Dr. Michael Mousselli

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Fellowship Trained in Spine Surgery

Dr. Michael Mousselli is a highly trained orthopedic surgeon with a distinct passion for conditions of the spine. As the son of a mechanical engineer and a registered nurse, he developed an early interest in both physics and medicine, ultimately inspiring him to pursue a career in orthopedic spine surgery. Dr. Mousselli believes in a compassionate, patient-centered approach to healthcare. By prioritizing shared decision-making and collaboration, he partners with patients and their families to develop thoughtful, individualized treatment plans that align medical expertise with patient goals.

Dr. Mousselli earned his undergraduate degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from California State University – Northridge, and went on to obtain his medical doctorate from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. He then completed a five-year orthopedic surgery residency at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California, with rotations at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. During residency, he received extensive training in orthopedic trauma and joint replacement surgery, including anterior total hip replacements. He subsequently completed a year-long fellowship in spine surgery at The Center for Spine and Orthopedics in Denver, Colorado. His fellowship focused heavily on the management of complex spinal deformities, degenerative conditions, and decompression procedures involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

Dr. Mousselli is deeply committed to global health and expanding access to care in underserved international populations. During medical school, he traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, and Tanzania in Africa, to provide basic clinical services to rural communities. As a resident, he visited a remote village in Vietnam, where he worked alongside local surgeons to perform both general orthopedic and spine-specific surgeries. Dr. Mousselli has a strong interest in research and has published numerous papers on various topics including prehospital antifibrinolytic therapy in trauma patients. He has also presented internationally on his research related to techniques in anterior cervical spine surgery. He served as chapter president of his medical school’s honors society and is currently an affiliate member of the North American Spine Society.

In his free time, Dr. Mousselli enjoys life with his wife, Kara, and their dog, Otto. Together, they enjoy surfing, hiking, skiing, and exploring new places. They are new to San Diego and look forward to getting involved in their community.