Brad L. Sparks, MD
Dr. Brad Sparks is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, joint replacement, and orthopedic trauma. He is the only doctor in Alaska (and one of only a handful of physicians in the entire country) to be certified in the Jiffy Knee procedure, an approach to total knee replacements that offers patients a faster recovery, less pain and an easier rehab process. Dr. Sparks received special training from the founder of the Jiffy Knee, Dr. Manish Patel.
Dr. Sparks joined Alaska Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic in 2014. After graduating from medical school at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Sparks went on to complete residency training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Louisville.
He received advanced fellowship training in sports medicine at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon, he specializes in arthroscopic shoulder instability, total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and ACL reconstruction.
Dr. Sparks takes a special interest in getting to know his patients individually and providing specialized care to meet each patient’s needs and expectations. He is happiest when he is able to improve his patients’ quality of life through nonoperative or operative musculoskeletal care.
When he’s not seeing patients at Alaska Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic, Dr. Sparks enjoys hunting, camping, hiking, fishing, snow machining, ATV riding, downhill skiing, and photography.
Jiffy Knee: A Game Changer for Total Knee Replacements
Most total knee replacements require an incision along the front of the knee. To access the kneecap, multiple muscles and the quadriceps tendon must be cut and then stitched back together after the procedure. (These are the workhorse muscles for walking and moving up or down stairs.) When you bend your knee during rehab, the freshly repaired muscles and tendon are stretched – leading to great discomfort and a long recovery.
With the Jiffy Knee procedure, Dr. Sparks gains access from the side of the knee. He then uses special instruments and techniques to slide the muscles and tendon away, rather than cutting them. The Jiffy Knee approach offers the following unique benefits:
- Less post-procedure pain
- Significantly less swelling and stiffness
- Less need for narcotics (most patients need just a single Rx)
- Far less downtime
- Fast rehab and recovery
- Decreased risk for complications like blood clots
- No more post-surgical muscle atrophy due to lack of use
- Patients are more active early on, leading to better outcomes
- No sutures or staples to remove
- No additional costs or upcharges
If you are a candidate for a total knee replacement, you are a candidate for the Jiffy Knee! To learn more, visit www.jiffyknee.com, or call AFOC at one of the phone numbers below.
Interests
- Sports Medicine
- Total Joint Replacement
- Trauma
Medical Degree
- University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Internship / Residency
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Fellowship
- Sports Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Board Certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Sparks is available to see patients at the following locations:
Anchorage Clinic & Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
Eagle River Clinic & Physical Therapy
Suite 102
Physical Therapy
Wasilla Clinic
Suite 101
Testimonials for Dr. Sparks
“My shoulder was bone on bone. One could hear the bones rubbing together and the pain was constant. I am now 9 months post surgery and have full use of my shoulder.”
“Had a partial knee replacement. Walking without a cane after two weeks and now at five weeks I’m walking fairly well. Staff and Doctor are top notch. I liked the fact the X-rays and MRI facilities were all in the same complex. I have already recommended your clinic to others.”
“My shoulder replacement went well after a slight delay in the surgery date. Dr. Sparks had a lesson in the unpredictability of bush planes when the weather does not cooperate 🙂 I feel that my questions were answered adequately and office visits were friendly and professional. AFOC, thank you for the years of service for myself and the clients I have sent to you for care.”
“Dr. Sparks has become a friend. Turns out we have some of the same interests. Aside from that, he and his staff have taken excellent care of me. We had some hurdles along the way, but Dr. Sparks dealt with each one of them with the care and professionalism that befits his calling. I am grateful and thankful for the care and expertise I have experienced while under his care.”
“The shot you gave me on March 29th in my left knee worked very well. I climbed Wolverine Peak twice and backpacked for 8 days in the Grand Canyon on primitive trails with relatively little pain.”