Webster Orthopedics

This place sucks. Dr Tseng is never on time. He left the room while I was still on the examining table asking questions. For my pre operation appointment on my spine, he thought I was there for my shoulder. For my post operation apt, they out me in the wrong room with someone else’s file. The office people at the San Ramon office were totally unorganized and couldn’t even give me a print out of my appointments before I had surgery. Dr Tseng also did not tell me that I needed PT before I went back to work so I had to unexpectedly take an additional month off of work. I also called his office after surgery because I hurt my back where my incision was and also to tell him I came down with a violent case of vertigo when I hurt my back and spent 6 hours in emergency and he didn’t return my call for 4 days. U can’t get worse care than this place. Go somewhere else. Do not go to Webster Orthopedics.

Dr. Donnelly and his team are the BEST! Not only is Dr. a great surgeon he also has great bedside manner. He listens and demonstrates he cares about his patients. This is an awesome combination that I am truly grateful for.

Sadly, I had to visit an orthopedist twice in a month and I chose Webster for convenience. First time was hand injury and second was torn meniscus. Results were the same for both visits, two different doctors. Had to wait a week to get an appointment, lengthy wait in the office despite appointment time, xrays, recommendation for therapy. I was «seen» a total of about 15 minutes each time, but was in the office an hour & a half. I never saw the doctor for the meniscus injury, just his assistant. Called to schedule therapy (with Webster) & could not get in for two weeks. Glad I was not hurt badly. This may be the way medical groups work these days, but it certainly doesn’t feel like the patient matters.

I would give it 0 stars! I’m sure there are good Doctors in the Web but Dr. Tseng gives them a bad reflection. He appears nice but his fake hand shake, smile is easy to detect. U know the kind who become a doctor for title?
WORD FOR MED STUDENTS, «If you don’t care about people don’t do it! Money and title– HA!

There are two aspects to review: Dr. Rovner, and the experience at his office.
The good things about Dr. Rovner:
— he knows his stuff
— he made a recommendation that I get a microdiscectomy, which ended up being the procedure I had — but with a different surgeon — and it has helped me tremendously.
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The bad things about Dr. Rovner:
— he is unapologetic for being late (and he was late for every single appointment I’ve ever had with him)
— he tends to rush you; he’s not one of those doctors where you feel like you’re important, or that he/​she genuinely cares what you have to say.
— after waiting for a minimum of 45 mins each time, he doesn’t spend more than 5 minutes with you.
— he does MINIMAL physical examinations; he does more writing than examining you
The good things about the office:
— the staff seem like nice people
— Rovner’s Medical Assistant (Katie?) is very attentive and sympathetic
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The bad things about the office:
— the staff seem incompetent with scheduling because they OVERBOOK Rovner CONSTANTLY. You will see this complaint on other reviews on Unilocal,I encourage you to read others’ reviews as well because you will see a theme.
— my last visit to Rovner was a 3-​month post-​op appointment. My appt was at 11:45, which I scheduled around my lunch break, so that I wouldn’t miss more work. They called me at 11:30 saying he was running behind about 15 – 30 minutes. I showed up at 12:10, and the first receptionist said that he was «somehow double-​booked» and they don’t know how that happened, but he was an hour and a half behind! He was just about to see his 10:45 patient!!! I needed this appt or else I would’ve had to wait 2 months to be seen by him. I ended up waiting an hour and then furiously complained to receptionist #2. She denied the double-​booking and said he had an emergency appt that morning, which pushed back every single patient after that. She then proceeded to have me fill out a huge packet since this is his new office, even though I already filled out all of that info at Webster. And no one gave me these papers in the HOUR I had been sitting there. After waiting an HOUR AND A HALF to be seen, he spent 3 – 4 minutes with me and he never asked to see my incision site from the surgery. I said to him «can you take a look at this to make all of this worthwhile?» (He looked for a second and said it looked as it would if he had performed the surgery.)
Bottom line: life is too short to waste so much time in his office. You can find something better.

Absolutely the worst office staff. Every time I have called with a «non medical question» I get immediately transferred to my doctors «patient care coordinators» voice mail… she will take days to respond to my voice message. I just need a simple question answered!!! The front office staff doesn’t take time to really find out what you need… they just transfer you. Forms re SDI have been filled out incorrectly by their staff causing me grief and delay in submitting forms. Their so called «patient portal website is absolutely useless». I don’t understand how an office can be so poorly managed. It has been a terribly frustrating and stressful experience. So far I have had 3 appointments yet only saw MD 1^st time… my appointments were scheduled with the doctor — yet it was the PA who saw me. Hmmm are they charging MD fees or PA fees? Will never ever use Webster Orthopedics again! Please take heed and find another Ortho group.

Had an appointment with Dr. Tang for a knee injury a couple of weeks ago in San Ramon. His assistant, Tiana, was friendly and helpful. My copay is $ 70, that’s an insurance issue, not a W.O. issues, except when the doctor spends 5 minutes with you. I had already had crutches and a brace from urgent care. Dr. Tang said «yeah, you can use the crutches and brace, whatever. We can schedule an MRI or you can wait and see if it gets better… it may.» Ummm my knee was swollen and I was not at all able to walk, seriously, «wait and see»? He also quickly reviewed my x-​ray and said, «it looks fine…». There was actually no wait the day that I was there.
Had issues with the MRI clinic getting the referral, again Tiana was very helpful when I called her a week later. So two stars for Tiana and the clinic staff only.

If it sounds like a duck? Cast fell in off in one day. Did nothing.

In 2008, I came in to see Dr. Goldman (I think he may be retired now) for knee surgery. I was a ballerina and once danced with the Oakland Ballet. After the surgery, I never walked on my own again and have lived confined to a wheelchair ever since. I was only 30 years old when this happened.
Dr. Goldman nor any of his colleagues were able to tell me what was wrong or what happened to me. They did NOTHING to fix or even diagnose the problem just had me returning to the office over and over for the span of over a year. The Doctors at Webster would also give me confusing, differing, conflicting, and nonsensical/​non-​applicable explanations, repeat and retract information and then after a year flat out told me that they had no idea what was wrong. He also said he didn’t have the time to «research it». And absolutely no sympathy when I broke down in tears when he said he didn’t know what was wrong. He rushed out and then an assistant ushered me out of the office the back way!
Ditto for me about appointment time and office drama. Each time I went in and waited hours or even all day for a 3 minute appointment while the doctor mostly stared at his computer. It is completely normal in that office for the doc to leave your exam room abruptly and then the appointment is over whether you were finished or not! I was left sitting in there on at least 2 occasions not realizing that he thought we were «finished»? He really seemed to hate his job, was scattered and actually complained to me about his work. patients and staff. Even though I came to his office on a regular basis to get answers, he would always seem to forget who I was and what I was there for — even after a year of being his patient. They really have a lot of patients at that office, I guess it is hard to keep which patient is which straight — even the one (s) who originally limped into your office and then left in a wheelchair.
A couple of years later another doctor found out what was wrong with me. He told me it was something Dr. Goldman or any of his partners should have easily caught and aborted the surgery. This will effect me for the rest of my life and yes I am still in the wheelchair.

Seriously, once again, an hour and a half wait to see a «doc» for literally 5 minutes who doesn’t listen to me, never lets me finish a sentence; he always talks over me. Tip: Don’t ask me a personal question if you think you know the answer about ME. Then, he makes a comment about us having a «colored guy» as president. This isn’t 1950, and I feel safe in assuming that the patient clientele is diverse in the bay area. The proper term is African American/​black. Then adds that «…one day we’ll even have a woman president.» Ok… more questions or me attempting to tell him something and I’m talked over or completely ignored, flat out literally every time like I’m too stupid to possibly know anything about my own pain or procedures. Then he tells me to turn my head to the left, the right, down, now up (a real doctor is checking my range of motion at this point) as he sat barely looking. About half way through, he turns his back to me, I’m still doing as instructed but he’s busy writing and says, «Now up… ok uh huh… good.» I literally laughed (appalled at what I just witnessed) and called him on it. «YOU WEREN’T EVEN LOOKING!!»
He said, (no kidding) «Well I see what it was at your last appointment (SIX MONTHS AGO), & I’m sure nothing’s changed». Wow. Are you paid for your clairvoyant visions or to examine me? That’s two visits in a row I got him and BOTH TIMES he was RUDE and condescending. I have new bone spurs above my x4 fusion and I have pins/​needles/​numbness. Apparently no biggie though. «Come back in a year.»
Maybe if the patients weren’t scheduled literally every 5 minutes (apart) and I’m being serious, the reviews would go up, your patients would feel respected; like you actually CARE (isn’t this called «health CARE?), and the «doctors» can actually spend time pretending to give a rat’s ass about us patients in real pain. I refuse to see «Mark Robello» again. Ever.
Horrible.
I love Dr Rovner and Dr Kendrick Lee (GREAT doctors with an obvious passion for what they do, and do well). But where did they get this guy!!! The X-​ray tech was wonderful and the young lady that roomed me. Their back room staff is very friendly. The end.
Disgusted.
My 3 pm appointment that I was ON TIME FOR, I didn’t get home from until 6:30 p.m. (after working a full day) due to later traffic from the always ridiculous wait time to be seen (4:30). And to think I went there for my pain/​injuries. What???
Oh, and while you wait, even though we know you have carpal tunnel too, here’s 500 sheets to fill out with the exact info we already have on file.

Terribly long wait times and an unresponsive staff. Avoid at all costs!
My family member was sent here by her work for a spinal injury and each time we waited an hour or more to see a doctor for perhaps 10 minutes. The specialists there wetter quick to defer to have us see another doctor. It seems that the company tries to pack as many appointments as possible into each day, and the are prepared with a large waiting room. The entire experience was wholly unprofessional.

This place is seriously ridiculous. Dr. Talawar is a complete joke! My second appointment with him he was running late. He came into the room and said sorry I overbooked today because I have an A’s game to go to in the afternoon… ummm what?! You have got to be kidding me. Did you really just tell your patient that? I never went back. Dr. Frazier is amazing though. Sad he retired. So the extra star is for him!

Waited an hour for Dr. Talwar. Went to ask how much longer and was told at least an hour — he was really backed up. No one communicated to me prior or I could maybe have planned for the delay. But completely unprofessional and I don’t want to work with a doctor or office that doesn’t respect my time so I walked. So frustrating.

Required to supply social security number!!! Guess they don’t know it’s illegal to require this!
Had downloaded new patient forms and had them completed but they didn’t accept them making me complete a new set.
Waited over a hour past my appointment time without being told they were running late.
Felt like I was in a low income clinic.
Once in exam room things got better.
PARTIAL RETRACTION OF MY ABOVE REVIEW —
Second Visit — July, 2014 — I liked Dr. Roth and his Care Coordinator so much that I decided to give them another try but in the Dublin office. I had a much better experience this time, the front office staff was friendly and the office nicely kept and this office didn’t demand my Social Security number.
If you need to see an orthopedic specialist I’d recommend Dr. Roth and the Dublin office but STAY AWAY from the San Ramon office.

We are in the office right now waiting for an appointment. We’ve been waiting an hour and twenty minutes and they just told us that it will be another ten minutes. The receptionist said this is normal. I find this rude and unacceptable. We will never use Webster again– no matter what kind of care they give their patients, they show no respect for our time.

I have heard Dr Schwartz with Webster ortho is a great hand surgeon however I didn’t get that far since his bedside manner is appalling. He spends a minute with you then starts dictating, then leaves the room. Little wait time at the office and very organized considering how busy they are. Dr Swartz lacks caring or compassion and is running a workman’s comp mill. Transferred my care to Dr Burgar (925)2751133 at Tri valley orthopedics who is fabulous and caring. I personally know two people who had trigger finger surgery with good outcomes. I’m very pleased with her compassion and detail during my visits.

Dr. Kevin Roth (Oakland office) — My whole family are fans of several of the doctors at Webster. My newest experience was with a newer member of their group Dr. Kevin Roth. My 17 yr. old daughter re-​injured her knee. She was home from college so my appt. window was VERY limited. When I called the appointment line, the lady (sorry I didn’t note her name), was very helpful. She was able to get us an appointment in Oakland with Dr. Roth. Even though I live in Danville, being seen so promptly was worth the drive.
The staff at the Oakland location was very pleasant. Dr. Roth saw us in a reasonable amount of time. He was very personable and listened as we explained the history of the problem and the current conditions. He did a thorough exam and didn’t make us feel rushed. My daughter, (Alexandra), felt very comfortable with his diagnosis and plan. His exam included checking function as well as structure, which is a great sign of a true sports med orthopedist. I would highly recommend this physician !! :)
Sincerely, Anntoinette Fuentes

I am updating my review since Chelby Roberts (Patient Advocate) reached out to me via phone. She was very apologetic for the time issue and although she knew she cannot rewind time– she was able to pin-​point the two issues that led to my disdain. Apparently, the office is supposed to inform clients to call ahead to check on the time situation and/​or they will call to inform the patient that a doctor is behind schedule. Chelby also assured me that this has been an issue and they are adamently working on imporving work-​flow and communication. I also recieved a hand-​written card from Chelby and a nice little gift for giving Webster Orthopedic constructive feedback. I believe Webster deserves an extra star just for Chelby (although she deserves 5).

I will never, ever come back to see Dr. Talwar again.
My first visit was in December to talk about my back issues (scoliosis and disc issues). When I walked in I felt like I was at the DMV. Every chair was taken and it looked like everyone had been there awhile.
I didn’t initially worry as I had been to Muir Orthopedics a couple years ago for a stress fracture in my heel and it’s packed too, but they move you in and out quickly.
When 30 minutes past my appointment went by, I got a little nervous, then 45 minutes. At an hour past my appointment I was called back. FINALLY!
But then I waited another 20 minutes in the room. So yes, 1 hr and 20 minutes to see this Dr.
Then he walked in, so cocky and sure of himself. He started talking surgery before he had even looked at my back. He was so busy trying to be cool. He was cussing and talking about how his workouts are way harder than mine… yawn.
But the reviews on him were good, so I trudged on.
Today I went in for my follow up appointment after my MRI. 4:30pm appointment… I got called back into the room at 6:05 pm! The front desk person had left, there was no one else in the waiting room. Yes 1 hr 35 min… then when she takes me back to the room, she tells me there are still 2 people in front of me!
I’m getting livid at this point. After waiting 1 hr and 45 min, I realize, I don’t even care what this Dr. has to say. I’m so annoyed that he thinks it’s ok to overbook SO much to make more $$ and waste 2+ hours of my life. It’s just unacceptable.
So I asked for my MRI results and scans and left. There are far too many qualified spine Doctors in this area to be made to wait like that.
The staff by the way are great… But Talwar has some serious changes to make.

I am dealing with a severe worker’s comp back injury, and have Dr. Vikram Talwar. He is amazing, he is a gifted surgeon, amazing to work with, he truly cares about his patients, and I have never had a bad experience, good stuff at this office!