Dr. Stetson Testimonials
Dr. Bill Stetson,
I want to add to your emails to say that it was fantastic to see you [and colleague] and to participate in the meeting with you! Even more than that, I want to be sure to communicate how much I admire both of you, among other reasons, for the sustained work you have done in Cuba. The current state of arthroscopy in Cuba speaks volumes about what leaders like Osvaldo and Raunel have done there, but it also wouldn't be like it is without the two of you. You have shepherded and mentored our colleagues there and made a lasting impact on orthopedic care for people in Cuba. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished and continue to accomplish. I am grateful to be able to be a part of what you both had a hand in building.
- Marc T. (Colleague)
Dr. Bill Stetson,
To say you were my hero this week is an understatement. Thank you for being so generous with your resources and with your time. You did not need to do anything for me and you went above and beyond in every way.
Thank you for being so gentle with me and for helping me feel so safe and cared for. You are so amazing and you enabled me to play free of pain. Thanks for being so selfless doc! I'm so grateful.
Hope to see you again. You're the best!
- B.K. / Canadian Volleyball Player
- A.S. (17 years old, high school baseball player)
Words can't describe how thankful I am. The fact that I am able to play not only college ball, but my senior year of baseball the way I know I can bring me so much joy and it's all thanks to you. You have done something no one else could and I truly thank you for it. Thank you Dr. Stetson!
Thank you Dr. Stetson! We are truly grateful, honored, and blessed for your kindness and amazing talent. Thank you for what you have done for our son. Thanks to you, he has a chance to play ball in college. God bless you and your family and staff.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop
- Parents of A.S.
Dr. Stetson and his family are happy to support the Rolling Hills Preparatory Basketball Team as they prepare the CIF basketball playoffs.
One of the team’s star players and starting point guard was unable to receive the necessary shoulder surgery that he needed this Fall in order to return to play. Unfortunately, his insurance did not want to cover his surgery and he had waited over three months but still was not able to get the necessary surgery.
The team’s coach, Harvey Kitani, reached out to Dr. Stetson and asked if he could help. At no cost to the young man or his family, within one week, the arthroscopic shoulder SLAP repair surgery was done and after only 8 weeks, this young man was back on the basketball court. A
After the surgery he wrote the following Christmas card note to Dr. Stetson: “Thank you for giving me my senior season of basketball back to me, I will be forever grateful.”
Dr. Stetson and his entire team at his office and at the Alameda Surgery Center was happy to help this fine young man who promised to “pay it forward.” If you would like to help young people like this, Dr. Stetson’s non-profit, Operation Arthroscopy (www.operationarthroscopy.org) uses all donations to “help bring orthopaedics and arthroscopy to a world in need.”
- Rolling Hills Preparatory Basketball Team
“I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
Dear Dr. Stetson,
My heart is overwhelmingly full of appreciation and gratitude for your amazing skills as a surgeon. You have restored my faith in surgeons. I cannot say enough about your phenomenal abilities and demeanor to people who looking for good doctors. Thank you for being who you are. You are angel sent from above to heal.
-B.G.
Dr. Stetson did a masterful job of repairing a full thickness rotator cuff tear injury on both shoulders. Doctor Stetson gave me a feeling of supreme confidence that I selected the correct surgeon to perform my surgeries. Dr. understands the athletes mindset and provided very valuable insight on the options for treatment. Doctor Stetson is an athlete himself and a very compassionate person. Dr Stetson has my highest endorsement and I have referred friends and family to him. I am grateful to have found Dr. S as he has gotten me from the operating room back to the gym in a well planned evidenced based manner.
-Rich Monoson
-Justin Fortner
My SLAP repair surgery went extremely well! Since the surgery I have been able to return to competitive volleyball play. I couldn't be happier with the job Dr Stetson and his team did!
-Ken Mundy
After years of drumming and surfing, I was unable to do either due to a torn labrum and other shoulder issues. Dr Stetson performed the needed repairs and not only got me back to doing both, but the entire process was flawless, from scheduling to the care taken by Dr Stetson and his staff to get me back in the water and playing drums like I was before the injury. I couldn't be happier with the outcome!
I’ve been a patient of Dr. Stetson for many years and I’ve always had a wonderful experience. As an older, yet high level racquetball player, my knee pains were becoming a concern for me and I was looking for a way to keep going without resorting to surgery. Not only has Dr. Stetson been knowledgeable and patient, but he made sure that we chose an option that was best for my specific needs. He laid out my options and discussed the not only the benefits, but also the possible negative effects of the various treatments. With his help, I am proud to say that I am still and once again, a gold medal champion in my age bracket. Thank you Dr. Stetson for all your help!
P.S. I took gold
-Hatch Saakian
-Christa Harmotto
Dr. Stetson, Just wanted to say thank you for all that you’ve done to get me back on the court doing what I love to do. What a blessing it has been working with yoiu and your staff the past couple of years. I’ll never forget hearing that you prayed for my knee prior to what we thought was potentially a reconstruction. I think about that often and grateful to have been surrounded by believers during my surgeries. All the best to you and your family. I hope to only see you in passing as I plan to stay healthy!
I have been very active in sports all my life: gymnastics, rock climbing and now endurance horse racing. This entails racing horses cross-country for 50, 75 and 100 miles. My horse and I have been to the Pan American Championships and have been ranked in the top 4 in our weight division on the West Coast for 6 years. We can’t afford to be slowed down much by a broken leg… In mid-February, I broke my leg and Dr Stetson had to install a plate and 6 screws to hold me together. Because of his excellent work, I have retained my flexibility and the strength is quickly returning. I am racing again, having completed a 50-mile race in mid-May, after short 3-month layoff. This picture was taken at an endurance race called the Tevis Cup in the Lake Tahoe area.
-Jonathan Bowman
-Robin Noll
I had been suffering from very painful “tennis elbow” for several months. It happened at a very inopportune time as I was scheduled to participate in the translocation of endangered peninsular pronghorn antelope in the Vizcaino Desert in Baja, California. Several weeks prior to the departure date I seriously did not think I would be able to go. I could not pick up a cup of coffee without pain let alone a pronghorn! I had seen Dr. Stetson some time ago for a shoulder injury sustained at work and was impressed (and healed) with his skill. I thought it was worth a chance and scheduled an appointment. After one visit and cortisone treatment I had absolutely no pain. I had one of the best experiences of my life and we successfully translocated 28 pronghorn to a new habitat where hopefully they will reproduce and thrive. Two months later I continue to be pain free.
-Todd Siemering
I was a patient of Dr. Stetson’s in 1999-2000. I had chronic dislocation of my right shoulder. He operated to put it back together, basically, and he did an excellent job! Dr. Stetson also wrote a letter of confidence to the Army for me so I could get in. With his help, I was able to succeed in the Army for four years. It was the best thing that has ever happened to me, and it will pave the way to what seems to be a promising future. I just wanted to thank you Dr. Stetson for your great work and friendly service. I hope this letter finds you well, and I hope you can continue to help others the way you’ve helped me. Thanks, Doctor!
and tendons and put the ulna bone back on with a 2 ½ inch screw. I was pitching again 6 months later for the varsity baseball team at Crescenta Valley High School. I graduated in 2002 and was drafted by the Arizona Diamond Backs, but took a full baseball scholarship to UC Irvine. The summer of my freshman year in college I went to Cape Cod and played for the Brewster White Caps. In 2004 I was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, but took a full baseball scholarship to Chico State University where I went 9-2, was “Pitcher of The Week”, won the 2005 Western Regional Championships and went to the Division II College World Series in Montgomery Alabama. On June 7, 2005 I was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. A week later I was on a plane to Utah to play for their Rookie team, the Ogden Raptors. My dream finally came true. I am 22 yrs old now and getting ready for Spring Training. None of this would have been possible without Dr. Stetson. He gave me back my dream. Thank you Dr. Stetson.
-Kris Krise
I have played baseball since I was 5 and have been a pitcher since I was 9. I always dreamed of playing in the Major Leagues. When I was 14 the high school football coach asked me to play football. My parents didn’t want me to, but told me it was my choice. I decided to play. After all, lots of kids play more than one sport in high school. It was September 26, 1998, the third game of the season and we were winning with less then 2 minutes left in the game. I went to sack the quarterback when I felt a terrible pain in my elbow. My pitching elbow. My own teammate had hit the back of my elbow with his face mask, hyper-extending my arm. The ulna bone broke off and lodged into my dislocated elbow, taking the ligaments and tendons with it. I couldn’t feel the last three fingers on my right hand, which I later found out was because I had shredded the nerve on both ends. All I could think about while riding to the hospital in the ambulance was that I would never throw a ball again. No more baseball. No more dream. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Stetson on call that day to do my surgery. Dr. Stetson repaired the nerve, ligaments
-Patti Paniccia
As a former top ranked professional surfer and now, an avid recreational surfer, I’ve spent decades pushing my shoulders beyond what most people can imagine. The shoulder endurance is demanded not while riding a wave, but when paddling through giant breaking waves to reach the outside lineup. When I reached my 50s, it seemed that my shoulders were falling apart. I thought there was no coming back, but Dr. Stetson surgically repaired a torn and weakened rotator cuff. No more pain, no more living on ibuprophen, and no more icing my shoulder after a good day surfing with my family. He also operated on my husband Jeff, a news photographer who carries a very heavy camera on his shoulder. We both highly recommend him.
-Helen W. (Age 16)
In 2002, a bouldering accident at Joshua Tree rendered me unable to walk or to put any weight on my right leg. After an emergency room misdiagnosis, I made an appointment to see Dr. Stetson who knew almost immediately what the true problem was: a torn ACL. He outlined the treatment options?both surgical and non-surgical. I felt that he was very thorough and straightforward about the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, so I was able to make a well-informed decision that was right for me. In my case, I wanted to continue to hike and backpack for many years, to be as strong as possible, so I opted for surgery. In all phases of the process, from preparation for the operation to recovery and physical therapy, Dr. Stetson managed my case beautifully and I always knew what to expect. The only nasty surprise in the whole process was the initial accident itself! As the mother of an active six-year-old, getting back on my feet fast was important. Under Dr. Stetson’s care, I returned to my normal activities quickly. The following year, I day-hiked Mt. Whitney (22 miles and about 6,000 feet of elevation gain) without knee pain (see above). Not bad for an over-forty mom with two screws in her knee, and I owe it to the skill, knowledge and guidance of Dr. Stetson
Dear Dr. Stetson, Humanity is so blessed to have your presence as a part of it! The work that you do enables human beings (like me for instance) to live life to the fullest (again)!!! From the bottom of my heart I thank you, I only wish that words could express the greatness which you give to humanity!
- Debbie Munsey
Dear Dr. Stetson, It has been a journey back to good health and to experience the joy of life since September 3, 2002. As you know, I am a very fortunate 57 year old guy who loves to watch and participate in sports. A series of events has enabled us to become friends, first because you became my trusted doctor. Of course there were prerequisites for this to happen. Living as a kid in a 57 year old body is a start. I love activity and sports, but things happen along the way. First, there was a shoulder injury from high school football that was never treated. I was a macho kid who did not have the sense to know when I was hurt, so I let it go for years, aggravating the injury playing football, baseball, tennis, and ski falls.
-John Jacobsen
My name is Ian Ayers, and I just want to inform anyone looking into orthopedic care, they have found the right person, Dr. Stetson. Here’s my story, 20 years ago in high school I developed popping in my right shoulder which followed up years later with extreme pain in the back of my right shoulder. I love to work out and play sports but the only thing that made my shoulder not hurt was to not work out. Since that was not an option I have been dealing with finding a fix to my shoulder issue for about 15 years or more. Over the past 15 years I have seen HMO doctors who only cared that I could move my arm above my head and sent me on my way, and I have seen PPO doctors who I researched thinking they would be the best because they were team doctors for most of the major league sporting teams we have here in Los Angeles. While seeing at least 10 or more doctors over the last 15 years, I’ve received 5 MRI’s, multiple x-rays, nerve testing (including a nerve block which numb your entire arm and right side of face, yeah that was fun), multiple cortisone shots, and even a botox shot (not because my shoulder had wrinkles, but its actually a muscle relaxer, who knew), and numerous years of physical therapy
and pill taking of anti-inflamatory stuff. None of it helped. And not one previous doctor knew what the problem was because none of the MRI’s or X-rays revealed anything an exact problem
-Ian Ayers
-Riley Salmon
USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Player, Riley Salmon, avoids surgery and helped lead our USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team to a gold medal in Beijing. He came to Dr. Stetson two years ago after being told by another doctor that he needs to have surgery on his shoulder which may end his career and his Olympic dreams. Dr. Stetson treated him with a course of rest and rehabilitation and he was of the starting players on our USA Men’s Olympic volleyball team which won a gold medal in Bejing. Dr. Stetson is one of the team physicians for our Men’s Olympic volleyball team and recently celebrated their gold medal performance here in Southern California.
-Peter Beck
procedure in St. Louis. This operation and Dr. Stetson’s efforts have given me twelve years of relatively pain free activity. I’ve been able to resume some of my previous activities like skiing and soccer. While I’ll never be able to play at the level I had as a teen, Dr. Stetson’s care and this procedure have guaranteed that I can enjoy these activities with my twelve year old son in a way that I feared would have been impossible twelve years ago. Thanks for all you did then and still caring today.
I was diagnosed, much to my shock and chagrin, with degenerative joint disease in my right knee just weeks after my 21st birthday. My physical life as I knew it began to change then, even if I didn’t really know it. Four years later I jumped on the surgery merry-go-round. After four surgeries in as many years, I had come to the end of the road in terms of treatment options and the pain in my knee was getting progressively worse. I could barely walk a mile without subsequent, nearly debilitating pain in the days to follow. I was referred to Dr. Stetson by my orthopedic surgeon, one of his own colleagues. Doctor Stetson outlined for me three treatment options. One was a structure altering surgery that would do little more than treat my symptoms and buy me a few more years of functionality. Option two was a partial replacement of the knee at the age of 32. Option three was the most radical concept, a fairly new procedure that was barely in the investigative stage of testing: a meniscal allograft. There were no guarantees of success but this option seemed the most promising especially given my young age. In August 1997, Dr. Stetson transplanted a donor meniscus into my right knee, the first such
As I lay on the hospital bed watching Dr. Stetson sign my arm, I knew then that my right shoulder was never to be just “mine” anymore. I was so grateful to be part of a team that I felt was a miracle to find and have on my side. There was no way I was going to let them down. It had all started July 5, 2009. It had been a great 4th of July celebration at our mountain cabin. Everyone had gone home and I looked forward to spending several days relaxing and enjoying the mountains. At about 11:00 pm I discovered a very large bug in the cabin. I was determined to “get rid of it” so that it would not have the chance to find me again! As I threw it on the ground I covered it with some magazine papers so as not to get my shoe messy. BIG MISTAKE! I stepped down on to a virtual “slip and slide”, and slip and slide I did. The pain from the fall was enough to make me feel like I would stop breathing and I just knew when I finally got up that my arm would be going the wrong direction. It wasn’t, but I was in pain! After the pain had somewhat subsided, but I realized I couldn’t move my arm. I brilliantly concluded that it was a temporary numbness. Two weeks later after doctor’s appointments, X-rays, an MRI and
-Sharon Krause
endless phone calls came the results: all four tendons in the rotator cuff torn and not operable. Wow!! This could not be happening to me. I kept thinking of all the U.S. soldiers who had lost limbs in war, and my own husband who lost his sight in one eye. I did not want to be selfish about what might be a tragic reality and not be able to accept a new way of life. But I also knew I could not just accept this diagnosis without another opinion. I was becoming all too familiar with what a useless arm was all about. Daily tasks, such as folding towels, were a challenge. Cooking, which I love to do, was difficult in so many ways; stirring, cutting, and washing dishes. My hair! It is impossible to use a curling iron with one hand. I couldn’t pick up my grandchildren and I couldn’t play basketball or other sports with the older grandkids. I continually felt like I might fall again. The shoulder pain was not so bad, but my back was beginning to feel the weight of a useless object hanging around!
-Testimonial of Katie Parucha
Katie Parucha celebrates with her teammates after her second half goal against UC Santa Cruz. After she tore her ACL last year, she thought her soccer career might be over. She had her ACL reconstructed last summer by Dr. Stetson and now is back competing for the Sonoma State Seawolves NCAA soccer team.
Dear Dr. William Stetson, First of all I really would like to say thank you so much for helping me out with my shoulder. You went out of your way for some kid you did not even know and that shows how amazing of a person that you are. I owe you more than you could imagine. I am healing and my spirits are extremely high. Baseball has always been a dream of mine and I just never had the extra luck that I needed to make it to the next level. Realistically I believe that this is my last attempt to get to the next level. I have had a few disappointments in the past years, but what you have done for me has given me another opportunity. I am planning on being back on the field for any team in the spring just to try and get back in game shape and continue being active. I honestly do not think I could say thank you enough for what you have done for me. Thank you so much Doc! Thank you,
-KD
I was originally referred to Dr. Stetson from the military medical system two years after I was injured on duty in 2001. Having endured two years of liberal narcotic prescriptions and worthless cortisone injections, I was finally afforded the opportunity to consult with Dr. Stetson regarding my right shoulder. He immediately made a correct diagnosis and recommended surgery. The surgery itself was trouble free and went well. I’ll add that the entire process of being under Dr Stetson’s care was easy and my treatment was first-rate. I’m enclosing a picture taken on top of the Mayor’s office on one of the last days of the Fallujah battle this past November. Thank you, Dr Stetson for fixing my shoulder and helping get me back in the fight with my fellow Marines. Semper Fidelis, Lt Col Trevor Kleineahlbrandt
-Lt Col Trevor Kleineahlbrandt
Dr. Stetson, on behalf of the Austin Family, thank you so much for taking care of Vianai these past four years. Without your sincere care, she probably would not have been able to ever play again. Just to let you know, her team (Academy of Arts University Division 2) finished in 3rd place and will be starting tournament play this Thursday at Concordia University at 245pm. Your more than invited. Again thank you so much.
Dr. Stetson, I just wanted to give you an update on Vianai. After your last appointment with Vianai this past December, you gave her your blessings to play and she made it back for the last six games of her senior college year. This past weekend was the senior’s day game and Vianai was able to play extended minutes after finally shaking off the rust in her knees. She scored 15 points (five 3-pointers) and received a huge ovation from the crowd as well as player of the game.
Dr. Stetson this was a huge accomplishment for Vianai because you have performed three surgeries in the last four years on her knees. The 3rd surgery you performed gave her a chance to complete her goal of getting one last opportunity to play in a couple of games for her senior season to complete her college basketball career. Well Dr. Stetson, mission accomplished and we owe you so much gratitude for guiding her on this journey.
-Byron Austin
Thank you for allowing me to be back on the soccer field. After a shoulder injury, I am now in business.
-J Chereque
-Terry Garcia
I wanted to thank you, and in particular, your family, for allowing you the space to pursue your career. Pursuit of perfection is typically a solitary endeavor. So many sacrifices have to be made to gather all the knowledge available and create new knowledge. So often, the family sacrifices. You can’t create something no one has ever seen before if you are going shopping, or to PTA meetings. So sacrifices are made and regrets are generated. You sir, are an excellent doctor. That tells me that you, and your family have paid the price for that excellence. So I want to thank your family, as well as yourself, for all the sacrifices you’ve both made. Because…. I am the recipient of that effort. I lived for twenty five years with the pain of a torn biceps tendon because twenty five years ago, I wasn’t fortunate enough to have a doctor like you at the time. I am eternally grateful for what you’ve done for me. I can’t thank you enough. I’ve been told that you like to coach your son’s baseball team, so I wanted to give you a book I wrote to help coaches and parents that are doing just that. I don’t expect that it will help you as much as you’ve helped me, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to do anything that would positively impact you and your family.
Thanks Dr. Stetson for getting me back to handball!
-Tony Esteban