Physical therapy · Patient experiences
5 five-star reviews for Dr. Allyson Estess discuss physical therapy. Patients share stories of attentive listening. Read their words, learn what mattered to them, and bring the questions that matter to you to your next visit.
Read the full patient accounts and original sources below. Review totals reflect the source ratings available here.
A person behind your care
As a former Division-1 and U.S. National Team soccer player, Dr. Allyson Estess understands the physical and emotional demands of injury—because she’s lived them. Today, she’s a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon who specializes in arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder, knee, and hip, as well as soft tissue injuries and fracture care for both adults and children.
Patients describe Dr. Estess as deeply attentive, thorough, and kind. She’s known for her calm, unrushed bedside manner, and for explaining diagnoses and treatment plans in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re an athlete returning to competition or simply ready to move without pain again, she’s fully invested in your recovery—and the life you want to get back to.
Outside the OR, she spends time with her husband and kids, competes in triathlons, and loves reading, the beach, and staying active year-round.
Bring what matters to you
Looking for the everyday details of rehabilitation? These reviews mention physical therapy and the people or routines involved in the patient’s experience.
In their own words
These are individual experiences. A topic mention does not establish who performed a procedure, medical suitability or a typical result.
This collection shows written reviews rated 4 or 5 stars that mention physical therapy. You can read every rating and written review on the full clinician profile.
5 written reviews
Highest rated first · Newest within each rating
Was impressed firstly by the number of X-rays that were taken by the very efficient technician and then, the amount of detail the doctor had to work with. Her reasoned Interpretation of all images resulted in a very clear path to treatment for my pain concerns. Lastly, the cortisone shot she gave me in the knee was so unexpectedly successful, I woke up the next morning with no perceptible pain in that area. Now, I wish I had been offered same shot in both shoulders before starting physical therapy this week. All in all. a most throughly positive treatment with immediate positive results.
Allyson Estess, MD
I switched orthopedist's recently because I wasn't getting the results I needed it. Dr. Estess was recommended by my physical therapist. She's wonderful! She takes the time to listen, she is conservative in her assessment, doesn't seem to want to rush into surgery. After my MRI results, she changed my physical therapy order and within 2 weeks. I am doing much better. I highly recommend her. Also, the office staff was very friendly and efficient. And I didn't have to wait a long time once I got to the office.
Allyson Estess, MD
Dr Estess was very nice, explained what my physical therapist concerns, revealed the mri report and believed Iwould be better served by speaking with a spine specialist and scheduled an appointment with the specialist at the end of this month.
Allyson Estess, MD
I saw Dr. Estess in January 2025 for an elbow injury and it was completely misdiagnosed by her. Instead of recommending me to have a MRI exam, she prescribed physical therapy which has made my injury and pain worse. I don't live in California and was travelling, so I needed reliable medical advice on how to recover. The PT has made it worse and I'm experiencing significant pain every day now. I requested them to order a MRI for me 2.5 months later after many PT sessions with no improvement and they couldn't be bothered to call me about the results after the MRI report was faxed to them. They still won't call me for how to treat my injury because I can't come into their office and probably because they can't bill my insurance for a phone call. The MRI report indicated a complex injury (including synovitis, joint effusion, tennis elbow) that stemmed from a grade 2 UCL sprain. I needed to drain the excess fluid in my elbow, take anti-inflammatories, and rest. Been dealing with this injury for 3 months now that doesn't require surgery. I would've been better off seeing a doctor that is flexible with video/phone call appointments and I regret coming into this office.
Allyson Estess, MD
Dr. Estess is a great doctor. I came to her complaining of ongoing lower back pain and she provided me with a few options. One of which was to get an MRI just to be safe, so I decided to go with that. Turns out, I have two herniated discs in my back! No idea how! Again, she went over a few options with me and I'll be starting physical therapy soon to see if it helps. I'd recommend her to anyone. I felt very comfortable the entire time and I felt like she really listened to me :)
Allyson Estess, MD
A little more understanding
Physical therapy
The right physical therapist understands what you want to do, measures where you are starting, and helps you use a plan outside the clinic. Ask about experience, progress, and the practical details of visits.
Read the guide
