Sports medicine
Returning to sport after injury: questions beyond “Am I cleared?”
A meaningful return plan separates participation, sport and performance—and keeps the athlete involved in each decision.
Read the guideReviews by topic · Care experiences
For some people the goal is a run, a game or a favorite trail. Read the details patients share about returning to sport and recreation, then bring your own goals to the conversation.
This collection shows written reviews rated 4 or 5 stars. These are individual experiences. A topic mention does not establish who performed a procedure, medical suitability or a typical result.
People behind your care
Clinician order rotates between visits. Each portrait stays with that clinician’s patient accounts. Read the full reviews for context.
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Prior to surgery, my pain level was a 7 and sometimes 8. After recovery, I'm pain-free and back to biking, hiking, and enjoying life.
Amandeep Bhalla, MD
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I feel better than I have in years. Even back to coaching baseball again.
Amandeep Bhalla, MD
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He is also an active physician and he understands the mentality of patients who are eager to return to sports and active lifestyles.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
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Now I am back to playing basketball with confidence in my shoulder. His staff is amazing too.
Eric S. Millstein, MD
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Dr hunt performed a surgery on my back and I am 100% back to normal walking running and doing exercises.
Leonel Hunt, MD
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in the best of shape to go back to my regular lifestyle and running again
Leonel Hunt, MD
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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!
Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA
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I thought I would never return to soccer and running again after previous opinions told me it was basically impossible.
Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA
Read all 5 matching accounts for Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA →
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I am now back to swimming, surfing, lifting weights, sleeping through the night and most importantly I am able to do
Sanjay Khurana, MD
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Him being a runner himself gave me confidence I can return to the sport I love..
Tigran Garabekyan, MD
Make it personal
Use the accounts here to think about the questions you want to bring to our team.
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Browse the written reviews rated 4 or 5 stars that match this topic. Filter by clinician, source, or rating.
15 written reviews
Highest rated first · Newest within each rating
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
Dr. Ramkumar is the most extraordinary human being, doctor, and surgeon I have ever met. He is kind and hopeful while also being practical and honest. I went to four so-called specialists with a complex ACL and cartilage injury after enduring two previously failed surgeries at Cedars and USC. I thought I would never return to soccer and running again after previous opinions told me it was basically impossible. Well, two years later I'm playing collegiate soccer and couldn't be happier after a revision ACL and cartilage transplant. I wish I just went to him in the first place instead of wasting years trying to rehab a knee that never felt right and wasn't done properly. He called me the night before surgery just to tell me "I got you" and to make sure I understood the plan for the next day, the next 2 weeks, the next 9 months, and the next 10 years. He understood me and my goals and treated me as a family member and gave me world class care. I consider myself lucky to be his patient and to know him. Thank you Dr. Ramkumar!
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
First and foremost I would like to give a huge thanks to Dr. Prem N. Ramkumar for the successful operation on my knee (3 procedures in 1 operation; reconstruction of the ACL, L.E.T. procedure and meniscus repair). Starting from the initial visits til the final follow up, he made me feel comfortable and welcomed. Dr. Ramkumar presents himself confidently as the discussions with him were very thorough and the explanations were clear whenever I had questions for him, from that I built an immediate trust and confidence that I was going to be in good hands. His PostOp Protocol is explained in detail and critical to follow. I was a bit fearful of beginning to train on bending the knee, as instructed, because of the pain just days after surgery, but he gave me a piece of mind and reassured that it is part of the process. With discipline and determination I progressed positively well during my rehab. Again thank you Dr. Ramkumar for your expertise and critical services on bringing me back to the field and enjoying the sport that I love, soccer.
Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA
Dr. Ramkumar is an outstanding orthopedic surgeon. He performed my daughter’s ACL surgery on April 8th, and we could not be more grateful for the care, skill, and attention he provided throughout the entire process. From the initial consultation to the post-op follow-ups, he was thorough, and patient. Just one month after surgery, my daughter is already doing bike therapy and progressing remarkably well. Thanks to Dr. Ramkumar’s expert approach, skills and guidance, she’s on track for a full recovery with hopes to be completed by December. His dedication to helping young athletes return to their sport safely and confidently is truly commendable. If your child ever faces an ACL injury, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Ramkumar. I strongly encourage young athletes and their families to pursue treatment with him first hands on—he is truly the best when it comes to ACL injuries and recovery.
Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA
March 2025 update I love you, Doc! I’m back to doing two things I love - running and yoga! Had arthroscopy done on both of my hips now and I’m so happy. As long as you don’t have arthritis yet, this procedure is amazing if done properly, and this doctor is the best! 2022 Look no further, this is the doctor you want to see for your hip issues. I saw Dr. G almost a year ago after running my 25th marathon and developing pain in my right hip, I really did not want to do surgery and he gave me options to see if this pain will go away with physical therapy and no running. After six months of no results, I went back to Dr. G and he showed me on the x-ray that hip arthroscopy would be the best choice to fix the problem. I went to other famous orthopedic surgeons in Santa Monica and West LA for second and third and fourth opinions. And it would be fine to choose one of them for the surgery but going with Dr. G felt like the right choice. The level of care and attention you get from this doctor is well above average! He’s meticulous, thorough and has the first-hand experience of this procedure as a Patient. Him being a runner himself gave me confidence I can return to the sport I love.. His assistant Zohra is amazing, any questions - I get answers via emails promptly. She guided me through preparation for the surgery, post-op, etc. it’s six weeks post-op and the doctor saw me three times already to follow up on the progress of my recovery and physical therapy. I have been recommending him to my friends.
Tigran Garabekyan, MD
Dr. Leonel Hunt gave me my life back to be there for my family and my kids. I am so lucky to have met him, he is so talented god gave him a gift that no one has. Every doctor told me that I cannot ever be back to normal. Dr hunt performed a surgery on my back and I am 100% back to normal walking running and doing exercises. Anyone is very lucky to have Dr hunt as their doctor. He is carrying and loving I am so happy and grateful that I’ve met him. Cannot express my feeling towards this Dr. All I have to say is that god bless him and look after him.
Leonel Hunt, MD
One year after spinal fusion, I am back to hiking 6-8 miles on a Saturday, and martial arts on Sunday. Thank you!
Amandeep Bhalla, MD
Dr. Bhalla takes a conservative approach which I appreciate. My case required surgery and he is very skilled. I was confident in my treatment plan and ability to become pain-free. Prior to surgery, my pain level was a 7 and sometimes 8. After recovery, I'm pain-free and back to biking, hiking, and enjoying life. I'm forever grateful.
Amandeep Bhalla, MD
Awesome experience and result. Millstein is the king, was recommended to him by good friend and my son who is an insurance defense lawyer who uses this office as their experts. Couldn't be happier, physical therapist told me I have the most range of motion the quickest he's ever seen. Hopefully back to playing golf after 3 months. If you go to anyone else, you're braindead!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Best doctor ever. I would recommend him to anyone. He has great bedside manors and is an expert in his field. I had neck surgery and had absolutely no pain and have had excellent results. Eight months later I had lower back surgery for my chronic Spinal Stenosis issues. Again, virtually no pain. That was last October and after three weeks I was walking two miles without pain and playing golf after eight weeks. I feel better than I have in years. Even back to coaching baseball again. Two thumbs up!
Amandeep Bhalla, MD
Dr Leonel Hunt is a nurturing caring but most of all an amazing surgeon. I have had two very serious operations one in which he helped save my life from a brain tumor and another spinal surgery to remove a spinal cord tumor which left me in the best of shape to go back to my regular lifestyle and running again
Leonel Hunt, MD
I am 46 years old and struggled with severe lower back pain for 18 years. I have had epidurals, rhizotomies and a microdiscectomy at L5-S1. I avoided a fusion for years because it was such a big surgery. Dr. Khurana was fantastic in his analysis of my condition due to his vast experience. He was never in a rush to perform my surgery and always said to come back whenever I was ready. His kind demeanor and attentive staff really made me comfortable during my decision making process. I am now six months post op from having Dr. Khurana perform an ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion) and am 100% pain free. My low back has not felt this good since I was in my mid 20's. Before my surgery I could hardly put my shoes on and never slept through the night. I am now back to swimming, surfing, lifting weights, sleeping through the night and most importantly I am able to do everything with my kids completely pain free. You always hear the bad outcomes with spinal fusion surgery but rarely hear the positive. Dr. Khurana has a fantastic surgical team and I would recommend anyone to go see him before having surgery. He was always a pleasure to deal with and his surgical skills are second to none.
Sanjay Khurana, MD
Luckily I do not know Dr. Millstein from a patient perspective (knock wood). However, as a physical therapist and owner of Evolution Physical Therapy, I have had the pleasure of working with many of his patients. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with many physicians and orthopedic surgeons and I can say with great confidence that Dr. Millstein is among the best. If any of my family or I needed an orthopedic consultation, he would be the one we'd go to without hesitation. From a professional perspective, I appreciate that he does not rush into surgery which is a real breath of fresh air. He encourages other conservative methods of treatment prior to surgery. His diagnostic skills are great and all the patients we treat appreciate his bed-side manner. Without exception, every patient feels that Dr Millstein genuinely cares for their health and takes time to explain procedures and answer all questions. This fact alone sets him far above many other clinicians. When surgery is in fact indicated, his skills are remarkable. His patients recover very quickly from surgeries and outcomes are exceptional. He is also an active physician and he understands the mentality of patients who are eager to return to sports and active lifestyles. If you are in need of an orthopedic consultation, do not hesitate to go see Dr Millstein. You owe it to your body!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Dr. Millstein is an excellent doctor and surgeon. He is very caring, friendly, attentive, and everything you need in a doctor who is about to perform surgery on your body. He took great care of me when I had to get shoulder surgery for my multiple dislocations. Now I am back to playing basketball with confidence in my shoulder. His staff is amazing too. I highly recommend Dr. Millstein if you have any injuries!
Eric S. Millstein, MD
Understand your options
Sports medicine
A meaningful return plan separates participation, sport and performance—and keeps the athlete involved in each decision.
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