Patient stories
— told honestly.
These case studies show how our specialists actually treat common orthopedic problems — the conservative phase, the decision to treat, the recovery timeline, and the honest caveats we tell patients before they decide. Composite cases, anonymized for patient privacy, structured around the real journeys we see every week.
Real journeys, honest framing.
Every story names the treating provider and includes the caveats we'd tell you in person.
- Composite cases — synthesized from common LAOSS outcomes, never real patient identifiers.
- Each story names the treating LAOSS provider so you can see who would actually treat you.
- We include honest caveats — what didn't work, what was harder than expected, what to plan for.
- Recovery timelines reflect what most patients actually experience, not best-case marketing.
- These aren't testimonials. They're walkthroughs of how decisions get made.
Patients should know what they're choosing.
Most orthopedic websites publish glossy success stories. We publish journeys — including the parts that go slower than expected, the patients who needed a second procedure, and the cases where conservative care didn't quite get there.
The goal isn't to sell anyone on a procedure. It's to show you how our specialists actually think about your problem — the conservative options first, the surgical decision when it's truly the best path, and the recovery timeline we'd really tell you to plan for. If you're researching treatment, these stories give you the questions to bring to your appointment.
Patient journeys we've documented.
52-year-old runner with knee arthritis
Dr. David Barba · robotic-assisted total knee replacement. Honest about return-to-running expectations.
Read more38-year-old soccer player with ACL tear
Dr. Hayk Stepanyan · BPTB ACL reconstruction + meniscus repair. The kneeling-discomfort caveat.
Read moreOffice worker with bilateral carpal tunnel
Dr. Brent Pickrell · wide-awake endoscopic release both hands within 2 weeks (WALANT).
Read more65-year-old retired teacher — hip replacement
Dr. Erik Dworsky · direct anterior THR. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve caveat.
Read more14-year-old basketball player — Osgood-Schlatter
Dr. Michelle Sugi · non-operative management. The tibial-tubercle-bump-is-permanent caveat.
Read more50-year-old teacher — plantar fasciitis PRP
Dr. Matt Cikra · bilateral PRP. Honest about the 20-30% non-responder rate and self-pay cost.
Read moreWorkers' comp lumbar disc herniation
Dr. Siamak Yasmeh · eventual microdiscectomy. Honest about workers' comp authorization timelines.
Read morePost-menopausal swimmer — rotator cuff
Dr. Sevag Bastian · arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Honest about slower post-menopausal tendon healing.
Read moreConstruction worker — distal radius fracture
Dr. Brent Pickrell · ORIF with volar plate. The 6-month grip-strength caveat.
Read more71-year-old — spinal stenosis laminectomy
Dr. Siamak Yasmeh · multi-level laminectomy. Honest about residual symptoms when pre-op deficits are severe.
Read moreTeen ACL — graft selection walkthrough
Dr. Jayson Lian · hamstring autograft. The shared-decision conversation about graft choice.
Read moreFAQ.
- These are composite cases — synthesized from common LAOSS outcomes. We don't use real patient identifiers or stories without explicit HIPAA-compliant consent. The clinical decisions, treatment paths, and recovery timelines reflect what we actually see in practice.
- Because patients deserve to know what they're choosing. A polished success story tells you what could happen. The honest caveat tells you what to plan for. We'd rather you walk into your appointment with realistic expectations than be disappointed at three months post-op.
- Yes — message us through the contact form with the procedure or condition you're researching. If it's a common question we haven't covered, we'll write one. If it's specific to your situation, the better path is a consultation with the relevant LAOSS specialist.
- Each case study names the treating LAOSS specialist with a link to their full bio. Click through to see their training, locations, and how to schedule with them directly.
Bring your questions to us.
Our specialists will walk you through your imaging, your options, and what each path looks like for someone with your specific situation. Same-week appointments typically available.