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Dr. Richard Thunder, MD
La Jolla, CA
Accepting patients
Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital
Who is Dr. Thunder, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon in La Jolla, CA?
Dr. Richard Thunder, MD is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, who primarily practices in La Jolla, CA with 2 additional practice locations. He is board certified. Dr. Thunder graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Stanford Univ Hosp, Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Thunder is fluent in English and Spanish, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Thunder’s practice accepts Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Medicaid, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Thunder’s office at (858) 535-1075.
Where did Dr. Thunder go to medical school and complete their residency?
Residency: Stanford Univ Hosp, Orthopedic Surgery | Stanford Hospital and Clinics Program
Medical School: Stanford Univ Sch Of Med- Stanford Ca | Stanford University School of Medicine
Is Dr. Thunder board certified as an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon?
Yes, Dr. Richard Thunder, MD is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
What languages does Dr. Thunder speak?
Dr. Thunder and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:
English
Spanish
What conditions does Dr. Thunder treat?
As an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Dr. Thunder diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Thunder. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.
Also known as:
- Osteoarthritis of the left knee
- Primary Osteoarthritis in Right Knee
- Primary Osteoarthritis in Right Hip
- Osteoarthritis
- Degenerative joint disease
- Wear-and-tear arthritis
- Arthrosis
- Joint degeneration
- Right Knee Arthritis
- Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease
- Right Hip Arthritis
- Right Hip Degenerative Joint Disease
ICD-10 Codes:
- M1712: Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
- M1711: Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
- M1611: Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right hip
Also known as:
- Low Back Pain
- Back Pain
- Lumbago
- Lower Back Ache
- Backache
ICD-10 Codes:
- M5450: Low back pain, unspecified
Also known as:
- Lower Back Spinal Stenosis
- Lower Back Spinal Stenosis with Nerve Pain in Legs
- Spinal Stenosis
- Narrowing of Lower Back Spinal Canal
- Lumbar Spinal Canal Narrowing
- Lumbar Stenosis
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Claudication
- Narrowing of Lower Back Spinal Canal with Leg Pain
- Nerve Compression in Lower Back with Walking Pain
ICD-10 Codes:
- M48061: Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication
- M48062: Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication
Also known as:
- Pain in Right Knee
- Knee Injuries and Disorder
- Pain
- Right Knee Ache
- Right Knee Discomfort
- Sore Right Knee
ICD-10 Codes:
- M25561: Pain in right knee
Also known as:
- Neck Pain
- Neck Injuries and Disorder
- Cervical Pain
- Sore Neck
- Neck Ache
ICD-10 Codes:
- M542: Cervicalgia
Also known as:
- Joint Replacement Aftercare
- Hip Replacement
- Joint Disorder
- Knee Replacement
- Post-joint replacement care
- Joint surgery recovery
- Orthopedic aftercare
ICD-10 Codes:
- Z471: Aftercare following joint replacement surgery
Also known as:
- Pinched Nerve in Lower Back
- Back Pain
- Peripheral Nerve Disorder
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Lower Back Nerve Compression
- Compressed Nerve in Lower Back
ICD-10 Codes:
- M5416: Radiculopathy, lumbar region
What procedures does Dr. Thunder perform?
As an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Dr. Thunder performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Thunder. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.
Also known as:
- Joint or Bursa Injection/Fluid Removal
- Arthrocentesis
- Major Joint Aspiration
- Bursa Injection
- Joint Fluid Removal
CPT Codes:
- 20610: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa); without ultrasound guidance
Also known as:
- Total Hip Replacement
- Hip Replacement
- Hip arthroplasty
- Artificial hip surgery
- Hip joint replacement
- Femoral head replacement
CPT Codes:
- 27130: Arthroplasty, acetabular and proximal femoral prosthetic replacement (total hip arthroplasty), with or without autograft or allograft
Also known as:
- Total Knee Replacement
- Knee Replacement
- Total Knee Arthroplasty
- Knee Joint Replacement
- Full Knee Replacement
- TKA Surgery
CPT Codes:
- 27447: Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing (total knee arthroplasty)
Also known as:
- Trigger Point Injection
- Muscle Pain Injection
- Myofascial Trigger Point Injection
- Trigger Point Release Injection
CPT Codes:
- 20552: Injection(s); single or multiple trigger point(s), 1 or 2 muscle(s)
Also known as:
- Spine Allograft Placement
- Spinal Bone Graft
- Osteopromotive Material Spine
- Donor Bone Graft Spine
- Spine Fusion Material
CPT Codes:
- 20930: Allograft, morselized, or placement of osteopromotive material, for spine surgery only (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Also known as:
- Spinal Cage Insertion for Fusion
- Interbody Device Implantation
- Spinal Fusion with Cage
- Synthetic Disc Space Device
CPT Codes:
- 22853: Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to intervertebral disc space in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Also known as:
- Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery
- Laminectomy
- Facetectomy
- Foraminotomy
- Spinal Stenosis Surgery
CPT Codes:
- 63047: Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; lumbar
Also known as:
- Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery
- Lumbar Laminotomy
- Herniated Disc Decompression (Lower Back)
- Microdiscectomy (Lumbar)
CPT Codes:
- 63030: Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar
Also known as:
- Additional Spinal Decompression Segment
- Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis
- Facetectomy for Nerve Decompression
- Foraminotomy for Pinched Nerve
CPT Codes:
- 63048: Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; each additional vertebral segment, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Does Dr. Thunder accept my insurance?
Dr. Thunder accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (858) 535-1075 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.
What insurance plans does Dr. Thunder accept in La Jolla, CA?
Dr. Thunder in La Jolla, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.
Top Insurances
Alignment Health Plan
All Other Third Party
Blue Shield of California
Crown Cork and Seal Company
CVS Health (formerly Aetna)
Humana
Medicare
Other Health Care Provider
State of Tennessee
UnitedHealthcare
View All Insurances
Where is Dr. Thunder's office located?
Dr. Richard Thunder's Primary Practice
9850 Genesee Ave Ste 210
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 535-1075
What is Dr. Thunder's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.
Dr. Thunder's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1780602276.
What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Thunder?
Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Thunder
What is Dr. Richard Thunder's specialty?
Dr. Thunder is a Orthopedic Spine Surgeon near La Jolla, CA. Orthopaedic surgeons specializing in the spine, recognized by several state medical boards as a fellowship subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery, focus on the evaluation and treatment for both nonoperative and operative of a wide range of primary spinal disorders. These include trauma, degenerative conditions, deformities, tumors, and reconstructive issues related to the spine. Contact Dr. Thunder to book an appointment today.
Is this Dr. Richard Thunder affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?
Yes, Dr. Thunder is affiliated with Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, Renown Regional Medical Center, Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health which are a Castle Connolly Top Hospitals. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals
Where can I learn more about Orthopedic Spine Surgeon?
Explore Orthopedic Spine Surgeon with insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.
Is Richard Thunder accepting new patients in La Jolla, CA?
Yes, Dr. Richard Thunder is accepting new patients at this time.
Does Dr. Richard Thunder offer online booking?
Please contact Dr. Thunder's office at (858) 535-1075 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.
How can I make an appointment with Richard Thunder?
Please contact Dr. Thunder's office at (858) 535-1075 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.
Which board certifications does Dr. Richard Thunder have?
Dr. Richard Thunder is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
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