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Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD

(Scott Taber Ball, MD)

(725 Ratings)

Specializes in: Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery and General Practice

Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College

Professional interests include: knee pain, knee replacement, hip replacement, and more.

1200 Garden View Road
Encinitas, CA 92024

(858) 657-8200

Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD is an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA specializing in orthopedics/orthopedic surgery and general practice. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD is affiliated with UC San Diego Health and UC San Diego Health.

Office Locations

1200 Garden View Road
Encinitas, CA 92024

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200 W. Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103

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4250 First Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103

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9300 Campus Point Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

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Some issues Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD can help you with:

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure to replace parts of the hip joint that are damaged by disease or injury. It is most often done to treat arthritis, a common condition that causes stiffness and pain in the joints. Surgery is used only after other, less invasive treatments have failed to work.

The type of hip replacement patients receive is based on their age and the extent of damage to their hip. The hip joint has two parts: the femoral head, or hip ball, and the acetabulum, or hip socket. The hip ball is located on the upper end of the femur (thigh bone), and the hip socket is part of the pelvis. Depending on whether one or both parts require replacement, patients may need one of the following procedures:

Partial hip replacement, which is generally recommended in the case of hip fractures or other hip injuries. If a patient is having a partial hip replacement, only the hip ball will be replaced.
Total hip replacement, which is often used to treat the hip joint when it has become damaged due to arthritis. Both the hip socket and hip ball are replaced.
Hip resurfacing, which is usually performed for younger patients. A hip resurfacing procedure reshapes the hip ball and only replaces its surface. This preserves more bone and makes future surgeries easier. If a patient is having a partial hip resurfacing, only the hip ball is resurfaced and replaced. If a patient is having a total hip resurfacing, the hip socket will be replaced as well.

During hip replacement surgery, an incision is made along the side of the hip. The surgeon may access the joint directly through this incision, or by using small tools and a lighted tube called an arthroscope to see and treat the joint. The diseased tissue is removed, and the bones are smoothed out and fitted with metal ends. The metal pieces may be cemented in place, or they may have a porous structure that encourages bone to grow into them and hold them securely. A smooth plastic cushion is placed between the two bones to replace the cartilage and allow the joint to move freely.

Hip replacement surgery takes one to two hours, and afterwards patients may stay in the hospital for several days. When patients go home, they will have to use a cane, walker, or crutches at first. Patients will likely have physical therapy to improve their ability to move with their new hip. After the first few weeks, light exercise such as bike riding or swimming will help them heal, but certain actions, such as climbing stairs or bending over at the waist, may be difficult at first. It will take several weeks before they can drive or return to work. Full recovery may take six to 12 months.

In The News

“Dr. Scott Ball, orthopedic surgeon at UCSD, which was reported as having no in-hospital deaths among its hip fracture patients, agreed with Bozic's points on the necessity for a multidisciplinary...”—"Two San Diego Hospitals Among Worst for Deaths of Hip Fracture Patients", Times of San Diego, February 2017

“We asked Dr. Scott Ball, an assistant clinical professor in the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and an orthopedic surgeon at UC San Diego's Joint and Cartilage Center, to talk...”—"Lifestyle changes increase interest in joint replacement", The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 2012

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

joint reconstruction

lower extremity surgery

reconstructive surgery

total knee replacement

In 2023, Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD performed more joint reconstruction, lower extremity surgery, reconstructive surgery, and total knee replacement procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within California.

Top 10%

By Volume:

computer-assisted orthopedic surgery

total hip replacement

In 2023, Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD performed more computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS), and total hip replacement procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within California.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2012 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	25
doctor visit	377
injections	25
joint surgery	94
lower extremity surgery	94
reconstructive surgery	94

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2013 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery and lower extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	454
joint surgery	118
lower extremity surgery	118
reconstructive surgery	118

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	158
Female	252

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	334
Black	12
Hispanic	32
Asian	20
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	224
From 75 to 84	117
85 and over	29
Less than 65	40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2013

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	12
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	18
Dementia	5
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2014 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and revision surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	209
joint surgery	119
lower extremity surgery	119
reconstructive surgery	119
revision surgery	13

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	118
Female	173

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	231
Black	0
Hispanic	25
Asian	14
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	143
From 75 to 84	96
85 and over	23
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2014

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	14
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	19
Dementia	5
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2015 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery and lower extremity surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	275
joint surgery	121
lower extremity surgery	121
reconstructive surgery	121

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	252
Female	356

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	506
Black	0
Hispanic	44
Asian	26
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	316
From 75 to 84	198
85 and over	46
Less than 65	48

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2015

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	17
Dementia	5
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2016 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and revision surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	24
doctor visit	586
injections	24
joint surgery	160
lower extremity surgery	160
reconstructive surgery	160
revision surgery	29

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	189
Female	293

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	400
Black	19
Hispanic	28
Asian	22
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	270
From 75 to 84	131
85 and over	38
Less than 65	43

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2016

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	18
Dementia	6
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2017 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	29
doctor visit	530
injections	29
joint surgery	169
lower extremity surgery	169
reconstructive surgery	169
revision surgery	15

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	186
Female	278

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	386
Black	11
Hispanic	28
Asian	21
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	265
From 75 to 84	134
85 and over	31
Less than 65	34

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2017

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	17
Dementia	6
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2018 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	35
blood draw	18
doctor visit	567
injections	35
joint surgery	190
lower extremity surgery	190
reconstructive surgery	190
revision surgery	15

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	208
Female	291

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	426
Black	13
Hispanic	21
Asian	17
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	277
From 75 to 84	153
85 and over	30
Less than 65	39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2018

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	17
Dementia	6
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2019 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	56
blood draw	20
doctor visit	613
injections	56
joint surgery	227
lower extremity surgery	227
reconstructive surgery	227
revision surgery	28

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	222
Female	318

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	466
Black	11
Hispanic	29
Asian	13
Other	21
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	289
From 75 to 84	190
85 and over	32
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2019

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	16
Dementia	7
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2020 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	51
doctor visit	468
injections	51
joint surgery	190
lower extremity surgery	190
reconstructive surgery	190
revision surgery	13

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	170
Female	298

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	405
Black	0
Hispanic	23
Asian	0
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	251
From 75 to 84	155
85 and over	32
Less than 65	30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2020

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	16
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2021 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	56
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	23
doctor visit	546
injections	56
joint surgery	203
lower extremity surgery	203
reconstructive surgery	203

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	195
Female	311

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	428
Black	0
Hispanic	28
Asian	0
Other	23
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	246
From 75 to 84	198
85 and over	36
Less than 65	26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2021

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	17
Dementia	6
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA during 2022 were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	70
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	123
doctor visit	642
injections	70
joint surgery	247
lower extremity surgery	247
reconstructive surgery	247
revision surgery	14

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	223
Female	359

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	509
Black	0
Hispanic	20
Asian	0
Other	29
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	275
From 75 to 84	238
85 and over	49
Less than 65	20

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD in 2022

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	24
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	18
Dementia	4
Cancer	20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated as an orthopedist in Encinitas, CA were reconstructive surgery, joint surgery, lower extremity surgery and computer assisted surgery (CAS).

aspiration	43
blood draw	19
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	73
doctor visit	478
injections	43
joint surgery	167
lower extremity surgery	167
reconstructive surgery	167
revision surgery	18

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD.

**Gender**
Male	174
Female	266

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	6
Asian / Pacific Islander	12
Non-Hispanic White	371
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	25
Other	14

**Age**
75 to 84	146
85 and over	31
Less than 65	30
65 to 74	232

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	1
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	13
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	15
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Cancer	12
Dementia	5

Education & Training

Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD graduated from Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College. He completed residency at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the general orthopaedics and has a state license in California.

Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College

Residency: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: general orthopaedics

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UC San Diego Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.87 out of 5 stars based on 725 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Encinitas, CA.

4.87

Overall Rating

(725 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews Left On DocSpot

Overall Rating: 1.0 2025-01-11

I saw another doctor for 10 years treating my knee with cortisone and meniscus surgeries. Sooner or later you pretty much need a new knee. 2 doctors told me I needed a new knee. Including Dr Ball's PA. He said I was bone to bone.
They scheduled me for surgery. After getting blood tests and getting cleared by my primary doctor, I went to the pre-op appt with dr ball. First, I sat in the waiting room for an hour. Then they brought me to the back and I waited for another hour. It was so long that they brought me drinks and snacks to keep me happy. I didnt really care, up to this point everyone was nice to me. Dr ball eventually came in, no doubt rushed, empty handed, he didn't look at my MRI, all he looked at was an Xray they took that day. Then he decided not to do surgery, he told me I wouldn't be much better than I was now.  Then he referred me to the pain management to get a nerve block to kill any pain I have. What? I've already been treated with cortisone for 10 years I guess you missed that in my chart. 
I went to another doctor, he is doing the surgery, and he has no idea how Dr Ball came to that conclusion. Maybe he had a bad day? Hopefully your appointment isn't on one of his bad days.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
ConforMIS, Inc.	$187,496 Hip $80,895	iTotal PS $28,175	iTotal, iUni, iDuo, Hip $20,134	iTOTAL $16,826	iTotal Identity PS $14,501	Other $26,965
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.	$22,446 SUMMIT $12,953	ACTIS $9,457	HIP ENDURANCE $36
Biocomposites Inc	$22,430 Stimulan $22,430
DePuy Orthopaedics Inc.	$10,939 Orthopaedics $5,850	CORAIL $5,058	Orthopedics $31
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.	$9,400 ATTUNE $6,942	SUMMIT $1,467	ACTIS $215	Orthopaedics $209	KNEES $125	Other $441
Other	$8,651 ORTHALIGN PLUS $3,458	Zilretta $2,750	Procedural Solutions $1,000	Taperloc $239	Persona $207	Other $997

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$104,100
Consulting Fee	$90,853
Travel and Lodging	$46,740
Food and Beverage	$19,649
Education	$19

Research Payments

Dr. Scott Taber Ball, MD has received 33 research payments totaling $122,217.

Biography

Dr. Scott Ball's areas of specialization are general practice and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. Areas of expertise for Dr. Ball include hip replacement, knee replacement, and knee pain. He is rated 5.0 stars (out of 5) by his patients. He studied medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College. For his professional training, Dr. Ball completed a residency program at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). In addition to English, he speaks Spanish. He is professionally affiliated with UC San Diego Health and Regents of the University of California.