My goal is to help each patient make informed decisions and develop a treatment strategy that restores function, preserves the joint whenever possible, and supports an active and healthy life for years to come.
About Dr. Lee
Academic foundation: Former Professor and Chief of Sports Medicine at UC Davis Health, where I combined patient care with teaching, research, and innovation.
- Regenerative medicine: My early research focused on cartilage regeneration, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and understanding how ligaments respond to stress and hormonal changes.
- Translating research into care: Today, I continue my academic work through clinical trials and the study of new technologies that bring advances in research closer to everyday patient care.
- Joint preservation: I am particularly interested in new approaches to preserving the knee–including cartilage, meniscus, and ligament health–with the goal of helping patients maintain their own joints for as long as possible.
- Keeping patients active: Ultimately, my research and clinical interests are focused on helping people recover from injury, prevent future problems, and stay active and healthy throughout their lives.
Education
- Undergraduate SchoolB.A., Boston University, Boston MA
- Medical SchoolM.D., Boston University School of Medicine, Boston MA
- InternshipGeneral Surgery, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston Salem NC
- ResidencyOrthopaedic Surgery, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston Salem NC
- FellowshipSports Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis MO
Honors
- American Orthopaedic Association (AOA)/ Austrian Swiss German (ASG) Traveling Fellowship
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Asia-Pacific Knee, Arthroscopy, Arthroplasty, Shoulder and Sports Medicine Society (APKASS) Traveling Fellowship
- International Cartilage Repair Society Lars Petersen Traveling Fellowship
- International Cartilage Repair Society Scholarship, Izmir
- International Cartilage Repair Society - Zimmer Scholarship Program
- Zimmer-AOA Resident Leadership Forum
Publications
- Surgical restabilization reduces the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis initiated by ACL rupture in mice Yu-Yang Lin, Elias H Jbeily, Priscilla M Tjandra, Michael C Pride, Michael Lopez-Torres, Seif B Elmankabadi, Connor M Delman, Kristin K Biris, Heejung Bang, Jill L Silverman, Lee CA, Blaine A Christiansen
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis progression is diminished by early mechanical unloading and anti-inflammatory treatment in mice Hsia AW, Jbeily EH, Mendez ME, Cunningham HC, Biris KK, Bang H, Lee CA, Loots GG, Christiansen BA.
- Next Steps: Advocating for Women in Orthopaedic Surgery.Scerpella TA, Spiker AM, Lee CA, Mulcahey MK, Carnes ML.
- What's New in Sports Medicine. McKeithan LJ, Lameire DL, Tagliero AJ, Chahal J, Gwathmey FW, Lee CA.
- Improving Technical Outcome in Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Femoral Trochlea: The Role of Contoured Guides, Experience Level, Graft Size, and Graft Position.Delman CM, Haffner M, Rinaldi P, Lum ZC, Jamali AA, Wilson M, Lee CA.
- Chondrocalcinosis and Osteoarthritis: A Literature Review.Guo SY, Lee CA, Wise BL.
- Flanigan DC, Sherman SL, Chilelli B, Gersoff W, Jones D, Lee CA, Toth A, Cramer C, Zaporojan V, Carey J. Consensus on Rehabilitation Guidelines among Orthopaedic Surgeons in the United States following Use of Third-Generation Articular Cartilage Repair (MACI) for Treatment of Knee Cartilage Lesions.
- Wang DY, Lee CA, Zhang B, Li YZ, Meng XY, Jiang D, Yu JK. The immediate meniscal allograft transplantation achieved better chondroprotection and less meniscus degeneration than the conventional delayed transplantation in the long-term.
- Wang DY, Lee CA, Li YZ, Zhang B, Li N, Jian D, Yu JK. Prognostic Factors to Determine Survivorship of Meniscal Allograft Transplant: A Systematic Review.
- Moran CJ, Busilacchi A, Lee, CA, Athanasiou KA, Verdonk PC. Biological Augmentation and Tissue Engineering Approaches in Meniscus Surgery.
- Sakata R, Miyatake K, McNary SM, Lee CA, VanDenBogaerde JM, Marder RA, Reddi AH. Stimulation of Superficial Zone Protein, PRG 4, Lubricin and Lubrication by Platelet Rich Plasma in the Knee Joint.
- Garrity C, Arzi B, Haus B, Lee CA, Vapniarsky N. A Fresh Glimpse into Cartilage Immune Privilege. Cartilage.
- Shieh AK, Singh SG, Nathe C, Lian E, Haudenschild DR, Nolta JA, Lee CA, Giza E, Kreulen CD. Effects of Micronized Cartilage Matrix on Cartilage Repair in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.
- Kwon H, Brown W, Lee CA, Wang D, Paschos N, Hu Jerry, Athanasiou K. Surgical and tissue engineering strategies for articular cartilage and meniscus repair.
- Arzi B, DuRaine GD, Lee CA, Huey DJ, Borjesson DL, Murphy B, Hu JCY, Baumgarth N, Athanasiou KA. Cartilage immunoprivilege depends on donor source and lesion location.
- West DW, Lee-Barthel A, McIntyre T, Shamim B, Lee CA, Baar K. The exercise-induced biochemical milieu enhances collagen content and tensile strength of engineered ligaments.
- Estrogen inhibits lysyl oxidase and decreases mechanical function in engineered ligaments. Lee CA, Lee-Barthel A, Marquino L, Sandoval N, Marcotte GR, Baar K. J Appl Physiol.
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Sports Coverage Experience
- Team physician
- Sacramento Kings
- Sacramento State Hornets
- UC Davis Aggies
- Saramento Republic FC
- Sacramento City College Panthers
- St. Louis Blues
- St. Louis Rams
- Washington University Bears
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- California International Marathon
- 4 Deserts – Racing the Planet Ultramarathon
- World’s Strongest Man Competition Sacramento
- USA Track and Field
- Cross Fit Games
- Consultant USA gymnastics
