Incomparable! Compassionate. Better than most of his peers. Easy to talk to.

Submitted April 4, 2022

WARNING: Please do not to be seduced by the gushing praise for Dr. Dearborn: As demonstrated by my experience, anyone, even in the best of health, can have an outcome which does not fit his protocol, and at that point you would have been far better off going to a surgeon who is less of a “super star” but much more committed to the total care of his or her patients.
Dr. Dearborn performed a TKR on me in September, 2014. I was in good physical condition and excellent health. Over 4 years later, I have not fully recovered from Dr. Dearborn's surgery, and never will. I began having trouble within the first week after his surgery—starting with a massive hematoma in the surgery site. My case did not fit his protocol, and the follow-up by him and his office was very poor. Eventually he simply dismissed me, saying my case was “no longer simply an orthopedic one,” even though it was his surgery and post-op treatment which caused my problems.
I have subsequently been put through the pain, suffering, and expense of two further surgeries to attempt to repair, and ultimately to remove and replace the prothesis placed by Dr. Dearborn. At no point has he taken any responsibility for my problem.
In brief, the high volume manner in which Dr. Dearborn practices orthopedic surgery did not allow him, nor was his practice organized in a manner that allowed others, to give careful follow up to those patients whose outcomes do not fit his normal protocol. While professing to care deeply about his patients, my personal experience with Dr. Dearborn is that he is so overly convinced of his technical superiority that he is arrogant. His behavior and attitude stand in stark contrast to the far better care provided by the two other orthopedic surgeons who have done the follow-up surgery on my knee. I cannot in good faith recommend that anyone take their loved ones to him.

Submitted April 10, 2019

This is about my experiences, not an attempt to harm. My experience ended well, I hope yours does too, it is only my opinion. There is nothing "fraudulent" about telling your true story. Dearborn is considered the "go to" doctor. I would never go to him again. I would recommend anyone use extreme caution. I would not recommend him to anyone, I am very glad to hear most have had great results. He is a salesman, selling his team and procedure. I am not angry, bitter nor dishonest. I have had many surgeries, and not all goes well. I am merrily attempting to help others. Please read all of Dr. Dearborn's replies to bad reviews. His remarks will teach you a lot about him, his practice and feeling about his patients. Dr. Dearborn blames billing, attempts to extort money, claims alleged patients who may be mentally unstable or simply angry or dishonest people. He will tell you "Unfortunately, complications happen with any surgical procedure." Dearborn wants you to think there are few complications. Most will not write a poor review as he will attack you leaving no possible response or recourse to his pitiful replies. He will accuse patients (that is you) that write reviews sadden him and that they are bitter and angry. After he leaves them hurt in pain he says, he has to forgiven them for ongoing efforts to personally injure him? Dearborn is nothing but a joint replacement machine after your money. I truly liked Dearborn's bedside manors. He gave me plenty of time and attention prior to my surgery. His staff was excellent and very attentive. Dr. Dearborn did a total left knee replacement (arthroplasty) on me four years ago, in October of 2013. My recovery was coming along quite well, three days home the joint started swelling, turning red and feeling extremely hot. I immediately called his office three consecutive days, as it worsened and ballooned up. I told the PA I had a staff infection. I was astounded his PA told me "YOU NEED TO GET TOUGHER AND TAKE IBUPROFEN for the swelling." I finally sent him pictures to no avail. When my PT first saw it, she called Dr. Dearborn's office as she knew it was staff infection. They had me immediately in to the office, admitted me that day back into the hospital and preformed a second surgery the following day as I had a staff infection. His reports never show the real story of what was done so as to alleviate any possible law suit down the road. Like I ever wanted to sue him. All I wanted was to walk with maybe a pain level of 4 out of 10. He actually verbally told my wife and I the infection in the joint was the PA's fault, due the his poor, wrong choice in the material he chose for the stitches. Dearborn never makes a mistake.
Following the second surgery I did my rehab exactly as was requested of me. There was still a lot of instability, pain, swelling, popping and burning in the joint. Followed up with Dearborn - xrays, they said everything was fine. Again, I was told I just have to get tougher. I have lived in excruciating pain while still doing my daily activities with no pain medication for four years. I would tell anyone who asked, having a knee joint replacement would make you feel as though you were walking on unstable painful, burning stilts for the rest of your life.
I researched orthopedic joint replacement Doctors, nation wide, for four years to come up with the same three names repeatedly... None had the poor reviews like Dearborn. I chose one, the Doctor and his PA put my knee through its range of motion. They were amazed at the joints "looseness" hyperextending it, moved laterally and medially (side to side) over eight inches, a direction no knee bends. The Doctor, stated, "this kind of movement is not normal at all, it is almost like "you are walking on stilts" each step. He determined that the polyethylene spacer in knee joint is too thin, allows too much "play" in the joint, causing continual irritation of tissue/tendons/muscles swelling and the resulting pain. The spacer needed to be replaced with a thicker version during revision surgery which I have done. He replaced the polyethylene spacer between the two metal plates with a new polyethylene plate, 4 cm thicker. The Doctor stated the plate was cheap, not high impact and so thin it was almost non existent. He replaced it with a high impact polyethylene spacer. I am currently one week post surgery, no pain medication, pain free. My knee is more stable than it has been in over eight years. There is already less swelling than I have lived with for the past four years. Dearborn is a knee factory. Anything other than a perfect outcome, they don't acknowledge. He states he wants follow up but not if your a case he does not want to admit too. One cannot grow if you are not capable of a truthful critique, listening without attacking. To top all of this my knee, a Zimmer Persona has been recalled and Dr. Dearborn has not even been ethical enough to notify me.

Submitted Nov. 19, 2017

Dr. Dearborn and his team gave me the best medical experience I've had, and my first major surgery. I had my hip replaced after years of postponing the operation and I did my homework. My insurance coverage is not very comprehensive but Dr. Dearborn works with people who do not have insurance and takes many kinds of insurance as well. I received a huge discount as well as a payment plan so that I could have the surgery. Some of the other reviews do not seem accurate to me based on my own experience. I was able to watch my surgery, and the entire staff was professional, patient and thorough in answering my questions and addressing any problems I had. Dr. Dearborn spent time with me in person and on the phone, including the night before my surgery, when we talked for close to one hour. My recovery has been excellent and I am pursuing my love of horseback riding and other sports. I would not hesitate to recommend him. Fabulous doctor and wonderful human being.

Submitted Aug. 27, 2012

DR. DEARBORN HAS TO BE ONE OF THE FINEST SURGEONS ON THE WEST COAST! I HAD A HIP REPLACEMENT AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL OVERNIGHT AND HOME THE NEXT DAY. I WALKED IN THE HOUSE (WITH A CANE)AND BEGAN MY RECOVERY. AFTER 8 WEEKS I AM NOW PLAYING GOLF AGAIN AND AM PAIN FREE! DR.DEARBORN AND HIS STAFF ARE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND TENDED TO ALL MY NEEDS (AND QUESTIONS). WHAT A BLESSING IT WAS TO HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT DR.DEARBORN! WE HAVE REFERRED TWO OF OUR CLOSE FRIENDS TO HIM AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. HE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!

Submitted June 11, 2011

Doctor very knowledgeable, gave injections, but I am still in great pain. Staff misleading on coverage -- said Dr. in contract with my insurer, and that is not true. Sent over a big bill after the fact, when if in network I would pay $0 after the office visit co-pay.

Submitted Dec. 2, 2009

He doesnt take insurance. I saw his assistant more than him. I still have pain and he keeps telling me it will get better

Submitted March 3, 2009

Had severe post op problems with bi-lateral KNR. Developed severe pain in left knee. I went back to Dearborn to have it checked. He took x-rays and a fluid sample from left knee and said everything was ok. Problem kept getting worse. Went to see another Dr. He told me knee was severely infected and the knee joint had come loose. He pulled the original lab report on the fluid draw that Dearborn took and it showed infected. The X-rays also showed a problem. Dearborn never said a word. He told me everything was fine, no need to worry. Please be careful with this Dr.

Submitted Feb. 3, 2009

quite an incredible, relatively painless experience with a wonderfully helpful & supportive staff. The pain after the surgery was never as intense as before. 2 weeks later, I'm out and about walking with a cane.

Submitted Jan. 24, 2009

Dr. Dearborn was very calm and reassuring prior to surgery, the staff and aftercare are the best available, and I can't wait to have my other hip done! I doubt any doctor can top his performance, his quality assurance, and total patient comfort and care.

Submitted Dec. 17, 2008