Sean T. Campbell, M.D.
Assistant Professor
To see if Sean T. Campbell is accepting new patients, or for assistance finding a UC Davis doctor, please call 800-2-UCDAVIS (800-282-3284).
Locations and Contact
Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center
Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic
4860 Y Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Clinic Phone: 916-734-2700
Clinic Fax: 916-734-7137
Additional Numbers
Clinic Phone
Physician Referrals
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Campbell focuses on helping patients navigate complex orthopaedic injuries over time, recognizing that recovery often evolves rather than following a single, fixed plan. He emphasizes clear communication, thoughtful decision-making, and alignment of treatment with each patient’s goals. His approach combines technical precision with ongoing reassessment, particularly in situations where injuries or prior treatments have not followed an expected course.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Campbell is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic traumatologist who treats adult patients. His clinical practice includes periarticular fractures and foot and ankle trauma. He has a particular interest in complex fracture patterns and the management of complications such as malunion, nonunion, and post-traumatic deformity. His work frequently involves reconstruction after incomplete healing or prior surgical treatment, including challenging periarticular injuries and referral-level cases.
Research/Academic Interests
Dr. Campbell’s academic work focuses on improving outcomes in complex orthopaedic trauma, with an emphasis on periarticular injuries, fracture-healing complications, bone defect management, and reconstruction. He has authored over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 book chapters, presented nationally, and serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. He has served on committees within the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and has been a site Principal Investigator for funded multicenter clinical trials.
He is actively involved in resident and fellow education at UC Davis and nationally through participation as course faculty.
Division
Traumatology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Center/Program Affiliation
UC Davis Medical Group
Trauma Program
Undergraduate School
B.S., Biology, Fresno State University, Fresno CA 2010
Medical School
M.D., UC Irvine, Irvine CA 2014
Internship
Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford CA 2014-2015
Residency
Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford CA 2015-2019
Fellowship
Orthpaedic Traumatology, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle WA 2019-2020
Elite Reviewer, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2025,
Elite Reviewer, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2024,
Diamond Doc Award, UC Davis Health, 2023, 2024,
JBJS Open Access Award, Best Article, 2023,
Van Rysselberghe NL, Campbell ST, Goodnough LH, Amanatullah DF, Gardner MJ, Bishop JA. To Fix or Revise: Differences in Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fracture Management Between Trauma and Arthroplasty Surgeons. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2022 Jan 1;30(1):e17-e24. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00968. PMID:34288890.
Campbell ST, Taylor M, Dunbar RP, Firoozabadi R. Long-term sequelae of septic arthritis after tibial plateau fracture fixation: does timing matter? Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2022 Jun;142(6):955-959. doi:10.1007/s00402-020-03730-x. Epub 2021 Jan 8. PMID:33417025.
Fithian AT, Chavez G, Nathan K, Campbell ST, Bishop JA, Gardner MJ. A prescribing protocol decreases the rate of chronic opioid use in orthopaedic trauma patients: A prospective quality improvement study. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 2021 Sep. doi:10.1097/BCO.0000000000001052.
Wadhwa H, Goodnough LH, Finlay AK, DeBaun MR, Campbell ST, Hecht G, Lucas JF, Bishop JA, Gardner MJ. Incidence and Management of Articular Impaction in Geriatric Olecranon Fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021 Sep 15;29(18):805-810. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-01293. PMID:33999874.
Campbell ST, Firoozabadi R. Delayed Displacement of a Subtle Sacral Insufficiency Fracture Unmasking Lumbopelvic Instability: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect. 2021 Mar 25;11(1). doi:10.2106/JBJS.CC.20.00329. PMID:33764910.
Campbell ST, DeBaun MR, Githens MF. Frame-Assisted Reduction of a B-Type Pilon Fracture Dislocation: Talar Body Incarceration on an Intact Fibula: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect. 2021 Feb 11;11(1):e20.00436. doi:10.2106/JBJS.CC.20.00436. PMID:33577191.
Souza KE, Chan JY, Campbell ST, Bishop JA. Research methodologic quality varies significantly by subspecialty: An analysis of AAOS meeting abstracts. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2020 Nov 11;15:37-41. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2020.11.001. Erratum in: J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 Oct;21:101561. PMID:33717914.
Van Rysselberghe NL, Campbell ST, Goodnough LH, Salazar BP, Bishop JA, Bellino MJ, Lucas JF, Gardner MJ. Metaphyseal callus formation in pilon fractures is associated with loss of alignment: Is stiffer better? Injury. 2021 Apr;52(4):977-981. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2020.10.080. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID:33097204.
Bosch LC, Nathan K, Lu LY, Campbell ST, Gardner MJ, Bishop JA. Do-Not-Resuscitate status is an independent risk factor for medical complications and mortality among geriatric patients sustaining hip fractures. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2020 Sep 22;14:65-68. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2020.09.021. PMID:33717898.