ACL injury and treatment.
In patients’ words.

I was referred to Dr. Prem Ramkumar after a sports injury that left me needing ACL and meniscus surgery on both knees, and I honestly couldn’t be more grateful that I was sent his way. From my very first appointment, Dr. Prem and his entire team made me feel like I was in the best hands. I had never been through an injury or recovery like this before, and the thought of having surgery on both knees was overwhelming. Dr. Prem walked me through everything step by step, answered every question I had, and always made sure I understood what to expect. He gave me so much confidence going into both surgeries and throughout my recovery. From pre-op, to surgery, to all of my follow-up appointments, I have felt genuinely cared for and supported. Dr. Prem is not only an incredible surgeon, but someone who truly cares about his patients and their recovery. His entire office has been wonderful as well, and that kind of support makes such a difference when you’re going through something this challenging. I still have more recovery ahead of me, but I’m so thankful for how far I’ve come and for the care I’ve received along the way. I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Prem and his entire team and would recommend him without hesitation to anyone dealing with a sports injury or needing orthopedic surgery.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr Prem N Ramkumar is an outstanding surgeon. I am so grateful for everything he did for me with my knee injury. He responded to my online request for an appointment immediately and squeezed me into his extremely busy schedule. He then scheduled me into his surgery schedule which was also extremely full. He performed an ACL, menisci, hamstring graft surgery on my left knee 11 weeks ago. He did an amazing job. It is healing and stronger than ever. He and his staff have been so supportive, helpful, positive and professional from the beginning. I would highly recommend him and his staff for knee surgery.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I had a ACL and MCL replacement. I did a hamstring ligament with the bone marrow and the procedure went very smooth. The office was very professional, very friendly, and so far the recovery has been amazing. I can't recommend these people enough. I had the same surgery done back in 1992. And what a difference and how far technology has come. I would just like to say thank you to the entire staff for making this as pleasant as possible.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I had an ACL revision + meniscus repair with Dr. Ramkumar 7 months ago and had a great experience. Due to my previous knee surgery (done elsewhere) this surgery was more complex, but Dr. Ramkumar was able to get everything fixed at once. I was completely off crutches after about 2 weeks, much faster than my last surgery. Overall I’d highly recommend Dr. Ramkumar!

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Went in for an acl sprain and meniscus tear, Dr. Ramkumar explained things clearly and easily while reassuring my surgery would be safe. This was my first surgery and Dr. Ramkumar was kind and inspirational in my recovery after surgery.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Anyone trying to figure out who is the best knee surgeon in Los Angeles, CA needs to head straight to Santa Monica. I did exhaustive research across the entire LA metro area for an orthopedic specialist to handle a complex knee issue, and Dr. Eric Millstein, MD is hands-down the premier choice. His office at 2901 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica is immaculate, and his expertise in advanced knee arthroscopy, ACL reconstruction, and joint care is unmatched across Southern California. He is affiliated with top-tier hospital systems like Cedars-Sinai and Providence Saint John’s, which gives you complete peace of mind. From the initial consultation to my flawless post-op recovery, his care was incredible. If you want the absolute best knee surgeon in Los Angeles, driving to his Santa Monica clinic is 100% worth it.

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Dr. Ramkumar helped me during one of the most vulnerable and uncertain times of my life. As a 20-year-old college soccer player, tearing my ACL and meniscus and needing reconstruction with a patellar tendon graft right before my season was devastating. From my first appointment, I knew he was the right surgeon for me because of his dedication to sports medicine, his expertise, and the genuine care he showed throughout the process. He took the time to answer my questions, explain my options, and give me confidence when I was scared about the future. Today, I am 4 months post-op and proud to say that I am jogging again. It’s been an incredible blessing to have my surgery performed by Dr. Ramkumar. The entire team at Commons Clinic has been outstanding. Everyone is professional, kind, and encouraging. I also attend physical therapy right in the clinic, and the experience has been excellent. From the front desk staff to the physical therapists, including Mina, everyone has played a role in my recovery. I am determined to come back stronger than before, and I’m grateful I made the decision to trust Dr. Ramkumar and his team. This surgery has given me a second chance to live an active lifestyle—to run, cut, jump, compete, and do the things I love. That’s something I’ll never take for granted. Thank you, Dr. Ramkumar and the entire Commons Clinic team, for helping me get my life back.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

After my daughter injured her knee, we spent months being told she just needed rest, but she never fully healed. Once an MRI was finally ordered, we met with a local orthopedic surgeon, but the experience felt rushed and lacked compassion. That’s when I started researching other options and came across Dr. Ramkumar. From our very first appointment, we knew we had made the right decision. Dr. Ramkumar was kind, patient, informative, and never once made us feel rushed or pressured into surgery. He took the time to thoroughly explain her ACL and meniscus surgery along with the recovery process, which gave us so much reassurance during a stressful time. Her recovery has honestly exceeded anything we expected. She was off crutches at 2 weeks, out of her brace at 4 weeks, and now 4 months post-op she continues to do incredibly well with minimal to no pain. His physical therapy team has also been amazing supportive, patient, and truly invested in her recovery. We gladly make the almost 3-hour commutes because Dr. Ramkumar and his entire team have been the perfect fit for my daughter. We are beyond grateful for the care, encouragement, and support they have given her throughout this journey.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr. Ramkumar is the most extraordinary human being, doctor, and surgeon I have ever met. He is kind and hopeful while also being practical and honest. I went to four so-called specialists with a complex ACL and cartilage injury after enduring two previously failed surgeries at Cedars and USC. I thought I would never return to soccer and running again after previous opinions told me it was basically impossible. Well, two years later I'm playing collegiate soccer and couldn't be happier after a revision ACL and cartilage transplant. I wish I just went to him in the first place instead of wasting years trying to rehab a knee that never felt right and wasn't done properly. He called me the night before surgery just to tell me "I got you" and to make sure I understood the plan for the next day, the next 2 weeks, the next 9 months, and the next 10 years. He understood me and my goals and treated me as a family member and gave me world class care. I consider myself lucky to be his patient and to know him. Thank you Dr. Ramkumar!

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr Millstein could not have been more helpful and precise discussing my options after an acl and meniscus tearing ski accident two weeks prior. He instantly gained my trust explaining the details of my injury from mri imaging and involved me in the choices I had to make on surgery v rehab . I cannot recommend him highly enough after my initial consultation. I chose the surgery route , and his team slotted me in quickly to get me back to work, which is my number one priority .10/10 .

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Dr. Ramkumar and his staff are truly the best! Going into my first appointment, I already knew I had a torn meniscus. However, after a simple X‑ray, Dr. Ramkumar immediately noticed that my ACL and knee alignment didn’t look right. It turned out that my previous ACL graft from eight years ago was not properly working anymore. Hearing that I needed an ACL reconstruction along with a meniscus repair was overwhelming, but the way Dr. Ramkumar explained everything—what happened, how he would fix it, and why gave me complete confidence that I was in the best hands. I was genuinely excited for surgery because I trusted him completely and knew he would be able to fix my knee so I could begin my journey back to lifting weights and swimming again. After surgery, I felt stronger than I ever have after a procedure. I was walking without crutches around two weeks post‑op. Dr. Ramkumar provides a clear, easy‑to‑follow post‑op plan so patients know exactly what to expect and how to track their progress. I’ve also spoken with other patients in the waiting room, and it’s clear he has helped so many people become pain‑free—from knee replacements to ACL repairs like mine, including both medial and lateral meniscus repairs. Now, three months post‑surgery, I can confidently say I am beyond grateful for my decision to walk into Dr. Ramkumar’s office for help with my knee pain. Dr. Ramkumar and his entire staff are incredibly kind, patient, and always willing to answer any questions. They make every office visit enjoyable because they’re such a warm and welcoming team. Ms. Stephanie was amazing to work with. She helped me plan my surgery date and made sure I had everything I needed leading up to the procedure. Ishan was also extremely helpful he answered all my questions and helped set up the post‑surgery app so they can track how their patients are doing. Overall, such a supportive and organized team! I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Ramkumar and his staff to anyone needing hip, knee, or ACL surgery. He is truly the best, and I can’t wait for my next appointment! GOATED staff !! Thank you all so much!!

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr. Ramkumar performed my ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care I received. He was professional, thorough, and took the time to clearly explain the procedure, recovery timeline, and what to expect long term. The surgery went smoothly, and my recovery has been better than I expected. He also created his own week-by-week recovery guide outlining what to expect and what needed to be done at each stage, which helped me tremendously throughout the process. I’m now 3 months post-op and already feeling like I can run again, which speaks to the quality of his work and guidance throughout recovery. What I appreciate most is his focus on long-term stability and protecting the health of my knee for years to come. I highly recommend Dr. Ramkumar to anyone needing knee surgery.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr. Ramkumar and his team (shoutout to Margo & Ishan) have been consistently superb throughout the entire process of helping me recovery from my injury (comprised of: ACL tear, lateral meniscus tear, & MCL sprain), which isn’t a surprise because even when I first met them I immediately knew that I was in good hands. Him and his team are so responsive (I always receive a response either in the same day or the next day) that I wonder when they find the time to sleep. Dr. Ramkumar’s knowledge is both expansive and current. So much so, that he used Cameron brink’s surgery as an example when he was telling me about the LET procedure. My dad tore his ACL twice, and neither of his surgeons ever mentioned the LET procedure in tandem with the ACL repair. So Dr. Ramkumar enlightened both my dad and me on its history and results. As an athlete who misses playing volleyball dearly, I’m so happy and blessed to have him in my care team because he has a track record of treating other athletes as well. The day of my surgery was quick and smooth. Dr. Ramkumar met with me before I was put under to go over everything again, and did so again when I woke up after the surgery as well to make sure the brace was properly fitted and that I had all the instructions/paperwork. I had minimal pain after surgery, and I was even able to bend my knee to 90 degrees the DAY AFTER surgery (90 degrees was my two week goal)!! TL;DR I’ve had the BEST experience I could ever hope for because of Dr. Ramkumar and his AMAZING team ✨❤️ (The picture attached is from my post-op appointment on Halloween lol, they are always VERY professional otherwise)

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

If you are an athlete or you have an athlete child, this review is for you. It can be the craziest experience when your kid gets injured. On top of all the emotions there's the inescapable reality of "what next" When the dust settles, the MRIs are back, and the reality of surgery becomes inevitable an even more important question looms: "Where can I get the best possible care?" My daughter received the best possible care with Dr Ramkumar and he's the answer. I strongly feel that if my daughter (elite level high school wrestler) had her primary ACL surgery done by Dr Ram to begin with, she likely would have never needed the ACL revision surgery that brought us to Dr Ram. Being traumatized by the last experience I knew this time around that I needed to find someone young,  someone with modern ideas and applications,  new-school and capable, works with athletes and understands those demands, and someone who specializes in knees day in and day out. With athletes,  the timeline is crucial. Within one day of my girl's re-injury my friend reached out to Dr Ramkumar's NP with a Homie Hookup request and by 10 pm that same night Dr Ram had personally reached out to me by email and said verbatim, "I will see you soon and fix this problem. Happy to help...I can see you before the MRI" Please tell me what doctor on planet earth takes their own time to reach out after hours and is like 'hey don't worry I'm gonna fix your kid?' That's incredible. I looked into him at that point and his qualifications are ridiculously excellent. Like okay Overachiever, leave some accolades for the rest of the people. But that's exactly what we needed. Within 3 weeks of her injury date she was on his operating table. He decided to do this so that she could be ready for the next wrestling season. He had spoken to her personally about her goals and that led him to help us push through red tape to get this done ASAP. His beside manner for a surgeon is pretty impeccable. But here's the craziest part. Her surgery randomly ended up getting pushed for many hours at the surgical center that day.  He could've canceled her but instead he honored his word and did the surgery which started at like 9 pm! He even called me from the OR to explain how he was needing to go in and fix some things from her previous surgery, that's why it was taking a little longer and basically not to worry. I felt so in the loop and like she was truly in the best hands.  He did ACL revision,  LET, and stem cell therapy on her and he closed her up w the most dainty and technical stitching. Like he's basically a skin tailor, tffff The above is all a testament to his work ethic and his clear commitment to his own high standards of excellence. Now she's going on 2 months post-op, acute recovery was smooth and easy, Dr R and the PTs are all really happy with where she is and she could not have done this without Dr Ramkumar. He went above and beyond to deliver his best work. I hope you never need ACL repair but if you do there is nobody better in California to get in front of than this guy and his AWESOME NP, Margo! Boom! (I don't have any pics of them together but in PT she's a beast BECAUSE of his work!)

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr. Ramkumar is a very professional and knowledgeable Doctor. Dr. Ramkumar repaired my completely torn ACL as well as both of my torn Meniscus from a sports injury. I initially planned to shop around for an Orthopedic Surgeon as I wanted to make sure everything was done correctly, but after seeing my first Doctor (Dr. Ramkumar), I did not want anyone else to do my surgery but him. I knew I was in good hands as he made me feel very comfortable and explained all aspects of the procedures thoroughly. He also has a great support staff around him who is also very knowledgeable. After completing my 4 month post op appointment, he was very pleased with how I had recovered by following his guidance as well as the guidance from his connected physical therapy department. If I was to recommended to a family member who to go to for any orthopedic needs, I would refer Dr. Ramkumar.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I don't usually do reviews, but I figured someone might benefit from this. Dr. Combs handled my father's total knee replacement, and I noticed that he did so with professionalism, and care not often found in the medical field. Often times, as I'm sure many can relate, MD's are pressured to get in as many patients in and out of the office, as such their level of attentiveness and display of care towards their patients is sometimes lacking (to say the least). This was not the case with Dr. Combs. So when I came down with a partial ACL tear while playing basketball, Dr. Combs talked me through the reality of the injury, and steps forward. To make a long story short, I had a torn meniscus, and partially torn ACL - and I was a very-serious-now-recreational basketball player (if that makes sense), so this was a big set back in terms of my ability to play freely and to the best of my ability. I opted to just fix the meniscus - even though in hindsight, I realize Dr. Combs essentially said it's probably best to do both meniscus and ACL at the same time - I still decided to resort to Rehab to address my partially torn ACL. Long story short, I eventually tore the ACL completely, and came back to Dr. Combs, and he performed my ACL Reconstruction surgery. What I appreciate the most in this whole process, was that Dr. Combs didn't push me to initially have the surgery, given he saw my initial adverseness towards it - given the long process of recovery. He professionally laid out the paths I can take, gave me his opinion, and left me to make the decision. I didn't feel that he viewed me as $$$, and that he had my well-being, mental and physical, in mind - and this makes the entire doctor-patient experience worth while in my opinion. The post surgery process has been great, All Thanks to God, and then the professional work of Dr. Combs. I personally, would highly recommend Dr. Combs.

Christopher Combs, MD

I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Ramkumar and his entire team! From my very first appointment through surgery and recovery, I was in great hands and felt truly cared for. Not only is Dr. Ramkumar meticulous and skilled with the actual surgery, he and his team are kind, professional, knowledgeable, and experienced in all that they do. I couldn’t ask for a better surgical team! They took the time to explain everything and made me feel confident every step of the way. They were responsive and thorough when I had any questions or concerns - you can tell they genuinely care about their patients. I initially injured my knee in January and had two subsequent injuries before I finally got an MRI in July that confirmed a full ACL tear. I had done a number on my knee. I was beginning to feel defeated because I am a pretty active person and wasn’t able to do the activities that I love, like CrossFit and volleyball. Once I met with Dr. Ramkumar, I immediately knew he was the surgeon for me. He empathized with my concerns of wanting to get back to my active lifestyle, gave me hope that I would be able to get back to it, and built my confidence in getting the surgery. My full ACL repair (BTB patellar graft) and meniscus root repair went smoothly and my recovery has been going amazingly so far. I’m already feeling stronger just 4 months post op and am so excited to eventually get back to my pre op activity levels. Many people are amazed by my progress! The pain was minimal even immediately after surgery, which was a pleasant surprise. Choosing Dr. Ramkumar was one of the best decisions I could have made and I would 100% recommend him to anyone needing orthopedic care, especially athletes.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Life changing experience!!! So thankful for Dr. Ramkumar! His ability of reassurance and professionalism alongside his bedside manner is irreplaceable! The availability between him and his office staff ...shout out to Jessica for being the best !! Shes a special gem for sure!! The staff and Doctor is always so quick to respond! I was stressing and resisting this surgery for Years!!! After years of boxing and working out my knee was weakening and buckling with constant falls I know I couldn't live the life I wanted. Although with the trusting skillful hand of surgeon Ramkumar he has brought it/me back to life! The goal in life is to climb mountains and hills till the day I die and with this new knee *complete acl replacement it has been given back to me and I am forever grateful and thankful!!! Words can't describe the gratitude!!! No regrets and forever thankful

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I would recommend Dr Ramkumar 100 out of 100 times without hesitation. This was my 2nd ACL reconstruction. My first was 9 years ago on my other knee with a different ortho. I was expecting a tougher, more painful and longer recovery now at the age of 35 than my first one at 26 and I was pleasantly surprised at how wrong I was. This time around, pain has hardly been an issue and I’m back on my feet much faster. Dr Ramkumar and has team are there to answer any questions and most of the time the info can be found on his website. He’s very clear on what he needs you to do in your first days and weeks post surgery and I believe it played a massive role in getting me off crutches in only 2 weeks. I have already recommended a neighbor to him and won’t hesitate again if anyone else asks.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I had ACL surgery with Dr. Prem Ramkumar and I can’t thank him enough for the care he provided. From the start he was incredibly personable and made me feel like I could trust him completely. He took the time to answer every question I had and was always quick to respond whenever I reached out. Throughout the whole process from pre-op to recovery I felt genuinely supported and well cared for. I’d highly recommend Dr. Ramkumar to anyone needing ACL or sports-related surgery.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Amazing Doctor!!! Did an amazing job on my acl/ mcl surgery. Is very polite and gives well detailed explanations while assisting you as well👍 Had me up and walking again by 6 weeks after an extensive surgery. Amazing work🤝

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr. Ramkumar is amazing. I went in for ACL and Miniscus reconstruction. Surgery went very well, the support from the staff has been fantastic. I highly recommend him.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I tore my ACL, LCL, and medial meniscus during flag football and was referred to Dr. Ramkumar, I would recommend him 10/10. From my very first visit, he was straightforward, transparent, and took the time to explain my options while answering all my questions. I had surgery in February this year, and he made it clear that while he would do everything he could on his end, the real work would be up to me. Pre-op and post-op, Dr. Ramkumar provided a detailed plan to set me up for the best recovery possible. My healing journey has been challenging but very rewarding, and I’m grateful for his guidance every step of the way. The bottom line; if you put in the work, Dr. Ramkumar will be there to support you and answer any questions you have. I highly recommend him to anyone, regardless of your level of athleticism.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

First and foremost I would like to give a huge thanks to Dr. Prem N. Ramkumar for the successful operation on my knee (3 procedures in 1 operation; reconstruction of the ACL, L.E.T. procedure and meniscus repair). Starting from the initial visits til the final follow up, he made me feel comfortable and welcomed. Dr. Ramkumar presents himself confidently as the discussions with him were very thorough and the explanations were clear whenever I had questions for him, from that I built an immediate trust and confidence that I was going to be in good hands. His PostOp Protocol is explained in detail and critical to follow. I was a bit fearful of beginning to train on bending the knee, as instructed, because of the pain just days after surgery, but he gave me a piece of mind and reassured that it is part of the process. With discipline and determination I progressed positively well during my rehab. Again thank you Dr. Ramkumar for your expertise and critical services on bringing me back to the field and enjoying the sport that I love, soccer.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA