Ramin M Modabber, MD

Dr Modabber just completed his second surgery on me (1^st my wrist and now my hand). Both experiences were fantastic. He and his office staff were very polite and professional; they returned phones calls that day and gave clear typed instructions for surgery. The previous scar is barely noticeable a year out and I have no pain from the previous procedure. The recent surgery went great, stitches came out and it looks wonderful. I am a nurse myself and would openly refer Dr Modabber for any hand, arm or shoulder procedure. Great surgeon! Great office staff! Great outcomes!

I had a pretty serious injury this year that resulted in a broken collar bone. I was given the option by several surgeons either to let it heal or to have surgery to secure the bones in place. After a lot of internal debates and a good amount of research I decided to go the surgery route, and was lucky enough to have found Dr. Modabber.
The process and and surgery was much easier than I expected, and the doctor did an excellent job. As far as I can tell, he is the guy who does this surgery more than just about anyone in the LA area, and it shows. Healing was quick and easy, the scar is barely noticeable, and I am as good as new again. My physical therapist was very impressed with the results.
Throughout the process of my injury I dealt with many different doctors, but Modabber remains one of the ones that I most respect, and recommend whole-​heartedly.

Done and so happy I can’t even begin to tell you. I kept waiting for pain, complication, etc. Nothing but no pain. My son dubbed dr. Modabber Houdini ! He makes problems disappear! So thrilled! Would give this whole operation and experience a 10 if I could! Why did I wait? Thanks.

Dr. Modaber is awesome! Great bedside manner. Ramin reconstructed my shoulder when I shattered the ball of my humerus, at the same time dislocating it. Its a highly complex process to do. He looked at it once, explained the situation, and checked me into the hospital for surgery that same day. The Urgent Care facility let me walk out of the clinic with the shattered ball embedded in my chest!
I love the Santa Monica Orthopedic Group! They’ve save the day each time I needed them.

I was referred to dr Modabber as I have a potentially fractures index finger and he’s a rare hand specialist. When my appt day finally arrived I was unable to make the 7:30am time. I phoned both numbers that I have for his office 2 times each to only hear voicemail greetings… But when I arrived at the medical office the receptionist was there seating patients. I was refused to be seen because I arrived too late. «They run a tight schedule here and Dr Gabbe has to be in surgery at noon» was the speech I received. I was livid but asked politely… but I’ve been waiting to get my finger examed… its healing this way as I wait. I was told «if u were a visiting client perhaps but since it’s a consult they won’t see you». I said what about her tight schedule? Our societal values are all screwed up. I’ll continue to believe that there are real people with real character in this country of mine and one of them will surely be an orthopedic specialist. I’ll continue to search for that doctors practice. SMH.

Based on the reviews I had read here, I made sure I was actually seeing Dr. Modabber and not an assistant. It took me about 6 weeks and two changed appoints (from his end, not mine) before I was finally able to see him.
Modabber was actually great, very helpful and took the time to listen to me and explain my issue. My real complaint is against his office staff and billing practices which others have written about in other reviews.
The receptionist was unable to get through to my insurance (Anthem) to verify benefits, so told me to sign a document and they’d sort it out later. I guess I should have read the document more carefully because it basically said I was agreeing to pay cash and my insurance would not apply.
Months later I got a very large bill in the mail, and it took over a year of me fighting with Anthem to get my bill paid for, apparently because Modabber’s office was not being cooperative with Anthem or sending them the necessary paperwork. Anytime I called to inquire, his office staff would be very rude and unhelpful, saying stuff like «you agreed to pay cash, not our problem.»
Overall, he’s a decent doctor but I will not be returning to see him based on my experience.

Awesome doctor prompt follow up from his office !, I had a horrible bike accident leaving my wrist and hand shattered. I called Dr. Modabber and his office called me ASAP and got me in the next day to see him. The following day they got me into his overbooked surgery schedule. Two day’s from calling I was out of surgery and into therapy. He did a fabulous job on my surgery and I can compare to my other hand which I broke three years prior and went elsewhere. They are busy because he is one of the best in town. I have seen his assistant and she is great too. Never waited just get right in. So happy here and would send my own family if needed because he simply is a miracle worker.

I was referred to this doctor from my ER physician to follow-​up on my broken finger. After 6 calls I was finally able to get a hold of his front desk. They told me he has no availability for weeks but they will forward my information to «his team» (whatever that means) and they’ll contact me in the next few days. Being that I’m supposed to see an orthopedist promptly, and judging their lack of concern /​availability, I don’t see how that will be helpful. Reading the other comments I’m more confident in my decision to stay away from this office. I’d recommend you do the same.

I cut my flexor tendon! His PA was amazing & got the correct diagnosis (the ER told me nothing was wrong!!) I had emergency surgery & a lot of OT, dr modabber saved my nursing career & life!

If you want to see a doctor about a hand condition, do not call Dr. Modabber’s office. I was told that I would have to see his physician’s assistant, and could not get an appointment to see the doctor for my initial evaluation.
After arriving 15 minutes early for my appointment in an empty waiting room, I was kept waiting 30 minutes after my scheduled time to see the physician’s assistant.
After taking my history and a cursory exam, she excused herself to go talk to the doctor. She returned later to tell me the doctor’s diagnosis and recommendations. I NEVER SAW the doctor.
Dr. Modabber must be one of the busiest physicians in Los Angeles, since he apparently has no time to actually see patients. If you want your condition treated by a P.A. without going through the «hassle» of actually wasting time with a doctor, be sure to call Dr. Modabber.

The recurring theme in the reviews, which is the same as my personal experience have been:
1) Dishonest and greedy billing practices. They joined Saint John’s and for a simple injection, this time, I saw a whole lot of facilities charges. For visiting the same effing room. In the doctor’s office and not the hospital. Two charges titled for «treatment room». Same day. One for $ 384 and another $ 295. Same date! and I was only in 1 room to see the effing PA.
2) Of the past 6 – 7 times that I have got to this place for a hand issue, I have been seen by Modabber. Only the PA. Which has changed over the course of a couple of years.
Look elsewhere. There are plenty of doctor’s around.

It’s been a year and a half since Dr. Modabber saved my right wrist with surgery and his expertise. I basically shattered and dislocated my radius. And, although I have done my part by diligently doing the exercises, my wrist is almost as good as new. Acupuncture and massage have been a great help in the recovery process. I thank Dr. Modabber almost every day.

Follow up to my review below 4 years ago:
Well here we are and my daughter is now 20 days shy of 16 years old. Her finger? Its sore most of the time, and is crooked as can be (it zig zags.) Terrible job. If your child gets this kind of surgery and the doctor says, we can operate or wait to see– WAIT TO SEE! She is worse off now than if she didn’t have the botched surgery.
I am certain this is more about making money than helping people for him. He gave 0 after care. This surgery was rushed and not needed. I am so sorry we did it, we were very emotional at the time, and wanted to do the best for our child. We should have gotten a 2^nd opinion.

I went to Dr. Modabber for my right hand (broken 2^nd metacarpal bone) He showed the x-​ray to me and took his time to explain all pros and cons of the surgery. He also didn’t charge an arm and a leg for X-​ray like many other places, I didn’t have insurance so he gave me an amazing price. His staff were also nice, friendly and professionals. He is one of the best hand surgeon out there and I’m happy with my decision.

I had shoulder surgery and wrist surgery with Dr Modaber and I would go back to him but hopefully I will not need to. I go in prepared with all my research and questions and has answered al of them. He’s extremely smart, passionate about his trade and really down to earth.

I wanted to write this review for a long time so here it is.
I had hand surgery for trigger finger by Dr. Modabber in the last century, on 4 fingers, at three different times.
This man is serious, soft spoken with fabulous bedside manners and the results were excellent.
I just love this man.
Had I known that he also does knee surgery (at the time I needed it) I would have entrusted Dr. Modabber for this as well. Unfortunately I had the surgery by another surgeon (who came highly recommended by his staff) and the results were not satisfactory.
If I need additional surgery, I’ll definitely contact Dr. Modabber.
Don’t know what the other reviews are all about, but here is a very happy patient.

Both my husband and I have used SM Orthopedics a number of times — BUT with a different Dr. I assumed Dr. Modabber would be of the same calaber — but I was so so wrong. I barely got much time with him and once his associate shared his views with me re: my «in office» MRI — next thing I knoew I was having a major operation elbow Tendonites because my tendon was «torn from the bone» I of course belived what I was told and moved forward with prep test etc. costing me over $ 1000 — but still had not spoken to the Dr. and when I called over the next two weeks 4 x and NEVER heard from Modabber or his assistants or his scheduling nurse — I decided WAIT A MINUTE — this is a MAJOR operation and I want to know what is going to happen — BEFORE the opertation… Face it — if you can’t reach your doctor before — what happens when you really need him after??? So I went for a second and third opinion — and found out — both specialist (with fantastic references) said the same: NO NO NO to the knife — and NONONON to the lousy in-​office MRI. Thank G-​d I asked around. And again I tried to contact Modabber and the other Dr. I know and respected at Santa Monica Ortho — BUT STILL — no one ever bothered to call back or contact me… Stay away from Santa Monica Ortho — if you want an honest and safe check out dr. s at Kerlan Jobe.

This guy maybe a good doctor, I really cannot say. But the reason I would caution anybody from every using him is based upon my personal experience, which I relate here.
I was referred to this doctor, from my doctor due to a problem with my finger. I made an appointment to see what type of intervention I needed. I was seen by his «physician assistant» not the doctor. We met for about 5 – 10 minutes and she purported to «diagnose» the problem. She said that I needed suregery to fix it. Mind, you, I never saw the doctor.
I spent the better part of a week trying to get the procedure scheduled, but my calls always went to voice mail. After my procedure was finally scheduled, I got papers in the mail telling what to expect and what to do. Once again, no doctor to discuss with me and noone to explain these papers.
2 weeks latter while the procedure was pending, I decided that this was absurd; I would only meet my doctor the very day of the procedure, and what if the diagnosis from the physician assistant was in error? I decided, I wanted to see a doctor that actually saw his patients and a doctor that actually attempted to deliver a service, not have his «flunkies» do the work for him and then, not return calls.
Be forewarned.

Ever have that visit with a doctor where after a rushed, nineteen second explanation with no room for questions, you’re still not exactly sure what’s wrong with you, and you get the strange and unwarranted sense your doctor thinks you’re some kind of a-​hole? Sure you have, we all have. It’s a course they take in med school.
Enter Dr. Modabber — don’t mistake him for George Clooney’s real life doctor doppleganger — the coolest doc I’ve ever met (aside from some good buds who I went to school with and are now doctors — I still have trouble thinking of them as real doctors, but anyway…) His professional manner oozes competence, and from the moment he steps in the room, you feel taken care of, and — god forbid — cared about. You practically want to ask the guy if he can join you and your friends for drinks post-​op.
My only regret is that Dr. Mo only does hands and wrists (though is as pro as it gets), and unless my recreational snowboarding career takes a turn for the worse this winter, I don’t really have any reason to see him again. Can you do elective plastic surgery on the hair on your knuckles? If so…
I’m in. –js