I have had a shoulder and recently a reconstructd knee with Dr. Ryu over the last 13 years. I have observed NONE of the negative situations mentioned. I have found him very concerned, informative and c,ourteous. He is prompt so be there a couple minutes early. Its a big thing with him that you don't wait. He doesn't tend to spend much time with you, as he has reviewed your films and simply gives gives you your options. I don't believe you can do better anywhere in the country! Also, your surgery will be ontime. His nurses and anethesioligist are obviously held to a very high standard. Jim W.

Submitted Aug. 29, 2011

I had a very poor experience with Dr Ryu. When in the office he appeared to be short tempered or frustrated when asked to explain anything. I went in for a PCL construction and was shocked to awake with a reconstructed LCL and moved popletius. My PCL untouched by the surgery still had grade 3 laxity. This surgery was disastrous for the next seven years of my life. I just had the PCL done again by a PCL specialist and was informed my popletius was completely detached which raises serious questions. Dr Ryu, should refer patients to qualified specialist as opposed to aborting surgeries mid operation. So I was charged for a needless surgery and informed about things we already knew from the MRI. Terrible experience with this doctor.

Submitted Aug. 18, 2011

I have a shoulder injury that causes me pain, but I walked out of his office. The man has a major chip on HIS shoulder. He was combative when I asked questions, then downright rude and insulting. Maybe he passed the medical bar, but he has failed in life IMO.

Submitted May 4, 2011

I'm so relieved to find other terrible reviews of Dr.Ryu here.When you mention his name everyone says he's the best. I was so excited to be referred to him. I was warned by my acupuncturist that he has bad bed side manners. When I came there he quickly examined my shoulder(1 min)and tells me that I need a MRI. I started to get teary eyed because he was so unfriendly and I do not have insurance.I asked if there was a alternative. He snapped on me and told me that I was a very angry and emotional person that has come to take my frustrations out on him and that he feels uncomfortable in his own office. It was very bizarre and kinda creepy. He repeated himself a few times and I just had to walk out. He didn't charge me. I called to make a complaint and the receptionist was very unprofessional..She said he is too busy and popular to take your complaint. Wow! maybe I should complain to the medical board. I'm finding out through some other docs that he has a bad rep in that manner

Submitted Dec. 12, 2010

I have seen several shoulder doctors in Santa Barbara at this point, and Dr. Ryu definitely inspired the most confidence, was the most professional, and was most conservative in terms of recommending surgery, all of which I liked. He really helped my shoulder recover on its own as much as possible. In the end I did need surgery, and because of insurance I had to go to someone else, which I regret. Talking to his patients in the physical therapy offices, it seems that they have better and faster recovery than people who went to other doctors. I think it is really worth going to him if you can. Shoulder surgery is serious and complex, and recovery can be awful - I wish I had realized what a difference it makes. Also, he was very friendly and professional, so I don't agree with some of the reviews here. In any case, you want a good surgeon, not a best friend.

Submitted Sept. 21, 2010

Dr Ryu spent less than 2 minutes in the exam room with me. He became extremely agitated when I asked him any questions. After I pressed me for answers, he declared that I was disrespectful and said that "we" could not work together. He told me there would be "no charge" for the multiple x-rays he took of my knee. Very bizarre experience. He accused me of calling him a "narcissist," and told me to find another doctor. Will do !!!!!!!!!

Submitted July 28, 2010

Dr. Ryu did my ACL surgery and was excellent. I went to 3 doctors who all gave me a different prognosis that I didn't believe until I saw Dr. Ryu. He immediately knew what the problem was and how to fix it. It was a standard ACL tear, but I was very confident in his abilities and my scars are the smallest and least intrusive of all my friends who have also gotten the surgery. I would recommend Dr. Ryu to anyone!

Submitted July 27, 2010

When you mention Dr. Ryu to anyone within a 100 mile radius of Santa Barbara you get all the "oohs & aahs". He is the best at what he does. With that being said he is cold, curt, rude, somewhat obnoxious & has a God complex. He is very unapprochable & will not answer most of your questions directly & then acts as though you're an idiot for asking them. It's almost as if his attitude is "I'm the best & you have no right to question me." And if you ever need him after hours be prepared to get blasted! I didn't need a social hour or chit-chat. I needed medical questions answered without being insulted & treated rudely! The surgery was a success but as far as I'm concerned this man is a failure with social skills, has no bedside manner at all, zero compassion & has forgotten how to deal with the human race.

Submitted Feb. 8, 2010

I had to mark the bullets with what I remember from 22 yrs ago....geez, did I really just write that??!! Anyway, back in those days, Dr. Ryu was still doing Ankles. The surgery I needed was one for the medical books and I remember the Physical Therapists were excited to meet "that person with the weird extra bone". Dr. Ryu was very kind and reassuring. Even in my 20's I was very impressed with his punctuality for the surgery and I didn't even think twice about what he was doing - I just trusted him and his skills. Blind Faith if you will. I am now faced with a new surgery on my other ankle and am just sick that Dr. Ryu doesn't do ankles anymore. He was THE BEST, probably still is and I'm sure he's earned more respect that the negative comments I see on this page. If I could get the next best thing to Dr. Ryu for this new surgery, which is a much simpler procedure, I'd going through with it without hesitaion.

Submitted Jan. 26, 2010

Dr. Ryu is known as one of the best knee and shoulder surgeons in the area. If you want the best at those things, you go to him. The appointments are short, about 5 minutes long, no exaggeration. I would typically show up 10-15 minutes early to my appointment and be out of there before my appointment time actually started. You need to have all your questions written down beforehand, he will not talk much so you must keep asking him any questions you have before he walks away. I found him friendly enough, he doesn't seem like a jerk or anything, just a very non talkative guy. The surgery went great as did the recovery. I wasn't a big fan of his office staff, Cathy was mostly friendly in person but a nightmare on the phone. I would recommend Ryu to people as long as they are prepared to be very pro-active about asking him any questions you have.

Submitted Dec. 7, 2009