Richard Berger, MD

He is a total jerk. I went to see him with my mom so she can have a total hip. He spent a total of 45 seconds with us. When I tried to ask him a question, he cut me off and walked out. We will go elsewhere.

I had my left knee full replacement on Feb 26, I stayed overnight because of being diabetic. I went home the next day. This was followed up with 2 weeks of in home therapy and then outpatient therapy for roughly 4 weeks. On April 15 I had my right knee total replacement. Again overnight and then home. Same schedule as the first knee. I am currently 2 weeks into my outpatient therapy.
I thought that my first knee went quite well. I was walking without assistance (cane) within 5 days of surgury. No pain meds. Stiffness, but otherwise really quite good. My second knee replacement was even better. I am still feeling some stiffness in my first knee but according to my therapist everyone heals at a different rate and that it could last up to a year to a certain degree. But as far as the surgury is concerned. Dr Berger is the best. His bedside manner may be a bit lacking, but his staff totally make up for it. I personally could care less about his bedside manner (I did not see him until my follow up). But that is not what drew me to see Dr. Berger in the first place. His reputation and skill were.
I would recommend him and have, to anyone who asks about my experience. I was totally impressed with the facilities, the procedure, the hospital staff, and to Dr. Bergers rockstar staff.

The whole knee replacement process was as smooth as it gets. I had paid for over a year and a half. I had bone on bone (no fluid left in my knee) Tried medicine, therapy, shots, nothing helped. My other ortho doc would not do the replacement, said I was too young (54)
so I found Dr. Berger. Process was smooth. Had my surgery at noon, I was home by 8:00 that night. therapy started the next day. I know everyone heals differently. I used a cane for a week, then all on my own. I was surprised at how much bruising I had even though they told me to expect bruising from my thigh to my toes. I took pain medication for two days only because I had a bad reaction, but I did not need it. I did not even take it prior to therapy. I did however take a muscle relaxer instead because my calf cramped. All came out excellent, more than I could ask for. It has been 6 years now and I take no medication and have no pain.

I apologize for my review. I was in a bad place after surgery, dealing with pain and emotional issues. 11 months post –op I have to say Dr. Berger is a great surgeon. Seeing what other people went through after their knee replacement, I experienced minimal issues. You have to be a master surgeon to get this right. Thank you

This is my response to Richard Berger’s staff comment and completely disagree. My issue is not with his staff, they were very responsive when I called or emailed. My issue is with Richard Berger whose bedside manner minimized a serious problem. I had to have my knee removed for several months, was in a rehab center for 5 months, and was on a PICC line multiple times.
While in rehab I met other’s who had bad experiences with Dr. Berger and had the same complaints with how they were treated by him. He treats problems with a dismissive attitude, has no empathy for the patient, and wants to do piece meal surgery rather than admitting there needs to be a more aggressive response.
As far as his 1% infection rate, I question that statistic as a reality.

A little about myself first, I conduct research/​analysis for my employer and about 24 months ago received feedback from several Drs. that I needed a total knee replacement. I attempted non-​surgical paths to no avail. So I began the task of interviewing several physicians, physical therapists, patients and spoke to several firms that manufacture the actual implants, about knee replacement surgery.
What I learned is that today, Dr. Berger and the Dream Team he has assembled, is the best surgical option for you. The conversations with the physical therapists let me know that his patients recovered faster with more rapid progression through physical therapy and a reduced down time at work and home. Additionally, the patients I spoke to in South Florida were very happy with their outcome.
Making the decision to have this major surgery was not easy for me, however every facet of the process that I saw or did not see provided a seamless experience that made the trip from South Florida to Chicago a great one that validated my decision. The learning class conducted prior to my surgery delivered the important information I needed to have a great outcome.
My list of criteria for a physician did include «bedside manner», albeit low on my list. FYI, Dr. Berger’s «bedside manner» exceeded my expectations, but having a successful surgery with the least interruption of my life was at the top of my list.
I realize that every patient’s recovery is different. That said, I never needed any mechanical or human assistance to walk the day of surgery or after. My swelling was minimal and my friends and co-​workers that have a friend or relative that has had knee replacement surgery are amazed at my status when compared to their loved one at the same point of time.
Good luck to you–

I had my full knee replacement surgery with Dr. Berger May 13. I am doing fantastic. Some reviews talk about the Drs bedside manor, he is the surgeon & does his part and his well orchestrated staff handle the rest. They are there for every pain and question you might have. I have delt with many medical situations with my parents and nothing was ever like this. I did not go to Dr Berger for his personality, I went to him because he has a great reputation for this procedure. Thank you, Lindsay, Jenny & staff for being there for me.

I haven’t had surgery with Dr Berger but after seeing the negative reviews about his lack of time spent with some patients and then lack of empathy /​responsibility when there are complications makes me very very concerned. The one thing patients want is honesty and humility in a doctor. As someone who has a medical background and worked with patients I know this first hand. I was going to pay the 15K and have my joint done by him. Now I think Ill check out alternate doctors/​hospitals that hopefully do a similar procedure. I REALLY wanted to come to Dr Berger… but now I think Ill expand my horizons. Real shame…

It’s only been one week since I had total knee replacement surgery with Dr. Berger but I feel as though I should give him credit. One week from surgery and I have had NO pain at all. I have talked with many friends and co-​workers who had knee replacement surgery and all they talk about is the pain. I have had NO pain. My operation was at noon, 5÷15÷14 and I was home that day by 6:30pm. The staff in his office they are all 1^st class, follow up phone calls, explaining things and just giving you the time of day to ask all you want. If you are looking for a Doctor for knee or hip replacement surgery this is the office to start with.

Dr. Bergers support staff are definitely 5 star worthy. As for Doctor Berger he definitely lacks a glowing bedside manner which is ok… especially if your surgery goes as planned. Unfortunately, that wasn’t my experience. Three years post surgery I still halve pain carrying more than 5 pounds and walking stairs. I was hoping to be able to do the thingS I love like hiking, and bike riding pain free! So not the case! FYI I am 66 and not over weight so those aren’t factors. Dr B said I would be happy… it didn’t happen plus I became eligible for Medicare and since he doesn’t take Medicare payment I had to switch doctors after a year. Not the best experic!

I had surgery with Dr Berger three years ago and had a fantastic experience. His staff are full of Rock Stars. Agree that Dr Berger is not the best at bed side manner but a tremendous surgeon. My right hip is starting to go and I will again go to Dr.Berger. I do not like the surgery treated as outpatient as I am from out of town, however, I will just arrange to stay in the hospital.

I went yesterday for a consultation on total replacement for my knee. I was recommended to see him because he is so good. I left there so pissed off! The waiting room is decorated nice and has plenty of seating. However, since it is so big I felt like I was sitting in an ER waiting room. The only magazine that they had out was Basketbull, and about 50 of them! Not a single other magazine around. I had to wait just over an hour to be seen, and when I was seen it was just for Xrays not even to see the doctor. When they finally called me to go back to a room some other doctor came in, asked me questions, looked at my X-​rays, moved my leg around, and felt all around my knee. He left and came back with Dr. Berger. After now waiting for well over an hour I saw Dr. Berger for less than 10 minutes!!! He walks in, shakes my hand and my husband’s hand, and asks, «What can I do for you today?»
Um.hello, he’s the doctor in this practice. Is he that stupid??? He looks at the X-​ray and points things out to the other guy that was in the first time. NEVER showed us or explained anything to us! NEVER looked personally at me knee! I was sitting on the «bed», my husband in a chair, and the doctor on his rolling stool close to me. I asked some questions and he always replied to them looking at my husband and never to me. Then in comes his nurse/​scheduling person. Was not happy with her either! They are very pushy, don’t let you get a word in, and have you scheduling your appointment for surgery on the spot. Dr. Berger is very arrogant! One of my questions was, «If you leave the same day of surgery what happens if you have some kind of complication from the surgery the next day?»
His reply, «That’s the same thing if you have surgery, go home 5 days later and then on the 6^th day have a problem.» What an ass! I scheduled my surgery appointment because I really didn’t have a choice, but I am for sure calling them to cancel it! I will never go back there again and I will never refer anyone there! I left there feeling like a number and not a patient. There was no warmth or empathy from anyone.

Dr Berger and his staff are unbelievable. My surgery was at 7:15 am and I walked out of the hospital at noon that day. He really doesn’t need my endorsement or recommendation, he’s got people lined up for his procedure. Not the warmest and fuzziest guy in the world but I couldn’t care less about that. His staff is just great.
The whole process runs with military precision. The entire experience far exceeded my expectations. Almost no pain.

This man walks on water. He did a hip and knee replacement on my husband within 6 weeks. Dr. Berger has perfected a «minimally invasive» joint replacement that is amazing. My husband walked out to the car the afternoon of each replacement surgery. He had both surgeries outpatient. They did physical rehab on him before he left and he started physical therapy at home the next day. He had lots of swelling and bruising, but he healed so much faster than other people who had the traditional replacements done. He’s a genius. Dr. Berger does surgeries at Rush in Chicago… and he’s sooooo worth the trip!