Risser Orthopedic Group

I have knee problems and ended up buying a couple of knee braces for $ 250 which is pretty expensive. Shortly after the visit, I decided I was going to stop impact sports and tried returning the braces and unknowningly had signed a contract that said the braces were non-​refundable. I hadn’t worn the braces outside the office nor was there mention of the braces not being returnable.
Pretty shady to peddle over priced equipment without verbal disclosure that they are not returnable.

Ample free parking behind the practice. The waiting room was a bit cold as they blast the AC. I had to wait an hour on a busy Friday afternoon to see Dr. Mostofi for my wrist pain by the base of my thumb, but it was worth it for his expertise. They have an in-​house X-​ray lab, and the facility was clean with courteous staff.
Dr. Mostofi cured my wrist pain that was immediately correctly diagnosed as De Quervain syndrome (
) and with a cortisone shot at the problem tendon, my hand started feeling better within a week. Thank you doc!

Dr Mostofi is the Best! My good friend Dr Maxim Moradian referred me to Dr Mostofi for my aunt’s wrist. She had broken her wrist really bad. Dr. Mostofi did a surgery on it a month ago. She has recovered significantly. It was a really bad break but the surgery was a success. Also Dr. Mostofi is extremely nice and easy to talk to. A lot of doctors try to rush you in and out of their room as if you are just a #. Mostofi took his time and answered all our questions. Thank you Dr.

Dr Criswell was great. The office took us as an emergency as my husband couldn’t walk. We were taken in on time, the doctor’s assistant was lovely. Dr Criswell was efficient and knowledgeable.

(Review only for trying to make an appointment…) Called to see if they accept medical they don’t. OK. I asked how much is it for a visit. She couldn’t tell me and told me she will not tell me because it is apparently «against the law.» To see me and take my money because I have insurance. And because she «knows» I have medical she can not see me? But if she didn’t know… And then found out later ??? (Which I don’t know how??) she said it would be a problem? Terrible ! If a dr does not accept medical she claims I can not see that dr… Even if I want to be a cash patient ??? Cause it’s against the law ??? I have seen Drs who do not accept medical and I paid cash to see them… I don’t know where she got her information from.

Dr. Mostofi operated on both my hands for carpal tunnel release and all I can say about him is HE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. From the minute he sees you to the last minute of surgery he is compassionate, professional, relaxed bedside manners, friendly and puts you at ease. I have tiny little scars and carpal tunnel syndrome is totally gone

As far as the staff is concerned they were very nice and attentive. But Dr. Pradhan lied to me and pain dr Alexander Sheng is a fat disgusting arrogant jerk that called me stupid. I had to report him. What a fat asshole. Go back to Chicago you ignorant butthead.

PEOPLE GO TO THE ARCADIA LOCATION! Got in a knife fight. Dr Northrop saves the day!
Appointment 1:40pm. Arrival 143pm (fashionably late).
1) 5 min wait to get called in and 5 min wait once inside the little room!
2) Shoulder and calf xray-​ed and looked at in one visit yay! Very economical!!!
3) Got PT script for all problems — DONE
4) sippin’ chai latte at 2:25pm

I love all the doctors in this group. I see Dr, Criswell who does not make you wait long and takes his time listening and explaining everything in detail. It’s great to have a respectful ortho. group close to home.

On Tuesday I had a major surgery done by my doctor. Years ago I had a horrible experience in a different outpatient hospital. I was very very nervous about having a major surgery here.
I had the most wonderful experience with Kathy and Courtney the two nurses on duty while I was there. They put me at ease, they were very kind and understanding about all my concerns. My surgery went way over the original schedule, I did not feel rushed during post op they continued to check on me and ensure that I was okay.
The ladies were awesome nurses and awesome human beings. The only thing I wish is that the pre and post op area was a little bigger. The center is very clean, and well organized. However, those two nurses make it wonderful and a five star rating.

Over an hour wait for a relatively rushed consult… Went to Congress Medical associates in Arcadia (not Pasadena location, can’t comment on that one) and had a much more thorough exam and much better experience.

My doctor, Dr. Criswell is the BEST!!! I love him and his whole staff, why you ask? I always feel taken care of from the moment I walk in the door be it the receptionist giving me a big friendly smile while I fill out paper work in the waiting room or my doctors assistant’s super friendly down to earth personality while she checks me in and my vitals before I see Dr. Criswell. I can’t even forget all the x-​ray tech guys they are awesome like, I seriously mean that with individuals such as myself that come in with broken bones (that hurt mind you) sometimes taking x-​rays can be quite difficult! I appreciate their patients through every process of x-​rays that I have to take each time I visit. I must say Dr. Criswell is highly recommend from my point of view I truly appreciate his expertise on all matters foot and ankle. I love that every visit feels like the first time not rushed and super informative makes me feel super comfortable, which is essential to me and my recovery. I’m not happy that I was in a bad car accident, which changed my life dramatically but I am ecstatic to have found a doctor whose professional approach is quick to be understanding of my worries and the situation all the while being compassionate, gentle, and sensitive to my injury.
Thank you Dr. Criswell, it’s doctors such as yourself that truly make a difference and leave a long lasting impact on patients lives.

I had torn both meniscuses and had debris in my knee joint. I had it scoped by Dr. Laster at the Risser Surgery Center. The experience could not have been better at that Surgery Center right next door to the Risser Clinic. Kathy, Courtney, and Linda were the nicest nurses and answered every question and provided everything I needed to be comfortable. Courtney did the IV and I had to ask her if she really completed it. NO pain whatsoever. After the surgery, NO pain either.
I highly recommend this surgery center if you have to have your knee ‘scoped’. Dr. Laster is the BEST.
Cathy U

I took my 8 year old to Dr. Crisswell after a large heavy chair fell on his toe. Dr. Crisswell was very nice with a great bedside manner and he was perfect with the hurt boy. He also did not advocate an xray because he said he didn’t want unnecessary radiation. I really appreciated that.
When I called i got an appointment right away which was great. When we got there however, we had to wait a long time in the exam room. In fact is was just about an hour. I thought that was a bit excessive.
Other than the wait, it was a very positive visit. Easy parking in the back and make sure to bring a sweater because the waiting room is an ice box.

Great Doctor, listen to everything I had to say. Gave me all my options and explain them all very well. The amount of time, Dr Braden Criswell spent with me on my first visit was more than my previous Ortho Doctor visits combine. I would recommend him to everyone. Excellent Doctor, he really does care about his patients.
I also recently had a follow up appointment with him. It turns out that he was vacation and he still came in to see me. Wow, just Wow.
I can’t say enough great things about him and his staff.
Highly recommended!

On a professional level it is tough to communicate with other doctors offices in Pasadena area I have found but not Risser Orthopedic Group. I called three orthopedic centers interested in a meeting with the doctors and they are the only ones to call me back. Also having sent them some patients over the years, they alway take good care, give a proper diagnosis and they are not quick cut so to speak. I am happy they don’t just do surgery but they do the best thing for the greater good of their patients, be it PT, braces, rest, injections, or sometimes orthopedic surgery yet minimally invasive. I would send my mother or daughter there so that is how much I trust these doctors. Drs. Northrop, Criswell, Pradhan and Laster are specialists that rock at their job. If you need an ortho go here … I recommend them to all my patients orthopedics are an indicated protocol.

So I was hurt at work. Even though my company took for ever to get things moving, once I got to see Dr. Mostofi, wow, things just got rolling with haste. I was soon in the Keck medical center and NOT the medical center in Pasadena. But this is a review for the Dr. and not the medical center. At the Keck medical center I had my surgery after tearing my distal bicep on my left arm. The surgery went great and now recovering.
So anyway, he has been very detailed and everything has been moving smoothly. I understand others have bad experiences, but it too is your responsibility to ask questions.
So I am still seeing Dr. Mostofi. Great experience over all.

At first I was impressed with the service and the surgery I got from Dr Mostaffi but then his news quickly became bad news. When he initially showed me my x-​ray my fractured wrist area was in the fore front and by putting in a metal plate and screws he told me it would fix the fracture and hopefuly keep me from having arthritis down the road. Then after the sutures came off and a second set of xrays taken it was revealed that that fracture was not in the forefront but in the back part of my wrist and in order to fix it I would need a second surgery on the backside of my wrist to fix it. That really pissed me off because now I have a scar forever and if he did it right the first time then I’d give him a different rating.
If you ever need a surgery get a second opinion somewhere else cause it can be a life changer.
Otherwise the staff is professional.

It should be no surprise that, like everything, there are good and bad orthopedists (medical doctors who treat the musculoskeletal system). Many docs, regrettably, have their eye on the billing and are too quick to recommend a surgical procedure which might not be warranted. How do we, as non-​medical-​professional consumers, know what the heck they are talking about? Unfortunately, we don’t. All we can do is get grounded referrals from people we trust or, at least, get a second opinion when surgery has been recommended.
I’ve got to throw my five stars behind Dr. Laster at Risser — he’s just awesome. A very experienced, yet conservative, surgeon, he will chart the least invasive recovery path for you. Moreover, he’s a super nice doctor with a wonderful bedside manner. Neck, back, elbow, knee — he is your guy. Three things I like about this office. One, they have their own x-​ray facilities, so you’re not being «sent out» for tests which can be done right there in the office. Secondly, there is a surgicenter on the property for procedures which require one. Thirdly, Dr. Laster’s clinical assistant, Allana, is as awesome as he is.
Don’t cry when you enter the Risser lobby — it’s packed — but every doctor’s office is these days. I never seem to wait long. Good luck with your ortho complaints; I believe you will be in good hands with Dr. Laster.

Recently spent some time here with Dr. Norquist.
I broke my wrist /​arm playing roller derby, and after an initial visit to the ER at the Huntington, all of my care happened at Risser.
Both Dr. Norquist and Larry were professional, knowledgable, and dare I say, kind of fun! They easily laid out what I was to expect, how I was supposed to care for my cast, how to care for my arm right after I got the cast off… I was never in the dark. If any questions came up, they were easy to reach out to.
The X-​Ray techs were also a good time. They were gentle with me when my break was fresh, and always made me smile.
Make sure you come with time to spare, because the lot is always full.
Worth mentioning, on my way in to my last appointment, I called in to say I was going to be about (maybe) 5 minutes late, and the person who answered said, «Well, I don’t know if the doctor will have time to see you then…» That was ridiculous. I mean, how many times have we all gotten to the doctor on time, and still sat in the waiting room for at least 15 minutes before anyone saw us?! I would have been mad if I didn’t think it was so funny and ironic.