Sports medicine
7 readiness checks beyond the calendar
A meaningful return plan separates participation, sport and performance—and keeps the athlete involved in each decision.
Read the guideReturning to sport and recreation · Patient experiences
Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA.
Returning to sport and recreation reviews.
5 five-star reviews for Dr. Prem N. Ramkumar discuss returning to sport and recreation. Patients share stories of compassionate care. Getting back to the activities you love is personal. Read these experiences and discuss your own goals with your clinician.
Read the full patient accounts and original sources below. Review totals reflect the source ratings available here.
A person behind your care
Get to know
Prem N. Ramkumar.
Dr. Prem Ramkumar is a board-certified, dual fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee care for patients of all ages—from ACL reconstructions and cartilage transplants to partial and total joint replacements. Known for his meticulous preparation and thoughtful follow-through, Dr. Ramkumar delivers surgical care that’s not only technically advanced, but personally tailored.
Patients consistently describe him as kind, thorough, and exceptionally communicative. He takes time to explain your condition and walk you through your options clearly, so you feel informed and confident in every decision. Many credit him with life-changing results and highlight the warm, supportive team that surrounds him at every step.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Ramkumar brings both surgical precision and deep empathy to his work—whether he’s helping a young athlete return to sport or guiding an older adult through joint replacement and recovery.
Outside the OR, he’s on the tennis court, hiking trails, or catching a Lakers game—“it’s rare that I’ll miss one.”
Total Hip ReplacementHip ResurfacingTotal Knee ReplacementPartial Knee ReplacementRevision SurgeryHip Arthroscopy
Bring what matters to you
Your questions
belong in the conversation.
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.
- Which sport or activity do I want to talk about returning to?
- Which details in these patient accounts would I like to ask our team about?
In their own words
Care feels personal.
So do these stories.
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 returning to sport and recreation. You can read every rating and written review on the full clinician profile.
5 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
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