Nathanael Heckmann, MD

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Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Nathanael Heckmann, who practices in California. 

Dr. Heckmann is a knowledgeable and compassionate orthopedic surgeon and Assistant Professor with Keck Medicine of USC. 

His clinical focus is on the surgical and non-surgical management of degenerative diseases of the hip and knee, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. His surgical practice focuses on minimally invasive surgery, hip and knee replacement, partial knee replacement, infection management, treatment of failed hip and knee replacement, pain management, and accelerated recovery following hip and knee surgery.

Dr. Heckmann specializes in a wide range of treatment options, from nonsurgical and minimally invasive techniques, to more extensive surgical procedures when necessary. Using state-of-the-art surgical technologies, his services are at the forefront of orthopedic advances. They include Mako™ robotic joint replacement and Intellijoint Surgical® computer-guided navigation for certain knee and hip replacement surgeries.  

Taking a holistic approach to patient care, he works to treat the whole person, rather than merely focusing on a specific area of pain. At all times, he aims to find the solution that offers the least pain and the swiftest recovery. All patients receive a comprehensive care program tailored to their specific needs, and he works closely with them to monitor and assess their healing process each step of the way. 

Specializing in joint replacement of the hip and knee, he is affiliated with Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. He also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

Among his academic background, Dr. Heckmann received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and his medical degree at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He completed an internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at USC, and a fellowship in adult reconstruction at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. 

Attributing his success to being able to help his patients every day, Dr. Heckmann is an active member of the American Association Hip and Knee Surgery, the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the Western Orthopedic Association.

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.

In addition to performing surgery, Dr. Heckmann actively conducts research and has published over 75 scholarly reviews, research papers, and book chapters. His research focuses on clinical outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty with a particular interest in understanding the interrelationship between degenerative diseases of the spine and hip. It is also focused on healthcare economics, health policy, and understanding the social determinants of surgical outcomes following hip and knee replacement surgery. 

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