Patient Stories
Left Hip Tear Repair
I imagine that you will have to search back to find my file in the hundreds that you have somewhere in the back of your office, as this is a LONG-overdue “thank you.”
You performed a labral tear repair on my left hip sometime in the past, when I was living in the LA area. I want to thank you for your superb skill and care — I have been pain-free and without fear of falling.
Thank you for your care. I prayed for you this morning, thanking God for your expertise, care, and concern.
Patient J.M.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Conservative Treatment on Ankle Fracture
The Urgent Care told me that my ankle was actually broken and not just sprained. I was told I should see an Orthopedic Surgeon ASAP, as the fibula was in 2 pieces. My first choice was Orthopedic Surgery Specialists. Having worked in physical therapy for many years, I am familiar with all the surgeons and the excellent outcomes their patients have. Based on Dr. Shahan Yacoubian's years of professional experience and (after running) tests and exams, he decided that not operating was the best course of action for me. I liked that I was treated as an individual..not The Ankle Fracture. The whole office is efficient and well-run...I wish I could mention all by name...but in (the) 7 months, I had an interactions with almost everyone on staff....This is my way of saying "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart. I so appreciate the care I got at every level. - Patient L.B.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Total Knee Replacement
I am a near 70 year old woman who because of cancer and severe arthritis pain in my knees have been pretty inactive for several years. I am in remission and cancer free. Less than three months ago, Dr. Shahan Yacoubian performed a total knee replacement and I am now walking normally with full range of motion. I am so pleased with how the surgery went and will return for the other knee in a few months. Dr. Yacoubian is very professional and I will add, talented and skilled at his craft. Thank you Dr. Yacoubian for bringing me back to nearly living normally again. My knee feels great and so is my outlook. "I'll be back". - Patient R.A.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Total Hip Replacement
Dr. Shahan Yacoubian and his staff were extremely professional. (He was) very thorough in explaining what the process was all about and how it would proceed. Everything went as scheduled; the surgery went very well, and I was walking with a walker 4 hours after the surgery. (I) highly recommend Dr. Yacoubian and the professionals at OSS. – Patient G.M.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Dear Dr. Yacoubian,
We can't thank you enough for giving Katherine her life back, after years of walking with much pain, she'll now be able to walk pain free. You performed a miracle on her and we can't thank you enough. May God bless you always. We're so grateful. - Patient K.R. Family
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Knee Revision Surgery
This was third knee total replacement on this knee and especially difficult sense I had fallen off a roof a few years ago and broke my tibia and fibula. Dr. Shahan Yacoubian had to address this during my most recent knee replacement. It has felt better than my previous 4 full knee replacements although the surgery was much more complicated. No pain or swelling and I have over 100 degrees of bending alone with no help. Now, at just 4 weeks from date of surgery I finished home therapy with flying colors and will begin outpatient therapy. I have had no significant pain, anywhere. I have made tremendous progress and am walking with a cane and driving. - Patient D.G.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Knee Replacement
I'm proud to say that Dr. Shahan Yacoubian was my knee replacement surgeon. Experienced and highly knowledgeable, he puts you in a state of readiness before a perfect, fast qualitative surgery and follow-up therapy. Consequently, my recovery was painless and within a short time. "Superb" is the best way to describe Dr. Yacoubian. – Patient C.N.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Knee Replacement
Due to osteoarthritis, my right knee progressively became worse to the point that I needed the aid of a cane to walk. My leg even became contracted! The constant knee pain, not only also caused back pain, but was affecting my work and my life in general. Three years ago, Dr Shahan Yacoubian gave me a new knee and straightened my leg. Six months after my knee replacement, my back pain went away. I have been pain free since then. I only regret that I waited so long to have the surgery! – Patient T.G.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Knee Replacement
After years of pain and finally with the consult of my retired orthopedic surgeon, I agreed to have knee replacement. Dr. Stephan Yacoubian suggested I have the operation one knee at a time. I agreed. My first surgery was a year ago and the second one only three months. Wow! What a change. I am as happy as can be - Recently I walked 2 miles with my new knees, I swim 1 1/2 hours every other day at the YMCA. No more pain and I have started wearing 2 inch heels- All this thanks to my doctors, Drs. Stephan Yacoubian and Shahan Yacoubian. They are great. My only regrets, "Why didn't I have the surgery sooner". - Patient M.N.
- Performed by Dr. Steve Yacoubian and Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Ankle Fracture
Thank you for the expert care and repair of my recent ankle fracture. I am so happy and grateful to be walking again and feel fortunate to have been referred to your office. Your kind, friendly and patient staff really helped a bundle of nerves, like myself, feel very much at ease and made this difficult process as pleasant as possible! Thank you again for your expertise and patience.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Right Hip Replacement
Prior to my surgery I was in constant pain and had little flexibility, strength and mobility in my right hip. I received excellent care throughout my diagnosis, surgery and follow-up. In less than 2 months I have regained my flexibility, strength and mobility; and I am almost pain free all the time. Thank you Dr. Yacoubian and staff for helping get my life back.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Right and Left Hip Replacement Surgeries
"There are no words to adequately explain the dramatic difference Dr. Shahan Yacoubian made in my life. I have no pain. I can go back to a normal life again. I can drive and walk without the support of canes or a walker. Before surgery, I was not able to play with my grandchildren or stay at our cabin because of the stairs. I became too embarrassed to go into some restaurants because I was so slow and bent over and people would stare. Doctor Shahan Yacoubian has given me my life back. How can you say thank you enough to a man that studied and perfected his art to such an extent that he is able to take away all the pain you have gone through for over a year? On the same day of my surgery, the physical therapist came by and said, "Ok, let's try a little walking". I stepped into the hallway and started to cry. People behind the desk and people in some of the rooms came out to see what was going on. I told them, "These are tears of JOY - I have no pain and I can walk, I can walk".
Doctor Shahan Yacoubian, thank you so much for giving me my life back. My husband tells everyone "She got one hip on May 23, and the second one on August 23 - and she is doing FANTASTIC". I can climb stairs and curbs, and walk with no help. I can go to the market and no longer have to use the power scooter. I have been given a second chance at life. I would never have believed I could be pain free, walking straight and tall again. To Dr. Yacoubian and his great staff, including his assistant - Vaz Galstjan, P.A.-C - who helped on both surgeries, I feel so humble to just say, "THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART." My husband feels absolutely the same amount of gratitude because he got his wife back. My children and grandchildren are thrilled with my recovery. Now we can all get back to going "off-roading" again. My husband has made reservations for Yosemite for next June. We had gone there every year for over 20 years, but we could not go in 2010 or 2011 because of my disability. Now, once again, I can go hiking and biking. Words cannot express my admiration for and faith in Dr. Shahan Yacoubian. For anyone needing hip replacement, I hope that my testimonial about the miracle he worked in my life will give you the confidence to make the appointment and move forward with the surgery." – Patient P.N.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Hip Replacement for Rheumatoid Arthritis
"Below is a brief paragraph about what I went through with my hips before you fixed them. You were my guardian angel after walking around for 9 months in the worst pain I have ever felt. I can't even explain how much pain there was. Now I am pretty much pain free, every day I get better and better. I am so thankful that Dr. Faulkinstein pursued my complaints about the pain I was feeling and referred me to you. I am very thankful that you listened to what I was telling you about the pain and were determined that I needed immediate attention. I can never thank you enough for giving me my life back.
On May 1, 2010 I had complete right hip replacement and then on May 29, 2010 I had a complete left hip replacement due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. After about 2 months of walking 2+ miles a day my right hip started to cause me pain. I returned to the surgeon who performed the surgery on both hips but was informed that there was nothing wrong with my hip replacements. This started my search for what was causing me pain. As the months wore on and I found no doctor that could explain the pain. It continued to increase and the intensity progressed by the day. I was now walking with a cane and toward the end of 6 months I sometimes had to use 2 canes. My husband would pour me into the car and send me to work and then would drag me out of the car when I returned home. I did nothing except sit on the couch day after day. I was unable to do the simplest tasks including something as simple as shaving my legs because the pain was so intense even with just bending over. House work was out of the question; I hadn't run a vacuum, dusted or even done a load of laundry in almost a year. Those tasks were left up to my husband to complete. At this point my husband started planning how to put ramps in our house over the stairs because I was soon going to be in a wheelchair due to the pain. We continued to search for the cause of the pain and after 9 months we contacted a back doctor at OSS to see if that was where the pain was coming from. Dr. Falkinstein examined my MRI and stated that it was not my back that was causing the pain. He started to explain the type of pain I was experiencing to a tee. At this time he informed me that I needed to get a bone scan done but that he thought that my hip replacements had come loose. I kept telling him that my hips were fine as my first hip surgeon had told me. Two days later he called and told me it was indeed my hip replacements that were loose. At this point he referred me to Dr. Shahan Yacoubian at OSS, known as a revision specialist whose specialty is hips, knees and pelvic bones. When Dr. Yacoubian took a look at the bone scan, one of the first things he asked me was "Are you going to run screaming from this exam room if I tell you that you need to have both hips replaced again". I informed him that if he said he needed to cut off my right foot to stop the pain, I would get him the chain saw. He also informed me that we needed to operate on the worst hip first (which was my right one) and then wait 3-4 months and operate on the second hip. Needless to say, he was leaving on town on April 11th and was not going to be able to operate on me until he returned the week of April 18th. His normal operating days were Monday and Tuesday. Dr. Yacoubian decided to put aside his normal schedule and operate on my first hip Friday April 1, 2011 due to the intensity of my pain.. After many hours of surgery he emerged to say it was the worst mess he had seen as a surgeon in 17 years. He also stated that we needed to operate on the other hip within 6-8 weeks, waiting 3-4 months was no longer an option. After recovering for 6 weeks from the first surgery, Dr. Yacoubian operated on my second hip on May 17, 2011. I returned to work on July 5, 2011. I have no hip pain anymore. I am able to walk without a cane; I am able to do just about anything that I want including shaving my legs, cleaning my house and doing the laundry. Dr. Yacoubian gave me back my life and I will always be very grateful. There is no way that I can ever thank him enough." – Patient G.H.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Knee Arthroscopy
"I wanted to send you this holiday card and also thank you for fixing my right knee. I had a large medial meniscal tear. I had my procedure done in May and I have never looked back. I have made a full recovery thanks to your skill. I'm able to do about 90% of what I could do before. Thank you so much and as you promised, I can dance at my son's wedding! You are the Best!" – Patient J.M.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
"Doctor Shahan Yacoubian: This letter is to express a big thank you for the shoulder replacement surgery and rotator cuff repair you performed on me. My orthopaedic doctor in my hometown praised your work and said you needed to be commended highly. I am able to stretch my arm above my head and move my arm in a wide circle and reach behind my back." – Patient T.B.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Revision Knee Replacement Surgery
"After my first knee replacement, I experienced tremendous pain for five years. Multiple orthopaedic surgeons ran a battery of tests and diagnosed a "picture perfect knee". Recently I was introduced to Dr. Shahan Yacoubian…who intuitively ordered a bone scan. The results showed a breakdown of the knee cement. His team of experts, led by Dr. Yacoubian, operated on me September of 2007, and I have been pain free for the first time in five years, no longer requiring an ice bag/pain medication or a walker. I am able to bend my knee over 125 degrees, and walk without a limp; I consider Dr. Yacoubian my hero." – Patient M.A.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Revision Knee Surgery
"I would like to be as honest as possible. All the Doctors at OSS are very professional. I'll tell you what I observed with Dr. Shahan Yacoubian. You tell him a dumb joke, he hears it but he never loses his train of thought… he continues to observe the problem. I am very satisfied with his professionalism and everybody that woks in the office. Thanks for being the best." – Patient R.C.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Revision Hip Replacement Surgery
"I had severe damage to the inside of my femur from my first hip replacement that became lose after 10 years. Dr. Shahan Yacoubian performed the second hip replacement on me, and in the third week of recovery I was walking pain free and haven't looked back. I would recommend Dr. Shahan Yacoubian and staff to anyone in need of hip replacement surgery. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I feel normal again!" – Patient T.R.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Knee Arthroscopy
"On November 22, 2010, you operated on my left knee for a tear in my meniscus. Before the operation my knee wasn't terribly painful, but my tennis game was suffering a lot. I am writing to THANK YOU for giving me back my game. I am so thrilled by the way I am running around the court. I am playing like I did 20 years ago! Thank you again for doing such an excellent job." – Patient J.W.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Revision Knee Replacement Surgery
"Dr. Shahan Yacoubian performed a reconstruction of my previous hip replacement. This was unfortunately my 3rd operation on this hip. The good news is my hip felt much more solid than every within days after the surgery!!! I was discharged out of the hospital after 4 days and could walk over 100 feet! I am a very big man, 6 ft 3 in and weighing in at 280 lbs. My story was more challenging for Dr. Yacoubian and I am blessed to have met him and experienced his expertise." – Patient B.J.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian
Revision Hip Replacement Surgery & Carpal Tunnel Surgery
"This is an unsolicited letter of appreciation and recognition for the superb work of two of the physicians of Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists.
In January, 2008, Dr. Shahan Yacoubian replaced my arthritic left hip that was in a painful bone-on-bone condition. While it is true that the modern techniques played a role in this difference of results, the fact is that Dr. Yacoubian operates with the most updated and modern equipment and knowledge; these being the operative factors in my case. I just finished my one year anniversary evaluation with flying colors and had only returned during this past year for routine check-ups.
Dr. Raymond Raven performed carpal tunnel surgery on my left wrist on December 1st 2008. Again the diagnosis and treatment were right on target, and now, instead of dreading the same surgery on my other wrist, I look forward to the time it can be done as well.
The office staff that schedules appointments, surgery and subsequent checks is pleasant, efficient and flexible." – Patient R.Z.
- Performed by Drs. Shahan Yacoubian & Raymond Raven
Total Hip Replacement Surgery
"A year and a half ago, when I first came into your office, I'm sure you recall that I couldn't walk. I had been diagnosed with avascular necrosis caused by steroids administered for my respiratory issues. I am so thankful that my other physicians advised me to get the best orthopaedic surgeon available... you. In January you replaced my left hip, and in August you replaced the right and wonder of all wonders, I can walk again!
What I really want to compliment you on is the sincere caring that you demonstrated to me. The caring and compassion that you have shown to me was so very much appreciated." – Patient D.G.
- Performed by Dr. Shahan Yacoubian