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David Sing, MD

  • Specialties

    Back and Neck Minimally Invasive Spine surgery

  • Fellowship

    Spine - San Diego Spine Foundation

  • Residency

    Boston University Orthopedic Surgery Residency

  • Medical School

    University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine

About

David Sing, M.D. is a spine surgeon dedicated to improving the quality of life for his patients. With years of advanced training at leading institutions, including UC San Francisco, Boston University, and San Diego Spine Foundation, he combines cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques with a compassionate, patient-first approach. Dr. Sing understands that each patient’s journey is unique and works closely with them to create personalized treatment plans that prioritize long-term well-being.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Sing has been actively involved in research, contributing to over 90 peer-reviewed publications in orthopedic and spine surgery. His work spans diverse topics such as the use of machine learning in understanding spinal surgery outcomes, patient and procedural risk factors influencing surgical complications, as well as the impacts of anesthesia types on recovery. Dr. Sing’s research reflects his commitment to advancing surgical techniques and improving patient care. He has presented his findings at several international conferences, highlighting his role as an active member in the academic field of spine surgery.

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Sing values open communication and is committed to ensuring that everyone who walks into his office feels heard, respected, and cared for. When he’s not thinking about spine care, Dr. Sing enjoys exploring the outdoors, admiring the mountains while driving along 580, and cycling with his wife to farmers' markets. 

Awards

  • RSNA 2020 Featured Scientific Paper Presentation – “Recognizing Intimate Partner Violence: Defensive Ulnar Fractures”

  • 2020 Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine New Investigator Travel Award: “Knee Imaging Biomarkers For Sex And Race: A Deep Learning Analysis Of The Osteoarthritis Initiative”

  • ORTHOPEDICS Blue Ribbon Article Award (’19) – Analysis of patient race in shoulder arthroplasty

  • North American Spine Society 2018 Annual Meeting Best Paper Award – Analysis of readmissions after neck surgery.

  • James A Rand Young Investigator’s Award, AAHKS 2017 Meeting – Outcomes in arthroplasty

  • ISSLS Prize in Basic Science 2017 – Intervertebral disc/bone-marrow cross-talk in Modic changes

  • AAOS Top 10 Papers in Practice Management (‘16) - Surveying impact of Medicaid expansion

  • Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (’11) - 278 named nationally for pursuing research careers

Publications

  • Zhang JY, Samineni AV, Sing DC, Rothman A, Stein AB. Higher-Than-Expected Rates of Distal Radioulnar Joint Fixation in Radial Shaft Fractures: Location of Fracture Matters. HAND. 2021 Apr 15:15589447211006836.

  • Khurana B, Sing D, Gujrathi R, Keraliya A, Bay CP, Chen I, Seltzer SE, Boland GW, Harris MB, Dyer GS, Tornetta III P. Recognizing Isolated Ulnar Fracture as a Potential Marker for Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2021 Apr 3.

  • Vora M, Samineni AV, Sing D, Salavati S, Tornetta III P. Spinal Anesthesia Associated With Increased Length of Stay Compared to General Anesthesia for Ankle Open Reduction Internal Fixation: A Propensity-Matched Analysis. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2021 Mar 1;60(2):350-3.

  • DeFazio MW, Curry EJ, Gustin MJ, Sing DC, Abdul-Rassoul H, Ma R, Fu F, Li X. Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction With a BTB Versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020 Dec 15;8(12):2325967120964919.

  • Sing DC, Tornetta P, Hansen EN. The Role of Cannabis in Orthopedic Surgery. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. 2020 Sep 28:1-8.

  • Vora M, Sing DC, Curry EJ, Kamal RN, Li X. National Trends in the Surgical Treatment of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear in Patients Without Arthritis. Orthopedics. 2020 Sep 1;43(5):e409-14.

  • Vora M, Sing DC, Yi PH, Cheah JW, Li X. Hypoalbuminemia is a Risk Factor for Predicting Early Postoperative Complications After Proximal Humerus Fracture Fixation. Journal of Orthopaedics.2020 May; 19:106-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2019.11.022

  • Knapp BM, Botros M, Sing DC, Curry EJ, Eichinger JK, Li X. Sex differences in complications and readmission rates following shoulder arthroplasty in the United States. JSES international. 2020 Mar 1;4(1):95-9.

  • Sing DC, Vora M, Yue JK, Silveira L, Tannoury C. Half of Unplanned Readmissions Following One or Two-Level Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion are Unrelated to Surgical Site. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Nov; Epub ahead of print.

  • Tan TL, Foltz C, Huang R, Chen AF, Higuera C, Siqueira M, Hansen EN, Sing DC, Parvizi J. Potent anticoagulation does not reduce venous thromboembolism in high-risk patients. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Am). 2019 Apr 3; 101 (7): 589-599.

  • Yin C, Sing DC, Curry EJ, Abdul-Rassoul H, Galvin JW, Eichinger JK, Li X. The effect of race on early perioperative outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty: a propensity score matched analysis. Orthopedics. 2019; 42 (2):95-102.

  • Vora M, Kuripla C, Ouyang D, Sing DC. Gender Trends in Authorship of Foot and Ankle Academic Literature Over 24 Years. Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2019 Sept 1; 58 (5): 898-903

  • Sing DC, Metz LN, Dudli S. Machine Learning-Based Classification of 38 Years of Spine-Related Literature Into 100 Research Topics.Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Jun 1;42(11):863-870. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002079. Review.

  • Marafino BJ, Park M, Davies JM, Thombley R, Luft HS, Sing DC, Kazi DS, DeJong C, Boscardin WJ, Dean ML, Dudley RA. Validation of Prediction Models for Critical Care Outcomes Using Natural Language Processing of Electronic Health Record Data. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Dec 7; 1(8):e185097 doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5097.

  • Sing DC, Jain D, Ouyang D. Gender trends in authorship of spine-related academic literature-a 39-year perspective. Spine J. 2017 Nov;17(11):1749-1754. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2017.06.041.

  • Koh J, Galvin JW, Sing DC, Curry EJ, Li X. Thirty-day Complications and Readmission Rates in Elderly Patients After Shoulder Arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg glob res Rev. 2018 Nov 2; 2(11):e068 doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-18-00068

  • Ouyang D, Sing DC, Shah S, Hu J, Duvernoy C, Harrington RA, Rodriguez F. Sex Disparities in Authorship Order of Cardiology Scientific Publications. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2018 Dec;11(12):e005040. doi: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.118.005040.

  • Deng H, Yue JK, Ordaz A, Rivera EJ, Suen CG, Sing DC. Cervical fusion for degenerative disease: A comprehensive cost analysis of hospital complications in the United States from 2002 to 2014. J Craniovertebr Junction Spine. 2018 Jul-Sep;9(3):140-147. doi: 10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_62_18.

  • Veltre DR, Sing DC, Yi PH, Endo A, Curry EJ, Smith EL, Li X. Insurance Status Affects Complication Rates After Total Hip Arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2018 Nov 8. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00635.

  • Khanna K, Janghala A, Sing D, Vail B, Arutyunyan G, Tay B, Deviren V. An Analysis of Implant Retention and Antibiotic Suppression in Instrumented Spine Infections: A Preliminary Data Set of 67 Patients. Int J Spine Surg. 2018 Aug 31;12(4):490-497. doi: 10.14444/5060.

  • Veltre DR, Yi PH, Sing DC, Curry EJ, Endo A, Smith EL, Li X. Insurance Status Affects In-Hospital Complication Rates After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2018 May 1;41(3):e340-e347. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20180226-07

  • Cheah JW, Sing DC, Hansen EN, Aleshi P, Vail TP. Does Intrathecal Morphine in Spinal Anesthesia Have a Role in Modern Multimodal Analgesia for Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty? J Arthroplasty. 2018 Jun;33(6):1693-1698. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2018.01.016.

  • Yue JK, Upadhyayula PS, Deng H, Sing DC, Ciacci JD. Risk factors for 30-day outcomes in elective anterior versus posterior cervical fusion: A matched cohort analysis. J Craniovertebr Junction Spine. 2017 Jul-Sep;8(3):222-230. doi: 10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_88_17.

  • Khanna K, Yi PH, Sing DC, Geiger E, Metz LN. Hypoalbuminemia Is Associated With Septic Revisions After Primary Surgery and Postoperative Infection After Revision Surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Mar 15;43(6):454-460. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002436

  • Yue JK, Sing DC, Sharma S, Upadhyayula PS, Winkler EA, Shaw JD, Metz LN. Spine deformity surgery in the elderly: risk factors and 30-day outcomes are comparable in posterior versus combined approaches. Neurol Res. 2017 Dec;39(12):1066-1072. doi: 10.1080/01616412.2017.1378298. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

  • Lu M, Sing DC, Kuo AC, Hansen EN. Preoperative Anemia Independently Predicts 30-Day Complications After Aseptic and Septic Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Sep;32(9S):S197-S201. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2017.02.076.

  • Peck JH, Sing DC, Nagaraja S, Peck DG, Lotz JC, Dmitriev AE. Mechanical performance of cervical intervertebral body fusion devices: A systematic analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. J Biomech. 2017 Mar 21;54:26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.01.032. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

  • Li X, Veltre DR, Cusano A, Yi P, Sing D, Gagnier JJ, Eichinger JK, Jawa A, Bedi A. Insurance status affects postoperative morbidity and complication rate after shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2017 Aug;26(8):1423-1431. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2016.12.071. Epub 2017 Feb 10.

  • Patterson JT, Sing D, Hansen EN, Tay B, Zhang AL. The James A. Rand Young Investigator's Award: Administrative Claims vs Surgical Registry: Capturing Outcomes in Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Sep;32(9S):S11-S17. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.08.041. Epub 2017 Feb 6

  • Dudli S, Sing DC, Hu SS, Berven SH, Burch S, Deviren V, Cheng I, Tay BKB, Alamin TF, Ith MAM, Pietras EM, Lotz JC. ISSLS PRIZE IN BASIC SCIENCE 2017: Intervertebral disc/bone marrow cross-talk with Modic changes. Eur Spine J. 2017 May;26(5):1362-1373. doi: 10.1007/s00586-017-4955-4. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

  • Theologis AA, Sing DC, Chekeni F, Diab M. National Trends in the Surgical Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Analysis of a National Estimate of 60,108 Children From the National Inpatient Sample Over a 13-Year Time Period in the United States. Spine Deform. 2017 Jan;5(1):56-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jspd.2016.09.001.

  • Patterson JT, Theologis AA, Sing D, Tay B. Anterior Versus Posterior Approaches for Odontoid Fracture Stabilization in Patients Older Than 65 Years: 30-day Morbidity and Mortality in a National Database. Clin Spine Surg. 2017 Oct;30(8):E1033-E1038. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000000494.

  • Sing DC, Khanna R, Shaw JD, Metz LN, Burch S, Berven SH. Increasing Rate in Surgical Management of Multilevel Spinal Curvature in Elderly Patients. Spine Deformity. Spine Deform. 2016 Sep;4(5):365-372. doi: 10.1016/j.jspd.2016.03.005. Epub 2016 Aug 21.

  • Sing DC, Berven SH, Burch S, Metz LN. Increase in spinal deformity surgery in patients age 60 and older is not associated with increased complications. Spine J. 2017 May;17(5):627-635. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2016.11.005. Epub 2016 Nov 21.

  • Zhang AL, Sing DC, Dang DY, Ma CB, Black D, Vail TP, Feeley BT. Overlapping Surgery in the Ambulatory Orthopaedic Setting. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Nov 16;98(22):1859-1867.

  • Nishio S, Fukunishi S, Yoshiya S, Sing DC, Hansen EN, Vail TP. Comparison of Complications Following Revision of Metal-on-Metal Versus Metal-on-Polyethylene Total Hip Arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2017 Jan 1;40(1):e164-e169. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20161017-03. Epub 2016 Oct 27.

  • Zhang AL, Sing DC, Rugg CM, Feeley BT, Senter C. “The Rise of Concussions in the Adolescent Population.” Orthop J Sports Med. 2016 Aug 16;4(8):2325967116662458. doi: 10.1177/2325967116662458. eCollection 2016 Aug.

  • Barry JJ, Sing DC, Vail TP, Hansen EN. Early Outcomes of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty After Prior Lumbar Spinal Fusion. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Feb;32(2):470-474. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.07.019. Epub 2016 Aug 8.

  • Sing DC, Barry JJ, Cheah JW, Vail TP, Hansen EN. Long-Acting Opioid Use Independently Predicts Perioperative Complication in Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2016 Sep;31(9 Suppl):170-174.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.02.068. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

  • Sing DC, Ding DY, Luan T, Feeley BT, Zhang AL. “The Effects of Patient Obesity on Early Postoperative Complications After Shoulder Arthroscopy” Arthroscopy. 2016 May; S07498063(16)00262-0

  • Barry JJ, Thielen Z, Sing DC, Yi PH, Hansen EN, Ries M. “Length of Endoprosthetic Reconstruction in Revision Knee Arthroplasty Is Associated With Complications and Reoperations. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017 Jan;475(1):72-79. doi: 10.1007/s11999-016-4836-x

  • Sing DC, Aguilar T, Barry JJ, Patterson JT, Theologis AA, Tay B, Hansen EN. “Prior Lumbar Spinal Arthrodesis Increases Risk of Prosthetic-Related Complication In Total Hip Arthroplasty.” J Arthroplasty. 2016 Sep;31(9 Suppl):227-232.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.02.069. Epub 2016 Mar 15.

  • Nguyen LCL, Sing DC, Bozic KJ. “Pre-operative Reduction of Opioid Use Prior to Total Joint Arthroplasty.” Journal of Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2016 Sep;31(9 Suppl):282-7. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.01.068. Epub 2016 Mar 17

  • Sing DC, Luan T, Feeley BT, Zhang AL. “Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Adverse Events After Knee Arthroscopy?.” Arthroscopy. 2016 Jul;32(7):1346-1353.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2016.01.017. Epub 2016 Mar 21.

  • Naimark M, Dufka FL, Han R, Sing DC, Toogood P, Ma BC, Zhang AL, Feeley BT. “Plate Fixation of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures: Patient-Reported Outcomes and Hardware-Related Complications.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2016 May; 25 (5): 739-746

  • Han RJ, Sing DC, Feeley BT, Ma CB, Zhang AL. “Proximal Humerus Fragility Fractures: Recent Trends in Nonoperative and Operative Treatment in the Medicare Population.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. [epub ahead of print] 2016 Feb; 25(2): 256-261

  • Sing DC, Yue JK, Metz LN, Burch S, Berven SH. “Obesity is an Independent Risk Factor of Early Complications After Revision Spine Surgery.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Dec (e-pub ahead of print)

  • Sing DC, Feeley BT, Tay B, Vail TP, Zhang AL. “Age-related Trends in Hip Arthroscopy: A Large Cross-Sectional Analysis.” Arthroscopy. 2015 Dec; 31(12): 2307-2313

  • Schairer WW, Carrer A, Sing DC, Chou D, Mummaneni P V, Hu SS, et al. “Hospital Readmission Rates After Surgical Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Tumors of the Spine.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2014 Oct;39(21):1801-1808

  • Schairer WW, Sing DC, Vail TP, Bozic KJ. “Causes and frequency of unplanned hospital readmission after total hip arthroplasty.” Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Feb;472(2):464–70.

  • Timm DM, Chen J, Sing D, Gage JA, Haisler WL, Neeley SK, et al. A high-throughput threedimensional cell migration assay for toxicity screening with mobile device-based macroscopic image analysis. Sci Rep. Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved; 2013 Oct 21;3

  • Mountziaris PM, Lehman ED, Mountziaris I, Sing DC, Kasper FK, Mikos AG. "Effect of Temporally Patterned TNF-a Delivery on In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds,” J. Biomater. Sci., Polym. Ed. 2013 Oct;24(15):1794-813. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2013.803455

  • Mountziaris PM, Tzouanas SN, Sing DC, Kramer PR, Kasper FK, Mikos AG. “Intra-articular controlled release of anti-inflammatory siRNA with biodegradable polymer microparticles ameliorates temporomandibular joint inflammation.” Acta Biomater. 2012 Oct;8(10):3552-60. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2012.06.031

  • Mountziaris PM, Sing DC, Mikos AG, Kramer PR. "Intra-articular Microparticles for Drug Delivery to the Rat TMJ." J Dent Res. 2010 Oct;89(10):1039-44. doi: 10.1177/0022034510375286

  • Mountziaris PM, Sing DC, Chew SA, Tzouanas SA, Lehman ED, Kasper FK, Mikos AG. “Controlled Release of Anti-Inflammatory siRNA from Biodegradable Polymeric Microparticles Intended for Intra-Articular Delivery to the Temporomandibular Joint,” Pharm Res. 2011 Jun;28(6):1370-84. doi: 10.1007/s11095-010-0354-9.

  • Frank SJ, Tailor RC, Kudchadker RJ, Martirosyan KS, Stafford RJ, Elliott AM, Swanson DA, Sing DC, Choi J, Mourtada F, Ibbott GS. “Anisotropy characterization of I-125 seed with attached encapsulated cobalt chloride complex contrast agent markers for MRI-based prostate brachytherapy.” Med Dosim. 2011 Summer;36(2):200-5. doi: 10.1016/j.meddos.2010.03.004.