I want to do this review because I think it is important to share the experience and that others can decide whether to choose this doctor or not.

My first appointment was in September, I arrived because my general doctor referred me because I have had hand pain for more than 1 year. that first appointment was encouraging because the dr gave me advice and told me that if it didn't work we had other options. I didn't get much better so we had a second appointment a month later, the only thing different was that he gave me some pills in case I had pain and if it was still wrong, they could do some nerve studies (I don't know why they weren't done from the beginning) .

I didn't get better and I wrote to him to please send me to do the studies, that's how it was. Last November 18 I went to the studios and after that I didn't get any feedback, so I wrote what was next? They told me that I had to have another appointment with the doctor. Today, December 7, I had it, the appointment was scheduled at 9:30 am, it was almost 9:50 and I was still waiting for the doctor. I asked her assistant if it was going to take much longer because I had to attend a work call at 10:30 to which she answered and you barely found out? that doesn’t matters, respect for my time is that if the appointment is at 9:30 and they ask me to arrive at 9:15, I assume that I will be attended punctually.

I don't know if my question made her and the doctor angry because everything went wrong from there. The doctor came with a negativity saying that there was nothing wrong with my studies and that then he could not do anything. They sent me to see him, because he is a specialist in the hands. His responses changed appointment after appointment, but I don't understand if my problem was the same from the beginning.

Today he told me that he could no longer do anything for me, and that he was going to refer me. It makes me a little sad that since September I have had the same problem and after 4 appointments he tells me that he can't do anything. I feel like I wasted my time.

and I'm not saying that I'm a bad doctor, probably for many if it worked. But this is my experience and I didn't have any solution.

Submitted Dec. 7, 2022

I broke my wrist on May 15 this year. The fracture was complex with multiple, displaced fragments. I was so fortunate to see Dr. Gutow the next day at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). The site was very painful but during examination Dr. Gutow held it carefully in a way that did not hurt at all but instead brought comfort. Despite a hectic schedule Dr. Gutow did a careful examination, took the time to answer my questions, reviewed the options and the reasons for implementing an internal plate with screws. From this moment on I knew I could trust Dr. Gutow fully. Surgery was scheduled on May 19 at the spotless PAMF surgical facility on Willow Road in Palo Alto. Today, two months after surgery I have a fully functioning wrist, as mobile and capable of bending in all directions as my other wrist (I did a lot of exercises at home). This is an excellent test of Dr. Gutow’s and his Physician Asst. R. Malinao's most excellent care.

During the 3 post op visits they both cheered for my progresses: (1) ability to make a fist, then (2) to rotate the radius, and (3) during the last visit to bend my wrist in all directions. These anecdotal yet telling reactions illustrate well how they both focus on their patient as a person not only as a case to move through the system as fast as possible.

Dr. Gutow is calm, attentive, compassionate, and really supportive. He is very busy but gives his full attention to each patient. When he runs late the receptionists post the delay on a board in the waiting room and often the time delay gets resolved. The web is full of horror stories about botched surgeries with life long impact on patients. A functioning wrist is necessary to my work and quality of life. Although I never had to wait longer than 15 min. I would be willing to wait much longer for access to the best surgeon.

I am extremely grateful.

Submitted July 22, 2015

Miraculous: Fixed my duputren (bent finger) in the office on my first visit. Finger hasn't been this straight in years.

Submitted May 26, 2012

Fixed my broken wrist up and got me back to sports.

Submitted May 19, 2012

I've been to him 3 times and had great experience each time. He not only diagnosed the issue right away, but never tried to order unnecessary tests or treatments. Fantastic doctor!!

Submitted March 29, 2012