Consultations and first visits.
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

wonderful consultation. was very attentive, seemed very competent.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bhalla is great! I've had back issues and intermittent pain throughout my adult years. Whenever it got intolerable I resorted to acupuncture and/or chiropractic care and on a few occasions epidurals. Someone cutting on my back was not anything I was receptive to. When sciatic episodes became more frequent and longer lasting and I was forced to postpone scheduled knee replacement surgery I reluctantly decided to again consult an orthopedic surgeon. After initial consultation, x-rays and MRI I had follow up appointment with Dr. Bhalla to discuss options. He recommended surgery. Still reluctant to go that route I opted for another try with an epidural, but to to no avail. Back to Dr. Bhalla who told me the problems were going to continue to get worse so at age 73 I finally agreed to surgery. Lower lumber fusion surgery was performed at Long Beach Memorial Hospital by Dr. Bhalla and Dr. Rao (vascular surgeon). Anterior Lumber Interbody Fusion (ALIF) and laminectomy surgeries were performed on Monday and Thursday of the same week. The week in the hospital (overall very good care and treatment) and first 2 weeks at home I experienced moderate pain and discomfort but nothing intolerable. After 2 weeks of light rehab at home I started physical therapy program. After several weeks of PT my back felt really good. It has been nearly one year since the surgery and other than minimal discomfort during the initial recovery period I have experienced no back pain! From the initial consultation through the post-op visits Dr. Bhalla thoroughly explained all the options, the details of the surgical procedure, the recovery and rehabilitation process and patiently answered all my questions. Dr. Bhalla is a compassionate and highly skilled physician and surgeon! And, kudos to his very competent and kind office staff. While back surgery is a last resort, if there is no other viable way to address your pain and problems Dr. Bhalla is the surgeon for you.

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Amandeep Bhalla, MD

My 80 year old father had been in progressing pain and compromised quality of life due to his knee, but decided he was done suffering and needed surgery. He tried everything, I mean EVERYTHING before deciding on surgery. When he met Dr. Ramkumar, he felt like he was in good hands. From the first consultation, pre-surgery, surgery, and post-surgery appointments, Dr. Ramkumar took ample time and showed patience with my apprehensive parent. Both of my parents are surprised by the quick recovery and ecstatic with the results. A partial knee replacement with full mobility and activity in 2 weeks - wow, just wow! As a child of aging parents, I worry about my folks, but I never felt any concern or doubt in the ability or expected outcome. I feel relieved and am glad that my dad has his quality of life back. He's actually better than ever! I attribute it all to Dr. Ramkumar's skill and ability. I recommend him to anyone that needs a procedure or consultation. He will be honest and tell you the truth. Trust his opinion.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

This was my first visit with Dr. Sanjay and it was refreshing to hear a doctor Discuss alternative treatment rather than jumping straight to surgery

Sanjay Khurana, MD

I underwent the FAI arthroscopy with Dr. Ramkumar last month and the recovery has been very smooth. The early results have been great with more range of motion and less stiffness compared to before the surgery. The pain was so minimal after the surgery that I had to actively remind myself to follow the rest guidelines and not bear weight on my joint too soon. My original symptoms were a lot of hip stiffness and limited hip range of motion. I would also notice intense aching with weight lifting, long distance running, and skiing. I regularly stretched and would see physical therapists but my symptoms remained the same. Dr. Ramkumar did an incredible job of running through my symptoms, physical exam findings, and X-rays to diagnose the FAI and rule out other conditions. His discussion of management principles and what surgery and postop would entail was very helpful and reassuring. Also, knowing that he’s done so much of this type of surgery reassured me that my outcomes would be great and recovery would be smooth. He also has a physical therapy team in his clinic that has a structured routine to help improve the recovery process after surgery. I would 100% undergo this surgery with Dr. Ramkumar again and have already scheduled the surgery for my other hip. I would recommend anyone that notices this or similar symptoms to at least schedule a consultation with him to discuss further.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

As a Div 1 Track athlete with bilateral hip pain before meeting Dr. Ramkumar no one I went to could accurately tell me what was going with my hips. After the first visit with Dr. Ramkumar he explained in detail what was going on and what my options were, from there I decided that I wanted to go through with getting a bilateral hip arthroscopy. He explained exactly what was going to happen during the procedure and about the recovery process before hand so there were no surprises. The procedure went great and I would say the recovery went even better. There was minimal to no pain within the first few days and I was walking the day of the procedure. It has now been around 4 months since the surgery and with the help of physical therapy and strength training my hips feel way better than they did before and I am able to run pain free again. I am very grateful to Dr. Ramkumar for playing a major role in my journey of getting back on the Track.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I had a consultation regarding surgical options for cervical radiculopathy. Everything was excellent all the way around, from the beautiful modern office, friendly attentive staff, and the clearly outlined options and recommendation from the highly skilled Dr Bhalla. Thank you all!

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Dr. Kamrava and his staff were friendly and efficient. I was there for a consultation and Dr. Kamrava reviewed all of my Xrays and MRI reports. He asked questions and did some physical exam assessment testing to identify my weak and painful areas. He recommended a treatment option that he felt was necessary and I understood that although there were no guarantees the procedure (PRP injection) would be helpful for rehabilitation of torn muscle in my left hip. The procedure was done and follow-up visit scheduled.

Evish Kamrava, MD

I was very please with my consultation with Dr. Bae.

Hyun Bae, MD

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

First visit for neck issues. Nice greeting, no waiting, got X-rays and consult very quickly. Dr Bhalla recommended PT as the first treatment. So far, perfect!

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

I'm 3-months post-op from my meniscus repair done by Dr. Ramkumar and I'm super happy with the outcome. As a 66-year old mountain biker, golfer and pickleball player, I really appreciate his approach focusing on repair first vs automatically shaving or removing the meniscus, since repair helps slow the onset of osteo arthritis and will help extend my athletic life. The pre-op visits with Dr. Ramkumar were great! I never felt rushed, he took time to answer all my questions and discuss options. He's friendly and easy going with a great sense of humor which helped me feel alot less nervous about the surgery and recovery process. 5 stars for Dr. Ramkumar and his team!

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

We had a great experience with Dr Garabekyan. We saw him for a consultation and I feel he did a thorough evaluation and took his time to explain his findings. Everyone at the office was a pleasure to deal with from my initial phone call, appointment confirmation call, office staff and x-ray tech. The office is modern, beautiful and comfortable. There may be other options, but we parked in the underground structure and it was valet only.

Tigran Garabekyan, MD

Dr. Eric Millstein was my last minute second option, I'm filled with graduate for that chance to end up having my left rotator cuff surgery done by him. I can’t say enough good things about the entire experience. From my very first consultation, he was thorough, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable, he took the time to clearly explain my diagnosis, walk me through all my treatment options, and set realistic expectations for recovery. The surgery itself went smoothly, and I felt confident knowing I was in such capable hands. What really stood out, though, was the level of care and attention I received throughout the entire process, from pre-op to post-op follow-ups from the entire crew. Today, 10 weeks after the surgery, and only 5 weeks of physical therapy, I'm extremely happy and satisfied with my recovery progress, now I can see it thorough, full recovery is just around the corner. If you’re looking for a skilled, compassionate, and dedicated orthopedic surgeon, I highly recommend Dr. Millstein!!

Eric S. Millstein, MD

I was having a difficult time walking, and surgery was my last option to try and give me quality of life. My current doctor suggested a hip replacement and referred Dr. Ramkumar, a specialist in total hip replacement. I was greeted with a smile, a handshake, and encouraging words to find the best option for my situation. He suggested the anterior total hip arthroplasty surgery assisted with MAKO, a robotic arm. His knowledge of the lastest technology and providing a detail explanation of the procedure could give a shorter time of recovery, was the best option. His meticulous guide was easy to follow from pre-op through post-op and helped me with a positive outcome. I was walking the next day, no limping, not in pain and a smooth moving hip! My appreciation to Dr. Ramkumar for being in tune to my specific symptoms and providing transparency to my specific needs.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Two years ago, I had a partial knee replacement by Dr. Ramkumar. Prior to the surgery I was seen at both of his offices in Long Beach and Lakewood for the initial consultations, x-rays, surgery preparation, etc. His office staff were professional and friendly. The day of the surgery, I was scheduled to arrive at 5AM, may be earlier, I was a little intimidated by the looks of the surgery building (had never been to à “surgery building”, I mean the building is nice but it’s specifically dedicated to surgeries-meat chopping room 😳). My amazing doctor comes in and immediately makes me feel comfortable. He is young, BUT he is skilled, experienced and he is the best at what he does. I have heard horrible stories about knee replacements, but after my own surgery I highly recomend that you get yourself out of misery and get your knee replacement done. And if you choose Dr Ramkumar you will not be disappointed.

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

Received excellent medical advice from Dr. Bae. Yes, I would recommend him to patients who are researching a consultation from a neurosurgeon.

Hyun Bae, MD

1. The location is convenient 2. The office is pristine and inviting. 3. The staff is pleasant and efficient. 4. There was very little wait time. **The consultation with the Dr. was thorough, and all of my questions were answered. She explained more than I asked, and I like that. Having the X-ray before seeing the Dr. was very helpful.

Allyson Estess, MD

Excellent consultation. Very professional, intelligent informed and thorough. His report and suggestions was very detailed and helpful. His staff, particularly Kiko, are friendly, supportive, and effective. I recommend highly.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bae and his staff are very together. Good consultation and thorough examination of my MRI, referral for further treatment.

Hyun Bae, MD

After extensive research and consultations with multiple spine surgeons, I chose Dr. Brandon Ortega and that decision proved to be absolutely the right one. From the outset, Dr. Ortega demonstrated a level of expertise, precision, and clinical judgment that immediately set him apart. He took the time to thoroughly explain my diagnosis, reviewed imaging in detail, and clearly outlined the reasoning behind each treatment option. His approach was thoughtful, methodical, and grounded in both experience and evidence. Having been under Dr. Ortega’s care for several months prior to surgery, I always felt confident that my case was being managed with careful attention and long-term planning. When surgery became necessary, his professionalism and technical skill were evident throughout the entire process. The results thus far have been outstanding. For the first time in a very long time, I am not experiencing the back pain, leg pain, shooting pain, or numbness that had significantly affected my daily life. The improvement has been both meaningful and noticeable. Equally impressive was Dr. Ortega’s team. His staff and surgical coordinator were responsive, organized, and consistently supportive before and after surgery, a reflection of a well-run, patient-focused practice. Choosing a spine surgeon is a major decision. Based on both the process and the results, I can say with confidence that Dr. Ortega is an exceptional surgeon whose skill, judgment, and care truly stand out. I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone facing complex spinal issues. — Michael H., Long Beach, CA

Brandon A. Ortega, MD

It’s been 6 months since my wrist surgery (for a torn TFCC) and I have improved vastly. I want to thank Dr. Ahn and his team for everything, from pre-op to post-op, especially the recommendation for my occupational therapy.

Richard Ahn, MD