James C Wang, DPM

I have given one star here begrudgingly as it was the least amount I could give. Dr. Wang is unprofessional and unrealistic about the outcomes of his surgery. I fell for his show hook line and sinker when he promised me relief of pain and more mobility after my 3 previous bunion surgeries (that I had prior to Dr. Wang). He grossly underestimated the recovery time and promised I would be able to run within a matter of months. It has been 3 years and I still cannot run. My foot is actually worse off post Dr. Wang surgery than when I arrived. He was dismissive after surgery during our follow-​ups, and the healing process was like NOTHING that he had described in our many conversations before hand… it took FOREVER. His general attitude all along was «Yeah, yeah I got this… it’s going to be great, just trust me» while dismissing my initial concerns. There was no careful consideration or discussion of options. Of course, I will take my own responsibility in that I wanted to believe in what he was promising and went along with his proposal. His charismatic bedside manner is not backed by thoughtful/​careful diagnosis. After visiting another surgeon today he said he had seen a handful of other Dr. Wang patients with the same experience and failed results. I strongly suggest you get other opinions if you are seeing or considering seeing Dr. Wang.

I cannot disprove anyone who has been thrilled with having crossed James Wang’s doorway. This is how I was introduced to this man… through a very enthused referral. And perhaps he really has helped men and women regain their lives with certain conditions. At my consult this charismatic fellow made it seem like a slam dunk easy procedure to repair a partial tear in my posterior tibial tendon. I was so swept away with his «can do» attitude. The surgery was performed, and then the healing. All during the following year, as I was continuing to feel weakness and pain, he would tell me «just use your core» «exercise your core»…“work the hell out of your foot, and this will only help”…Well, as we all know time does fly by. The window came and went, when I could have taken legal action for what he did (or more accurately, what he did not) address. My pain became grievous, and I knew that I could never trust this man again. But in a way, this man did me a wonderful service. I wised up and methodically had consults with SEVEN foot/​ankle surgeons. I was that leery of ever trusting again. When I originally walked through Wang’s doorway, he failed to address the fact that my right completely flat foot was also totally collapsing. His tendon repair ended up being nothing more than a bandaid approach to what I was really dealing with. Don’t ask how many of the surgeons who I interviewed told me that I could have easily sued him for what he did to me. What I learned though, from one of the fine surgeons at Cedars, sure made that clear. At my consult, the surgeon could look at my paperwork and see that I had seen James Wang. The surgeon asked me what I thought of him. This was the first time in my life that I had ever opened my mouth to bitch moan about someone in the healing arts. The surgeon looked at me and said «Yesterday I was called to testify regarding this man at a mal-​practice hearing». The surgeon went on to say that he thought that Wang was «oily». I have the time right now to be writing this review, because 3 years after James Wang had his way with me, I finally trusted again, to have the appropriate surgery that should have been done in the first place. I thank God that James Wang did not do anything that could not be un-​done. I am on day 9 of recuperating from a full flat foot reconstruction surgery. I am in for a long journey of recovery, but let me tell anyone who is reading this… when you find an elite surgeon who is at the head of the pack, and you can own that you need this work done, that you are halfway home. I will bring up one more item here that at the time brought me to tears at my first post operative visit with James Wang. That first week of my original surgery, he was very good about personally calling our home to see how I was doing. But at my first visit back into his office, while of course still swaddled and using crutches, he told me within a brief explanation of how I was to get back to using my foot. It had to do with being able to sit with my foot touching the floor, and then after doing this without too much pain, to move onto a few other positions. He did this very fast, and I asked him if he could repeat it to me or have me be able to read his instructions. I swear to God, this man YELLED at me, telling me that he had no time to repeat himself, and that he had more important clients to deal with. What a complete jerk, in addition to his being unethical. I am told though that he has a brother who is a fine doctor. Good luck, everyone!

In her teens, my daughter was a patient (for painful ingrown toenails). Dr. James Wang handled it perfectly, I have been a patient for over ten years and have satisfaction with his care. He puts the patient first and keeps the charges down. I had heel pain from tennis and Dr, Wang gave me a simple exercise which fixed the problem immediately and the pain has never returned as long as i do the exercise.

It’s been now 5 years since this bow tied butcher (wanna be doctor) did surgery at my Achilles. He totally messed me up. I had the second surgery and I am in the proximity of having the 3^rd surgery, trying to repair the damage he made. Unfortunately, its very difficult to do a lawsuit against a doctor but this man should be incarcerated for life. He doesn’t deserve any compassion and hopefully very soon his medical license will be revoked!

It sad to see all the negative reviews on here. Keep in mind that one of them is simply rating the front office staff (who likely don’t even work there any longer), and not Dr. Wang himself.
I had an issue with my heel– and someone going to nursing school was convinced it was broken. I was supposed to be heading to Europe for 3.5 weeks (lots of walking) and was freaking out. During that time I went to FOUR podiatrists, in an emergency state, to determine if I needed to cancel my trip that was the following week. Out of the four only helped me. I can safely say the others were pretty scummy and very invested in selling their products and making money, wanting to take unnecessary x-​rays, etc. Then Dr. Wang, the fourth on my list says it’s all fine, you just have a little plantar fascsitis (which can feel like a tear, hence the pain, but is not). He gave me some very, incredibly basic stretches to do on my trip. I rebooked hotels and was off, without any issue. If it were up to the other doctors I would not have gone. It’s been 3 years now and have not had any problems since. There really is only one podiatrist who I trust (I’ve seen 6 in my life), and this is him.
update—
I do have to say that after writing this I tried to get into see Dr. Wang and guess what… his receptionist and I played phone tag a bit, she didn’t get back to me, I didn’t get in to see him and had to go to someone else. Dr. Wang, if you are reading this, you are losing patients because of your terrible receptionist/​staff!!!
5 stars Dr. Wang, 1 star is his staff.
Sara

I have been visiting Dr. Wang for orthotics for over 10+ years and found him to be thoughtful and friendly in his reviews. More recently, he made a difficult diagnosis of a hard-​to-​see fracture of one of my toes, and didn’t push surgery but a wait-​and-​see approach which probably saved me thousands in surgery costs.
So why the one-​star review? In a phrase, his absolutely HORRIFIC front office! Between *many* unreturned phone calls and e-​mails (and, like other reviewers, I found his phone line «disconnected» earlier this year!), forgotten surgical appointments and an over 6-​month wait to get my orthotics filled (!), I will never return to this office again.
Truly a sad ending for what seems to be an otherwise positive relationship with a doctor. I don’t know if he reads these reviews, but if he does, I hope this one opens his eyes to the plight of one (many?) of his best patients and that changes need to be made to the front office if he wants to retain clients.

As a Healthcare Practitioner I’ve met many physicians. Dr Wang is an exceptional doctor and would recommend him for anybody with a foot or ankle injury.
I’ve suffered with bilateral ingrown toenails and painful calluses. He was able to resolve both issues very quickly and with minimal pain and no down time.
–David

Closed!!! phone says Dr. James Wang is no longer in business. Take your feet elsewhere.

Dr Wang helped me avoid surgery recommended by another podiatrist, by supplying felt pads to stick to my metatarsal arch instead. (Quite a difference in approach.) Pain went away. I had a year of frequent foot injuries that Dr Wang took care of. When I finally twisted my foot tripping on a sidewalk and tearing a few things I let him do surgery. The worst part of the whole thing was the UCLA SM hospital where I was forced to undergo it. Anesthetist tore up my throat and discharge nurse forced me to try to put on someone else’s prosthetic. Dr. Wang was available ²⁴⁄₇ for all my anxiety and questions. I highly recommend him.

I saw Dr. Wang probably 15 years ago for a broken foot and all I can say was that I was entirely pleased by the service and results I received. .. all at a very reasonable, nay, modest price. If I ever have another problem he’ll be the first person I call.

Almost 3 years after my last review for this butcher, I’m still really upset. It’s my foot for pete sake! My big toe, the toe affected by the bunion surgery, is continuing to overlap the second toe. My knees are hurting and so is my back and hips and according to other specialists that I have seen, it’s because of this bad surgery. Doctors protect other doctors so they will never come out and say it, but that is what is insinuated. And guess what? There is nothing that can be done. I’ve been dealing with this for 8 years.
The biggest problem? I’m active and it’s slowly been affecting my gait and my walk, to where it’s uncomfortable. In 5 or 10 years, as I continue this decline from this poor foot surgery, I probably won’t be able to walk, thanks to Dr. James Wang. Fast talking slickster.
Anyone want to see a photo of my disfigured foot? Just contact me.
Whomever on Unilocal says he is great — just check how many times they have Unilocaled.
This, my good doctor, is NOT FUNNY! I would have sued you if it was not past the statute of limitations, which protects your a$$. Me, I’m screwed. For life.

Dr. Wang is great — professional, knowledgeable, efficient. I’d highly recommend him to anyone.

I saw Dr. Wang. He was the best. I messed up knee in yoga and couldn’t get it right. I went to a rehab guy, which was totally bogus. I finally got to Dr. Wang. He recommended orthotics for my shoes, which adjusted my leg, and which adjusted my knee. He told me to strengthen my core muscles. It worked. I’m back at yoga. See him — he’s really good, kind and knows his stuff.

Actually I don’t know what the others are complaining about. He is one of the best trained docs in the country. He has always given me the conservative options and when I did need surgery he called me every day! I am back to full activity and can’t thank him enough!

If Dr. Wang recommends surgery using an external fixation device, get a second opinion from an MD experienced in foot and ankle surgery.

I went to Dr. Wang for localized planters faciitis in one foot; I didn’t have any heel pain when I started this journey. While he was pleasant, he was intimidating in his attitude toward the problem and how he could help me. He told me that he was very honest and didn’t do x-​rays and all I needed to do was one exercise. I followed his instructions and saw only slight improvement.
Then one day he told me he’d done all he could for me, so all that was left was to make an orthotic if I wanted one. I agreed and he made one. I wore it for a month, enduring the pain it caused in both feet. I called to tell him that things were getting worse, but he said «before we blame it on the orthotic, wear it longer.» So I did for another month (what an idiot on my part!). It got to the point where I could not walk anymore, period. I now had localized planter’s in both feet and heel pain in both feet that is horrible ²⁴⁄₇.
I brought them to him and he told me he would remove an extra piece of ½″ hard plastic he’d placed in the arch of the orthotic that made it unflexible. Then he said, «it looks like you’re one of the rare people that might need surgery.» I asked him how it had come to that when I didn’t have ²⁄₃ of these problems to begin with. He seemed a bit panicked and said he’d take out the plastic arch support and we’d see from there.
I tried the new one for a week, but the damage is done. I am a daily long distance walker, but I can’t do that any more. I only walk if it’s necessary.
I am working with a new doctor that was shocked he didn’t put me through the normal channels of an x-​ray to see what the problem looked like and to first try PT. I am having some recovery of normal use, but it feels like my life will never be the same.
As I endure shooting burning pains daily, it constantly reminds me how I wished I’d gone to someone else and maybe I’d still have my active live.

I almost had to check to make sure the other posters were talking about the same Wang. Almost unbelievable!
I went to see Dr. Wang last week for an injury I had under my foot. It had been cut and have been experiencing some discomfort when walking or running due to scar tissue that built up where it was stitched up.
When he walked in he was cordial but I wouldn’t exactly say friendly. He just asked what he could do for me. I started to explain what happened, the other doctor I saw for it, etc. He rudely and abruptly cut me off and snapped that «how about I just tell you what I think». Oh, excuse me but I thought that a doctor should want to know the patients health history especially pertaining to the very injury I was there for!
OH, BUT WAIT, I FORGOT, «Dr.» Wang isn’t even an MD! How DPM’s are allowed to perform surgeries is beyond me.
The worst part is that I KNEW he was telling me that surgery was necessary if I wanted to fix this because that’s where he makes his dough, not sending patients to physical therapy.
I just got a bad feeling from this guy Unilocalers, and am usually a VERY good judge of character. I would NEVER let a «doctor» like him do a surgery ON MY FOOT.
and to the other poster who claims that Wang is «highly respected by orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists», can you back this up with names
because I just don’t believe it.

Most excellent sports podiatrist, foot & ankle surgeon. Very concerned, very experienced and in all honesty, …saved my life. Helped to get me running and cycling again after I had been told by other doctors that I probably would not be able to walk.
Is unique in his field & highly respected by orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists.