Dr. Alwattar was my surgeon for a hip replacement hip just over 10 years ago. The ordeal was a disaster. I awoke from the surgery with significant pain and an unbelievable amount of swelling. Both legs were twice normal size, and touching either, even lightly, produced an intense burning sensation. Oddly, in post surgical care, Dr. Alwattar did not acknowledge the condition for 6 weeks until I confronted him with a medical paper a physician friend had shown me: Alwattar had significantly damaged my femoral nerve. He grudgingly admitted the condition, but offered no referral or assistance. I now have to live with with the condition since nerve damage is not surgically repairable. Resting or with modest motion, I have continuous minor to moderate burning sensations in my thigh. I cannot engage in anything that requires vigorous movement because it produces intense pain. By contrast, I had my other hip replaced just over a year ago. Although I dreaded the ordeal and put it off for years, it was like a miracle by comparison. I took one opioid pain pill the first night, and afterward managed the pain with OTC medication. I hardly remember the recovery. read more

I have been Dr Alwattar's patient from several medical practices. Originally, I sought his consultation on my multiple time orthoscopic repaired right knee. His consul and treatments have felt right. Recent left hip and leg pain, I sought his advice. My appointment was made many weeks ago and in the interim, I saw another orthopedic doctor who provided treatment options and directions. Dr Alwattar concurred with those options. He gave me comfort and reassurance. I will continue to seek his advice in the future. read more

Visited Dr. Alwattar because of recurring knee pain. After reviewing my MRI results he patiently explained his findings and my options. He made sure all my questions were answered. His assistant and the office staff were also very professional. I was very pleased with Dr. Alwattar. read more

dr. alwattar did a fantastic job replacing my right knee. the after card and follow care was also superb. read more

In the past five years I've had Dr. Alwattar replace both of my hips and last year he did a full knee replacement. He is on top of the latest technology in his field, listens to his patients and has good staff, too. I had no complications with my surgeries and would highly recommend him to friends and family. In fact, four other people I know have had him work on their hips and knees and they have been very satisfied with his work as well. Definitely knee surgery requires more PT and rehab than the hips so the patient does need to work hard to get back in shape and needs to devote the time to do this. read more

I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Alwattar over a month ago. I waited longer than a month for an appointment to open and had it today. They told me to arrive 15 mins earlier than my appointment, which I did. After waiting and waiting in the waiting room, I was finally taken back to a room where I sat. After waiting for over an hour, the PA finally came in to see me. While she was quite competent and perfectly nice, I didn't make an appointment to see a Physician's Assistant. I made an appointment to see Dr. Alwattar. The doctor's office has a responsibility to inform patients that they won't be seeing the doctor they originally scheduled to see. This didn't happen. No one informed me that I would be seeing a PA and not Dr. Alwattar. I waited over an hour to see the PA! This is totally unprofessional. After suffering from an arthritic hip for over a decade, I am finally ready to do something about it and have the operation. The PA suggested I take Advil for 2 weeks and possibly get a cortisone injection. Is this the standard recommendation for everyone? Ridiculous! I will be having the hip replacement surgery, but Dr. Alwattar won't be doing it. Doctors need to respect the time of their patients. Yes they are busy, but so am I. If I wanted to see a PA instead of a doctor, I would have made an appointment with a PA. And why am I paying an $85 specialist fee when I'm not seeing a specialist??? read more

Dr. Alwattar is the ultimate professional and clinician. I appreciated the time he took to answer my questions pre and post surgery.

Dr Alwattar is amazing. I had hip replacement right 2018 & left 2022 im 50. I am pain free, I work out I have my life back! Excellent bedside manner and superb surgical skills. Legs are even no problems. Thank you Dr Alwattar! read more

I cannot express what a wonderful experience I have had with Dr. Alwattar. After a truly horrible experience with another surgeon I was worried going in. As soon as we introduced ourselves I felt safe and he listened to me. He talked me through what he saw on my X-rays. His staff was all business and thorough. He was able to schedule me immediately and as it turned out my situation was more serious than I knew or had been told by previous surgeon. I find the staff has been great at multiple offices and kind. Not every medical office fosters that feeling and it's truly remarkable when they do. I cannot thank him enough. I personally would recommend him with the highest compliments. read more

1 star experience, i would love a follow up where i am seen by said dr, i cant review them in particular as even though i had 2 appointments, was refused to be seen by them, highland made it point to not check insurance so i would be treated as though i was without, regardless i had alameda alliance so 40 percent back wasn't enough to be seen as a person, nurse tells me here is your boot you can walk get out, i literally could not walk was wheeled into room, surely i be treated better if bothered to check my insurance before attempt at 50 dollar boot but no literally told emergency room doesn't know anything and yet now bone shards are popping out like zits on my ankle where secondary break happened. please see me, this is ridiculous that i have never spoken to you personally. read more

Dr Alwattar successfully performed hip and knee replacement for me within 4 months. He was very professional and friendly throughout in explaining the details of the surgical and recovery processes while being patient and attentive in addressing my questions and concerns. I strongly recommend him without reservation. read more

This is purely for office experience and not Dr. Alwattar. The office NEVER answers the phone and you have to ALWAYS leave a message and it's a hit or miss for them to call back. They always tell me they're 2 short staffs and are very busy. Perhaps hore more staffs so we can make an appt?? In the world of cell phones, instant texts and chats, one can not survive on "will call you back in 24 hours." Maybe in 1990 but we are in 2024 now. read more

Three months ago I had a total knee replacement surgery. Dr. Basil J. Alwattar was the surgeon. He deserves 5 stars. Before surgery I could barely walk because of the pain in my left knee. The pain is completely gone, and I credit that to Dr Alwattar. He was so kind and patient and brilliant! Thank you Dr. Alwattar. Dr. Alwattar's technician Vince was also fantastic! read more

I am writing Dr Alwattar's review less than three weeks after he performed my total hip replacement. I am already walking without support with only a slight hitch in my gait which should be resolved by 11 sessions of upcoming physical therapy. Everyday my manufactured hip feels more and more a part of me and I can now believe that one day I won't even have to remember that it's there. I am extremely grateful to doctor Alwattar and my experience of hip replacement has vastly exceeded my hopes and expectations. This doctor Alwattar knows what he is doing. He can look at your X-ray and let you know how straightforward or how complicated your hip replacement is going to be. Dr. Alwattar also brings with him an excellent support apparatus which comes under the aegis of the Sutter Ortho Center. The Sutter pre-op protocol is fantastically thorough. It makes sure that your mind and body are prepared by educating you about what to expect and how best to recover; by evaluating any underlying conditions you might have and reviewing your current medicines and supplements to determine if they should be discontinued during your recovery period; by checking that your living space is properly prepared and by making sure that you'll have someone to look after you while you are recovering. It also includes an extremely precise X-ray to ensure size and positional matching to your other hip. During the operation Dr. Alwattar has the support of an anaesthesiologist, an OR nurse, an OR physician, an assistant surgeon, a representative from the company that manufactures the replacement hip, and an OR technician that takes X-rays to make sure that the prosthetic parts are installed as perfectly as possible. In the aftermath I was well looked-after by the shift nurses and the physical therapists at the hospital. Everyone was very kind and very attentive. I wasn't released until I could demonstrate ability to walk, use the toilet and climb up and down stairs. The food, while it wasn't great, wasn't bad either. My at-home physical therapist was perfect. He knew just how far to push me and under his care for two weeks I made great progress. All of this care, including the hospital stay, in-home therapy and visits to the doctor and the pre-op clinic was under stringent Covid prevention protocols. Everyone at the hospital and in the pre-op clinic was wearing face masks and face shields. Double masks and temperature checks are required for all patients. Three days before being admitted to the hospital, I was given a COVID test. I came in COVID-free and came home the same way. Dr. Alwattar uses the latest advances in a procedure that has been refined by the experiences of thousands of patients that have undergone hip replacements. The anterior approach is now minimally invasive and has become almost routine. Some have given Dr. Alwattar a low rating on his "bed-side manner". Do not mistake Dr Alwattar's direct honesty and lack of chit chat for indifference! He is a busy man and has a lot of people to take care of. But he will let you know where you stand and will answer any questions that might come to mind. I asked a question via the messaging option in the MY CHART app and received an answer from him within one day. In conclusion: Three Cheers for Sutter Ortho Center! THREE CHEERS FOR DOCTOR ALWATTAR! And finally thank God for STEM and western medicine. May all of them continue to flourish and advance. read more

This review is long overdue. I am getting a bit long in the tooth, meaning I'm out of warranty and my parts are obsolete! 4 years ago I needed knee replacement surgery and it was something I was NOT looking forward to. My elderly Mother was a patient of Dr.Alwattar and was very pleased with his professionalism and bedside manner. At 95, she was very sharp and not easy to impress. She loved that he treated her in a way that some doctor's fail to, when dealing with someone close to a century old! She said he spoke to her with respect and made her feel relevant. She had a hip replacement and was very vocal about how well the surgery went and how he was reassuring and communicated with her every step of the way. So I had an inkling as to what to expect. I was told that I could have a choice between the traditional surgery or have a robotic procedure with Dr. Alwattar there to be certain everything went smoothly. I decided to be very 21st century-ish and let the robot do the precise surgery knowing I had the best of both worlds. I stayed in the hospital for 3 nights (I am diabetic and have other issues he wanted to monitor) but was on my feet, new knee doing it's job within hours of my surgery. Dr. Alwattar is compassionate, very thorough, and extremely reassuring in his approach to patient care. I am so glad I was able to gain use and mobility once again in a stressless interaction with an excellent physician/surgeon who made me feel secure and safe. I HIGHLY recommend him. It is getting close to my 2nd knee needing to be tended to and while it's not a procedure for sissies, I know I will be fine using the services of Dr. Alwattar read more

Dr. Alwattar is a great orthopaedic surgeon. Some people may misinterpret him being a straight shooter as disrespectful, but he does not waste your time or his. He is straight to the point. Dr. Alwattar is a no-nonsense for real surgeon. He is NOT there to hold your hand, sit there and baby sit you, or lie to you. As a senior citizen who has had many serious surgeries in different Bay Area hospitals throughout my lifetime, I find Dr. Alwattar to be very kind and very attentive with pure professionalism. If you are looking for or need an honest and highly skilled surgeon who's not just in it for the money or who will not cut on you unnecessarily, Dr. Alwattar is that surgeon. He is one of the best and most competent surgeons I've ever met in my life. I give him five stars with love. read more

At this point, this review is about the office and staff (since they are so bad I still haven't gotten a follow up appointment). I was able to get an initial appointment easily, but the doctor would tell me nothing useful until after I could get an MRI. The office then dropped the ball on getting me the MRI appointment and wasted over a week of time. After my 3rd call harassing them to move forward with it, they told me all doctors were out of town and I'd have to wait another week. Once I finally did get an MRI, they again forgot about me for a week and I again had to initiate all contact and keep calling until they could give me an appointment. Very unprofessional, and left me with the feeling that I am not cared about as a patient (and maybe nobody is). read more

I saw Dr. Alwattar in mid-June at the recommendation of Dr. Brad Zwahlen, who doesn't do the surgical procedure I needed (an anterior total hip replacement). When Dr. Alwattar began my appointment, he announced (bragged) that he hadn't reviewed my chart or x-rays (even though he claimed he did so in my after-visit summary). He said he was very busy and couldn't fit me in until mid-September or October at the earliest. Because I hadn't been able to get surgery for a year due to covid, I was in bad physical shape. I got upset at the prospect of waiting another three to four months for surgery. Dr. Alwattar's response was brusque, rude and uncaring. He suggested that if I wanted sooner surgery, I could find another doctor by looking in the phone book. (I was able to get another professional referral to an excellent surgeon who performed my total hip replacement in mid-August.) Dr. Alwattar may be a good surgeon, but his "bedside manner" is seriously lacking. read more

I was told that a student would be accompanying Dr Alwattar during my visit. In fact, the student spent 20 minutes with me testing my knee with various movements. I explained to him my history with knee issues and what's been done in the past. He was very professional and seemingly competent but I had not made an appointment to see a student. I expected to be treated by a doctor. He excused himself to consult with the doctor, who spent 5 minutes repeating what he had been told, doing no tests himself to confirm the student's conclusions. Then they proceeded to offer me the chance to purchase knee braces on the spot without the benefit of insurance. read more

Wow! Had I read all of these negative reviews I would have never gone to see Dr. Alwattar. Thankfully, I didn't because he is awesome. I needed a hip replacement and was pretty freaked out about the whole idea of having a chunk of my leg bone sawn off and replaced with metal but Dr. Alwattar was super mellow and cool about things and his staff - especially his receptionist Dee - were always super responsive. They walked me through the whole procedure, told me how much it would cost with my insurance, gave me a list of other doctors for second opinions, told me how to check him out to make sure there were no pending lawsuits against him (I checked the medical board - after 9 years he has a spotless record). After doing all of my homework, I chose him as my surgeon. The surgery was way less painful than having my molars removed or breaking my collar bone. I was walking (with crutches) hours after the surgery. He was at my bedside after the anesthesia wore off, checked in the next day, walked me to the car as I left the surgery center. I thought he was great. Five days later, I have been off the heavy pain meds for two days and I am managing the pain with only Tylenol. I am able to work from home, made my kid's lunches this morning, walked a couple blocks (on crutches) to get ice cream with them - everything is going great. Granted, if my leg suddenly falls off or turns out to be all jacked up I will, of course, change my review. But, so far so good. I can't say enough good things about Basil and his staff. read more

I am 2 weeks + 2 days, or for medical folk, 14 days post op from another joint replacement device. I am yet another woman of certain decade. I'm also an RN who has primarily practiced in The Bay Area ,for the past 52 years. I loved & breathed Trauma & then interventionist cardiac surgery. So I should be able to find good surgeons locally. Keep in mind we are fortunate to see some of the Best locally. I simply love Cal Sports, Dr Robert Eppley, repaired my torn shoulder bits, fine work, as I've come to expect from Dr Eppley & staff. I was referred by Dr. Eppley to his associate , Dr Basel Alwattar , after a fall when I needed a greater trochanter fix of my Hip. Dr Alwattar advised a quicker fix, with Screws& pins, & it worked for a good year. Brings this review to the recent hip replacement . I am so impressed by my ability to get back to some of things I love, long walks in the woods, especially after a rain. Also, quite important, I received home rehab 2x a week, unheard of in Canyon, & that happened thru Dr Alwattar & his very approachable clinical office nurse, Dee. I hope , I won't need either of ortho MD's again, but if life changes again, I will always choose, Cal Sports. I am now going for my 1st , driving myself ,back into life stream. read more

Based on the recommendation of a close friend, I went to Dr. Alwattar for a second opinion after a major knee injury incurred while skiing. His expertise with this type injury were unmatched and the advice and information he gave were invaluable for ensuring the proper course of treatment. But most surprising to me was the personal attention and concern he gave to my case. I had contacted him on a weekend and he quickly connected with other surgeons in his network to get additional feedback on the case. It felt like he dropped everything to address my concerns and questions. This even extended several days afterward as he continued to follow-up on my case and share more insights as they became available. It's rare when a surgeon seems to feel your case is just as important and urgent as you do. While I hope there's never a reason, I will definitely look to Dr. Alwattar first if any need arises in the future. And I would highly recommend his services to anyone with a sports-related orthopedic injury who wants to not just recover but excel. read more

I am following up on my previous review. I have just learned that Dr. Alwattar actually botched my knee replacement surgery. I finally went to a specialist and he showed me very clearly what Dr. Alwattar did wrong. It cannot be fixed without risk of my being in pain for the rest of my life. Either he is incompetent and could not see his mistake, or he saw it and did not admit it. Both are unacceptable. read more

I went into see Dr. Attwatter for a second opinion on a ruptured PCL. Although I appriencate him seeing me I have a few comments. 1) Seeing me walk 4 feet after I have spent the majority of the previous day and a half in a car is no way to determine my gait. it take a few steps to "get the kinks' out after so much sitting. 2) Although the office can access Sutter Myhealth online. They apparently can not release reports on myhealth online nor does the Dr. complete after visit notes in my health...just vitals. They should no be on myhealth at all if they can not utilize it to have all medical records in one place. 3) They do not followup with you...you have to contact them 4) The phone system sucks... read more

After visiting Dr. Alwattar, I was appalled at his offensive "doctor-god" demeanor and his arrogant dismissal of me as a disabled senior not worthy of needed surgery. He gave me the "risk management" speech to protect himself not me. Then he criticized one of my previous surgeons in a very deprecating manner. He did not like me and arrogantly told me that I would not be getting any surgical services from him. It is my considered opinion that Dr. Alwattar lacks the ethical standards to be a physician. read more

I had a rotator cuff repair done in March 2021. Dr. Alwattar performed the procedure and he did a fantastic job. I was really worried about having shoulder surgery because of the horror stories I've heard about the surgery and recovery. Dr. Alwattar was very attentive and explained every step of the procedure. He was extremely professional and caring and did a great job!! I have very little scarring and I already feel like I will get 100% functionality back in my shoulder. Needless to say, I will not let any other orthopedic surgeon work on my body. Dr. Alwattar is my surgeon for life. Kudos to Dr. Basil Alwattar!!! read more

I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Alwattar. My quality of life was severely compromised by my arthritic hip. Desperate to get an anterior hip replacement and challenged by upcoming chemotherapy, Dr. Alwattar fit me into his busy schedule. He is an amazing, sympathetic, personable, and highly professional doctor. My surgery was performed on one day and I was up and about doing physical therapy the next. In three months I could hike. It's been a year since my surgery and my hip is perfect! I never even think about it. In regards to his staff and scheduling, I did not have any problems. They were friendly and helpful. In short, when it comes to getting a hip replacement, Dr. Alwattar is my hero!!! Barbara R. read more

I hate Yelp because it's full of complaints but I had no choice.I am so over Dr. Alwattar and his staff. Every appointment is two to three weeks out and when your seen they make you feel like they don't want you there. Its been almost a year since I was misdiagnosed with a torn meniscus, now its just arthritis...and there is nothing I can do. Bye! read more

Dr. Alwattar is honest about expectations with my severe damage, and yet kind and reassuring. He was able to schedule me for a complicated hip surgery, two torn muscles, one of them ripped off, months more quickly than over-scheduled surgeons at UCSF. He was able to repair and reattach the muscles. I had no problem with infection, and my scar is healing cleanly. He's been vigilant with followup checkups and generous with PT prescriptions, first with home PT, and now outpatient. I'm off the walker, using a cane, and have started to go out to performances and take walks. I'm so thankful for his help! read more

No bedside manner, not happy with his referrals starting over with someone else. Additionally, his x-ray department doesn't have it together. I had to have all my stupid x-rays re-taken because the tech labelled my left hand as my right hand. With so many good doctors to choose from, there is no reason to waste your time with people who don't really seem to give a damn. read more

Dr Alwattar is a general orthopedist and sports injury doctor with Oakland Bone and Joint Specialists. First off, since it seems to be an issue with people, I have never waited longer here than at any other doctor's office. Sometimes we waited fifteen to thirty minutes, other times we were seen right away. Pretty normal doctor fare, so no complaint. In fact, my multiple visits to this office surpass that of most others. The office staff here are pleasant and competent, willing to help you out whether it be around scheduling issues, phone calls, insurance claims, referrals, or special billing for families with two addresses ;) Dr. Alwattar is one of those doctors where you know he really enjoys what he does. Most importantly he is accountable and inspires confidence. My daughter, at 15 and a half years old, walks the line between pediatric and adult medicine. I was pleased that he addressed questions directly to her, instead of me, which sometimes happens with a parent in the room. Dr Alwattar tended to her knee requesting a series of X-rays and MRI's that led up to a somewhat rare diagnosis requiring surgery. Of course we sought out a second opinion and Dr Alwattar graciously gave us the names of several orthopedic doctors we could choose from. The second opinion doctor stated the same diagnosis and escorted us to his surgery scheduler(!). We chose Dr Alwattar to perform the surgery. He explained to us exactly what he would do during arthroscopic surgery and what my daughter could expect post surgery. He calmly handled every question, followed up on every (and I do mean every) concern my daughter and I had along the way. Dr Alwattar also maintains communication with her other care providers to assure a complete return to full health. This last part speaks volumes. We feel fortunate to have found such a kind and thorough doctor for what has been at times a tense journey. Dr. Alwattar is a young doctor with a bright future ahead of him. I recommend him without hesitation. read more

I am had an Anterior hip replacement. I am so happy and have 100% function restored. After one year I have could walk 3 miles with no pain. I thought he lacked "bedside manner" until he squeezed my hand on his rounds the morning after surgery. He was He is the surgeon you want! read more

Honestly, i have nothing to complain about except for the fact that i thought we would have handheld x-ray cameras and portable MRI machines by now. Just kidding, i know a different sector is responsible for that. Ok, back to Doc Alwattar, MD. Doctor Basil (pronounced like the Brits), seems to be a pretty awesome guy. Like the kind of professional who you would also like to have a beer with. Thorough, informative, smart, charming and hard working. 2+ weeks in, after my surgery, and pre-op appointments obviously, and i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's burning bright, nicely and warm. No complications with the surgery and my knee is healing rather peachy. I had a ACL reconstruction and Meniscus repair, so you can imagine the fun i've been going through. Regardless Mr Alwattar and the rest of his team at Oakland Bone & Joint Specialists have done a superb job so far. Quick turnarounds with prescriptions and phone calls. Organized, clean and honest. He even gave me some pictures of the operations in order to explain the procedure. We will see if he can deliver the raw video footage of the whole procedure. Hopefully my brother can whip up a sweetly cropped video for some show and tell. Now, all he needs is a new picture on yelp. Perhaps a pinch less assertive, possibly with a little beard and you'll have a line of athletes blowing out their knee just to go see Doc Basil. Cinco Estrellas. read more

Basil Alwattar, M.D - stitches removed :) - Orthopedists Near Me - Oakland, California

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Dr. Alwattar was my moms knee surgeon and from the very moment we were referred to him until after the surgery and recovery, he was great! My mom was very nervous and had no hope in the surgery but once she was recovered and back to being fully independent on her own, she was so pleased and thankful of Dr. Alwattar! She had surgery about 7 months ago, and now she is ready to go back to have surgery done on her other knee also. He is very knowledgable, kind, and honest. He gave her a lot of insight and recommendations to have a successful and fast recovery, which she did. My family has definitely appreciated everything he has done. read more

My husband injured himself 4 months ago -- not a fall, but a pull -- stepping off an elevated sidewalk into a treebox and twisting his hip painfully. X-rays were taken a week later and revealed no fractures -- but the pain was intense. Finally, today, an MRI was done -- and we were immediately referred to Dr. Alwattar's office -- our doctor called at 4 and said if we could be at his office by 4:30, the doctor would see us. When we got there, the office was full, and my heart sank; and then one by one, patients were seen -- one group was a family of four; another group was a family of three; and at 4:45, we were taken back for my husband's exam -- and there was no question but that I'd accompany him. Jonathan Dunham, Dr. Alwattar's assistant took a thorough history and was kind and courteous and friendly. The doctor soon saw Christopher and explained to him he'd fractured his iliac bone and it would take time and rest for it to heal. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Alwattar and his office staff. read more

Dr. Alwattar is a kind, compassionate man and excellent surgeon. The office staff is helpful and Dr. Alwattar takes time to explain the procedure and what to expect. In addition, I was enrolled in the knee replacement class at Summit Hospital in Oakland that was very helpful and allayed all of my concerns prior to the surgery. I feel this really helped my attitude and the outcome. Knowledge is power! I had a total knee replacement and am recovering very well with no complications. At 86, I expect to use up the warranty. I recommend Dr. Alwattar to all of my broken down friends. read more

Dr. Alwattar is capable and sweet. (At least I think so, coz he's like 15 years younger than me.) Unlike another poster, I thought his bedside manner was good. Suspecting a torn meniscus, he sent me to get an MRI. When the MRI did show a torn meniscus, he explained well to me what this meant, and types of treatment, starting with the least invasive, which is a cortisone shot--which I opted for. Because I hate shots, I asked if I could hold someone's hand, and a nice tall technician came in. Dr. Alwattar explained everything as he went (which I asked him to do); he said that he'd been told the shot feels like a prolonged flu shot--which is just what it felt like! I squeezed that technician's hand, and it was over in no time. My knee's been fantastic ever since. I like Dr. Alwattar immensely. read more

I am thrilled that I found Dr. Alwattar! I have known for years that I would need a knee replacement, but it wasn't until I went to Dr. Alwattar that I felt I could feel completely confident about my choice of surgeon. I have been completely resistant to surgery, but Dr. Alwattar was professional, empathetic and so knowledgable that I am ready to surrender to the scalpel. We agreed to exhaust the non surgical options first and he was very supportive of my decision to wait (even though it was his opinion that I should have had a knee replacement two years ago). I have read negative reviews about the practice, but I had a very positive experience. Dr. Alwatta's PA was very thorough, as was the X-Ray tech. Everyone in the office was professional and attentive. I highly recommend him and his practice and I never have the urge to write Yelp reviews! Do yourself a favor if you need an orthopedic surgeon and make an appointment! read more

I have no idea why one person wrote such a negative review. Dr alwattar's knowledge, treatment and kindness are what anyone could want in a physician, especially a surgeon would trust him with any orthopedic condition and would not hesitate to refer my family and friends to him read more

I like Dr. Alwattar but his staff, in particular someone named Gary, need to be trained in customer service. I was stuck on the Bay Bridge in mid afternoon traffic desperately trying to make my appointment and called to let them know I was going be late. No problem if it's less than 15 minutes, says Gary. When it became apparent that I was going nowhere fast, I called back very frustrated with traffic and that I was missing my appointment. I asked if the doctor could call me instead. "We don't do that and besides, he's still with another patient" says Gary in a sneering tone. As I'm navigating bad drivers around me, I'm trying to talk to Gary to figure out what can be done when he freaks out on me and starts mimicking what I'm saying and interrupting me with nasty petty comments like "I'm not sure if you understand me or don't want to understand me or what." I repeated probably 8 times that I was frustrated with the traffic not him but his fragile ego caused him to make my traffic issues about him and inserted himself into my relationship with Dr. Alwattar. No surprise the doctor didn't call me back even though I had an appointment during which he was meant to be focused on me. Gary was such an incompetent rude little person who, as the gatekeeper, decided his ego is more important than a patient's right to healthcare. No thanks for me. Too bad as I generally liked the doctor. But not up for being berated by someone with such an inflated self-worth. read more