Christopher V Cox, MD

Review First Posted on Unilocal 8÷24÷2015
Review for
Dr. Christopher Cox, Orthopedic Surgeon, 3838 California, Suite 715, San Francisco, CA 94 118
Posted By: Ann K
According to Unilocal,a five star rating is «As good as it gets.» What else can I say about the results of my hip replacement surgery performed by Dr. Cox, two months ago (6÷17÷2015). Starting In November 2011, I began excellent physical therapy which helped alleviate the pain in my right hip, but it wasn’t enough. In March 2013, at the recommendation of my internist, I first saw Dr. Cox. Dr. Cox recommended continuing with physical therapy, but eventually having hip replacement surgery. In June 2015, two months ago, I did have the surgery, and my last pain was climbing the steps to the hospital (California Pacific Medical Center) when arriving for surgery.
Since the surgery there has been no pain, not even in the hours and days immediately following it. When I saw Dr. Cox last week during a follow-​up visit, I asked him how to explain this. His answer was that in his career as an orthopedic surgeon, he has performed over 1,000 hip replacements, and this is reflected in the experience and skills that he brings to this surgery. Both the area of the surgery and the incision have had remarkable healing.
It is impossible to give enough praise to reflect how delighted I am with the outcome of his surgery. He has my eternal gratitude.

Amazing surgeon. Down to earth, authentic, smart, caring and a gentleman. Did my husband’s hip replacement surgery. Great bedside manner. Recommend him 100%.

Dr. Christopher Cox is a brilliant orthopedic surgeon and he did my knee replacement last month and has been my ortho doctor for the past few years. My knees have been giving me the blues and I love the fact that Dr. Cox exhausted all other remedies before suggesting surgery — his conservative approach makes me feel confident in his decisions and overall concern for my total health. I have chronic back pain and Dr. Cox is always thoughtful in regards to pain management for me. He doesn’t make promises, but tells me the truth which allows me to make informed decisions.
While in the hospital last month, I did have another surgeon check on me during the weekend and he made me realize in his rather abrasive manner that God had truly blessed me with a surgeon who is not only skilled, but caring, kind and compassionate. Dr. Cox has never made me feel that any of my concerns were insignificant — he has never minimized my pain. He is patient with me and always considers my overall health when he makes recommendations to me. Added value is Irma who is an absolute jewel — she is thoughtful, helpful and no matter how bad I feel — I always feel better after talking to her. I will never forget the first day I walked in to the Webster Street office, Irma asked how can I help you — I said, I have two bad knees and Irma replied with a smile — you are in the right place!
Dr. Cox’s entire team is excellent, if you go to the California Street Office you will interact with Gilma who is also very helpful and pleasant. Kim is Dr. Cox assistant and she has been a great deal of help to me — my back was hurting trying to do some of the exercises and Kim gave me some suggestions that really helped to minimize the back pain, but still allowed me to do what is necessary to strengthen my knee.
My knee is healing — still stiff and achy, but I am looking forward to complete healing so I can have the other knee replaced by Dr. Cox. By this time next year I expect to be walking without chronic knee pain.
I believe Dr. Cox is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the Bay Area and I feel truly blessed to be one of his patients.

This office is full of a righteous bunch of turds. They have a self imposed rule that they do NOT treat any vehicle accident victims for fear of being call to court to give a truthful account that could help a victim. I have no intention of suing anyone. The parties involved are all in agreement and I have insurance. Save your money and see someone with integrity.

I have nothing but fierce compliments as far as Dr Chris Cox is concerned. I was having terrible pain in my Rt knee for the longest time– I ended up having my knee replaced by Dr Cox and his assistant Kimberly and they do incredible work together.
I have to say he is simply a brilliant orthopedic surgeon.
They also took the time to close the incision with care and concern which made for rapid healing and minimal scarring
Whenever I had any questions or problems, Gilma his office manager would get right on it for me.
I certainly hope this team is around when my left knee needs replacing.

Dr. Cox performed a full hip replacement on me (right side only). The surgery went very well, they got my leg length as good as I could possibly hope for, and I’m well on my way to recovery. I have no complaints and Dr. Cox is obviously very good at what he does (hip replacements). He office staff, Kim and Gilma, are fabulous folks too.

Unfortunately I never got to see Dr. Cox, I arrived early, filled out my paper work for a consultation and waited 55 minutes more… Finally told the receptionist, Who was very pleasant! That I was no longer going to wait, At that time she apologized, Said the Dr. was running behind (why don’t they tell you this when you get there?) and asked If I’d like to reschedule, I declined and decided to go with another Dr. for my surgery.

Hip surgery gone very wrong: One year after receiving a hip resurfacing from Dr. Cox, the peroneal nerve damage that occurred during the surgery has not healed at all, leaving me partially crippled. The neuropathy caused the muscles in my foot and calf to not function… I now have what is called «foot drop». I cannot walk without a brace; I find it difficult to dress, put on socks, etc. I have obtained a permanent disability status from the state. I declined to file a lawsuit because that action would not restore my leg function. I might have felt slightly better about the whole thing if the doctor had apologized and not given me that quizzical look that says: «Yeah, stuff happens.»
The specific risk of nerve damage was not included in any of the papers I signed or any of the available literature, or in the interviews with the doctor. I would recommend against this doctor for any surgery. I am aware of hundreds of hip replacement and resurfacing patients who have had entirely successful outcomes.
Feel free to contact me if you need details or substantiation.

I went to see Dr. Cox for a 2^nd opinion regarding surgery on my hip. When I made the appt., I told them that I had an MRI that was 1-​yr old and current x-​rays.
When I arrived at the appointment (on time) I was told that Dr. Cox was running 15 minutes late. 45 minutes later I was taken into an exam room. After waiting another 45 minutes, Dr. Cox sauntered into the room, and with no greeting — not an introduction or even ‘hello’ he started to review my information. He then proceeded to ask me questions about my hip, pain, physical constraints, etc. After about 10 minutes of discussion he proclaimed that I needed another MRI in order for him to make a good assessment. When I started to ask questions, he told me to go get the MRI and make a follow-​up appointment, then he walked out of the room as rudely as he entered. He never even gave me any kind of physical examination, but of course the bill arrived within days charging $ 312 for the 10-​minute discussion (maybe they’re charging me for my waiting time too).
Dr.Cox is arrogant and rude. I have no idea what his surgical skills are, but I know that I want a doctor who listens to me, examines me thoughtfully and thoroughly and has some ability to communicate with me effectively. Cox demonstrated NONE of that.
The practice is clearly focused on generating revenue. They (of course want you to use their referal to obtain MRI (I’m sure there is a financial incentive for them). They think nothing of making a patient wait 1−½ hours to see a doctor – not even the slightest apology was offered.
I would strongly advise anyone against seeing Christopher Cox or using Pacific Orthopedics.

Dr. Cox and i are growing old together, me faster than he is. For almost 25 yard he has treated my arthritic hands, knees, two surgeries and currently a bad hip. I wouldn’t see anyone else. He makes me laugh, rarely makes me wait and so far has made me better. I think he is outstanding and his assistant Gilma is a gem. I had a botched shoulder surgery by someone else only because he doesn’t do shoulders so I am able to compare surgeons. He is the best in my book.

Extremely Arrogant!

Dr Cox performed a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing on me in Dec 2011, but I’ve been his patient since June 2009. Although his bedside manner is not for some, I personally like it. He’s the one with the numerous degrees, hours in the OR and the one who (I believe?) teaches at UCSF. (I might be wrong on that…) Anyway — he was amazing leading into my decision to have the procedure and always available via phone during my early recovery. I wouldn’t have even known this was an option were it not for him and he was conservative about my approach toward my decision as well. I never felt pressured/​rushed. He’s awesome. IF my other hip goes south, I will most definitely have him perform it. Plus my scar is gonna be a tiny pink line because his wife is a plastic surgeon and has taught him a trick or two! :)

I recommend Dr. Christopher Cox for orthopedic surgery.
After pain sapped all my energy, in November 2010 I had total replacement hip surgery. My personal physician and a UCSF emeritus professor of orthopedic surgery both highly recommended Dr. Cox, a noted authority on hip surgery. Eleven months later I swam in ten Masters events.
Following surgery I tentatively walked the hallway that night. After a couple of days in the hospital, I was confined at home doing therapeutic exercises but the next week I walked into my family’s Thanksgiving dinner. I walked outside every day with a cane after that, thanks to my superb therapist and clinic. My skin was glued together (no sutures nor staples); when the scab fell off — replaced by a 6″ «racing stripe» under my Speedo — I gently walked in an exercise pool. Beginning 2011, I was back swimming 1 ½ miles regularly. This October at 70 I swam in competition (including a 1 ½ kilometer event). When I turn 75 I’m intending to enter a springboard diving contest.
At my annual review, I asked Dr. Cox about an article on the anterior approach, claiming «less pain and a shorter recovery time.» He explained that this is not a new approach, merely an alternative. He noted that my own recovery time equalled, or bettered, the case cited.
Thanks Dr. Cox and Therapist Michelle Spicher for my successful total hip replacement and initial therapy which let me walk pain free again. Now I can take up biking too.

Do I want to take a 50 minute trip on 2 buses to wait _​another_​50 minutes (after my scheduled 10:30 appointment time) to talk to Dr. Cox for literally 3 minutes? Heh, you tell me.
Right before he came into the exam room, I overheard Gilma, his lovely assistant, outside the door, inform him that I have been waiting alone in the room for over 50 minutes and he couldn’t have said that he didn’t really give a sh*t any more clearly. «Does he expect to be seen before everyone else?» he replied. No, but I’d like to be seen around the time I’ve been scheduled to be seen. Is that really too high of an expectation?
I’d also appreciate it if you guys didn’t double/​triple-​book your time slots for the same doctor. How many times do I have to hear «I have a 10:30 with Dr. Cox» while sitting in the waiting room? At least organize it so that brief appointments are seen first – and yes, I was checked in early.
Having to wait at a doctor’s office is a given, but it’d be sort of, just sort of, nice to have a doctor with the common courtesy to apologize for having me wait for an hour to hear a 3-​minute extended take of «Everything is ok.»
An hour late to the appointment and the first to leave, as well. Not even a verbal farewell or handshake. Quite amazing, I must say. Kudos, and well played, Dr. Cox.
Other than my bad experience today and Dr. Cox’ condescending attitude, Dr. Cox is a perfectly capable doctor and his assistant, Gilma, is amazing, as well.

My surgery date with Dr. Cox was 6÷26÷10. I had limited movement and pain for about ten years and at 50+ I started researching bay area hip resurfacing surgeons and processes. I had a great experience with the surgery. Dr. Cox is a perfectionist. I know I had tons of questions and I researched everyone in the Bay Area and even looked around the county for the right person to do my surgery. After all my research I realized I wanted the BHR process … best clinical data to date and I wanted Dr. Cox as my surgeon.
I had the surgery … I was standing up in 24 hours and off all pain meds in 48. Even the scar looked perfect. Each month was a progression and I saw improvement. I did the physical therapy but mostly just walk and healed. I never really rushed my recovery. Now at six months I just got back from my first weekend hitting the slopes at squaw and while sore from skiing hard … no hip pain. Everything felt fine.
I can’t say enough about the care I received from Dr Cox. He did an excellent job. He has great communication skills. He is conservative in his approach and he is through. I recommend this procedure and Dr. Cox to anybody that is thinking about hip surgery. It is truly a phenomenal procedure. I am fully pain free. In fact I wake up no longer thinking about my hip or the limitations I used to have.
Thank you Dr. Cox. I can highly recommend him to anyone.