James Reid, MD

Dr. James Reid didn’t operate on my ACL.
Another Sportsmed surgeon, don’t feel comfortable identifying him, performed the operation. He did a great job on the surgery but post op — not so much. He believes in self therapy not physical therapy, which should be the standard in rehabilitation. Six months after my surgery, I thought my knee was ok, albeit a bit stiff and unsteady and atrophied.
Dr. Reid was the on-​call doctor when I called about my scar. He told me to jump and squat and asked how I landed and how it felt. He said I had to see a physical therapist even though I told him my surgeon said it was unnecessary.
The background: my surgeon showed me briefly three times (before and after surgery) a few bending exercises to help strengthen and stabilize my knee. He didn’t give me any printed instructions or illustrations. When I again asked to see a therapist, he said it was unnecessary if I just did his exercises as instructed.
I admit I didn’t completely follow his instructions. I didn’t start the exercises right after my surgery, as he recommended because it was so painful. Now I know people may say, that it was my fault and that I should have sucked it up to painful recovery. But more guidance, especially during the painful one month post op is critical if the patient has no idea of his or her progress. If the exercises are painful, how do I know if I’m doing them correctly?
When I showed the Physical Therapist the exercises that my surgeon instructed, she told me I was doing them wrong and gave me additional exercises. Within two months, I was able to jog, strengthen and bend my knee.

Dr. Reid is the man! How can anyone knock him? He’s hip, he’s young, he’s got a sense of humor, he takes his job seriously, and he’s well-​qualified. Most importantly, he made my ankle good again.
I was referred to him by Mt. Tam Orthopedics in Marin County after I was experiencing pain in my right ankle from a history of ankle sprains related to basketball. I had my left ankle operated on several years ago by Dr. Keohane at Mt. Tam, but he decided it was best for me to see a foot/​ankle specialist.
So, off I go to Dr. Reid (in his practice in Marin). Immediately after inspecting my MRI and my ankle, he told me, «your ankle is in bad shape.» Yes, I kinda figured since it hurts to walk (I’m 30 years old). My something or other ligaments were all shredded to bits and I had a bone spur on my tibia. I basically knew I had to have surgery and was not surprised by the diagnosis. That being said, he did not force the decision upon me. All he did was lay out all the facts, go over my MRI with me in detail, and gave me my options.
Fast forward a few weeks later and I’m having surgery. Surgery was a success. He called me a day later to see how I was doing (I didn’t pick up since I was totally drugged up and out of it from the anesthesia) but he left me a nice message and gave me his cell phone if I had any questions. That’s the first time a doctor has given me his or her cell phone number. Really nice gesture, I thought.
Fast forward one month and three casts later, and I’m ready to get into a walking boot and start physical therapy. My time with Dr. Reid is done… until I need my left ankle operated on again…
But, the dude is moving to LA and starting work at a new practice. Something about politics and business that forced this decision. It’s really a shame because he has been my favorite doctor so far. It seems everyone is bummed that he’s leaving too.
For reference, I visited the Marin practice for diagnosis and follow-​ups but had surgery at the San Francisco practice (as he told me he was more familiar with the people and resources there).
I asked him to refer me to the best physical therapist for my situation and he said, «call this guy up, he would be the guy I would go to if I wanted to get back 100%.» Unfortunately, the guy he referred me to was out of network for me, but still, this kind of information is what I like to get from my doctor.
Dr. Reid, it’s a shame you’re leaving the area, but I’m willing to make the trip to LA for my other ankle sometime in the future.
I was referred to him by Mt. Tam Orthopedics in Marin County after I was experiencing pain in my right ankle from a history of ankle sprains related to basketball. I had my left ankle operated on several years ago by Dr. Keohane at Mt. Tam, but he decided it was best for me to see a foot/​ankle specialist.

Dr. Reid is with Sportsmed Orthopaedic Group, for which I’ve also written a Unilocal review. If you need an opinion on a messed up foot or ankle, I highly recommend Dr. Reid. Contrary to the experience described in Joy’s review, I felt that I got an honest, straightforward, expert opinion from him. I wasn’t needlessly scared or treated poorly at all. By contrast, he was diplomatic, nice, and clear.
His office has fit me in when other doctors would not, and the staff has been incredibly nice and cool.
And from my limited understanding as a patient – gained over several weeks of frenzied Googling and scans of medical journals – Dr. Reid’s surgical approach appears to have shown the best outcomes for my particular problem.
I don’t know why other Unilocal reviews seem to give him a bad rap for bedside manner, which was fine in my book. But the qualities that make a good surgeon aren’t necessarily the same warm, fuzzy personality traits you might seek in another kind of practitioner.

I went to Dr. Reid to get a bunion removed. I had waited a long time to get this surgery because I had done my left foot six years prior and was not impressed with the results. I opted to have surgery because I was experiencing pain. The surgery went very well and I was walking within 2 weeks and running (even though not recommeneded) in 2 ½ months. I would recommend Dr. Reid

I went to Dr. Reid based on Unilocal reviews on him and his practice partner and I was very disappointed. I have no doubt that Dr. Reid was very qualified however his bedside manner left much to be desired. He needlessly scared me with the thought of surgery when I was already in pain from my injury and the crutches. If he insists on surgery I would definitely get a second opinion… UCSF has a great foot/​ankle center.