Jacob A. Spencer, DO

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Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jacob A. Spencer, who serves patients throughout the State of California.

A board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Spencer is affiliated with STAR Ortho, seeing patients in the Palm Desert and La Quinta areas. He believes in a patient-first approach, where his patients’ time and concerns are as important as their outcome and return to pain-free activity. Taking time to ensure patients understand their diagnosis and how their body is affected by it is a top priority. He combines their goals and expectations to create a personalized treatment plan, tailored to each patient. 

To boot, he is committed to utilizing the latest in non-surgical techniques to alleviate pain and prolong the life of the joints with Hyaluronic Acid and Nonoperative Regenerative Treatment. When necessary, he applies his expertise in Arthroscopic and Joint Replacement surgery to repair, reconstruct, and/or replace torn tendons, damaged ligaments, and worn cartilage. He takes pride in providing excellent care and getting his patients back in the game.

As a Southern California native, Dr. Spencer grew up enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle. His passion for orthopedics and sports medicine was born from his experiences while surfing at the local beaches, playing ice hockey around San Diego, and snowboarding, hiking, and fishing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. While it was his injuries that introduced him to orthopedics, his passion and dedication for helping and treating others is what helped him excel in the field.

His commitment to excellence in orthopedics began at San Diego State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, while also conducting Sports Medicine research in the biomechanics of baseball and golf swings. He then attended the prestigious Georgetown University where he joined the accelerated Master of Science program in Physiology and Biophysics.

After graduating from Georgetown, Dr. Spencer went on to receive his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. While at Midwestern, he continued pursuing his passion for orthopedics and sports medicine research by evaluating advanced techniques in rotator cuff repair, as well as testing cutting-edge joint replacement technologies.

Following medical school, he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson / Barnabas Health Jersey City Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. Throughout his training, he refined his surgical skills through thousands of surgical procedures, published articles and book chapters in the areas of Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Trauma, as well as gave numerous lectures and presentations locally and regionally.

Finally, Dr. Spencer completed his fellowship in sports medicine at the renowned 3B Orthopedic Institute in Philadelphia, while continuing to publish research with experts in the field. Throughout fellowship, he mastered numerous advanced surgical techniques while caring for elite level athletes ranging from high school to the professional level. He also served as a Team Physician for West Chester University, where he worked alongside fellow physicians, athletic trainers and students while taking care of college athletes in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, track and field, gymnastics, tennis, and rugby.

Passionate about his profession, the doctor is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery, which is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

On a professional level, he is an active member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

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