As one of Los Angeles’ most popular ski and snowboard getaways, Big Bear sees its fair share of broken bones and sports injuries. For that reason alone, BVCHD is proud to offer on-call, state-of-the-art orthopedic surgery here on the mountain.
Still, orthopedic surgery includes far more than fractured arms and ankles. It’s a wide-ranging service that includes the treatment, diagnosis and repair of one’s muscles, joints, ligaments and soft tissue. Orthopedic surgery includes things like ACL surgery, total knee replacements, arthritis and bursitis repair, and the treatment of congenital malformities.
Yes, athletes are one of the orthopedic surgeon’s most common patient populations. But the truth is that the musculoskeletal system is one of the most important parts of one’s body, regardless of age or physical fitness goals. Musculoskeletal damage can impact your posture, your range of motion, and your ability to hold your own body weight. The latter of which, especially, can impact your independence later in life. That’s why it’s so important to manage musculoskeletal damage before it worsens.
In addition to on-call trauma, such as broken bones from accidents and sports injuries, BVCHD’s orthopedic surgery team is equipped to perform numerous other procedures on-site. These include full joint replacements, knee and hip repair, shoulder and elbow repair, and foot and ankle procedures. Whether you are dealing with a torn ligament, cartilage damage, muscular tears or arthritic damage, our team can help. And, they’ll be able to refer you to a member of our Rehabilitation Services team to get you moving again if needed.
First, you’ll need to consult with your surgeon, who will determine what type of procedure you may need. If you don’t already have them, the surgeon will likely order and examine X-rays and other scans to determine the extent of your musculoskeletal damage. From there, they’ll discuss surgical treatment options.
NIRAV AMIN, MD
Residency:
Drexel University College of Medicine
Education:
Drexel University College of Medicine
Fellowships:
Cleveland Clinic (Sports Medicine)
Lenox Hill Hospital
Board Certified:
Orthopaedic Surgeon
MITCHELL MCDOWELL, DO
Dr. McDowell joined the BVCHD team in 2024. He studied at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest. He then had a fellowship at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush and a residency in orthopaedic surgery at Riverside University Health System. He is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Osteopathic Physician,
Dr. McDowell’s subspecialties include Hip & Knee Reconstructive Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Trauma. He was the first surgeon in Southern California to perform the Jiffy Knee procedure, offering patients a less invasive, rapid‑recovery option for knee replacement. His clinical interests include regenerative health, orthobiologics, mobile health technology, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. He considers himself a mentor at heart and has published and presented research at national orthopedic conferences.
Dr. McDowell is originally from Covina, CA. In his spare time, he plays guitar and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking with his wife Mareena, their five children, and their dog Luna. Outside of surgery, he also enjoys woodworking and cooking—hobbies that mirror the precision he values in the operating room.
ROSHAN MELVANI, MD
Fellowship:
Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic (Hip/Knee Reconstruction)
Florida Orthopaedic Institute/Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education (Shoulder/Elbow Surgery)
Residency:
Medstar Union Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital for Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for Orthopaedic Traumatology
Education:
University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine
Board Certified:
Orthopaedic Surgery
SAMIR NAYYAR, MD
Fellowship:
NYU Langone Orthopaedic Hospital (Orthopaedic Surgery)
Residency:
State University of New York at Buffalo (Orthopaedic Surgery)
Education:
State University of New York at Buffalo
*Excellence in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Award
*SUNY Chancellor’s Award
Board Certified:
Orthopaedic Surgery