Dr. Birch. He is wonderful. He has tried to help me with a doctor that messed my knee up really bad. He has done his best to make me well over the last five years. I really appreciate his help. He is a great doctor. I cannot speak for the rest of the people there but I know Dr. Birch is wonderful. I think him a lot. We've been through many surgeries together. read more

Dismal experience with the front desk, the office manager and most unfortunately the doctor himself... The doctor's behavior during an appointment was incredibly inappropriate. We tried carefully to find whom to report it to and were referred to Christina whom we were told was HR but then turned out to be the office manager? All very unclear. Regardless, we very specifically requested anonymity and discretion, and instead she was incredibly rude, disrespectful, and simply forwarded it to the doctor himself who was inappropriate, completely against our wishes! It was an abhorrent experience and handled just as abusively on all sides. There is no oversight recourse with these people. read more

Does anyone answer their phones anymore This office does not! They don't return calls either trying to get our Insurance to approve a procedure and they denied it. The doctor asked my husband why are you here? Follow up. We will call you once we get the approval. It's been a few months and we are getting no where. This has been so frustrating and in the mean time my husband is suffering and can't feel his hands. read more

This place and the medical staff that work here are amazing! They took care of my momma! Amazing staff!

Wow. First of all, Marcie Ramirez, who manages the front desk is absolutely lovely. She is so kind and welcoming. My first visit I was so taken how she greeted repeated clients as if they were all friends from way back. After several visits I became one of them. Dr. David Salas, the Physical Therapists I was assigned to is marvelous, as well as his assistant, David. Personable, kind, extremely knowledgeable, he is taking the non-operative, minimally invasive, calculated approach, recommended by so many orthopedic doctors, medical doctors and PT's I have consulted, who understand to such depth, the L4/L5 herniated disk issues and protocol. David is extremely hopeful that I will fully recover and avoid surgery, for the best outcome. HOPE is infectous, and I am so grateful for them all. read more

Asher Kipperman, MD comes highly recommended. However, I was unable to book an appt. on the website. It wouldn't accept my 'reason for visit.' I tried several times using different ways to describe my problem - what it is and where on my body. No matter how many permutations I entered it wouldn't accept it. And when I called I was greeted by an AI voice that kept cutting me off. read more

Dr Nathani and staff have been excellent. I have been seen by others in Santa Maria for osteoarthritis in my knees whose services were below subpar. Alta services and professionalism is way above the rest. It's definitely a 5+ star service. The care and kindness is excellent. I highly recommend this practice. read more

Excellent staff and care! Always finds a way to work you in and takes great care of you!

Dr.Nathani RUINED my Fiancés life entirely! He performed an ACL Repair that caused a blood clot in his artery near the surgical area. Due to him not taking care of his patient in a timely manner, my Fiancé is now having his leg amputated. So THANK YOU ALTA ORTHO & Dr.Nathani for ruined a 28yr olds life and for being the cause of him losing his leg. My poor Fiancé has underwent a multitude of surgeries to correct this issue that Dr Nathani caused. & we are still not done, this is still not over my finace lives in extremely amounts of pain every single day of his life because of him choosing to allow Dr.Nathani to work on his knee. If you love your person, please do not allow them to come to this horrific place.! read more

Alta Orthopaedics - ACL REPAIR GONE WRONG.!.!.! - Sports Medicine Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is a 10 star review of Dr. Amit Nathani at Alta Orthopedics in Santa Barbara, CA Reverse total shoulder replacement with biceps tenodesis January 2025 My reverse total shoulder replacement recovery process has been long and arduous. Painful doesn't even begin to describe it. But I'm loving the pain. And let me tell you why. In late 2020, I hurt my arthritic right shoulder rotator cuff while severely injuring my bicep, eventually resulting in a 'Popeye arm'. Eight years prior, Dr. James Zmolek had repaired a three-layer rotator cuff injury on my left shoulder. Fast forward to January 2025, and I've got two shoulders I can't use, two useless arms attached to them, and I'm miserable. Steroid injections aren't working anymore. I no longer have the use of my right arm, and my left arm is beyond fatigued. I'm in real trouble; to make matters worse, I'm 67. After much due diligence in finding a surgeon for this shoulder problem, Dr. Amit Nathani caught my attention. After a brief routine consultation, he says, "Sherrill, you have two options. Number one is to live with the pain and modify your life. Number two is to let me fix this for you." I was shocked, but not skeptical. It had taken him less than five minutes to tell me that my life was going to change, my pain would end, and I would be almost as good as new. I wanted to believe him! But I've had two hip replacements and many surgeries, and there's always a chance... However, I had done my due diligence. I was definitely impressed that he had been a 'sports doctor for the San Francisco 49ers football team, with a passion for shoulders'; I was intrigued. After my consultation, I was jubilant! Honestly, he made it sound like a walk in the park. Well, it was a walk in the park up until two weeks post-surgery. That's when PT started, and the real pain began. I purposely waited a few months after surgery to write this review to give you a better report of my experience. I decided to write it today specifically because when I looked at my right arm, my 'Popeye arm' was gone. Seven months and seven days post-surgery, and I am back to normal. I'm still working on strength, stretching, and a little scar tissue, but my expectations were so far exceeded that you could call the results miraculous. That's putting someone pretty high up there on the pedestal, but Dr. Nathani only promised me that he would repair my bicep to be 'functional' and that I might still have the 'Popeye arm'. That wasn't comforting to me, but I had accepted it. I look normal and fully functioning again, and I have a brand new shoulder that will be pain-free for the rest of my life. That's the important part right there: no more pain. Speaking of pain, I had an extraordinarily damaged body part. Therefore my pain was extraordinary. A bicep tenodesis is nothing to scoff at. I could say I was lucky and that 'it' repaired itself beautifully, but in reality I had an extremely talented surgeon. And I did everything he told me to do. read more

Provider was more than 30 minutes late with no communication from office staff as to the reason. Had to cancel my appointment to return to work. Strange how in most businesses, being 30 minutes late to a meeting with no warning would get you fired or at the least reprimanded. What a sham. read more

I had back surgery this year through Alta Orthopedics in SB. The office and surgical experience could not have been better. Amy Wickman (MD) and Julia Frohling (PA-C) were wonderful. They are both direct, transparent, good listeners and empathetic. The office staff was helpful, friendly and appointments were almost always within 10 min of scheduled time. My back is doing extremely well thanks to the expertise, attention and care I got. read more

Terrible terrible front office staff. If I could give them a zero stars I would. They are rude, all the time and every-time, and they don't have a problem talking about and laughing about patients within earshot of the person. I have never seen such immature nasty attitudes in a medical office before AND I should know because I used to work in a good medical clinic and have been in the medical field for years. These girls will see you standing there waiting to check in and completely ignore you while they are laughing with the other office staff. IF they like you, which I'm sure is totally based on race, then they will be nicer. I sat there long enough and enough times to see the various inter actions AND I also saw them be completely rude to elderly patients which really pissed me off more then the fact they were so rude to both me and the person I was with. The doctor did an injection of cortisone WITHOUT using an ultrasound or GLOVES and the pain level increased by 100 and stayed that way for a couple of months. This procedure should've made it better almost immediately or at least in a few days so I can't help but think that it was injected into the wrong place since there was no ultrasound used. Also know that if you are prescribed a boot to make damn sure there's no cost first. Just because the Dr. says it's free does not mean it is. I was given a boot and after being told it was free I ended up paying almost $300 AFTER they charged insurance $900 and insurance did not cover the last $300. I also want to mention that I needed paperwork signed for my employer immediately to take to my employer regarding my work release. The Dr didn't even have to fill it out but she refused to sign it during my visit with her and made me go through their office staff person which then cost me an extra $75 for a simple signature from the Dr. Since I was leaving out of town the very next morning and had to have that work release turned in to my employer before I could leave, so I had to go to the office AGIAN the next day before I could leave and pressure them to hurrying up. Then take it back to my employer all before I could leave out of town. Trying to call the office was also a nightmare with most calls never answered or being put on hold forever. I would never go back there again. read more

I went to Dr. Nathani for shoulder pain. I had two visits with him and both times were rushed visits and nothing was done. Just go to physical therapy and your shoulder will heal. After months of physical therapy my shoulder is still in pain. Went to another orthopedic doctor in town and it took this doctor two visits and a shot to get me an MRI. Guess what I have a tear in my rotator cuff. All the pain I've been in and this doctor either didn't care, or listen to what I was saying to him. I know his office won't see this or even care but I had to express how I felt about this place. Thanks for the non-care on my shoulder. read more

I spent 45 minutes trying to find parking. Only one disabled parking space despite 70% of the patients being disabled, forcing me to park two blocks away. No parking spaces for "normal" folks either, which changed after 12:30 pm so don't book in the morning. The x-ray tech was very harmful and inept. The patient communications were contracted out to AI, and are worthless. AI made a mistake on my DOB, so I was unable to ever use the text and email alternatives, and I phoned the office 15 times, and left 3 voice messages and never got a return phone call. Nothing. The doctor insulted me and left the room in 3 minutes proving that there isn't a nano speck of warmth, kindness or caring to be found. I was treated worse than sewage by this clinic. Horrible, horrible experience. Extremely rude staff. Horrible. read more

Came in for dislocated thumb. Surgeon said likely MCL. Underwent surgery and surgeon told me that he took out a piece of bone from the thumb joint. My gut feels off and something doesn't feel right. Afterwards, my mechanics of my thumb are completely off and I'm a Software Engineer, so this is terrible for my livelihood. (I was only 21 years old and about to graduate). I likely lost my job out of college because of this. Hundreds of thousands and possibly millions. read more

Incompetent and rude office. Scheduled a procedure then said they could not do the procedure at the office and to go to ER. Definitely not caring or capable of handling standard issues much less complex ones. Will be filing a formal complaint with the board. They should not be allowed to treat people this poorly. Take the initiative to find more qualified doctors and PAs! read more

Excellent staff. From the time you check in til you see the doc. Very caring group loved my doctor.

I'd give them no stars if I could. I had an appointment 3 wks ago from today to assess a knee injury. An MRI was going to be ordered and I've been calling for two weeks leaving multiple voicemails for Stacy in authorizations and even her manager and NO ONE HAS RETURNED MY CALL. When I called two wks ago I was told the order was sent over and it was pending authorization, then I took it into my own hands and called Pueblo Radiology today to see if they have an order for me and they said nothing had even been sent over! This is THE WORST medical care experience I've ever had in my life. I cannot believe after 5+ voicemails across 3 weeks they don't even return my call. Ridiculous and save yourself the hassle if you get recommended here I would ask for someone else!!! read more

I really like my doctor. She seems like she knows what she's doing. What I find absolutely terrible about this place is that it feels like an Ortho Mill. The waiting room is completely packed and even my telehealth appointments are at least 45 minutes late. When I talk to my doctor, she's rushed because she has a long list of patients that have also been waiting, so I don't feel like I am being listened to, because the doctor simply does not have time. This type of scheduling makes me feel like the corporate side cares more about money than patient health. read more

I called Alta Orthopedics for an appointment and they were able to reschedule my mother in law for same day appointment and accommodated her due to pain. Met Karina Worden the wonderful PA which she went above and beyond to make sure patient was satisfied and answered all questions, she was very kind and patient. She was very thorough with her explanations of what needs to be done and next steps. read more

Excellent orthopedic doctors! They explain issues so you can understand. They are very caring.

Had an appointment on August 1. Was not clear about my medication guidelines so sent a message through their portal which states that someone will get back to me within 2 business days. After leaving 3 messages and not receiving a reply for over a week, I called the office. The person on the phone said that they were waiting for the doctor/PA to reply and had no other information they could give me. I understand that it is not the person taking my call's fault, but it's nearly impossible to get through to someone with appropriate information. I'm stuck waiting until my message is "reviewed," and then I'll supposedly get a return call. Really poor patient service. read more

After having a pretty dramatic injury I am truly grateful that these folks are helping to get me back on track - Dr.Nathani M.D. is one of the very best. I felt like he listened and validated what my issues were and explained everything to come - many thanks read more

I had my first visit with Alta and Dr Lomedico on 12/20/2024. The visit was a average. Check-in was good. Walked across the parking lot. Upon checking in Dr Lomedico staff was cold, unprofessional and was more concerned about their cell phones then my first experience. Dr Lomedico came into the pt. room and was cordial, but without a personality. She advised me I had a FX coccyx per MRI due to osteoprosis. Dr Lomedico's advice had four options: 1- Bone stimulator cost $3000. 2- Pelvic floor PT. 3- Surgery. 4- Deal with the pain. I asked Dr Lomedico if there was any other options and she stood up and said NO and walked out. I purchased the bone stimulator at a reduced out of pocket rate of $500. Two months later after wearing stimulator 12 hours a day no change. Pelvic floor PT was 7 months out for next appointment. When I had my next appointment Dr Lomedico's staff was unpleasant and substandard for a Santa Barbara medical facility. I had two other appointments with Dr Lomedico and they were transferred to her assistant via phone.I spent a few minutes on the phone with her assistant. I received four bills from ALTA from my insurance company. All four bills were the same, paying $200 out of pocket. I contacted my insurance company and they are reviewing the cost of the last two phone appointments. A few weeks ago I was speaking with a current patiient of Dr Lomedico and this person expressed the same issues with staff and Dr Lomedico. I looked at Alta Orthopedics review rate and its 2000 5* reviews. If you look at Yelp and other medical sites they are 3* with hundreds of similar reviews as mine. Its unfortunate that such a great place like Santa Barbara we have to receive such poor treatment. read more

I read The One star review about people with no mask in this doctors office being "the most terrifying and dangerous experience" they'd had. how nice it must be to have had such a sheltered and privileged life studies have shown masks especially paper ones do nothing to protect us or anyone else for that matter She probably called the health department because when I went here they we're very anal about masks hopefully everyone will wake up sometime soon As far as the office not friendly not unfriendly I didn't wait long we will see in the future as I have return vvisits scheduled read more

Good Physicians but Questionable Billing At the time I was a patient at Alta Orthopedic clinic, their online Payment Policy stated that patients are to be notified in advance of any visit that is deemed self-pay. And if those visits are self-pay, "payment in full is requested at the time of visit". At NO time was I advised mine were self-pay appointments, nor was payment requested in advance. Had that been the case, I would not have commenced with a series of injections. The clinic's initiation of the series was useless as the series was halted midstream since I could not afford the injections. Alta was negligent at the outset, in failing to communicate that the series was my responsibility. Nonetheless, Alta's billing department continues to hound me by email, text, and phone for payment. Alta has now altered their website page to shift the burden of self-pay notification to the patient but their belated attempt to backbill me now is unethical. A new CA law expressly forbids this disreputable practice in order to protect the patient. In the words of a judge, "It's a good law". read more

The doctor was messing around with coworkers for the first 10 minutes, then did probably one of the most lazy physical assessments I have ever seen. It's my fault I didn't spend time looking for the right doctor; I just wanted an MRI. I saw that he was somewhat young and was working under his father. I would recommend a different PT place if you are a serious athlete. read more

I've had mixed experiences here over the years. The most recent I would classify as very good. Someone gave them a poor review because they weren't strictly observing mask rules in December 2021. When I read that, I thought GREAT! If anyone should know masks are futile and foolish, health care professionals should. So, I intrepidly entered the other day without a mask. Most folks were masked, though some were down low. No one said anything to me, though I detected a suspicious glare or two. That's on them, not me. I expected to see Dr. Birch re a hip replacement, but a lady P.A. interviewed me first. She was attentive, polite and professional. She answered all my questions satisfactorily and I said I wouldn't need to see Dr. Birch, "let's do this! (Hip replacement)." Follow up scheduling with Claudia by phone and e mail has been great. I allowed her to recommend and schedule lab and exams for me. I've been e mailed all information which I've entered on my cell phone calendar. Back in 2011 I broke my neck and back and had fine experiences with Drs. Hutchinson and Wickman, all good. On the not so good side, I called out a PA for looking at her watch during our conference. She apologized, but you know these distractions have possibly cost people elections: GHW Bush and more recently Joe B. Don't yawn or look at your watch, OK? I also recently made a telephone appointment recently with a PA who was over an hour late calling me. She apologized and I'm over it. You can read here about my bad experience with Dr. Gallivan's office, and I didn't care for the too extreme (to my taste) covid measures at Ryu Hurvitz. It's fine we have choices. I've made mine. I'm going with Alta Ortho. read more

A wonderful experience from start to finish. The front desk folks were professional and efficient. The X-ray technicians were careful with my sore arm without having to be told. Dr. Asher Kupperman was amazing. He listened to me, he asked the right questions and he was easy to understand. He also answered my questions without making me feel rushed. Everything a doctor is suppose to be. I wish I had gone to Alta long ago. If I had I wouldn't have such a messed up wrist. Finally theres light at the end of the tunnel. Having something wrong to ones body can be scary but when you find a practice like Alta Orthopaedics and a doctor like Dr. Kupperman you don't have to feel so alone. Thank you so so much! read more

If I could give this place zero stars I would. I was a new patient at this clinic and specifically wanted to see the female dr, Dr. Wickman. I understood there was a longer wait to see her, about an extra 4 weeks, I agreed and scheduled. So day of my appt I was "greeted" by a very unfriendly and unprofessional front desk staff and then end up waiting about 40 mins to be brought back to the room. Once I was in the room I waited an additional 40 mins to be seen, and to top it off wasn't even able to see Dr. Wickman, I saw her PA instead...I'm sorry I just waited 6 weeks for this appointment with her....the PA was nice enough, it was a quick appt and she ordered me PT and an MRI. Fast forward to a week later, I injured my neck coincidentally and went in for that MRI. I called Alta Orthopedics to let them know I hurt myself and got squeezed in for a same day MRI and asked for the DR or PA to call me with my results. After I waited all day, I ended up calling back to see if there was someone I could discuss my results with and was told they would not go over my results on the phone and that I had to come in for an appt...number one, I'm in extreme pain, laid up in bed and can't drive myself...number two, give me my results! I need to know how to and how not to treat myself and get some relief. Are you that money hungry, you force your patients (who didn't even see you) to come in and wait two hours in your awful lobby to be given their scans?? I completely understand the need for a follow up appt and would have been happy to once I could move around. From the rude front desk staff, to the extended wait, to my request to see a specific dr, to the ridiculous wait in your office, to not see the dr I made the appt with, to not then be told my results?? I will not be back and I will not be referring anyone in your direction. I should have listened to the 3 star reviews you already have, but I'm all about a benefit of the doubt. read more

Alta orthopedics has always been my go to office. I have always been treated so well and the staff if super sweet! Although my most recent experience with them (on the phone) was very negative and unprofessional. I felt like I was talking to a bratty 16 year old who didn't want to be there. She did not tell me her name but kept me on hold for 15 minutes and then huffed and puffed When I wanted to cancel an appointment then hung up on me!! I was so nice and it was such a simple request. So rude and it made me feel like such a burden. read more

BETTER than the very best Santa Barbara has to offer! Consistently professional, yet caring & attentive towards patients & their families needs! read more

I had an horrific bike accident when a Yellow Cab pulled right in front of me in the bike path with no warning. I ended up with very serious injuries from head to toe. Two of the doctors at Alta have been terrific caregivers from Day One. Amy Wickman is not only an excellent medical professional, she is equally great as a compassionate listener with every intention to help me get better. I needed a surgical procedure on my cervical spine which was done by her partner, Michael Kenly. What he had to do was not easy but he persisted until he succeeded. I have placed a great deal of trust in this practice and they have earned it. Every Physician Assistant has been excellent as well. I still have a way to go but I'm confident the Alta team will be there for me all the way. read more

Excellent medical treatment provided by caring, kind Doctors, Physician's Assistants and Medical Assistants. The scheduling is easy, the wait room is comfortable--but don't get too comfortable, as you'll be called in soon! read more

Dr Nathani is the best. Overall good experience and makes you feel confident in his diagnosis.

I feel Alta Orthopaedics goes above and beyond with all of their pre-check-in options. I had completed all necessary paperwork before my scheduled appointment and check in went very smooth accordingly. I was taken back before my appointed time and had x-rays taken. My doctor was running a little behind his schedule be it was nothing to complain about. I was very happy with his proposed treatment plan and we shall see how it runs its course. read more

If I could give Alta Orthopedic zero rating if I could. Waited 45 minutes before Dr Wickman came into the room. Authorization department will never return your calls. Beware before you go to them. read more

Good Doctors, Horrible staff. I had an appointment with Dr kupperman. Really cool dude, and good doctor. I show up and they have a hard time pulling me up. " sir, are you sure you scheduled an appointment here?" Yes i am. She replied "well do you know who scheduled you?" Im like no. Oh sorry sir your name was misspelled in the system. Mind you i fucking spelled my name to the person that was on the phone so i have no idea how they messed that up. Anyways they find me, I see dr kupperman everything is okay. I call back trying to have the dr look at my MRI, and guess what they can't find me lol. I'm like are you for real? Can i speak to my Dr please?? No? Can I speak to a superior? Superior picks up the phone also rude. I have decided to take my business elsewhere. ELI you are a cool dude but the people who are working in the clinic are incompetent, and I am not going to put my trust and go under with a clinic like ALTA. Thank you DR kupperman but alta just cost you business. read more

The office staff was very friendly and professional. Dr. Birch was able to see me right away and listened carefully and patiently and really helped me out. Great practice! read more