Dr. Oakes is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the Director of the USC Joint Replacement Program.

Dr. Oakes is nationally recognized for his expertise in knee and hip replacement and reconstruction. He has extensive experience with both primary and revision of hip and knee replacement procedures. Dr. Oakes is actively engaged in the role of emerging computer assisted navigation technologies for hip and knee joint replacement procedures and robotic surgery for full and partial knee replacement. Dr. Oakes performed the first robotic total knee surgery at Keck Medical Center of USC in 2018.

Dr. Oakes is interested in the technology advances that improve the longevity implants and patient outcomes. He and his team have worked to develop strategies both to prevent and treat infected joint replacements. His active research focuses on the long-term outcomes of robotic partial and total knee replacement outcomes, of porous metal technology in complex primary and complex revision improving longevity of implant technologies and the prevention and treatment of infected joint replacements, of porous metal technology in complex revision knee replacements, of single stage treatments for infection and of hip resurfacing as an alternative to joint replacement.

Dr. Oakes has consistently been voted a Top Doctor by Pasadena Magazine, Super Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine, and one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons(AAHKS) and has served as chair of its membership committee.

Dr. Oakes received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic, where he received the Mark B. Coventry Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Award.

Dr. Oakes is the Joint Replacement fellowship director. He has twice been the recipient of the departments award for teaching excellence.