Excellent, compassionate care, with state of the art surgical techniques. Dr. Dearborn, Kelly and the whole team are the best of the best.
After much research, I finally gave Dr. Dearborn a call. My mother-in-law is clearly in need of a knee replacement and was visiting for a few months. Though she does not have medical insurance here in the US, we decided to pay out of pocket for the x-rays and evaluation. I called on a Tuesday and asked for the first available appointment and to my surprise, they had one opening on the next Friday.
I filled out all the paperwork ahead of time and emailed it to the front office, which streamlined our visit. The entire team was helpful, pleasant, and accommodating, even allowing us in the x-ray and exam rooms for translating.
We met with the PA first and reviewed the x-rays and basic health history and specifics around her knee. Dr. Dearborn came in and spent a good 20 minutes doing an exam, looking at the range of motion, reviewing the x-rays, and going over the entire clinical process from pre-op to post-op PT. He was kind, informative, and seemed to care about his patients. Since we do not have international insurance, Dr. Dearborn offered the “cash program” which, in my opinion, was a great price for the new knee package. The only thing it does not include is the post-op PT. But that’s not expensive. They also burned her x-rays to a CD so we can have her physicians at home review and make his/her recommendations.
Very impressed. Not sure if we’ll proceed here or back home, but the service from the front office to the assistants, to the PA, and the doctor were spot on. Hope I don’t need it, but if I do need a knee, I’ll be back...
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Hip replacement is a major operation and Dr. Dearborn and his team make is so easy and painless. He is a true master of his trade and a very compassionate and incredibly responsive person. As a 56 year old male, I still marvel at the fact that I was able to leave the hospital the same day, using only a cane!
I am four weeks post-surgery today and I feel better than I have in many years. Also, Kelly, one of his PAs, in an amazing and knowledgable person. I realize that there is a lot of discussion about mini-posterior vs. anterior approaches, but I couldn't be happier with my result!
First visit with Dr. Dearborn: Excellent “bedside” manner (it was just the initial visit), patient, good communication skills, and yes, he listens to you as if you are the only patient, and does not hurry you (despite a busy schedule). Many forthright answers given to questions. This is a doctor committed to the specialty of knee and hip replacements. He is involved in related research and has published many different studies about aspects of replacements.
I very rarely give anything 5 stars but Dr. Dearborn deserves this. He did a total knee replacement on me 4 weeks ago and the job he did was nothing short of awesome.
I was in such horrendous pain before the surgery that my life no longer felt good in any way. I was at the end of my rope especially when I had waited 4 months for a doctor at UCSF who decided the week of my surgery that I asked too many questions and no longer would do my surgery. It was so unexpected and unethical that I had no idea what to do.
It was then that everyone kept telling me about the “knee god," Dr. Dearborn. This is not an exaggeration, his work is phenomenal and I can’t recommend him enough.
I had been a long-distance runner who suddenly became unable to walk without severe pain. John diagnosed a prematurely arthritic hip due to a childhood pistol-grip deformity. He and his team replaced my hip within three weeks of the diagnosis.
As a health care provider myself (I am an anesthesiologist/internist), I cannot express how professional, efficient, and thorough John’s attention and treatment (and that of his entire staff) have been from the outset. Patients are provided with personalized information binders, carefully scheduled meetings to address concerns, follow-up appointments and referrals to outside support providers (Physical Therapists, Nurses, etc.). Many in our medical areas of expertise consider John one of the most brilliant and resourceful total joint surgeons anywhere.
Most important, and significant to me, has been the degree to which he "audits" his own practices, procedures and systems to learn how to better and more efficiently care for people. He meticulously tracks patient preferences and outsourced services, building upon successful outcomes. His support staff is readily available to answer questions and offer solutions.
All of this positivity is earned. My hip was replaced at 9AM on a Wednesday morning and I was walking at noon… wobbly but happy. My recovery was smooth, and I attended to my therapy as prescribed, knowing how critical it is a successful outcome.
It's my pleasure as a patient, and physician, to recommend him.
Allow me to reaffirm my tremendous gratitude towards Dr. Dearborn and ALL the staff at the Institute. At this writing, three and a half years since both my knees were replaced, and I have NEVER had a second of regret for having had it done.
I feel honored to have had YOU do my surgery. I have many friends who had VERY difficult experiences with knee replacements done by other surgeons. It was VERY beneficial to have your staff prepare me for what to expect both before and after the surgery.
Most CANNOT believe that I walked out of the Center just 2 1/2 days after bi-lateral surgery without crutches, a walker or cane. I cannot say I didn’t have pain during my recovery, but prescribed pain medications helped me through the first month. In fact, I was back at my office only a week out from surgery; others I know did NOT experience this good fortune.
You have an AMAZING team and YOUR hands have been touched by “The Almighty” to accomplish what you do and how you do it! Geez … I was also bow-legged and you even took care of THAT! I cannot thank you enough for what you did for me.
Hello future knee and hip replacement patients. Please take a moment to read this. I had a total knee replacement performed by Dr. Dearborn. The experience was a miracle! He has truly saved and changed my life. I am uniquely qualified to share with you truth relative to his abilities. I had six knee surgeries by four doctors in three states since the age of 19 – all due to athletic injuries. By my mid-twenties, I had no cartilage, a useless ACL, and lived in daily pain. I had the Olympic surgeon in Denver, the #1 surgeon in Vegas, the #1 surgeon in Ohio, and quite frankly, Dr. Dearborn was by far the best.
As a female in my 40s – quite young for a total knee – I had lived “bone-on-bone” for 15 years. In my early 20's, I enjoyed an extremely active lifestyle, and over time I became sedentary due to excruciating pain. Dr. Dearborn was more than compassionate; he truly cared about my recovery and well-being. He went out of his way to make sure I had everything I needed and that every procedure was complete. And due to my previous surgeries, I was the pickiest, most demanding, fearful, one of the most difficult patients on the planet.
Today, I live a fully active life again. I feel like I can do anything! Ninety days after surgery, I was skiing in Heavenly Valley. Are you kidding? I can hike, I can ski, I can go to the gym, I can walk for miles … pain free! I can wear high heels without crying at the end of the night. I can do a dozen sports if I choose, but more importantly, I have my life back.
I wouldn't settle for anything less than perfect. I have referred others to Dr. Dearborn and will continue to do so. Thank you, Dr. Dearborn. I know you are about truly restoring people's lives.
I had my knee replaced by Dr. Dearborn after destroying it playing basketball in the NBA. His bedside manner was delightful. I appreciated his attention to detail. Having his own wing for recovery to eliminate infection is genius. His credentials are impeccable. I live in Santa Barbara and could have gone to anyone in Southern California. It would have been easier. But I wanted the best. I got it in John Dearborn.
Dear Fellow Hipster, My only regret about my two hip surgeries was I did not have Dr. Dearborn do them earlier! Prior to surgery, I would experience sudden sharp pain about every eighth step, and this went on for months.
Dr. Dearborn operated on me one morning and I was discharged by 1:00PM the following day with my walker and my dear wife. The walker was abandoned after a day or two, and I was walking outside half a mile a day by day three. At the time of each surgery, I was 64 and 68 years old respectively.
Dr. Dearborn had been highly recommended by another orthopeadic surgeon because of his incredible "success rate,” My brother in law, who had been “poo-pooing” the idea of Minimal Invasive Surgery, saw how fast I was recovering. He subsequently had both knees replaced by Dr. Dearborn and four months later visited the Great Wall in China, as he had been assured he’d be able to do. My biggest concern was my assumed need for blood, but he has a system which filters and replaces my own blood; I did not need to leave blood for my subsequent use.
Besides being a fabulous surgeon, Dr Dearborn has organized an incredible team. His talented physician assistant assured that my time in the OR would be minimal, his anesthesiologists know just how much to administer, and his nurses seemed to know to the hour what to expect during my recovery.
On the morning after surgery, Dr Dearborn does his rounds. On both occasions I recall thinking, "There is no way I'll be going home today." By 8:30AM, his physical therapist proposed the morning program, which first involved my trusting her to do for me what was best. Long story short: I was discharged at noon!
Dr Dearborn does not just take the "simple" cases, he takes cases where earlier surgeons have been less than successful. I think he is the finest hip and knee replacement surgeon in America. You will think so, too, when you are off all pain medications after five days, driving at two weeks (depending which hip he does), riding your bike a few weeks later, and playing golf within six weeks.
I know of NO one who has regretted having his/her knee/hip replaced by Dr Dearborn. He has set a very high bar for American surgeons.
I researched and researched before deciding where to turn for bilateral total knee replacements. Dr. Dearborn was the obvious choice. Dr. Dearborn agreed that having both done at the same time was the right choice for me. From start to finish and now here one year later, all I can say is that Dr. Dearborn and all of his staff are incredible. I have not one negative thing to say ... other than I wish I would have done this much sooner. Thank you Dr. Dearborn and staff!
I’ve run out of parts to be replaced. Dr. Dearborn has now done both of my hips and both knees. When I was in PT, the therapist had a question for one of my physicians. When the therapist called him, he asked the therapist who the best the doctor for joint replacements is and the therapist responded, "Dr. Dearborn is. He has done thousands of knees and hips." I am in complete agreement; he is the best.
I had total right knee replacement in November 2018. Dr Dearborn took time to explain my knee problem, the recommended procedure, and answered my questions. Pre- and post-op care were very comprehensive. He has a complete team. As I reside out of CA, he made sure I have the appropriate people to see, and a full follow up until I have completed the necessary PT and am back to normal. Dr. Dearborn also has an excellent front office staff. Everyone Is professional, courteous and prompt in making appointments, returning phone calls. I highly recommend Dr Dearborn without any reservation.
Dr. Dearborn & Team…incredible experience! I had my left knee replacement…detail, caring, excellent care!
Honest, upstanding surgeon who is very skilled and has assembled an amazing team. When things get rocky, he hangs in there with you. Some other reviewers seem to be projecting disappointment for rough recovery courses on Dr. Dearborn himself. My advice would be to go into surgery with realistic expectations. Talk to Dr. Dearborn or someone that you can trust if something goes sideways.
I just had my second hip replacement surgery with Dr. Dearborn. Again, I am so impressed with him and his staff. Everything flows so well and he is an extremely gifted, well trained and focused surgeon. He has a compassionate spirit.
I am disappointed with some of the negative reviews and name calling. Having managed a surgery office for many years, I understand that it is never the surgeon’s intention to get a less than stellar result for his/her patient. If this were a perfect world, everyone would heal exactly as hoped for. I have seen doctors agonize over patients who have had postoperative problems or a less than optimum result. Everyone’s physiology, medical history, physical condition is different.
I chose Dr. Dearborn for his experience, reviews, and a very good referral source. He is not as portrayed in the negative reviews. The problem with YELP is that the doctors cannot legally or adequately defend themselves due to patient confidentiality laws. You only get one side of the story.
Bottom line for me is that I did my homework, had an excellent result the first time and went back for the other hip. I am almost 3 weeks out and doing great!
I had a total knee replacement by Dr. Dearborn and have been ecstatic about the results. I was a “physical therapy honor student” and worked each day to get the most motion and mobility. As a result, I was water skiing 12 weeks after surgery, and continue to snow ski and play competitive tennis. I can do these things at a high level because of my wonderful new knee.
I have absolutely no pain and am not limited in any way. I am a truly grateful patient and have sent many friends to Dr. Dearborn, all of whom are extremely satisfied. People are absolutely amazed at all the things I can do, as they remember the pain I was in before surgery. I am a very happy and active young gal in my 70s who thinks Dr. Dearborn is great. You won't find a better orthopedic surgeon anywhere!
Dr. John Dearborn carried out a difficult revision of my hip replacement surgery – done several years prior by another orthopaedic surgeon. The new surgery was completely successful and the care I received from Dr. Dearborn and his staff was outstanding in every way. I have only the highest praise for the surgical skills and postoperative management of this caring surgeon, and have no hesitation in recommending him for any patient in similar circumstances.
I am both a practicing chiropractor and a recipient of Dr. Dearborn's unparalleled excellent surgical services. I broke my hip in a skiing accident and five years later needed a total hip replacement. Prior to surgery, I had severe pain and was subsisting on pain medications.
Dr. Dearborn and his entire staff provided service I can only refer to as “awesome.” Every aspect of the process was meticulously managed. I spent two nights in the hospital (only one was necessary, but I didn't want to make the long drive home one day out from surgery). I needed no cane or crutch by the end of the day after the surgery. I was back to work at my physically demanding job in three weeks.
Dr. Dearborn has assembled a professional and most capable and caring staff. I have sent over 20 of my own patients to him for hip or knee replacements. They have all had similar experiences as mine. I have examined many patients who have not fared so well with other orthopaedists. Dr. Dearborn is my one-and-only choice.
I have been a practicing Emergency and Family Medicine Physician for more than 30 years, including five years as Emergency Room Director at Mammoth Hospital at the Mammoth Lakes California Ski Resort. I have consulted Dr. Dearborn personally about my knee problems and sent my family members to him for joint replacement. He is the doctor's doctor. I give him my highest recommendation.
“Conduits for miracles from heaven that give us our lives back.” That’s how I feel about Dr. John Dearborn and his exceptional staff at the Institute for Joint Restoration after two hip joint replacements within eight weeks of each other in 2016.
Determined for decades that I would lick this “hip” thing that plagued me, I vehemently resisted surgery. Unbeknownst to me, I was dealing with a congenital hip deformity which, since I had waited so long, eventually affected my other hip. I did my research, and it was clear Dr. Dearborn had a quality support team in place – a very important aspect of patient care.
During my first consult, he was unhurried and answered every question I had. Dr. Dearborn is not only a stellar surgeon, but a man who genuinely cares about you and how to enhance the quality of your life. Other questions that came up along the way were handled too, as everything was explained in a comprehensive binder I received at the class before surgery.
Since he knew I was a person of faith and would welcome prayer, he entered the holding room the morning of my surgery, said, “Let’s get this done,” reached for my sister’s hand as well as mine, bowed his head and prayed the most succinctly beautiful prayer from his heart and spoke words that “exactly” addressed each of the concerns in my anxious mind.
After surgery, and following a quick stay in recovery, I was in taken to my room, and not long after, two nurses had me up and walking that day. I was so overjoyed, I literally serenaded the nurses as I took my first steps! I never took narcotics and handled my recovery with Tylenol and Tramadol. I would be remiss if I did not mention the special nurses in the IJR unit: they are second-to-none – sensitive and quick to respond to your needs.
Only eight weeks later, with his approval, I decided to have my other hip replaced. It was another successful surgery. I recall the first night in the hospital after the second surgery – it wasn’t quite time yet for my pain medicine and I didn’t want to take narcotics so I asked the nurse if he would pray with me that the discomfort would subside. We prayed and it subsided right away and it stayed at a low level for the remainder of my recovery. I never needed narcotics.
I want to emphasize the importance of the patient’s dedication to the exercises given during recovery. This is our part of the success story. I was and am dedicated to a strong and longstanding recovery. I have made stretching a part of my lifestyle and am again walking three miles in a brisk 45 minutes. Dr. Dearborn said when I’m ready I can dance again – and I intend to dance to my heart’s content!
Thank you to Dr. Dearborn for giving me my life back, and thank you to his staff for their hearts, team spirit and strong support to their Chief.
I did a lot of research before deciding who would perform my hip replacement, including asking other doctors in the Bay Area and one name kept coming up: Dr. John Dearborn. I am not one who enjoys going to see a doctor, or hospitals or medical stuff. However, when I had my first visit with Dr. Dearborn, I wondered why I had procrastinated. His office is truly professional and the staff is warm and genuine from initial intake through surgery and follow up care. Dr. Dearborn took a lot of time with me at the first visit to review my complaints, explain the x-rays in detail, discuss the surgery and patiently hear my concerns. His approach is pleasant, thoughtful and engaged. He explains things well and thoroughly. At each step of my treatment he was personally involved in a caring way. My first visit with him made me feel so respected and so confident that I couldn't wait to schedule my surgery.
Before surgery, I had pain with every step, stairs and curbs were awful, I walked with a big hitch and sat around a lot. The best way I can put it is this: Dr. Dearborn has given me back a life where I walk normally, work out on a cross-trainer, and even hike into the hills with my wife (impossible before surgery) – all without pain. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this doctor and how I was treated. Thank you, Dr. Dearborn for restoring my life.
