Just so you know - the s**t hole of a hospital you will stay in is a TEACHING HOSPITAL. No one told me that. It's buried in the paper work. Don't think your doctor won't let the new guys on the block go at it. You have been warned. Considering my entire experience - I'd see and go somewhere else. read more

Due to the horrible advice of this man, i have needed 2 more surgeries to fix my knee after my torn ACL. Let me explain.. First off, his office is HORRIBLE. Expect to be in a crowded waiting room for a long time. Then you wait in the other, personal room for a while. Then he comes in a briefly talks to you, then goes to the other rooms (you can clearly hear him talking), then comes back. He never seemed like he cared, he never seemed to really be invested in my problem or interested in helping me at all. I was just another dollar sign. So he replaced my ACL when i was 19. Good job i guess. However, he told me i did not need physical therapy! He said to just exercise my leg unless it hurt. Well i was 19 years old, i din't know what the hell i was doing. Sure enough i went back complaining about pain and instability. He said i was probably fine, and i could get MRi's done if i wanted, but i should just continue to exercise it. He spent a total of like 5 minutes in this appointment after i complained of pain. Ridiculous! Of course, a couple of years later when i was still having pain, i got exploratory surgery from another doctor and my meniscus was shredded up, like really bad. So bad in fact that even after physical therapy, my knee was so tender that it tore again, and i needed another procedure. I am now 25 w/ 3 knee surgeries under my belt. Bottom line, if you go to this guy, tell him you need physical therapy. That was the worst advice of my life and my current doctor in SF could not believe that he would be so careless. I cannot stress this enough IF HE SAYS YOU DO NOT NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY, DO IT ANYWAYS. Don't go down the same road i did w/ this jerk.. read more

Dr. Howell is absolutely wonderful! I've had knee problems my whole life and after I tore my meniscus and had surgery for that, I was bone-on-bone and in constant, miserable pain. Being young for a replacement, I wasn't given any attention by another surgeon. Dr. Howell treated me with respect and didn't discount my problems because of my age. He did an examination and determined that I needed a knee replacement if I wanted to have it done. He had a cancellation so I booked surgery for eight days out! His office staff were top notch in helping me get things together at such a quick pace. I had my surgery and had great success. I had some concerns and in my follow-up visit he showed me X-rays and allayed my concerns and encouraged me to try to wear it out. Through all my visits, he was kind, thoughtful, and personable. I can't recommend him highly enough! read more

I tore my ACL playing tennis in late 2010. I was told that ACL surgery is painfull and long arduous recovery. After reading several articles, I was very apprehensive. However, I decided to take a leap of faith and get the surgery done. After talking to several people and research, I decided to go through it with Dr. Howell. Did I make a great decision or what. After an initial consultation in Dr. H in June 2011, I want under the knife on September 26th.I was walking/dragging by 27th. On a scale of 1-10, pain was modest 3 at best. For the first week I took vicodine but majority of the time it was just Aleve, couple of times a day. By the second week, I was able to bend my 80 - 90%. I just came back from his office after 3 week check up. Got my staples removed and he was very happy with my progress. When I asked him about physical therapy, he said "why do you want to slow down your progress?". He suggested that I start biking and come back after 8 weeks. He is curteous, caring and more importantly very funny. I could not have chosen a better surgeon. I realize that I am not 100% and will not be able to play tennis for couple of more months but I am close to 100%, thanks to Dr. Howell. Thank you for your expertise, skill and great bedside manners. read more

Very bad experience with Dr. Howells office. I simply called to make a appointment, and let them know that I was a cash patient, as I will pay my own bill directly. First, they had to call me back to ensure they would accept me. The person that I spoke with continued to ask "When are you going to get insurance", although I stated that I was a cash patient. The office was more concerned about my insurance and how I was going to pay than they were about my ailment and overall issue. Secondly, when they eventually called back, they stated that the Doctor needed me to get new XRays, although I told them that I already have Xrays taken a week or so back. She then stated that this was very expensive, and again asked When I was going to get insurance. Ultimately, the procedures initiated by this office is severely lacking in overall customer advocacy, and care for their "New Potential Patients". If I have stated that I will pay for my own bills, that should have been the end of the discussion around payment, rather than continuing to focus on that topic. I got the overall impression that they were attempting to discourage me from their office as a cash patient. The funny thing is that I work in Healthcare, and US based Healthcare is making drastic efforts to change how they deliver care. Obviously, this office and Dr. have not received the memo! read more

First off, I'm giving this a single star because I can't rank this man lower. A single star is far more than he deserves. Second, I will write the facts of my experience with this man and only at the end will I note my personal impressions and feelings about my experience. I feel it best for each consumer to decide for him/herself with as little subjective comments as possible. I saw Dr. Howell on Friday 27 February 2015 at 2:00pm. I drove 3 hours for an appointment with someone who I thought was excellent in his field and could assist me with a knee injury that is a bit complicated. My right need has had two previous surgeries, an ACL replacement in 2001, and a meniscus repair in December 2013. The knee now has a number of problems; the ACL anchor on the tibia is much too large and the ACL has come out of place, I have a bucket-handle tear to the lateral meniscus, and multiple tears to the medial meniscus. My knee is a bit of a mess. Dr. Howell's daughter was the first to enter the exam room. She is lovely, and kind, and noted that she would speak with me, then her father and they would return together with a course of action. She made a cursory glance at my knee and did not review the MRI slides I had brought with me and were showing on the computer in the exam room. When she returned with Dr. Howell, he reviewed the MRI slides and performed a test on my ACL using a large contraption. He demonstrated how to use this machine for his daughter who then took a couple of turns using. I am not opposed to training students and having students in the exam room. However, in past experience the students have introduced themselves and asked my permission. This was not done. I was also not keen on someone using me as a learning tool as I am in a lot of pain and can't even move the knee myself. Dr. Howell noted he would remove all remaining meniscus and use cadaver bone marrow to fill in the hole in my tibia which is too large for the ACL anchor. He made the analogy of having a large hole punched in a wall and wanting to hang something on the wall--you'd need to spackle in the hole before you can make a small hole for a nail to hang the picture on. The doctor told me my knee is ruined. I will never return to my former lifestyle and I will have to make major life changes. I asked how much weight I could carry after the surgery and healing and what will happen in my knee if there is no meniscus--will the bones grind together? Dr. Howell became very agitated with my questions. I asked what would cushion the knee after the meniscus was taken out. He said, "I'm not taking out your meniscus, you did that all by yourself". He then said, "You know what, this isn't worth my time". I said, "I'm sorry. As a patient I'm just a bit confused about the procedure and would like to know more". He told me "Then you should find another doctor", and stormed out of the exam room. His daughter was leaning against a counter for the duration of this encounter, her eyes downcast. I was crying from the fear and desperation I feel that no one will help me, and I can't walk. My mother was also there and had tears in her eyes. Later, when I asked her why she said she was mad and humiliated that someone, a doctor would treat anyone like that. This is my experience with Dr. Howell. I don't know what you have heard, or about the other comments on Yelp. I am a white female in her 30's, a college professor. I'm articulate, understand that I have a serious injury, and do not expect a miracle, but I do expect a physician to treat me like a human and Stephen Howell did not give me that courtesy. I am grieved and appalled by this man. I can't believe that the State of California allows him to come near people and I wouldn't let him touch my worst enemy save a friend or family member. I will be complaining to the BBB and the State Medical Board about this man. He should not be in practice and I'm happy to do my part to make sure he can't make anyone feel as small, as unimportant, and as insignificant as he made me feel. Don't see this physician. He is arrogant, rude, and mean--three things no one deserves to deal with when in pain and facing tough decisions. read more

Wow! He's the BEST in the biz! No non-sense and professional. Highly recommended. Dr. HOWELL WAS kind and knowledgeable and I will go with him for all my bone and joint specialist needs. read more

Dr Howell is the most loud mouth, rude, who is un caring mean and cruel and a hack that I in my 30 years of working in a hospital and knowing hundreds of doctors, that I have ever known he did his ridiculous "Otis" knee on me (knee replacement) , which I do not recommend it was so bad I had to go to a different doctor and have it yanked out and a new knee replacement because the pain was worse after surgery then before surgery I could not get off crutches even after months of physical therapy and all he did was laugh at me out in his patient waiting area and in a loud old bar type voice laughing that reason I'm complaining is that my knee clunks and makes noises and clicks and pops and hangs do not use this hack, definitely don't go for the Otis or "Howell" knee, you will regret it. read more

Had my Left Knee replaced back in Sept of 2012. Going back to have him evaluate my Right knee to see if I have to have surgery again. Did a great job! read more

I waited in his office for 1 hour and 20 minutes. He spoke to me in 3 minutes and told me their is nothing wrong with my knee. I am having pain but he doesn't know why. He didn't examine my knee nor try to help me understand why I have knee pain. He didn't even ask me if I have knee pain! All he said was "Go to the gym and work it out." My ankle and foot have suffered due to my knee and he says that it isn't related. If you never had any issues with your foot/ankle but a tear in your knee with swelling explain how that isn't connected?! Find someone who will thoroughly examine you and who cares. Find someone who will try to help you figure out whats wrong. read more

I had my left knee done last May and was riding my Harley two weeks after the operation. The hospital is fantastic. I have full range of motion and never notice the new knee at all. Look, the good doctor isn't much for words. He is a military-trained physician from what I understand. They don't study bedside manners there. My brother is a Navy-trained doc and he isn't much for chatter either but he is consistently rated as one of the top-ten docs in Orlando Florida. Both my primary care physician and my cardiologist strongly recommended Dr. Howell. I'm glad they did because he gave me my life back -- I could not walk more than 100 feet before the operation because of the pain. Good luck with whoever you choose. But I see too many folks at work (state service) who limp years after their own knee replacement surgery. Lotta hacks out there. read more

There is no one better at knee replacement than this surgeon. I am 2 month post replacement surgery and I am thrilled with my result. His staff is terrific. The nurses and staff at Adventist could not have been better. I am very grateful. Carl read more

Sorry naysayers, Dr. Howell is simply the best. He changed my life. Now I can fully participate, take walks, enjoy my dogs, and travel with my husband. There's a reason he is consistently voted as one of the top doctors in Sacramento Magazine every year. Prior to Dr. Howell I went to UC Davis for well over a decade with pain in my knees/difficulty walking, received shots, physical therapy, etc. and the bottom-line was I was told to live with it until I turned 70 (I was in my 50's then) which the UC Davis doctors told me was the "right" age for me for a knee replacement. What bologna. Yes, knee replacement is an elective surgery, but the pain, deterioration, and depression that overtakes your life as your world shrinks as you lose mobility do not make it elective. Dr. Howell is the expert on knees - the gold-standard, attracting patients from many states. I've had both knees replaced by him and it's life-changing. There is no pain. It is gone. Methodist Hospital was a pleasant surprise. For the first time, I had private rooms for both surgeries - what a wonderful difference that makes. The hospital stay was peaceful and quiet. read more

Dr. Howell performed a total knee replacement for me and I will be going in for the second one soon. He is a great surgeon and has an extremely professional office staff. Dr. Howell and his staff have been wonderful to deal with. I am so thankful for Dr. Howell's expertise as a surgeon and am looking forward to the new lease on life that having 2 knee replacements will be giving me. I highly recommend Dr. Howell and his staff. I am so grateful that I chose to drive 5 hours out of town to have Dr. Howell perform my surgery! read more

I recently had an appointment with Dr. Howell to discuss my options for surgery to repair my torn ACL, and was extremely disappointed with the result. He spent 10 minutes with me, and didn't offer what I would consider good advice. He looked at my MRI images, checked my knee and concluded the MRI was correct, the ACL was ruptured, and said I could go back to playing soccer in three weeks to see how my knee held up. This was after confirming that not only do I have a completely torn ACL, a partially torn LCL and meniscus, I also have a serious bone contusion. Needless to say, I will NOT be going back to him. Interestingly, he was recommended by a friend based on a lecture of his my friend had attended. I'm glad I stopped at the consultation and didn't go any further with this doctor. read more

This Doctor is a miracle worker!! My husband was walking the first day, not much pain. His PA Tom is awesome. Very professional, confident, caring. Truly the best. Don't know why anyone would go anywhere else. Of the four knees done that day, all were out of hospital and walking with walker the next day. read more

He did the Otis knee replacement on me in 2009. I still have severe knee pain. I do NOT recommend him. Set aside his arrogance, he won't admit he messed up. I looked into suing him. No lawyer would take it on. Glad to see he didn't mess up all the people he hacked on. His botched surgery has made me afraid to have any more surgeries of any kind! read more

Dr Howell did my knee replacement in August of 2016. He was rude and mean, but I was there because I wanted a great doctor not a friend. After the surgery I was sent home with his instruction "to do this one exercise 3 times a day and you'll get full function of your knee back!" Well I did the exercise multiple times each day (he doesn't feel PT is necessary) and after 4 months I was still not able to flex my knee enough to ride a bike which I told him was my goal. So he said I had to have a MUA, manipulation under anesthetic. If I had had the opportunity to have PT in the first place, this procedure would not have been necessary. 6 days after the MUA, I had my first PT and after 8 visits in 1 month, I had full range of motion with no pain. It irks me that I had to give him any more income. The MUA is not cheap. Let it be known that his one size fits all recovery plans does not work for everybody. But here are my real issues: 1. I requested the surgery notes and in the notes it was stated that an MRI was used during surgery. Well, I never had one. I contacted his office to point out the error and requested a corrected set of surgery notes. I was told that that is just a template the doctor uses. So basically a falsified record. 2. During several follow up appointments, visiting doctors were brought into observe my doctor appointments. I was never asked permission for this. HIPPA anyone? 3. I recently saw Dr Howell about an injury to my other knee. Again, he brought in a visiting doctor but this time he did ask my permission. I was totally shocked when he brought up a recording on his phone, (saved from 2 years ago), to show his visitor of me during my MUA. At no time have I ever given permission to be video tapped while under anesthetic, or to allow Dr. Howell to show an image of me in my surgical gown to anyone he chooses. This is a total violation of patient privacy. Needless to say, I will be going elsewhere for the repair to my other knee. The last thing I want is to end up on his highlight reel again. Dr. Howell is probably a good surgeon. But he does have a God complex, gets very defensive if you ask questions and is a bully. I will not be adding to his income any more. read more

Dr Howell is the best doctor I've ever had for a speciality issue. His office is marvelously efficient and professional. Staff is always kind and helpful. Dr Howell did both of my knee replacements and I couldn't be happier with the outcomes. Would not hesitate to recommend this organization. read more

He is a Jekyll & Hyde. Saw him for a complete ACL tear. At first appointment, He looked at my MRI and said the ACL is the least of your problem, you need knee replacement surgery. He said that I had the knees of an old person. He mentioned while I was young(45) it was not unheard of. That he wanted me to take 6 weeks to think about what I wanted to do. That we could try the ACL repair or go through with a complete knee replacement or I could choose to do nothing, that it was up to me. So I took 6 weeks and decided to have the complete knee replacement. At 2nd appt. he acted like he never had seen me, asked what I was there for. I told him I had taken the 6 weeks he recommended and that I had made up my mind to do the knee replacement. He said "you need to see a bariatric surgeon and lose weight, I am not doing surgery on you". When I reminded him what he had said 6 weeks prior he got hostile and defensive. Said that was 6 weeks ago and today is today. Handed me my X-rays and MRI and said go see a Bariatric surgeon and walked out. read more

In aug 2013 I had a knee replacement while I am sure Dr. Howell is a "fine" surgeon he certainly doesn't relate to his patients. I developed a problem with swelling and went on 5-14 and was dismissed in less than 5 minutes(after waiting an hour) with "if it doesn't hurt than there is nothing wrong and I could get a second opinion he didn't care" I was so blown away by his attitude I just got up and left. I will probably need a left knee replacement but will not go back to a doctor who is so lacking in compassion or people skills.He should stick with research...... read more

Well, I took the plunge and had Dr. Howell perform his knee replacement magic. The pain wasn't unbearable and the surgery was quick and successful. I will say again, Dr. Howell is not the "warm and fuzzy" type of doctor. He is the best at what he does and knows it. It's been three weeks post op and I am doing great. Incision is healing perfectly and I am on the road to getting my life back. I know that some people don't like his demeanor, but I would ask any potential patients one question: Do you want hand holding or do you want the best knee surgeon out there? Do your homework and you will find that he is the guy. read more

Dr. Howell did a total knee replacement for me six months ago, February 2018. I was not allowed to see him postop, only one visit to PA and over the phone questions. Finally at six months, I felt I needed to see him as my knee seemed to be getting worse. I was tilting sometimes when I walked, it hurt more to go up/down stairs than two months prior, and I wanted some reassurance from Dr. Howell that I was healing. At the office visit, he practically yelled at me, loud voice saying, "You are old, get used to it, you will never be the same, what do you expect, you have a fake knee." (I am 65 and when I came in for the initial consultation, he said, "What are you doing here? You are too young and slim." Also at initial, as you will all hear if you go to him, he will tell you, very kindly, and the brochure says you can do many thing such as tennis, hiking, biking at four months and be 75% better, 90% at six months) He continued in his abusive voice and said, "I don't know" to almost every question I asked. I finally told him he was out of line and to stop shouting at me, that I didn't know what he was so angry about but he was rude and needed to stop it." Bottom line, he told me my off balance/tilting feeling was because I probably had a brain growth and needed a neurosurgeon. What!!? He said he would write a Rx for me to see a neuro doctor. No advice or reassurance on why my knee was hurting more than two months prior. Very angry, abusive doctor. He just had rotator cuff surgery. Should you trust that arm to do a good job on your leg, not to mention his bad attitude?? His arm "will never be the same" just as he told me about my knee. read more

I talked with quite a few people who had undergone knee surgery. The overwhelming number of satisfied people were patients of Dr. Howell. I had one knee replaced in July 2015 and the other in November 2015 and was very pleased with the pre op, operation and post op procedures. On Monday at 10AM, I had my operation. At 1PM the next day, I was on my way home. Both knees are doing well and the recovery and hospital time are minimal for this procedure. Dr. Howell has a very good working relationship with the Methodist Hospital. Together they make a great team dedicated to your good health. I heartily recommend Dr. Howell. read more