Orthopedic Surgeon Referral

Dr. Ryu is the best in the biz, just be sure you follow his instructions to the letter. He's very specific about physical therapy and if you slack off it'll greatly affect your progress. If you're an athlete, he'll be great and encourage you, just don't be late to his appointments.

2nd that - Dr Ryu is the guy!

Ryu is great but he is very busy I decided to use Chris Proctor at ALTA for my rotator cuff repair. I had great results, a rapid recovery, and was very happy with the process. My advice is to prepare well in advance of the surgery with PT and yoga. Avoid opiods following the surgery if you can Work hard and be consistent at physical therapy. I chose Art Van Leuven at SB Physio for my PT and was very happy with their entire team.

Dr. James Zmolek is very knowledgeable, patient and thorough. He is easy to talk to and easy to understand.

Dr. Gallivan is my recommendation. He has done a hip replacements and 3 knee replacements for our family members. A friend on the board of Cottage says he is the best, the Doctor our friend choose for a horribly fractured knee.

Another thumbs up for Zmoleck

Dr Zmolek made me WAIT three months to evaluate my MRI, and then told me my injury was not repairable. I went to UCLA and they rushed me into surgery, saying allowing it to atrophy made it very difficult. But the surgeon did a fine arthroscopic reattachment of the two tendons that were severed, and I am 100% now with almost no scars. The surgeon Dr Seth Gamradt is a shoulder specialist and now at Keck Medical center in Los Angeles. You are NOT limited to local surgeons, get the best you can.

Dr. Dunbar repaired my rotator cuff last spring and its like new. I wouldn't hesitate to take any of my family members to him. He has my full recommendation .

Interesting fact about ortho surgery in Europe... The Physicians administer small doses of blood thinner prior to the procedure and follow up with higher doses for 2-3 weeks post surgery- Not a practice exercised here, in the U.S. If you throw a blood clot- it could stroke you out or kill you...

Zmolek is who you want. Ask anyone in town.

Ryu is good, BUT his bedside manner & overall demeanor is like that of a cold, egocentric dead fish. You can do far better unless that's not important.

I saw Dr. Ryu for knee problems after years of playing indoor & outdoor volleyball. Turns out I had "jumper's knee" (xray also showed diminished cushioning behind the kneecaps). A long layoff and lots of PT did the trick. My impression of Dr. Ryu was he's serious about helping and wants his patients to be equally serious and attentive. My dentist and his wife had rotator cuffs repaired by Ryu and a few volleyball friends have had Ryu repair their ACL's.

Ryu did a great job on my dominant arm rotator cuff clean out. It’s like it never happened now. I did A lot of “prehab” with Maury Hayashida for several weeks prior and I think that made my recovery very quick. Ryu is timely, not unfriendly and I wouldn't Call him a very curious doctor. He’s to the point and successful.

Just a cautionary note: Some years back both my shoulders froze up. Could barely reach high enough to wash my hair. Horrible pain. Loads of Advil. I spent $1,000s going from doctor to physical therapist to rheumatologist to massage therapists, and tried acupuncture, too. Myotherapy did help somewhat. Even a $500 MRI scan that no one looked at. Guess what? Not only was I told, repeatedly, that I had torn rotator cuffs (in both shoulders?!?), I was told I needed surgery: $10,000 per shoulder. That surgery- recommending quack even tried to physically force my shoulders into proper alignment. Excruciating. Torture. Turns out the entire nightmare experience was all due to---------menopause. No kidding. One day both shoulders came good, all on their own. Absolutely fine now.

I have a theory the worse the bedside manner the better the drs skill. I nominate dr ryu but the posters are right take it seriously

Dr. Yau, located at the same place as Dr. Ryu did my rotator cuff surgery. I am OK now. And like others said, LOTS of PT and follow it to the T. I also suggest to avoid the surgery if at ALL possible. If you are able to do PT to heal it, I suggest that. If you are so bad that you cannot lift your arm and are already sleeping sitting straight up, then you may want to opt for surgery. Get a recliner chair, as you won't be sleeping flat for a LONG time. Good luck. I hope I never have to have it again, on either shoulder.

Dr.Ryu's cold manner left me so nervous so I went to Dr.Thomas Knapp in Santa Monica, he was fab! then back up here for PT at Hayshida,' It all worked I was actualy healed and Im not a kid ! Love that Dr.Jervis Yau at Ryu's, hip is his specialty,

Dr Zmolek and Dr. Dunbar at Sansum Clinic https://www.sansumclinic.org/medical-services/medical-service/details/orthopedics

Dr. Steven Hollstien, MD is an orthopedic surgery specialist in Santa Barbara, CA. He graduated from University Of California, Davis, School Of Medicine and specializes in orthopedic surgery. 805-967-9311, Orthopedic Surgical Practice of SB 5333 Hollister Ave., Ste. 150 Santa Barbara, CA 93111 He has helped my son, a runner, who had a terrible leg injury. He also helped me with a hand injury. Excellent doctor, Great guy!

50 years of hard athletics, and I will only let one ortho touch me - Vic Tacconelli. Did a clavicle reduction instead of a rotator cuff rebuild - because I was beyond my competitive years, and the recovery is so much faster and easier. I played shortstop in local softball for 30 years thereafter - no problem. Pitched at Yankee Fantasy Camp at age 60 - no problem. Scoped my knees a few times, and some other procedures. Great bedside manner. He is the BEST !!! One free office visit and you will know he's your guy.

Take this piece of advice from a 69-year-old Retired Nueroradiologist... DR. CHRIS PROCTOR is THE SHOULDER surgeon in SB!!!! Had my non-dominant shoulder done six years ago by Dr.RYU...NEVER again. Did my research on education, awards, research, etc., Talked to post-op nurses And post-op physical therapists, as well as people at the gym. DR. CHRIS PROCTOR is very friendly and uses cutting edge techniques. A little bit of aching in the shoulder, No Pain. My previous surgery gave me excruciating pain for a long time And that Previous Doctor was not friendly.