Recovery and return to activity reviews

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. Wassef did my left hip revision in 2019. It was a completely different experience from the original in 2005 in regards to pain and recovery. In 2024 Dr. Wassef and Jason did my right hip using the MAKO robot and the pain was minimal and the recovery rapid. Dr. Wassef will always be my go to surgeon for my joints. Thanks!

Andrew Wassef, MD

First impression walking in was wow what a beautiful office! I was welcomed with a smile and immediately brought back to the patient room. Dr. Millstein was very thorough in my evaluation, sat down listened, answered all of my questions, and set me on the right path to recovery.

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Amazing, talented and expertise surgeon who fixed my metacarpal fracture with zero pains after surgery. Complete full recovery in 6 weeks! I even forgot I broke my hand. Best decision I made was choosing Dr. Ahn.

Richard Ahn, MD

Dr. Ahn is an exceptional hand specialist. I came to him experiencing severe pain that other providers were unable to diagnose. Dr. Ahn quickly recognized that I had a rare glomus tumor and clearly explained the surgical process, which gave me great confidence and reassurance. I went ahead with the surgery, and it was one of the best decisions I could have made. I am now completely pain free. I am truly grateful for Dr. Ahn’s expertise, care, and professionalism. Thank you, Dr. Ahn.

Richard Ahn, MD

Dr. Ramkumar performed my right hip arthroscopy 10 weeks ago. I was born with bilateral hip dysplasia, which led to labral tears in both hips. I initially tried physical therapy, but unfortunately it did not improve my symptoms. I was then referred to Dr. Ramkumar, who recommended hip arthroscopy. He took the time to ensure I fully understood the treatment plan and addressed all of my questions with care and professionalism. Before the surgery, I experienced significant pain while sitting or driving for extended periods. I am pleased to report that I am now pain-free in my right hip. The outcome of the surgery has been excellent, and based on my experience, I plan to proceed with left hip arthroscopy under his care as well. Dr. Ramkumar is an outstanding physician, and his office staff are consistently polite, professional, and attentive. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking expert care for hip conditions.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

⭐ Thank you Dr. Ramkumar I spent more than seven years dealing with worsening hip pain, and it slowly took away the things I loved. I couldn’t play golf or even hit balls on the driving range. I had to stop doing the sideline marker for high school football — something I truly enjoyed. Eventually, even a simple 20 minute walk became painful. My world kept getting smaller, and I knew something had to change. That change came when I met Dr. Ramkumar. I’m now 11 weeks post op from my anterior hip replacement, and the difference is remarkable. I’m improving every day — walking comfortably, regaining strength, and finally seeing a future where I can return to the activities I’ve missed for so long. My goal was never just a quick recovery, but a complete recovery, and for the first time in years, that goal is clearly in sight. The entire experience has been exceptional not only because of Dr. Ramkumar’s surgical skill and clear communication, but also because of his outstanding team. Margo, his assistant, has been incredibly responsive and supportive. Stephanie, the scheduler, made every step of the process smooth and stress free. And Mina, the physical therapist, has been instrumental in my progress — he’s guided me through each stage of rehab with expertise and encouragement. I’m continuing therapy with him for another three weeks, and each session moves me closer to full strength. Thanks to Dr. Ramkumar and his team, I’m not just healing — I’m getting my life back. I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone facing hip issues or considering joint replacement.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

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

I recently underwent hip resurfacing surgery with Dr. Ramkumar, and if I could give him ten stars instead of five, I absolutely would. From start to finish, my experience has been exceptional, and I am beyond pleased with both my recovery and the mobility I’ve regained. Before surgery, I was diagnosed with grade 4 chondromalacia of the pelvis along with severe tearing and fraying of the labrum. The pain and stiffness were constant and significantly limited my daily life. I couldn’t participate in the activities I love, and at my worst, I could barely bend down to tie my shoes. Now, just seven weeks post-op, my joint pain is gone, my mobility has dramatically improved, and I can already place my palms flat on the floor — something that felt impossible before surgery. The smoothness of my recovery has exceeded my expectations. While many surgeons list hip resurfacing among the procedures they perform, only a select few in the United States have the depth of experience and expertise to truly excel at it. Dr. Ramkumar is one of those few. His extensive experience, meticulous surgical technique, and use of advanced technology to ensure precise implant positioning made all the difference in my outcome. I chose to travel out of state specifically to have my surgery performed by Dr. Ramkumar, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. His skill, thoroughness, and genuine care are evident in every aspect of the process. If you’re considering hip resurfacing, Dr. Ramkumar checks every box. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I have nothing but high praise for Dr. Bhalla's genius and skill for restructuring my spine. Moreover, all the nurses and rehab staff go over and above standards of care.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

On behalf of my Dad /Hector Valdez- Dr Ramkumar did an awesome job. He did his left knee robotic replacement surgery. It was a success and the recovery, care, follow up has been with so much care. We are now scheduling the 2nd knee surgery this summer and confident of the same outcome due to his excellent expertise and his caring team. Highly recommended.

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

The procedure was pain free and the staff very kind

Michael Port, MD

No words can describe how i feel after my back surgery, i have lived with back pain for many years just never took the time to slow down, finally it got to a point were pain became unbearable and surgery was the only option left, i was very skeptical and scare of the outcome after surgery, i was very lucky to have my surgery done by Dr Ortega he was very professional from the very beginning and explain every step of the surgery before hand and it made me very comfortable, after surgery he continue to monitor my recovery and he made sure i understood everything, i don't usually leave reviews but this time it had to be done, Thank you Dr Ortega for taking the time to perform my surgery i will forever be thankful to you. Jose M Martinez 02/04/2026

Brandon A. Ortega, MD

Dr. Ramkumar has been the best doctor I have ever had the opportunity to see. Let me rewind a bit. I had a serious soccer accident when I was 16 that resulted in hip surgery at 17. At the time, I thought I was good to go. Unfortunately, my body had other plans. I only had about two pain-free years before the hip pain returned, and over the next 8–9 years it slowly got worse. What started as hip pain turned into back pain, knee pain, sciatica—you name it. I tried everything: physical therapy after physical therapy, aqua therapy, doctor after doctor. Every test came back “normal,” and no one could tell me what was wrong. It felt like either no one was looking hard enough, or no one truly understood what I was dealing with. That all changed when I met Dr. Ramkumar. At my very first appointment, he took new X-rays, looked at them once, and immediately knew what was wrong. For the first time, I finally had answers. Even more importantly, he took the time—despite his busy schedule—to sit with me and explain everything in a way I could truly understand. He is incredibly personable and never talks down to you like some doctors do. You can genuinely tell that he cares about helping you get your life back from chronic pain. I was understandably nervous about going through surgery again, but between Dr. Ramkumar and his amazing staff, I felt confident moving forward. And let me tell you—it was life-changing. I finally feel free from the pain that haunted me for so many years. I only wish I had found his office sooner. Every single staff member, from the PAs to the front office team, is kind, welcoming, and treats you like family. They make you feel heard, comfortable, and supported—qualities that are sadly rare in medical settings, in my experience. I am beyond grateful for the care Dr. Ramkumar and his team have provided, and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone who is sick and tired of living in pain.

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

Best decision of my life to have Dr. Hunt do my back surgery. It has completely given me my life back. His professionalism and bed side manor is top tier. I am 99.9% pain free everyday and back to living life to its fullest.

Leonel Hunt, MD

I had two tears on my meniscus one might have been there for some time with on and off symptoms and one was more recent and it was effecting my day to day routine. When I met Dr. Ramkumar he was clear that the recovery time would depend on the severity of the tears (which couldn't be fully assessed till the day of surgery) and my ability tp follow the post op care instructions. The instructions are certainly more than your average day and something you do need to work at a little, but I can tell you I'm currently les that three weeks from surgery, I' already riding my bicycle and walking with out crutches and a brace. I'm still a few weeks from 100%, but I'm ahead of schedule because #1 the surgery went very well (Thanks Dr Ramkumar) and #2 I followed the Post op care instructions which is helping me heal. Each day is a little better. I'm excited to not limp anymore.

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

If you are worrying about hip replacement surgery, no need to do so with Dr. Prem Ramkumar. His expertise made my experience with minimal pain following surgery and a very quick and exceptional recovery. I could not believe how each day I could see a Progression towards recovery, something I did not expect To happen so quickly, but am truly amazed by. After less than two months following surgery, I am walking without pain – – which was my goal, And feel Like I did before I ever had the hip pain issue. I highly recommend Dr. Ramkumar!

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

Dr. Ramkumar performed my knee replacement in December 2023, and I am incredibly grateful for the level of care and precision he provided. From my first consultation through recovery, his depth of medical knowledge, surgical skill, and attention to detail were evident at every step. He explained the procedure, risks, and recovery process clearly and thoroughly, which gave me complete confidence going into surgery. What truly sets Dr. Ramkumar apart is his compassion and ethics—he genuinely cares about his patients as people, not just cases. His response time is exceptionally quick, and he is very easy to get in touch with, which made a stressful process feel manageable and supported. Thanks to his expertise, my outcome has been excellent, and my quality of life has significantly improved. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Ramkumar to anyone considering knee replacement or orthopedic care.

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

Brett is focused on helping the patient return to normal activities after surgery. He is very personable on top of that. Five stars all the way.

Brett Pugh, PT, DPT