Imaging and diagnosis conversations.
In patients’ words.

I could not have been more pleased with this visit. The outcome was not the one I hoped for (avoiding referral for a hip replacement), but the attention to every issue I brought up and the thorough explanation of it all left me with no unanswered questions about how to proceed. I did not go through any unnecessary diagnostic tests since the in office exam and x-rays were so in depth. I really appreciated the time spent with Dr. Garabekyan and his staff. Top notch.

Tigran Garabekyan, MD

Writing this review 4 week post op from a meniscus repair surgery. I seriously could not recommend Dr Prem Ramkumar more. I had been dealing with a horrid aching pain in the back of my knee for a whole year. I am 26 years old and it had negatively affected me so much that I could no longer do most physical activity that I liked to partake in. I had even gone to see multiple doctors/orthos who gave me indefinite answers. But - it wasn't until I met with Dr. Ramkumar that we were able to finally figure it out. He took one look at my MRI images and instantly knew what it was. Six weeks later from that appointment and my life is forever changed for the better. If you have knee or hip pain, don't wait!! See this doctor, it will be the best decision you could ever make!

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

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.

Yelp^®

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Dr Bae took his time to think out and explain everything. He showed us pictures of my neck stenosis MRI and what the surgery entailed. He was kind and thoughtful. He was very reassuring and recommended one more test before the final decision.

Hyun Bae, MD

Very pleased with my visit with Dr. Millstein, who answered all my questions and gave me positive feedback on my condition. Very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Thanks! Also, want to compliment the X-Ray tech, Estefan (sp) for his kind attention, and the receptionist who dealt with my parking problems, and all the others who participated in my care. Really nice atmosphere, all in all.

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Dr Sanjay Khurana is a humble genius . I am writing on behalf of my husband a retired surgeon. He suffered two serious collisions and has had a 16 year history of back issues . Dr took at least half hour to review the current MRI and CT . He had performed surgery to remove a large ruptured disc fragment ,as emergency , in 2017 and fusion in 2019 . We reviewed new techniques and have a move forward treatment plan. Dr recommended we get second opinion and give serious thought . We have total confidence in his opinion and his surgical skill, empathy, and ability to communicate. 5 stars !!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

This was one of the rare great office visits! Friendly staff, short wait, knowledgeable doctors. I was seen by a PA, had X-rays, then saw Dr Bhalla, all within an hour. I highly recommend!

Amandeep Bhalla, 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

What a refreshing experience with a very knowledgeable doctor and his NP Margo. Have had on going back problems that had become a chronic pain problem and was radiating into my groin area. Went to dr ramkumar who did some mobility testing and an x-ray. He diagnosed my issue very quickly. He offered me a hip injection which has taken away 90% of my pain. Wish I had made the decision to see him sooner. Highly recommend

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

For almost half of my life, pain was not something that happened to me. It was the backdrop against which everything else happened. I am 23. Since I was 13, I cannot remember waking up without stiffness/pain in my back. Pain has a way of changing shape over time, beginning as a symptom but becoming part of your identity. Somewhere along the way, I stopped hoping to feel better and accepted it as part of my life. As a former UCLA Division I tennis player who has always loved being active, I spent years searching for an answer: physical therapy, massage, cupping, acupuncture, strengthening, injections, imaging, and countless evaluations across the world. I never got a clear diagnosis despite seeing several orthopedists, and was told to consider chronic pain syndrome, with exploratory spine surgery as a last resort. Every opinion carried the same message: learn to live with it. Meeting Dr. Prem Ramkumar was the first time someone wasn't just listening to my symptoms; he was trying to understand my story, asking why instead of accepting the limits of what had already been tried. As a former D1 athlete, I'd worked with plenty of physicians, but he treated me with the same precision I've learned he gives medal-winning Olympians and Stanley Cup champions he treats professionally. I felt like one of his VIPs. It changed everything when he diagnosed me with hip impingement after a careful battery of tests, since my presentation was atypical. It was the first time I had an answer, and a solution. What will stay with me forever is not just the surgery itself, but the morning after. I sat on my bed and waited for the familiar stiffness in my lower back. It never came, and to this day, it still hasn't. I biked 130 miles the first day after surgery!! I began physical therapy on day three at his office, and weaned off my crutches and brace within a week. Since then, I have moved through daily life without pain. The absence of pain has been remarkable, but what surprised me even more is everything that was restored: I sleep through the night, my mind feels quieter, and the constant background noise chronic pain creates has disappeared. My mood and energy are better, and I'm standing taller. My wearable's resting heart rate and sleep scores reflect it too: my body is finally healing, not merely enduring. It isn't just excitement, but disbelief; my brain keeps searching for the pain it's so accustomed to finding. Then, little by little, I realized it isn't temporary relief. It's freedom, for the first time in a decade. People often think surgery changes your body. With Dr. Ramkumar, it also changed my relationship with the future. For years, every decision carried an invisible calculation: could my back handle this, would I wake up unable to move? Pain quietly dictated where I went and who I believed I could become. I didn't realize how much space it occupied until it was gone. Today, I believe this surgery will make me a better athlete than I was. So many others told me this wasn't possible. Dr. Ramkumar never accepted that answer. That speaks to his character: his persistence, his curiosity, his genuine commitment to patients who've spent years searching for someone willing to keep looking. He treated me as a person whose story deserved to be understood, not another MRI. As someone who now works in medicine, I've learned he believed in me when no one else would. Medicine is often described as restoring function. Sometimes it restores possibility. No review could fully express what he gave me: mornings I had forgotten were possible, confidence in my body, and a future no longer defined by limitations. If you have spent years searching for answers, feeling unheard, or wondering whether anyone will look beyond the obvious, I cannot recommend Dr. Ramkumar enough. My experience changed the course of my life, and I will always be grateful he refused to stop asking why, and fixed me. Additionally, Margo, his NP, matches that same excellence. Her clinical sharpness was matched only by the genuine care she brought to my recovery.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I was taken by LB Fire to Memorial after falling backward off my paver-covered porch and walkway, sustaining 4 fractures to my femur and making my 2012 hip replacement unstable. I was seen by the orth trauma team and referred to Dr. Ramkumar. He came to my room in the hospital, explained what was on the xray and CT scan. We planned for surgery after July 4th holiday. He went over potential benefits, complications, plan of care, etc. I was acutely aware that not too many ortho could do the complex repair. I had surgery, stayed 3 nights. Pain managed. Excellent care from all hospital staff, dept. My first post op appt with Dr. Ramkumar was positive, with wound vac and staple removal. Fracture healing was 2.5 weeks ahead of schedule! PT to be started in the next week at his office. I have to say when I called the office on a Monday morning at 8:01 a.m. to report wound vac battery died, I had a response within 1 minute. I found out that Dr. Ramkumar responded to me, issue resolved. I have positive outlook for my future, as a result.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr. Bhalla did my back surger 7 years ago and I still feel great. New issue was diagnosed in minutes and treated successfully. I have recommended Dr. Bhalla to many friends and neighbors who have also had superlative results. I will continue to do so. His new office is easy to get to and very clean and friendly. I wouldn't say I look forward to going back ;) but I wouldn't hesitate when needed.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

2 weeks ago I fell off my porch and broke my femur in 4 places, and destabilized my 2012 hip replacement. I was taken by LBFD to LB Memorial and evaluated by the ER doctor, who had referred me to the Orthopedic Trauma team. They called Dr. Ramkumar, as he was one of very few surgeons that could do such a complex surgery. I met Dr. Ramkumar in my hospital room, reviewed my xrays. He discussed potential complications of surgery, and that I had the right to seek other providers. I decided to continue with him. We discussed plans for surgery, aftercare, etc. Because of my meds, holiday scheduleand staffing, surgery was after July 4th. I was discharged 3 days post surgery, and went home with in home PT. 2 weeks post surgery and my staples are out, wound vac removed, out pt. PT to begin next week. I have nothing but good to say to this gifted surgeon and his team, in addition to the treatment team at LB Memorial.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

unlike many doctors offices, they took me immediately and I did not have to wait. Everybody was very friendly and professional, including the doctor. The x-ray technician was very helpful and nice.

David Lee, MD

I am 66 years old and played and enjoyed competitive sports my entire life up until 3-4 years ago. My left knee pain was consistently keeping me from enjoying things that contributed to my overall happiness and wellbeing. My wife and I could not longer bicycle or walk together as we always did due to my knee pain. My primary care physician referred me for X-ray and MRI, which resulted in me promptly being diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the left knee. I was then referred to Dr. Ramkumar and his team for physical therapy and evaluation. While the physical therapy did not resolve my arthritis, it was a great step in the right direction and I am very thankful to have met Dr. Ramkumar and his entire team. After 10 physical therapy sessions, I decided to proceed with total knee replacement after re-viewing imaging and treatment plans again. Within 10 minutes, he explained that my meniscus was completely torn and the cartilage in my knee was eroded and non-existent! He recommended a total knee replacement and explained in detail the preparation, surgery itself, recovery, and answered any and all questions I had. I was scheduled for surgery and was emailed information including emails of the process. I participated in an online zoom call with a registered nurse, who further explained my surgery and peri-operative recovery extensively. I was very informed about the things i would need like ice packs, medications, and more! My surgery was on 5/26/26 and I was walking the same afternoon and went home the same day which is a blessing. The first night I had difficulty sleeping as I had reluctance taking the prescribed pain medications, but after taking pain mediations the next day, my pain was managed and I slept perfectly. After the second night, I no longer needed any narcotic pain relief. I also began at home physical therapy on day 2 and I worked diligently to get my life back. Working hard paid off big time! After my 2 post-op surgery appointments with Dr. Ramkumar, I was cleared to drive and resume normal activities. It has been less than 2 months since surgery and now I can walk miles at a time, bicycle miles at a time, and swim as long as I desire. Thank you so much to Dr. Ramkumar and his team, everyone of them works cohesively together and answers any and all of my questions and concerns. They helped to make my surgery and recovery seamless and successful. While I hope to never need no additional surgery, Dr. Ramkumar will be my first call if I ever begin having trouble in my right knee and I have no hesitations that he is the perfect man for the job! I have already referred him to my personal friends and would not hesitate to continue referring him to anyone I know. I am back to all activities and excited to have my life back with no pain, as all my expectations from before surgery were exceeded. - R. Stuver.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Great initial consult. Good listener. Created a diagnostic game plan with more to come.

Allyson Estess, 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

Dr Ramkumar changed my life. I was in major pain in my hip from arthritis and Dr Ramkumar diagnosed the problem and we scheduled a total hip replacement. The surgery went extremely well and I was back to riding my motorcycle within a week and a half with less pain than before the surgery. Highly recommend Dr Ramkumar and his staff.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Loved Dr. Lee! It was my first time seeing Dr. Lee for an ingrown nail problem that I was having for more than a month. Walked in staff was friendly with good vibes, didn’t take long to have X-rays taken and be roomed. Office was nice and clean. Dr.Lee was very nice and professional about my situation he answered all the questions I had and made sure I understood how to mange my toe once I was home. I definitely would see Dr. Lee again for any foot and ankles issues in the future.

David Lee, MD

I was fortunate that a recent injury and X-rays at Dr. Lee’s office did not reveal a fracture. Nevertheless, he spent time with me offering suggestions. As always, he is knowledgeable and possesses outstanding interpersonal skills.

David Lee, MD

Dr. Bae was great. He was very friendly and personable. He went over the MRI and explained everything in a nontechnical that I could understand and he put me at ease about having surgery.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bhalla was excellent in every way. Took so much time with me on physical exam, reviewing MRI, not just the report but the actual film and explaining everything to me Left in less pain than when I arrived. Every office staff was warm welcoming and helpful., even helping me transfer my medical records directly onto the office computer. Best experience. Very nice office. Easy parking. Thank you.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

It was really nice doctors office. The staff was amazing. I really enjoyed the x-ray Tech Khalil. Khalil made the visit less nerve-racking, and Dr. Lee was very patient and attentive in listening to everything that I was saying.

David Lee, MD

I first came to see Dr. Ramkumar because I was doing heavy miles and experiencing some knee pain and hip fatigue. He quickly diagnosed that I needed a hip arthroscopy surgery that would alleviate the pain and the fatigue. He did an amazing job in surgery and I began PT the very next day. I attacked the rehab hard with his guidelines and after 3 months I’m back to running around 30 miles a week preparing for a marathon! Dr Ramkumar is so cool and has been amazing throughout the whole process. I put a lot of trust in him and he gave me a lot of confidence as well that I would be back and better. Thank you Dr Ramkumar!! Much love.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA