I DEEPLY regret having a partial menisectomy that Dr. Renee Smith recommended and several times (including when I complained in follow-up appointments that it was worse post surgery) that it "should have been a life upgrade". Well it's been almost 3 years and my knee is way worse than it was before the surgery. I deeply, deeply regret letting Dr. Renee Smith talk me into having the surgery. It was a horrible idea and it actually has completely ruined my body. I have had subsequent other injuries because of the continued inflammation and instability of the knee that was pretty much okay before but had just bothered me a little bit off and on for a long time and she gave me the impression that this would help me. In fact she even said when I complained afterwards that it seemed worse that she figured "It was worth it if there was an 85% Improvement in my quality of life". There has FOR SURE been an 85% DECREASE in my quality of life since the surgery. I am enormously regretful. It did permanent damage to my body and has caused other injuries. HORRIBLE. I've actually talked to a lot of people who rub their fingers together and say yeah it's very lucrative for them to suggest the surgery it's quick and easy for them but it's thousands of dollars in their pocket and have talked to a bunch of people who have had the same surgery and regret it and say they are worse off now. This is a horrible disservice to do to people and I'm hearing this story again and again. Oh, and I've been told by other more competent doctors after she slaughtered me that you are 60% more likely to have arthritis in a knee after having even an arthroscopic surgery. I can tell it's already happening and I'm not that old. She is lucky that I am not litigious because I probably have a viable claim to a medical malpractice lawsuit case. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Smith for years. She was always kind, caring, and very knowledgeable and professional. She wanted her patients to get better. She was honest, not recommending something I didn't need. She listened to my concerns and did her best. I am saddened to learn that she is no longer at her office. There is no way to reach her to say thank you very much to her for looking after my health for so many years! I hope she is okay. She will be very missed, Dr. Smith! I hope she can open her own practice again read more

So appreciate the wisdom, knowledge, professionalism, and skill of Dr. Smith. Her staff is professional and focused and Dr. Smith knew exactly what to do. Injured my knee in February in three spots. Mri showed all the details which I got to see. We tried a conservative approach first with rest and PT. Two spots recovered. The meniscus needed repair. Dr Smith was thorough, direct but never pushy. Totally my choice on what options to take. She estimated an 80% restoral of previous ability. Even day one I could feel more strength and stability. On Day four and off all pain meds. read more

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I owe my life to Dr. Smith in my late 20's I came to her with hip issues from a car accident when I was a child. She listened to me and helped me every step of the way to have a quality of life over quantity. I went from barely functioning in constant pain to being very active high functioning with no hip pain and I am 15 years out from replacement. Renee I see you have seen the reviews on here and I just personally want to say again Thank You for listening and helping me. I Meant it when I say I owe you my life. One I wouldn't have my daughter if it wasn't for you and I wouldn't have the ability to do all the things I can do. I was in such a dark place and you gave me light and hope back. I thank God all the timer that he brought you into my life. You are a one of a kind Dr. who truly puts her patients first and truly listens to what they have to say. read more

Dr Renee Smith is being missed by patients that had appointments with. Where is Dr Smith at and does she havey number? Sally

Dr. Renee Smith is an incredibly skillful, compassionate, dedicated and caring surgeon. She quite literally changed my father's life (he's in his mid-80's!) with a very successful total knee replacement surgery. He went from homebound and hardly mobile back to engaging in activities, walking with ease, and driving within one month of the surgery. I truly cannot thank Dr. Smith enough for the immense impact that she has had on my father's quality of life. I highly recommend Dr. Renee Smith, she is the absolute best of the best orthopedic surgeons! read more

She left her practice without warning! 10/22/2024 .What happened? Office called me to reschedule my appointment next week with someone else. read more

I hurt my hand about 3 mo prior to seeing Dr. Smith. I waited so long because I thought it would heal it's self. I wore a brace to immobilize it. It was easy to get in to see Dr. Smith. When I arrived at her office I found a small house that had been converted to offices. Parking was next to the office. She gave me a shot of steroids in the back of my hand. That's it! The pain went away within a half hour and has not returned. I generally don't trust professionals of any type because of bad experiences with overkill. This Doc let me off with ONE visit. read more

My visit with Dr. Smith was 100% top of the line. She knows her stuff!! Dr. Smith is knowledgable, professional and has an excellent bedside manner. She was extremely helpful on explaining the options I have but allowed me to make the decision for myself. I have been to orthopedic doctors at Stanford and Kaiser in California and Shands at the University of Florida. Her diagnostic tools are far superior to any of them. read more

Dr. Smith is great and her staff are also wonderful. It is a relaxed, family vibe in the office, while still maintaining professionalism. Dr. Smith can be to the point, maybe considered short by some people (my husband). Yet, in my opinion she shoots from the hip and is straightforward and knowledgeable. She operated on my hand for carpal tunnel and Tendonitis. I would highly recommend this office for your orthopedic needs. read more

If I could give negative stars I would. Dr. Smith was very curt and unfriendly when I went in for my consultation. She wasn't able to pull up my xrays or MRI on her computer for some reason. She went on and on about knee replacement even though she hadn't even seen my xrays or MRI and I wasn't wanting knee replacements. She gave me a very quick twist and pull on me knee and told me to make my next appointment. I was very close to tears and made and appointment that I canceled after I came to my senses. I then received a bill for $275 for nothing but about 5 minutes of her grumpy time. The next doctor I went to, who actually pulled up my X-rays and MRIs said that I was no where near needing replacements! It makes me wonder how many unnecessary replacements are done.... read more

I injured my knee 8 years ago and finally worked up the courage to get a replacement. After reading reviews by other patients I decided Dr Smith was a good choice. Was she ever! I was struck by her warmth and sincerity. She is an example of what all surgeons should be. She never gives off an air of pomposity or impatience. She did an excellent job with my total knee replacement. I get a little teary eyed knowing that my time with her as my doctor will soon be over read more

I had my initial appointment. A young staff member opens the door to lobby for me to go to the back, before I get to the door, this staff member says, you must wear your mask properly. My mask is on my nose and over my mouth. The mask is covering my nose and mouth. It's not up over the bridge of my nose nor is it pulled under my chin. I have asthma which is clearly wrote in my chart so I need a little space of air bc the mask causes asthma attacks from the lack of oxygen and breathing my own carbon dioxide. The point is, the mask was covering the holes to my nostrils and covering my mouth even though I get discomfort. This way of poor customer service is becoming very common. This staff member's opportunity to scrutinize a patient lost you my business. I will make sure to tell everyone I know not to go here! I will not be going back. Renee was just as annoying. Her condescending attitude explaining something simple and asking "do you understand" every second of the conversation? Is she competent? I had no trust in her abilities after meeting with her and dealing with her staff. I would not recommend going there unless you enjoy this controlling type of behavior and being talked at like you are a child. The experience was dreadful! read more

Do not recommend...had knee issues and she only wanted to "sell" me a stem cell treatment for $3k that was not covered by insurance. When I told her I'd like to think about it (and do my research first), she became agitated and actually said to me "you realize this is the beginning of the end for you, right?" I went to a different doctor for a second opinion and my knee was absolutely fine, it was just something that needed to heal on its own. I'm glad I trusted my gut instinct and did not go back. read more

Broke my wrist, broke my leg. Had surgery on my wrist. Dr. Smith is a great doctor and the service is great too

Dr. Renee Smith is amazing! Her staff do such a wonderful job as well! I had both my knees done and my results were perfect! Dr. Smith gave me my life back! I had the best experience I have EVER had with any doctor ever! She cares, she listens and she knows her stuff! She is a great surgeon and her bedside manor was perfect! I would not go to any other orthopedic surgeon in the world! I am so very thankful to her and her staff! read more

I knew Dr. Smith to be an outstandingly kind, capable, and brilliant physician long before she ever operated on my knee. When I first met her 25 years ago she was training in one of the finest orthopedic programs in the country-at UC Davis. I had seen her only for minor orthopedic injuries caused by bicycle accidents until this last month she operated on a meniscal tear in my left knee. Here, just two weeks later, I am walking pain-free, without a limp, and have already been able to resume training on my bicycle again. I couldn't ask for a better result. And you couldn't ask for a better orthopedic surgeon! read more

This will be my first review ever. It takes a lot to get me to go to the doctor...I really dislike going. I didn't know there was such a thing, but I've been told, it's called white coat syndrome. I did quite a bit of research before picking this doctor. I was having shoulder and foot pain when I made the appointment and said I'd really like X-rays. When doing the intake (before seeing the doctor), I again, stated I'd like X-rays to be taken. The doctor came in and the atmosphere immediately changed, I found her very cold and clinical. She did a bit of an exam and diagnosed rotator cuff strain and bursitis. She asked if I'd like a shot, I said yes. She began to leave the room w/o looking at my foot. I mentioned my foot. She asked where the pain was, I showed her, she then took her thumb and pushed from the top to the bottom, while I was saying yes that's where it hurts. She said you have an old injury with arthritis, which, to me, sounded more like a guess than a diagnosis. She gave me the shot in the shoulder, left the room for a few minutes, then came back in. She had me move my arm, then move it where the most intense pain happens and I stopped moving my arm. She took my arm and told me you have to push through the pain, while she is moving my arm from my side going all the way up with my arm stopping next to my ear. What I found interesting is she did not offer any movements, exercises or home treatments (like ice pack, alternating hot and cold, epsom salt soak, etc) for either my shoulder or foot. She did not share when I could expect the full effects of the shot to take effect or how long it would last. She did not tell me how long I could expect it take for my shoulder to heal. She did not offer that I should make a follow up appointment if the pain persisted. It felt more like she wanted me out of her office and don't come back. No problem there....I wouldn't go back and could not recommend this doctor. read more

Ok, you don't have to go to the big city to get state of the art modern orthopedic care. Dr. Smith and her staff are incredible. So friendly, you don't feel like you're in a typical stuffy doctor's office. I've already had one procedure on my right knee, and now I'm thinking of all the other things I'd like to have Dr. Smith "repair" for me. You sometimes hear that if you want good medical care, SLO isn't the best place. Not true! 5 stars for Regenerative Orthopedics Institute, San Luis Obispo - for sure. read more

Dr smith is amazing I haven't had this movement in my leg in quite some time I have recommended her to many of people and will continue too . She is amazing read more

I have nothing but praise for Dr Smith I had a TKR on 12/6/15 and found her to be very professional and caring She fully explained what to expect how long recoup would be and explained if I committed to the exercises I would be fine. I committed to her routine and was walking aid free in about 8 days and strength is almost back to normal I highly recommend Dr Smith. Today 3-4 I had the arthroscopic surgery on my other knee again highly professional and I am very pleased so will update report after I go back for my follow up in a week read more

Dr. Smith is a caring professional who focuses on the health needs of her patients.