This review is on his communication and post op care. If you are a patient that is proactive and want education around your injury, process, post op or pain management or any questions to educate yourself on your injury ... this is not the surgeon for you. He does drive-by exams only says hello (some times) looks at your injury, says a few words and leaves. I read his post op report and maybe not many patients read them, but one of the threads broke during surgery. So instead of 3, only 2 threads were used to reconstruct. I asked him to speak more on what happened so that I can understand and feel assured about the integrity of my surgery. Instead he was very defensive and rattled off his experience and how many procedures he's done. Never answering my question. Post op care: after surgery he just bailed. Never saw him after I woke up to tell me how it went. He didn't even call my partner who was taking me home to tell him how everything went. Staff was confused said he was supposed to call. He never did. I have a secondary injury on my shoulder from my accident and all he can say is PT, deadpan response. Not helpful. 2 months post op my shoulder still hurts and never did he give me a PT referral for my shoulder. Only got one for my elbow for occupational therapy. Something is clearly wrong with my shoulder too. I guess I'll have to go see someone else for this if he can't be bothered to explain what's going on. Unreal and ridiculous. If you are a patient that likes to be educated to make informed decisions about your health, this doctor isn't for you. Still in rehab from surgery and staying diligent with PT so will see how much range I get back from surgery. I have had great care with other doctors at CA Pacific Orthopedic, so I am shocked how my experience is this time around. If you need elbow and shoulders, see someone else in that group. Disappointing. read more

I was very disappointed in the treatment I received from Dr. Kelly. When I told him about my unstable shoulder, and how one of the things that bothered it was shooting basketball, he told me "I'm not doing surgery just to fix your jumpshot ", I felt so belittled. He told me I needed to do more PT. I told him I had done PT multiple times, but he wrote me off to do more PT anyway. I left so disappointed and unheard. I could not recommend him to other people who are in pain. read more

I have gone to California Pacific Sports Medicine for years. I would give every Doctor there 5 Stars plus. I walk with a limp at times but I walk thanks to Dr Donato. I was sad but happy for him when Dr Dickenson retired. I have a right knee replaced I never think twice about. Other doctors blessed me with a working hip. Dr Callender incredible. I was back to work after the left knee replacement and end rebuilds in under 3 months! Something is very off with this office. Nothing would align fact wise with my insurance and this office. I do believe I was literally lied to several times by his front office. I would be told, "oh we set up this MRI approval" then call my insurance and find out no call was ever made by his office for approval. This went on for weeks until I went above their command. I got the transcripts from the insurance. Suddenly calls were made for approval. I manage customer service. I have an acute sense when I am being run in circles. No one in pain needing medical treatment should ever be treated with such disregard such disrespect. Finally, after Xrays, MRI and myself working with a physical therapist for 9 weeks my MRI showed a lot of issues and a completely torn muscle. First of all, there are Doctors who do not like to be questioned. This is one. Secondly if a Doctor is going to write SUBJECTIVE personal matter in your summary you should at least double check your thoughts are correct. He wrote, "The patient was very motivated to have surgery and seemed disenchanted by my recommendation for nonoperative treatment." After doing 9 weeks of physical therapy, still not sleeping nights from the pain, still dropping dishes on the counter and unable to balance or pick up a grocery bag. Yeah, I'd like to hear something other than try "physical therapy" which I have been doing with a professional for 9 weeks and it is not working. Do not subjectively paint me as a person who lives to be cut open Doctor. Then not put in your records I have done physical therapy already. Professional ethics o.k. Then he 100% wrongly quotes me writing, "He says that he just does not want to jerk around with things that are going to work." Does this even make sense? I am in pain, I am not sleeping nights, I am breaking dishes you get the facts and well I just can't jerk around with things that might work or cure me?" Really. I suggest this Doctor walk across the hall and consult with Dr Callendar. I was his star physical therapy patient after knee replacement. I did so much physical therapy I was running up the steps in less than 3 months. I would request my summary record be fixed. My medical professional friends say dont bother with this Doctor. I have been with the same GP for decades and all my other Doctors have known me for years and this Subjective creative writing will not matter. When I asked questions such as... Will physical therapy reconnect my completely torn off muscle? And others I was sent instructions on how to complete a from home office visit. Then given an appointment 4 weeks away. One last thought, the day I saw him I discovered I was shifting from regular insurance and Cal Cobra. It showed me uninsured. Although I am insured. It would be just like the monetary medical community to deny healthcare fearing there isn't a buck in it for them. Isn't it sad now adays you have to wonder about these thoughts? Time for a second opinion and professional office. read more

Just a terrible experience from front desk personal to surgery and non recovery. Can barely place my hand on my waist. Prior I could put behind back and touch my fingers coming over my shoulder. Only one I got along with was the x-ray technician. read more

I had a very disappointing experience with Dr. Kelly. I went to him with a 14-month case of frozen shoulder, which was disturbing my sleep, for which I'd already had physical therapy, and for which my PT specifically suggested I get an MRI. Dr. Kelly casually brushed aside my questions and concerns without answer or explanation beyond "you don't need that". His overall message to me was "all you need is more PT, for as long as it takes. If you're too weak or impatient to handle the pain then by all means, come back and pay for me to perform an unnecessary surgery". Rude, flippant, dismissive. I went back to the practice 3 weeks later and received actual TREATMENT from his wonderful colleague, Dr. Keith Chan, who listened to the background of my situation and agreed that it was time to try another intervention. Less that 1 day after that intervention (cortisone shot), I'm already in significantly less pain than I've had in over a year. read more

I had a failed right shoulder replacement in FL in 2014. Major pain from the day of the operation. I was told to give it time and it would be fine. I endured 4 years of non stop pain ranging from 4 - 8 in the scale. I slept in a recliner much of the time. A 4/2018 sleep study revealed that my chronic fatigue was due to my right shoulder pain and that I needed to get that issue resolved. I met with three shoulder specialists and they were very concerned about the revision. The fear was that the bone would shatter and that we would need to have a cadaver donor available as well as a possible graft from my hip. The potential of infection was high. Ultimately, the third shoulder Dr. I saw said "This is above my pay grade. I only know one Dr. that can perform this operation, Jim Kelly. I studied under him and he is a magician in the operating room. He does things I have never seen before and have never seen since." I conferred with another shoulder Dr. who had worked under Kelly and had previously performed arthroscopy on the shoulder and he said "The highest praise I will ever get is that I am as good as Jim Kelly." Dr. Kelly performed a reverse shoulder replacement on 8/28/2018. I woke up in recovery with NO pain and I have not had ANY pain since that day. Unbelievable!!! I am afraid to wake up and find this is a dream! I am now riding my bike, shooting clay targets, fly fishing, etc. and SLEEPING! I have had almost complete range of motion from the day of the operation and never needed therapy. It is 6 months since the operation and I started physical therapy to build up my shoulder muscles to protect the good work that Dr. Kelly performed. I am 77 years old and nobody has ever done anything that has positively impacted my quality of life as much as Dr. Kelly. I thank God, Dr. Kelly (and others) in my prayers every night, read more

This Dr. admittedly will tell you he's not the hand guy--he's the shoulder guy, so he doesn't know much about hands. But will treat your hand any way. He said I was ready to go back to work in my hand-labor intensive field immediately after removing the cast--which I was not. I tried and was in excruciating pain. It took my physical therapist to explain that he was talking about the bones. Apparently, he also only knows bones and not the entire structure of the body part he is treating. I also expressed concerns about further damage to my shoulder because I was still having pain after several months and he suggested a second MRI--which I had--but I never received any sort of follow up contact afterward. Nice patient care, doc. My experience, along with other reviews, tells me this Dr. is all about the money, and not really for caring for patients. This is the type of medical care that has ruined our healthcare system and needs to be put out of business. read more

Dr. Kelly was amazing! He was precise about diagnosing by broken collarbone and outlined the options I had for healing. After our discussion, I opted for surgery to put a plate put in to expedite healing and help with range of motion. Dr. Kelly executed an A+ surgery 2 days later! After a month of limited mobility I was able to start moving it again regularly and doing exercises. Within 8 weeks of surgery it was 75% back to normal and within 12 it was 100%. I cant thank Dr. Kelly enough for his work. It was such a pleasure being his patient. read more

My shoulder was devastated in an industrial accident, misdiagnosed for 6-months... then I went to Dr James Kelly at http://www.sfshoulder.com and after reviewing my MRI I was on my way to recovery! Surgery went like a breeze, in and out in hours and his bedside manners are great as is the rest of his staff at the offices on Clay Street in San Francisco. I've been working out in gyms since I was 14 and Dr Kelly has given me back that option. Thanks Doc ! read more

James D Kelly II, MD - Orthopedists Near Me - San Francisco, California

Dr Kelly had me as a "new" patient right before the COVID crisis . The end if February 2020 I had to have my other shoulder replaced. We were both in a hurry for me to leave but I was not rushed. On my own I was able to leave the hospital after one night. As usual his surgery was impeccable. Unfortunately my shoulder dislocated 6 weeks later at a very delicate location. Up until then I was having a perfect recovery. It is now almost 9 months after surgery. It is better but the set back slowed me down. Dr Kelly is still the best surgeon & I feel lucky to have him. He is still attentive & we communicate even though COVID continued. Thankfully no more shoulders to replace at this time. Hope they last as i just will zoom or see him for check ups! read more

I am doctor myself and I had an incident with a dislocated shoulder. I work with my hands and I like to swim daily. I have Kaiser insurance, but I came to Dr. Kelly for a second opinion. He assured me that I needed a surgery and told me that he is the best surgeon to do it. So, I decided to do the surgery with him, which cost me out of pocket $18,000 even though it would have cost me only a few hundred dollars in Kaiser with my insurance. I swallowed that and just before the surgery, his office manager charged me an additional $450 for 10 min. consultation when I brought my x-rays from Kaiser and D. Kelly made promotional speech. On the day of surgery, I was waiting for Dr. Kelly 3 hours and was almost dismissed because he was late. He came 3 hours later and had to rush with my surgery before clinic closing time. After the surgery, my physical therapist could not reach Dr. Kelly for 5 months and Dr. Kelly did not return his calls. And, every time I came for exam, I was in and out without Dr. Kelly properly looking at my shoulder. At my last visit instead of Dr. Kelly, his office manager walked into the clinic room and said I had to pay $140 for previous visit otherwise Dr. Kelly would not see me. I mentioned to her that I was told before the surgery that post op. visits were included in the fees. She responded that even though it was not written in a contract, it is apparently an industry rule to charge visits after 3 month of surgery. I asked to discuss it with Dr. Kelly but she said that she just talked to him while I was waiting and he would not see me until I pay for 2 visits. I was deeply insulted as I never missed any payments before. Last visit I brought to Dr. Kelly a nice bottle of wine and he seemed like enjoying it so he even forgot to check my shoulder and finally after 4.5 months allowed me to start strengthening. After I began doing that, I started to feel much more pain, clicking and instability on my shoulder. Shoulder feels loose, I cannot lift anything or move my arm. Any move creates clicking and catching, like ready to pop again. I tried to discuss it with Dr. Kelly, but he seems more interested in payments. I am abandoned by Dr. Kelly and have to go back to Kaiser to fix surgery done by Dr. Kelly. read more

I am not certain this is the Dr. James Kelly, but the doctor I am seeing is Dr. James D. Kelly II, MD at 2351 Clay Street, Ste 510, SF. Dr. Kelly is not interested in his patients. He basic cruises in and out and never listens to what I have to say. He says things and then just cruises out of there and leaves the other doctor to do all the paper work. Dr. Kelly is not caring and abrupt. I have zero rapport with him but then again he is not interested in rapport. He is cold, not caring, uninterested and abrupt. Do not recommend at all. read more

Dr. Kelly is AMAZING!!! I had suffered a snowboarding injury and after seeing 4 different doctors, was left thinking I had to live with my injury. I had a 3rd degree separation of my AC joint. In other words, I had torn all 3 ligaments that hold down my collar bone and it stuck a couple inches out of my back like a thumb! Each doctor told me the same thing - "we don't operate on that because you didn't break the collar bone and there is an 80% chance of surgery failure." You see, they no longer "wire" the bone down because the wire could "saw" through the good bone it is wired to. They also won't "screw" it down because the screw could come loose and travel in the body. Well, Dr. Kelly offered me some hope! FINALLY...hope!!! :) He told me that they could operate and that there was a 95% success rate! He did "wire" the bone to my coracoid bone, and to keep it from "sawing through the good bone", he "stitched" in a hamstring tendon which formed a hard scar so the wire doesn't pull. Well, he also determined that I had indeed broken my collar bone and there was an inch of it floating around in my shoulder for 3 and a half years! No other doctor found it!!! Really? So that's why I was still in pain! Dr. Kelly was able to get me into surgery the following week and I have NO pain in my shoulder now. I also don't have that huge protrusion of bone sticking out of my back. I have to say that I miss it a little - it was one hell of a conversation piece! But as a woman, I am once again able to wear strappy shouldered dresses and not have my shoulder bone be the only thing people notice about me! Thank you Doctor Kelly!! You are AMAZING!!! read more

I initially had high hopes for Dr. Kelly, as he had performed a successful shoulder procedure on a friend. Sadly, he is only marginally concerned with your life, needs or circumstances. His office lagged in obtaining necessary imaging, then he tried to lay the blame on me DAY OF SURGERY. Seriously? At the surgery center five minutes before the procedure he insisted on selling me a $23 elbow sling for $100, even after informing him that I had several already as a PT. Zero compassion and concern for your unique needs and abominable bedside manner. Be advised that this guy also has a financial interest in the ambulatory surgery center in which he practices (Presidio Surgery Center, which smacks of a Motel 8), so HIS best interests are not YOUR best interests. As a Physical Therapist I found his demeanor unacceptable. Think jackass meets Asperger's Spectrum Disorder. read more

I am three weeks into recover from shoulder replacement surgery by Dr. James Kelly. I needed NO PAIN MEDICATION after surgery. That says a great deal about his expertise in my book. My goal was to get the best orthopedic and most up-to-date surgeon in the field - I accomplished my goal. Dr. Saunders assisted Dr. Kelly in surgery - BOTH are incredible. Connie Rodgers Marin County read more

Dr. Kelly restored my arm after 6 years of virtually no function. He performed a total reverse shoulder replacement (a somewhat novel procedure in this country) and I went from having about 10% range of motion to about 95%. This guy is the best, besides being probably one of the most skilled surgeons around, he listens, he has good calm knowledgeable judgement, he's enjoyably human, and takes great care of his patients. You cannot go wrong. read more

I've only consulted with the good Dr. Kelly twice, which were 5 years apart, as I have plans to for Joint Replacement Surgery in the near future. In the field of shoulder orhopedic surgery, Dr. Kelly seems to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Actually, he was referred to me by another highly accredited surgeon. I asked Dr. Kelly many questions and he answered each of them immediately with incisive details. Truly, he seems to be a perfectionist as well as a genius. read more

Dr Kelly took excellent care of my 16 year old son, male athlete, who broke his collarbone (proximal which is rare location for broken clavicle) during football. We have plenty of experience with good and terrible medical treatment because my son has suffered numerous injuries, broken bones, torn MCL, sprains, dislocated shoulder, and more. Dr. Kelly is outstanding. Dr. Kelly was empathetic to my son's desire to return to activity as soon as possible. Dr. Kelly was available to see my son many times during his recovery, which was incredibly helpful. Most doctors say come back at 6- 8 weeks for broken bone, even though you start to feel as good as new and want to know if you can resume activity. Dr. Kelly gets it! Dr. Kelly's staff is also wonderful. The receptionists are helpful and go out of their way. HIs medical assistant is also very responsive and caring. My son is fully recovered and crossing our fingers that no more shoulder injuries. We highly recommend Dr. Kelly and his team. He is a very special orthopedist. read more

August 27, 2012 Went to see Dr. Kelly for a consultation regarding my left shoulder rotator cuff injury of several years duration. The past two weeks it had become very painful. I found his staff to be congenial and helpful and very accommodating. Dr. Kelly came in, gave me a thorough examination of both shoulders and explained the pros and cons of various treatment methods available to me. I found him very informative, concerned and knowledgeable. I would without hesitation highly recommend him. Peter D'Alena read more

I went to see Dr. Kelly for a second opinion regarding my left shoulder that had been operated on June of 2012. He spent almost an hour reviewing all aspects of my shoulder answering all my questions which resulted in his recommendation for a total shoulder replacement. I scheduled my surgery after which I e-mailed and called Dr. Kelly for additional answers to my questions which he kindly responded to without hesitation. I even asked him for a past patients which I could talk with to see how their recovering progressed which he accommodated me without hesitation. The day of surgery was handled in the utmost professional manner again answering any question I had prior to surgery. I am currently in week 4th week post surgery and finished my first week of physical therapy. I can honestly say that this was a cake walk compare to my 3 previous rotator cuff surgeries. Hardly any pain and the rehabilitation is much easier than any non total replacement surgeries. I total recommend Dr. Kelly without hesitation read more

Athletic and handsome as an actor in a TV medical series, Dr Kelly is, in person, a reticent doctor, a man of few words. He has quite a busy schedule with clinics in various locations, his athletic practice, his charitable practice and even training a visiting doctor from China. I learned quickly that I had to be prepared with all my questions. In spite of his reticence and hyper-busy schedule, Dr. Kelly is a highly skilled and talented shoulder and arm orthopedic surgeon. I got the sense that he enjoys the challenge of keeping up with the latest advances in orthopedic surgery and probably contributes some himself. For my injury, which was complicated by a shallow socket and pin inserts required, I liked the fact that he had a ton of surgical experience. He explained what procedure he would be using as well as what to expect during the aftercare and recovery periods. The surgery went smoothly and I was able to leave the hospital on the same day. I felt minimal pain post surgery, followed his prescribed care, got tested for nerve damage, got physical therapy and was pronounced healed three months later. I saw him on several follow up visits post surgery but this last visit was the first time he broke into a genuine smile. read more

I shattered my collar bone 6 weeks ago and Dr. Kelly did my surgery to repair it. He was extremely professional and had the experience you want to have in a surgeon who's going to be operating on you. He was very patient with me and took the time to explain all the pros and cons and made sure all of my questions were answered. He got me into the OR quickly and set me on the way for a quick recovery. I would highly recommend Dr. Kelly to anyone in need of a shoulder specialist! read more

Wow. I had the exact opposite experience from Geri H. I found Dr. Kelly engaging, friendly, and very interested in helping me heal. I recovered very quickly from my surgery with him and his after-patient care was excellent. No complaints at all. read more

Dr. Kelly is a fantastic surgeon as well as a terrific human. He is down to earth, unassuming, very knowledgeable, very skillful, and very responsive to questions. I had a reverse total shoulder replacement and the whole procedure from first to consultation to follow up has been handled with great care, skill and compassion. If I have questions for Dr. Kelly I usually get answers within a few hours. I have no hesitation recommending Dr. Kelly, I doubt you can find a better shoulder surgeon. read more

Dr. Kelly is the best!! He was not the first doctor I saw for I what I originally thought was a sore shoulder. That sore shoulder was actually an infected shoulder that required 2 emergency surgeries in my home town. After those 2 surgeries I was still in a lot of pain and was told that I had arthritis. It felt alot more painful than arthritis. Eventually my family doctor recommended that I go to S.F. & he referred me to Dr. Kelly. I wasn't too keen about having to go 200 miles to see another doctor, but what a blessing it has been. Dr. Kelly earned my trust and respect within my first appt.. He is truly a compassionate genius with a whole lot of experience. He really listens too. As it turned out the infection that I had, ate my shoulder up and total shoulder replacement was the only solution. Dr. Kelly told me that I would require 2 surgeries. The first surgery was to put in an antibiotic spacer, to get my body ready for the replacement. Twelve wks. after the 1st surgery my body was ready to have my shoulder replaced. The surgeries took place at California Pacific Med. Ctr. I was originally scared when I went in for my 1st surgery, being so far away from family & friends, but I knew that I was in good hands. Omg, everybody was so caring & kind to me. I was so grateful and actually looked forward to my second surgery. Dr. Kelly's fellowship and office staff are the best too. I'm able to get follow up appts. that are convenient to me. I've never waited more than 15 minutes in the waiting room to see him. The nice thing too, is that he comes up to the Truckee area from time to time, which is a lot closer to me. So I don't always have to go to SF. for my appts. I didn't know that when I first agreed to see him, so that was a nice surprise.. But to be honest I'd travel 500 miles to see him if I had too. That's just how good he is Wow, what a difference having my new shoulder. I'm now able to do things that I haven't done in a few yrs. I'm very optimistic and continue to heal. I'm looking forward to yoga on the bch. this summer, riding my bike & I just got my ski pass for next yr. It's been a long road but thanks to Dr. Kelly and his wonderful staff, I'm finally getting back into my active groove. Yahoooo!!! ;-)) read more

Dr. Kelly did total shoulder replacements on both my left and right shoulders.

Doctor Kelly was my mother's shoulder surgeon a year ago. The surgery was a success and the follow-up visits to his office have been just that follow ups- check, review and good-bye. I can live with this approach, however, his office management operations is unacceptable. They messed up my mothers surgery day, and continue making mistakes in already scheduled appointments, yet his office staff was defensive and rude after pointing out the mistakes. This is our last appointment and will be happy not to have another appointment. With so many surgeons in the San Francisco Area, I am not sure I would go back to Dr. Kelly. read more

I have had 3 arthroscopic shoulder surgeries, 2 on my left shoulder and one on my right shoulder. I have had pain in my left shoulder after two surgeries for over 20 years. I am 70 years old and physically active. This surgery was done on February 13, 2018. Within 4 days after the surgery I was off all medications except an occasional Tylenol for the next two weeks. On April 17th I went back to teaching and training slowly at Aikido (Japanese Martial Art). I have had little to no pain. Having had the other 3 surgeries I knew that the rehab is very important and did everything religiously the doctor and physical therapist told me to do and that has had a profound effect on my recovery. I was very nervous about this surgery but did my research and drove 4 hours to San Francisco for this surgery because of Dr. Kelly's reputation. I found him to be very knowledgeable and personable as well, along with doing an excellent job with this reverse shoulder replacement surgery. I was through with physical therapy at 3 months but I continue to do the exercises to stretch and create more flexibility in my shoulder. I would recommend any one needing shoulder surgery or shoulder replacement to consider Dr. Kelly. On the other 3 shoulder surgeries I was out of work for 3 months. This surgery I was back at work in three (3) weeks. I am a psychologist and California Superior Court Mediator. read more