Osterkamp John A, MD

Dr. Ostercamp is as good as it gets — even better — the guy is straight-​up great. The Sports Medicine Group, of which there are four other highly-​rated orthopedic surgeons, is fantastic. Now about «Dr. Oz» as his many returning patients call him, about his great nurse, Allison, and about his practice. Dr. Ostercamp was referred to me by a close friend of someone on the USC-​Verdugo Hills Hospital board. I trusted the referral/​referee highly, knew and know he ran in a classy circle, so I jotted Dr. Oz’s name down, «Just in case.»
Nothing was wrong… yet. But an avid runner and work-​out enthusiast, I assumed it was just a matter of time, as I first went to Dr. Oz in my late 50’s. It was a small Meniscus tear from the damage done from running — not a huge deal — so Dr. Ostercamp went in around November of 2009 — and that was that. A month later I took the right knee out for a test run — did four miles it felt so good. Walking, I wasn’t about to run on it yet — just wanted to see if the knee responded. The great perk is that Dr. Ostercamp/​Sports Medicine Group is in an office adjacent to USC-​Verdugo Hills Hospital. Where he’s well-​known, highly-​respected, a favoured son so to speak. He’s also on the board-​of-​everything, gives and contributes greatly around the North Glendale/​Los Angeles-​communities. Bottom line is he knows everyone, everyone knows him — and Allison sets everything up around the hospital, where she’s on a first-​name basis. Everyone also knows, trusts, loves and respects Allison. Allison is clock-​work, Dr. Ostercamp is clock-​work, the USC-​Verdugo Hills Hospital is clockwork — in fact I’ve never had it so good. Trust this information. Trust this data. I am writing solely based on three experiences with Dr. Oz, Allison, the Sports Medicine Group and USC-​VHH. You’re in expert hands. Experience #2 was an injury from a fall/​run — a debacle in Jan. of 2013 when a night fall rendered me an immovable object. Couldn’t get up. Didn’t want to get up. Lied on the ground off of Honolulu Blvd. knowing I’d done something very serious, probably a cracked knee-​cap, observed an arriving GFD EMT. The moment I hit the ground I knew I would not be getting up. I wasn’t sure it was an injury I would ever recover from — it was just an unbelievable, snap of the finger nightmare. Dr. Ostercamp/​Allison to the rescue, and this is time number 2.
«Avulsed Quadriceps Tendon,» proclaimed Dr. Oz, «We’ll need to go in right away.» This meant major knee surgery and twelve days later. I could not so much as lift my left leg an inch off of the table in Dr. Oz’ office. And while he took X-​Rays, had an MRI done (at USC-​VHH, where they have a great, great MRI Dept.), he probably could have gone in right then and there and fixed it. That’s how good he is and how much experience Dr. Ostercamp has. By the end of January I was in a cast, but only for two weeks so that the tendon could set.
Physical Therapy at USC-​VHH was necessary on an out-​patient basis (if you need this Dept. you have Kathy, William, Jeff and Cynthia who are all top pro’s in their field — I highly recommend all four — and using this department at USC-​VHH). They not only got me well in a few months (I was walking at Easter, something I thought’d be impossible given the nature of the injury/​pain I was initially in). But have a close, respectful nature with Dr. Ostercamp and Allison –thus Dr. Oz and his office got/​get instant updates about your progress — and tweaks were made if it was going too slow in Dr. Oz’ opinion. I’d be remiss to NOT point out the two great Pharmacies at USC-​VHH, I go there for non-​related things, love the staff’s at both. One’s located just under Dr. Oz’s office and one’s located in the first building at USC-​VHH. How can you lose when you trust all of this great personnel, i.e. people that have been around, work together well, coordinate your care?
Never expected to need another knee surgery — but recovery from surgery-​number– two completely destroyed my right knee. I had to depend on the right knee (early Meniscus surgery, remember?) to go up and down stairs, place all of my weight upon as the left knee healed and responded to physical rehab. It was way too much for the right knee — and towards the end of Spring, 2013 I begged Dr. Ostercamp to consider a TKR — Total Knee Replacement — as I was literally having trouble USING the right knee. Limping, etc. «Let’s do it as soon as possible,» said Dr. Oz upon seeing the X-​Rays. It was clear to Dr. Oz I’d pretty much damaged the right knee beyond bed rest. So a date was set for an MRI, then the date for a TKR on 2 April 2014. A lot to handle for a dude now turning 62. I’m most proud of the TKR Dr. Ostercamp did — because at least three people from my Church previously had Dr. Oz do so. I’m happy to report that the Total Knee Replacement was a smashing success! I went to Dr. Oz and said, «Dr. Ostercamp, we’re now 3 – 3!“and he laughed. Thanks, God

Sadly, it has taken me several days to process how I felt about my visit to this office. The two women behind the window of the front office are about as welcoming as a pool of piranhas; you’ll soon regret ever jumping into those seemingly pleasant waters. They smiled at us upon signing in but that charm fizzles the moment you inconvenience them with a question or two. Thankfully, Allison is the kindest and most helpful of the bunch. I’m sure Dr. Osterkamp is a very skilled and capable physician. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very generous with information regarding my condition. He hardly explained the nature of my injury. Overall, his visit with me was rushed and lacked the quality of care that others have raved about. After 25 years in the business I was surprised to find that his office lacks that wonderful combination of CARE and SCIENCE… and for that reason I must find a better fit with a more suitable orthopedic practice…(sigh).

I saw Dr. Carlo A. Orlando back in November, 2014. He had poor bedside manner and was not friendly at all. I felt very rushed, which is the worst feeling to have when you’re battling an injury.
There are too many options for a good orthopedist in the Los Angeles. I will be taking my insurance dollars elsewhere.

Review number 500.
Thought I would commemorate a hot tub accident from two New Year’s Eves ago. The story about the hot tub will not be documented in this review as there are rules on postings and the bright bulbs at Unilocal Central would find something offensive, I am sure.
Suffice it to report that as a result of a moment of distraction, I had my foot and ankle twisted in a most painful, unnatural orientation. Actually, I was optimistic that it might be a sprain when it happened, but with the glorious purple colors growing over two days, my optimism was dashed. I dragged myself to an urgent care center for X-​rays. Three broken bones in the foot and ankle ligaments stretched too far.
The next day I was at Dr. Osterkamp’s office as a matter of referral from the Urgent Care place.
Wow, this guy is right out of TV doctor scenes like Marcus Welby MD (series from 1969 –76). Soft spoken, attentive, informative and a real nice person with whom to discuss your condition. He prescribed something for the pain and swelling along with a boot from a business in the same building. I went home to locate my crutches in the garage (accidents have happened in the past as well).
I have since discovered by talking to others, that Dr. Osterkamp performs surgery in the next building over which is Verdugo Hills Hospital. Almost everyone I meet has been there for things like mine or they know someone he has fixed under the knife. He has an enormous alumni of happy patients all around the area. Fortunately, my situation only required three more visits over 6 weeks without the need for surgery.
I have a really nice boot if someone needs one.
Dr. Osterkamp is a super cool and caring provider of medical services. His staff is good and really make you fell better just having them attend to your visit.
Dr. Osterkamp and his crew are a class act. My left foot thanks you.

Great place to go if your bones are broken.
I’ve been told by firefighters and medical professionals that they see so many injuries related to falling off ladders.
Well, my hubby just got added to the list. On Saturday his ladder slid off the step while he was putting up Christmas lights. The whole thing just came crashing down horizontally on a brick front porch. Crash… bang…boom and then some screams. Our neighbors ran outside to see what happened. My son and I also ran out. I thought my son was the spotter, but I guess my hubby didn’t think he needed one.
We’ve been to Dr. Osterkamp numerous times over the years or to his partners. It is a group with a few orthopaedic surgeons, so if one is booked up then there is usually someone else. Just don’t expect to go in on a Friday afternoon. I think most of them are golfers and they leave early. Dr. Osterkamp’s Partners at Orthopaedic and Sports Surgeons of the Foothills include Dr. Owens, Dr. Geller and Dr. Orlando, and they are all great. I saw Dr. Owens when I broke my shoulder from a dirt bike (motorcycle) accident. My son has also seen one of more of them for various fractures. My nephew who played baseball for a UC Davis club team went to Dr. Osterkamp for his torn rotator cuff and surgery and I think he’s doing great.
Dr. Osterkamp, his partners, nurses and staff are great though. Allison, his nurse is fabulous and had me laughing so hard I started crying. I told her my hubby’s trade in value was going down because of all of his «issues». Allsion said he didn’t even have a warranty. He’s always telling me the same thing, so it was a perfect opportunity to get even. Also, he’s pretty helpless with his crutches and can’t run too fast right now. Dr. Osterkamp reviewed the x-​rays from the hospital, performed an exam, gave us a RX for a boot and we were on our merry way. Ho ho ho!