Rajan M Patel, MD

I wish I could give him 0 stars but that’s not possible. I had appointment for 12:30 and was forced to wait for over an hour to even seen a single person. Why can’t they keep an appointment or even be remotely close? On top of that the staff was incredibly rude to me. I would never recommend coming here to anyone.

A big thank you to Dr. Patel! He is extremely knowledgable, has an excellent bedside manner, takes the time to really explain your condition, and most importantly, offers solutions.
I’ve always lifted weights and practiced martial arts for years, but started having shoulder issues a few years ago. After an MRI, Dr Patel explained that I had bone spurs that were tearing the supraspinatus in both shoulders. Last July 2015, Dr Patel performed arthroscopic surgery on my left shoulder and 6 weeks ago on my right shoulder, which is healing nicely
There are many surgeons out there but I have to say, few work with the sense of compassion and understanding of the patient’s needs that I experienced with Dr Patel. I’m very grateful for his help In getting me back to the gym.

Location very professional and clean. Friendly staff and Doctors. I’ve brought my Husband and 93 year old mother to see Dr. G and Dr. Patel had a good experience with both.

I saw Dr. Patel on 9÷14÷2015. Waited over an hour (not complaining). I finally saw him. Gave him my MRI Disk and report. Explained that I already know I need an ACL reconstructive surgery. I also told him that I’m here because I need a dr office to schedule surgery ASAP. He said sure, will get it done ASAP. I didn’t like what he suggested for the surgery, so I called him back and left a message about what kind of ligament he will be using for the ACL and why he wants to pull my knee back to do the surgery. I never got a call back from his office, even though I called them daily for weeks. My primary physician referred me to Dr. Patel and his office assured me they will get in touch with them and get it done.
I just had my surgery with Dr. Vangsness at USC on Sep 30, 2015 (I highly recommend him if you are looking for a human Dr. who cares. Very minimal invasive surgery and all my questions were answered right on the spot. The Dr. Provided me with so many cell phone numbers and texted me all the time to check on me and making sure I’m good.
I think Dr. Patel practice survives on seeing 100 patients per day x $ 250 per visit, and that’s how he is making his money, not in operating on patients. In my opinion he is only after the money, for not caring to return patients calls, or to be concerned about the pain you suffer while waiting on surgeries. It was a waste of 2 weeks of my time and I do not recommend him or his office at all.
BTW, today is October 6, 2015 and yet to hear back from them.

Waited for an hour in the lobby. This shop does VOLUME. When I got into his office, I waited another 15 minutes. When doctor Dr. Patel entered he was terse. Had not looked at my MRI until that moment. Rushed through the appointment like he wanted out as quickly as possible. «That’s what I said isn’t it?» He snipped when I asked a follow up question. Maybe he’s a good surgeon, but his «beside» sucks. I had a similar question about a different issue I was having and he told me to make another appointment to talk about it. Seriously? How about listening? Might save us both time. I left with as many questions as I entered with.

This place had the worse reception area. The girls up front are just plain rude and disrespectful. There is a young man here that calls the people back is just more rude than the receptionist.
The parking is just horrible. You can’t find parking anywhere in front. You have to go around the corner or pay really high parking structure prices in the building. NOT.

Went in with shoulder pain diagnosed with a tear in the labrum. Surgery was an option but dr Patel and I didn’t want to go there. So he explained what was happening in the shoulder and I did physical therapy. Still improving but I am on my way with no surgery. Dr Patel is clear and concise with his suggestions and advice.

Wanted to update this review. Eight weeks after the knee surgery, things are looking great. Better than I even knew would be possible. Dr. Patel’s work has made my knee better than it was before I injured it. I am very pleased with the outcome.
Dr. Patel is amazing. I suffered a devastating knee injury six months ago and saw five different orthopedic surgeons. All five agreed that I needed a specific kind of knee reconstruction surgery, one with a hospital stay and months of rehabilitation. The first two, after reviewing my MRI scans and examining my knee, decided they weren’t skilled enough in this specific technique to perform the surgery. The third and fourth orthopedic surgeons I saw found out, only as their office staff was arranging for a day and time of surgery, that UCLA Medical Center had a problem with my new health insurance coverage. Under the new «Affordable Care Act,» I would have been responsible for paying at least $ 25,000 in hospital expenses. The fourth doctor referred me to a fifth, who I didn’t like because he was an arrogant jerk who didn’t listen to a word I had to say.
Nearly six months after injuring my knee, I was giving up hope of ever getting the problem fixed. Then someone introduced me to Dr. Patel. Unlike the first five doctors I saw, he believed my problem could be resolved with orthoscopic knee surgery and a simpler repair technique. He also listened to what I had to say, and he did a great job of explaining what he thought would be the best way to repair my damaged knee. Exactly 7 days after the surgery, I am walking upright for the first time in six months. Dr. Patel has given me the opportunity to reclaim my life, and it makes me want to cry. The last part will be up to me, working hard at physical therapy and regaining full mobility in my knee, but I will be forever grateful to Dr. Patel.

Every day I have to look at this HIDEOUS scar on my knee wondering if Dr Patel used a can opener. To make matters worse I still suffer from the same pain symptoms. He needs to be placed in the same category as Dr Frankenstein along with his little shop of horrors Brotman medical center. I would not recommend him to operate on G. I Joe, Ken or Barby!!!

My first appointment with Dr. Patel was in January, an initial follow-​up on a surgery done by someone else. With a two part, displaced and impacted fracture at the surgical neck of the humerus — maybe dislocated too, i don’t remember — I was a big hot mess.
Then here I am, less than a minute into my appointment with Dr. Patel, and I know I can trust him. And he hasn’t disappointed. I find him very easy to get along with, he is confident in his abilities, and he thinks about what to say before he says it. He looked at the films I brought with me of my ORIF and it took him less than a second to understand what was going on, and three times as long to think about what to say to me about it. I could tell that saw something in those films that he didn’t like and I appreciate that he didn’t mention it at the time. He waited till I was ready to process it. One thing at a time. The topic came up later after he and i had established a solid and trusting working relationship, and we talked about the difficulties caused by that first surgery and we have made plans to address them. Easy peesy.
He did my second surgery, but i will write about that in a follow up review. But here all i will say is that it was easy surgery for him, which made it easy for me to see that he really enjoys what he does and gets along very well with the people he works with.
I think some of the negative comments on his skills/​attitude need a little perspective:
With these kinds of injuries recovery depends as much or even more on the patient than on the doctor. While he has performed surgeries like mine many times, and knows the recovery process and aftercare like the back of his hand, this is all new to ME. And he doesn’t know me well enough to know how I interpret things. This is a serious injury with a long recovery. I remember waking up in recovery down in Florida thinking to myself, «Wow, I now know what it feels like to be drawn and quartered.» What’s worse, I will never be the same, and may never do a double salchow ever again. Everybody handles this differently, and it really tests you. People react differently when things don’t go their way. I chose jokes and chocolate. Another skater I know with the exact same injury turned into a methhead. From reading some of the negative reviews, it seems like some of the angry comments are really anger about what has happened, the injury. I teach statistics and this happens sometimes to me too: I get negative reviews from students that have nothing to do with my teaching, but everything to do with the fact that they hate statistics with every fiber of their being. When people are in constant, severe pain every day, some can develop a pissy attitude and dump that on their doctors.
It took him a few appointments to warm up to me, sure, but it is clear that he actually cares about me. In our appointments he isn’t talking to a plate, screws, and rusty ligaments. He’s talking to me. I am good at reading people, and I’m not wrong about this. That’s how this guy rolls. He’s in it for the long haul. In the last appointment, he got me to 100% external rotation in just 3 days — because he has figured out how to light a fire under my ass without pissing me off. But most importantly, he promised me that he would continue to work with me until my pain and functionality were acceptable to *me*.

Dr. Patel did a fine job with my consultation after my knee injury and I like that he did not first suggest surgery but rather extensive physical therapy.
However, part of being a good doctor is having a great and competent staff.
There are plenty of other competent sports medicine specialists in Los Angeles and I recommend you visit one of them instead.
No one returns my call if I leave a voicemail. When I do speak on the phone with someone as I have several times they give me incomplete information and the documents they promise to send me are NEVER sent. I know office staff is very busy, but I have been calm and understanding with them while issues that should take minutes, take weeks to resolve and I have still not gotten the information I need to submit to my insurance company.
Go see someone else.

When I went to go see him concerning an injury I had sustained he was very short with me and I still left with questions

I went to Dr. Patel. I had shattered my wrist. I have to say he is one of the best Surgeon, My wrist feels back to normal. I would recommend him !!!

If I could give this incompetent, unprofessional, disrespectful office and Dr. a lower rating I would. I am completely disgusted with the lack of professionalism, lack of customer service, lack of doctor care and lack of concern. Avoid this office at all costs. I’m taking my health issue elsewhere because I’m tired of getting lied to, ignored and basically put on hold for treatment when I’m in extreme pain. Not worth the frustration or hassle. Who knows how f-​ed up my surgery would be if this is an example of how patients are treated prior to actual work.

I’ve read many of these reviews, including some which describe the doctor in less than favorable personal terms…
I can only speak for myself, however, when I say that every aspect of my experience with Dr. Patel and his entire staff has been one hundred percent favorable. I came to them following an injury and everyone at the office was nice, thoughtful and efficient — including Dr. Patel. They were great, and made a tough situation far easier to manage.
While it’s relatively early on in this healing process following a surgery that went extremely well, I felt compelled to leave this review to help offset some of the negative reviews that I have read. From my own personal experience I would highly recommend both this talented physician and his incredibly helpful staff.

Dr Rajan Patel knows what he is doing. He is a sports and orthopedic injury doctor who is highly skilled, caring, and sensitive to his patients’ needs. I’ve seen his results and they are impeccable. Dr. Patel puts in the extra effort to take care of patients and it shows in his results. Thank you for everything Dr Patel!!!

His office does have a bit of a wait… But that’s for a reason… Everybody wants a piece of the doc… Cuz he’s good. So bring a book… And then get some awesome health care… You won’t be disappointed =)

I went to Dr. Patel to address a complex tear on my left meniscus and he comprehensively explained both non-​surgical and surgical options to me. I chose the surgical route and do not regret it to this day. In other words, I needed the surgery, but I never felt pressured to get it done by the doctor. Dr. Patel is a proficient and excellent surgeon who uses the latest in minimally invasive surgical technology to cause the least amount of pain and stress on your body. I never had to use pain medication post surgery and I was walking the very next day without any pain. Though, I took it easy of course.
I’m two weeks out of my surgery and just had my post-​surgery follow up with Dr. Patel and he once again explained what was performed with detailed images so that I was clear on my path to healing. Dr. Patel made me feel confident on my road to recovery, but I know that it’s really up to me to pave its outcome. I have every trust in Dr. Patel. If you are in LA and looking for one of the top orthopedic surgeons who really respects your body and the success of your healthy recovery, go to Dr. Patel. I was amazed how little trauma I felt. This is a testament to the proficiency of the doctor and his craft. The recovery and healing process is up to you.

Update: My partner was having trouble with his right shoulder. It got to the point that he could barely move it. I referred him to Dr. Patel, who referred him to an excellent physical therapist, and five weeks later, my partner has full mobility in both shoulders. Dr. Patel is, simply put, the best!

I’ve read the other reviews and I agree that Dr. Patel may be really talented and he’s a nice guy, but my experience was different. This is not a comment on his actual talent, but on how he handled my particular situation.
I was limping and barely able to walk, so I saw Dr. Patel in 2008 about a problem with my hip. He said I might need a hip replacement but that it might be good start with a less invasive procedure, a hip arthroscopy. He also suggested I do an MRI just to be sure.
So I had the MRI and arthroscopy using a doctor he highly recommended.
I did physical therapy diligently for about 9 months, and followed up at home. I was led to believe (by the physical therapist, not Dr. Patel) that if I only worked harder at the PT that my hip would get better. So I worked harder and followed up diligently at home.
Truth be told, I needed a total hip replacement, and I’m convinced that I needed it from the beginning.
My confidence in Dr. Patel started to unwind when I was asking him questions about the hip replacement surgery I had scheduled with him and he told me to «look on his web site.» The links on the web site were broken, and I told him so in an email, and he just responded that everything I needed to know was on his web site.
That didn’t sit right with me, so I started to shop around for doctors. I found Dr. Dorr, who took a look at my xray, saw me walk, and asked if I was in pain and said, «You need a hip replacement!» The entire transaction was like 90 seconds. He could tell right away from my xray that I needed the surgery. So why didn’t Dr. Patel know that a year ago?
Then Dr. Dorr said, «Looks from this Xray like your right hip is going to need to be replaced in a couple of years, too.» Sure enough, 2 years later I was having my other hip replaced.
So why didn’t Dr. Patel know what Dr. Dorr did by just looking at the xray? Why did I need an MRI? And why not just be forthright with me that I really needed a hip replacement and that the arthroscopy wouldn’t work very well because my hip was too far gone?
Dr. Patel is a lovely person, so I hate to do this, and I have really wondered whether I should write this review or not, but last week I realized I’ve been stewing about this for 3 years now, so it’s time for me to be forthright about my particular situation in case it helps someone else.