Recovery and return to activity reviews

There isn’t a better or more professional Orthopedic surgeon in LA. My collar bone plate removal surgery was done with great care and expertise. He was extremely careful which had made my recovery and surgery scar minimal. I would highly recommend.

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Very professional and caring. Thanks to Dr Estess and Commons Clinic I’m on the road to recovery

Allyson Estess, MD

My previous orthopedic doctor retired so I went to Lakewood Orthopedics. Dr. Ramkumar walked in my room with his hand out and says Hi Coral. I'm Prem. So we're doing a hip........ After that humble introduction, I knew i was in the right hands for this hip replacement!!! For the first time in 4 years i can walk without a cane and no pain. I even had a first being able to stand up straight at an xray machine. I cried and shared that with him. When your body tells you that it can't do something, once you can it's life changing. I enjoyed your surgical staff too. Thank you for your skilled hands and knowledge in taking care of me. May you be blessed with good health and a thriving business. C. Hill, Rockstar Total left hip replacement patient

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Excellent office personnel. Dr. Bae was extremely detailed and concise in his description of my issues and potential surgical fix. I will remain in touch and if we find that my epidural fix isn’t successful, I will return to have Dr. Bae for another pre surgery consult! Thanks 🙏

Hyun Bae, MD

The first time I met Dr. Ramkumar, I felt comfortable and at ease. I came to him with "knee pain" but after being assessed and taking a few x-rays, he quickly informed me that the issue was not my knee but was actually my hip. I had seen multiple doctors in the past who had diagnosed me with arthritis in the knee and claimed that was causing pain that I felt. Dr. Ramkumar explained what the issue was, how the issue probably happened and the solution. I came to him with previous medical trauma and skepticism of the health care system. My experience with him has been nothing short of amazing. The hip impingement surgery went well and recovery was better than I expected. I was on a stationary bike the day after surgery and started PT within days. Pain level was minimal with the exception of occasional stiffness at the surgery site. I've been able to walk and recovery quicker than I imagined possible. I haven't experience any of the pain (lower back, hip and knee) that I had prior to the surgery since the morning after surgery. If you are someone who is unsure or confused about hip and/or knee issues, I'd urge you to see Dr. Ramkumar. He got it right with me the first time and I have seen nothing but improvements to my day to day and overall quality of life. If I have to undergo the surgery on my other hip, I would not hesitate to contact Dr. Ramkumar again.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Five stars is the maximum Yelp allows, but I would rate this amazing surgeon ten stars and more to anyone with spine challenges! Dr Sanjay Khurana is a wonderful human being, a brilliant physician and an excellent surgeon! About a year ago, without any warning, I had difficulty walking, I also had burning sensations in my arms and hands. I saw neurologists and sought opinions from four surgeons. Some recommended two and three disk cervical fusion, which I wanted to avoid. Dr. Khurana took the time to thoroughly explain my MRI and let me know that my spinal compression had to be addressed. As the solution, he recommended two artificial disk replacements. When I had more questions, he called me at 8pm one evening and patiently answered all my questions before surgery. How many surgeons do that? Now, four months later, I'm very happy to report that my surgery was flawless! I have two artificial disks and everything related to my surgery has healed perfectly. Additionally, Dr. Khurana's Medical Assistant Brianna and every member of his staff are very polite, efficient and a pleasure to work with. The Commons Clinic where I had the surgery, my Anesthesiologist and the nurses were also amazing. Thank you Dr. Khurana for removing my cervical spinal compression and all the risks that come from that. God Bless You!

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Sanjay Khurana, MD

Five stars is the maximum rating allowed, but I would rate this amazing surgeon ten stars and more to anyone with spine challenges! Dr Sanjay Khurana is a wonderful human being, a brilliant physician and an excellent surgeon! About a year ago, without any warning, I had difficulty walking, I also had burning sensations in my arms and hands. I saw neurologists and sought opinions from four surgeons. Some recommended two and three disk cervical fusion, which I wanted to avoid. Dr. Khurana took the time to thoroughly explain my MRI and let me know that my spinal compression had to be addressed. As the solution, he recommended two artificial disk replacements. When I had more questions, he called me at 8pm one evening and patiently answered all my questions before surgery. How many surgeons do that? Now, four months later, I'm very happy to report that my surgery was flawless! I have two artificial disks and everything related to my surgery has healed perfectly. Additionally, Dr. Khurana's Medical Assistant Brianna and every member of his staff are very polite, efficient and a pleasure to work with. The Commons Clinic where I had the surgery, my Anesthesiologist and the nurses were also amazing. Thank you Dr. Khurana for removing my cervical spinal compression and all the risks that come from that. God Bless You!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Amazing surgeon and staff. We were able to get an appointment within days of calling. My husband was in really bad pain and unable to walk and Dr. Bae examined him and his MRIs and got him scheduled for surgery within days of our initial visit. The surgery was a success and my husband's on the way to recovery. Great follow up by the doctor and his entire staff. Highly recommend!!

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Hyun Bae, MD

I give Dr. Khurana a million stars if I could. He is very knowledgeable and compassionate. I thought I hurt my left shoulder somehow and had excruciating nerve pain running down my left arm. It was so bad I wanted to chew it off myself. I went to several doctors that sent me for an MRI of the shoulder and was sent for physical therapy. One finally sent me for an MRI of my neck which showed a degenerative disk that was pressing on a nerve. I wasn't comfortable with that doctor or a fan of spine surgery so I went to a chiropractor for help. After several treatments there was no relief in sight. By some miracle my dermatologist suggested I call Dr. Khurana and get a second opinion. I did and was able to get an appointment the next day! When he saw me almost in tears from the pain and me telling him I had a planned trip to Italy a week later, he immediately told me he would make room for me to have surgery to replace a disk in my neck the very next day. Something about the way he said it and of course researching him the day prior, made me feel at ease. Well, he did the surgery, it took a few days to feel myself again, but only because of the anesthesia. I felt no pain the moment I woke after surgery. The pain was gone! Within one week, I was able to board several flights, pain free and enjoy a well deserved Italian vacation with my family. I wouldn't have been able to do that without the surgery and certainly not without Dr. Khurana's expertise! His staff from the front desk to the surgery center he uses to his after care team is by far the BEST I have ever experienced. Don't hesitate to make an appointment if you have spinal pain. You have a life to live and Dr. Khurana may help you live it pain free! Thank you again doctor for your compassion!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Amandeep Bhalla is a highly skilled and caring man. Bhalla’s team performed a 360 spinal fusion, installing hardware to correct my scoliosis and stenosis. He said my surgery was challenging as he found and removed numerous synovial cysts within my spinal column. He did not nick or damage my dura, which must have been quite an impressive feat. My surgery took almost 7 hours; recovery has been slow, sometimes halting, but I’ve steadily improved. I would recommend to anyone who has spine surgery to be patient with their recovery, and to seek out aquatic physical therapy, then progress slowly to water aerobics in a shallow pool.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Dr. Millstein re-attached my long head bicep to my shoulder. Super clean surgery, you'd never know it happened, that's how well it healed and you can't see a scar. He's an artist as much as a surgeon. I also found him to be straight forward and very supportive post-op which helped me keep my head out of the equation during down time...AMAZING man, BRILLIANT Doctor! Im adding to this review that 10 years later I my other long head bicep needed repair n I returned to this INCREDIBLY KIND COMPASSIONATE TALENTED SURGEON to fix that one too. Thx to Milstein I’m still rocking tank tops n dresses beautifully!!! He’s the kindest n most ethical doctor you will ever find. Highly recommend!

Eric S. Millstein, MD

A few years ago, my neck went out. I couldn't lift my head up at all, and the pain was excruciating! I went to a local orthopedic office, and right away they referred me to Dr Khurana. He looked at my X-ray, and said that it needed to be fixed asap. Collapse discs needed fusing, and this hardware attached. My only problem was my insurance- who insisted I see some morons who didn't specialize in spinal surgery. Hello? This is my neck- not my knee, etc. Took a month of fighting, and they finally approved it. I was so scared! My cervical neck is vital to my spine, and I have had many surgeries in my life! But he was kind, very confident, and respected in his field. My surgery went by the book- every thing he told me. I recovered very well, and you can't find my scar! The rest of my neck is going, as he warned me it would, so I need to get the rest fixed. I wouldn't dream of trusting anyone else on this delicate part of my spine! He's the best! I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs spinal surgery. Amazing staff there, and caring. Thank you Dr Sanjay, and will see you again! Still scared about surgery, but feel better knowing that I am in great hands!!! God bless you!!!

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Sanjay Khurana, MD

I would highly recommend Dr. Millstein. His whole staff is extremely professional, and he has a great office with high-tech equipment to help with your recovery. Not to mention there is even valet parking.

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Dr Millstein is very nice , professional. Remembers me. Office is clean. Staff is friendly and helpful. I had a total knee replacement and he was very honest about what to expect. I am still healing but walking without a cane in 6 weeks. Everyone is different.

Eric S. Millstein, MD

After 20 years of hip pain and sometimes the struggle to rise or long walking distance, I decided to visit Dr.Ramkumar. From x-rays he took I found out I needed a hip replacement. From my initial visit , to pre op to post op, my experience with him and his office staff was great. I would highly recommend.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

I had to wear a boot from the floor to my knee with an elevated lift on both feet to even my walk for Achilles tendon. Not fun but it worked after a month.

David Lee, MD

Dr Millstein is the best!!! From the initial consultation, thru knee replacement surgery and recovery it has been such a positive experience. His staff is also amazing!!!

Eric S. Millstein, MD

I have to preface my comments about my experience with Dr. Khurana and his staff with the fact that I have never been a fan of allopathic medicine, doctors and especially surgeons would be a massive understatement. Almost every friend and family member that's ever had to have surgery, especially back surgery has only come out worse for the wear. Or having to go back multiple times and never recovering partially or fully. I was referred by my primary care physician who could not stop raving about Dr. Khurana as he had fixed one of those bad surgeries I mentioned. Needless to say I was not excited but the pain I was experiencing with my degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis and bulging discs was having a tremendous effect on my mental well-being and ability to do the simplest tasks. Just say I was depressed would've been an understatement. Even though the spinal fusion surgery on my L4 L5 disc's was due before the Covid pandemic hit I was forced to wait three years for my surgery. He advised me if I woke up paralyzed I should call immediately. It was a long three years and not because of the pandemic itself. Possible paralysis can be horrifying consideration. Because I was a Medicare patient I had the surgery performed at St. John's hospital. I happen to have a strange condition where I am highly resistant to anesthesia and have woken up twice during minor surgeries and although by now I was completely unafraid of the surgery itself because I knew I was in such good hands (I had three years to do a lot of research on Dr. Khurana) but the anesthesia situation was still terrifying. I knew the surgery would be longer and more complicated than originally planned but the anesthesiologist completely understood my legitimate concern. To be totally honest I don't remember a thing after getting to the hospital after prepping myself early that morning. And afterwards there was much less pain than I expected and after a year and a half I'm happy to report after getting fresh imaging and consulting with Dr. Khurana last week found out that the surgery was a complete success. I've spoken to surgeons in the past, For myself and as support for friends and family and I have never ever met a surgeon as warm and genuinely caring as this wonderful man. On top of that he also has the patience of a saint. I am not an easy patient, I am well aware of that. But no matter how many phone calls I made and my endless questions and concerns everyone from reception to his medical assistant always treated me with kindness and compassion, like a human being and not just a patient or a file number. After the summer I will be going back to have the screws taken out of my back since the bone grafting was so successful and this time they will be no fear involved whatsoever. It's been five years since we started our journey. It's not over yet and hopefully my DDD will not require any future surgeries. But should I ever need another you can trust I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to his office again. I'm grateful that he is so much younger than me and hope he never leaves the Los Angeles area. Anyone who has the opportunity to have this extraordinarily gifted and compassionate surgeon perform a procedure on them they are incredibly blessed. I am so grateful he did not decide to become a car mechanic with those gifted hands and golden heart.

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Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Khurana is compassionate, totally vested in your recovery, a terrific listener, knowledgeable and highly skilled. When you need to put your back problems in a surgeons hands, Dr Khurana always makes you feel like you are his only patient/or his most important patient. Dr. Khurana and his staff are the "A-team" when you need back problem help. I gladly travel from Hawaii just to see him and I highly recommend anyone with back problems to seek him out at the Marina del Rey DISC center. I'd give him 10 stars if I could!!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Lee is very knowledgeable and personable. He listens closely to his patients and provides sound advice for optimum recovery from your injury. I appreciate the fact that surgery was not the automatic solution. He evaluated my injury and found that it would heal satisfactorily with time and an air cast. He closely monitored my progress and I am very pleased that he is my doctor. I highly recommend Dr. Lee.

David Lee, MD

I highly recommend Dr. Prem Ramkumar. He is a talented surgeon who performs arthroscopic hip surgery. After other orthopedists recommended that I have arthroscopic hip surgery, I had a difficult time finding someone who actually performs it. When I finally saw Dr. Ramkumar, he listened patiently to my story of pain and frustration. He is personable and knew exactly what I was describing and how to fix it with this minimally invasive procedure. I am now four weeks post surgery. Just three small scars and I’m walking normally and doing great! I have to mention how organized he is with so much information and guidelines on his website. And the couple of times I had questions, he responded right away. I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience and results.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA

Dr Estess is not just fantastic as a physician, but she has incredible integrity. I went to see her to get a second opinion on a major surgery I was scheduled to have only a few days later. She carefully evaluated all my data, took her time examining me and understanding the pain I had, and identified the real cause of the issue. I will never forget her saying, "I am a surgeon and I LOVE doing surgery. But, I don't think the pain you're having is going to be fixed with the surgery you're about to have." She turned out to be correct and saved me months of painful rehab that would have been unnecessary. To say that I am grateful that I went to see her would be an understatement. Don't think twice about seeing Dr Estess if you need orthopedic / sports medicine consultation. You will be in good hands.

Allyson Estess, MD

Dr. Khurana's expertise and attention to detail is evident. He took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure and answer questions. Even after the surgery, Dr. Khurana has been there every step of the way, providing ongoing support and guidance as I recover. I am grateful for his care, and I highly recommend Dr. Khurana for his exceptional surgical skill and expertise.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

I had a very pleasant experience with Dr. Ramkkumar. I was in life altering pain for over a few years. I thought it was sciatica but it ended up being bone on bone left hip. He had me scheduled for a complete hip replacement the following month. Immediately after surgery the pain in the hip was gone and was sent home the next day . On my very first post surgery visit with Dr. Ramkumar , I walked in under my own steam....pain free and no cane. I can't thank him enough. He gave me my mobility back. Also my freedom to do the things I enjoy.

Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA