Ratings for Dr. James Dubberley
The Doctor was very rude , I could hear the doctor talking about me asking me “ what does he want “? This was my first appointment. He did not seem confident in doing the surgery but said he would do it anyways . Very rude wouldn’t let me ask any questions and has medical students doing all the work including filling out all the paper work . Very unprofessional I hope to find someone else soon .
Submitted Jan. 21, 2019
I had rotator cuff repair surgery, followed by two more surgeries to address stiffness in the shoulder, all while living in another province. My shoulder following each surgery had therapists and the surgeon all scratching their heads. So after the 3rd surgery and my move back to Wpg, I saw Dr. Dubberley for after care. Skipping the long tale, the operating surgeon was working on the theory that I may have developed frozen shoulder after the first surgery and after the 3rd surgery my shoulder had begun to thaw a bit, but I was still at the point where I can only pull shirts off via a hockey jersey pull using one arm.
I encapsulated everything regarding surgeries and rehabs, to his medical student. Like stated in other reviews, I got Mr. Hyde barreling into the room. Assumingly, based on what was related to him by his medical student, he proclaimed definitively and with the confidence of God, that I simply have a stiff shoulder and 'it is what it is and shall be for the rest of my life and someone needs to tell me this already'. He proclaimed that I never had frozen shoulder and when I asked 'but didn't the MRI taken bxt the 2rd and 3rd surgery show a thickened capsule?' He said he doesn't know b/c he hasn't seen this MRI. It made me wonder if he even reviewed my file at all.
Given there is no one standard rehab treatment for shoulders and that Adhesive Capsulitis is not well understood and the cause is unknown, and his clear lack of familiarity with my file, I was taken aback by his omniscience about my shoulder. He didn't even assess my shoulder himself, but did state that I shouldn't waste any more money on rehab.
Despite this, and upon my request, I did manage to get a recommendation of a physiotherapist who specializes on shoulders. Though it has only been over a week of therapy with her, I have already seen significant gains in all my ROMS (range of movement). So much for his declaration that my shoulder 'is what it is'.
The hubris of this man is unbelievable. It is the greatest of all the surgeons I've ever dealt with over the years. His mannerism was combative and bordering on belligerent, not only with me but with dealing with the patient he saw before me.
While waiting on the referral, I heard him rant about the previous patient and then deal with him in a rude and dismissive manner in the corridor. Grant you I do not know how difficult or trying the previous patient was, but that is no excuse for such a lack of professionalism on his part. I heard all this through the closed door and my husband heard it all that in the hallway 30m away.
Submitted Dec. 18, 2018
Had ORIF done on my dominant wrist. Fractured it on Sunday and was referred the following Thursday with surgery the following morning. Dr. Dubberley was great about explaining the procedure, the risks and rewards. He was to the point and fact based, this is what I want from a surgeon, I want surgical knowledge and skill and feel that I got it. I don't care for chit chat or sharing life stories, I needed my arm fixed and he did a great job.
Submitted Oct. 11, 2018
I can see why people like this doctor when things go well. At first I thought this as well. It is when things don't go as planned that he gets irritable defensive and rude. I think he has a dr. Jekyll and mr. Hyde thing going on. I had a MRI done and he said I had bone spurs in my elbow preventing me from straightening my arm. At that point he recommended Ortho scopic surgery to remove the bone Spurs and once they were gone I would be able to straighten my arm again. Sounded good to me. I had no pain or discomfort in my arm or elbow at this point and I was told that I would get full range of motion from my arm after surgery. After surgery and Rehab I was told by doctor dubberly I would NOT get full range of motion and it is what it is and he denied saying that I could straighten my arm after surgery . To the point my arm was the same after surgery and now I have constant aches and pain in my elbow and nerve damage from my elbow down to my fingers, a discomfort I previously never had. When I keep my elbow bent my arm falls asleep from my elbow down to my fingers which makes sleeping very difficult. When discussing all this with him in my appointments after the surgery he became agitated defensive and rude. He offered no solution and now said he can't do anything and that the MRI stated I have arthritis and that was the cause of my trouble from then on. I feel he and the system let me down I feel I should have been given more information before surgery. Now when I go to the doctor to seek treatment for my elbow I am referred back to the same guy that said it is what it is. I would not recommend this doctor to anyone. I would read all the reviews and say the people that like him or think he's God or great....things went well for them in their treatment. I think as soon as something doesn't go right he turns into dr. Jekyll. I'm very disappointed that there is no support after surgery and no one else to turn to I'm in my 40s and now have to live with a weak damaged elbow for the rest of my life. To me this is unacceptable and frustrating as the system is letting all of us down.
Submitted April 3, 2018
Currently under Dr Dubberly's care following an ORIF surgery for my ankle. He is direct and no nonsense. Be well prepared with your questions and concerns - he's a busy guy! I find him knowledgeable and kind. Zero complaints.
Submitted Dec. 18, 2017
It's been 10 years since Dr. Dubberley put my elbow back together after a cycling accident. Dr. Dubberley substituted for the planned surgeon when he became unavailable at the last moment. I feel extremely lucky that this occurred. After surgery done by Dr. Dubberley, I faithfully underwent the painful physiotherapy specifically detailed by him. It was tough but it worked. I regained 96% of the range of motion and 100% of the strength. I lift weights, do pull ups, push ups, and everything I need or want to do. 10 years later, still going strong! I still highly appreciate the work done by Dr. Dubberley for me. I didn't encounter any personal issues with dealing with Dr. Dubberley, but it would have been a small thing considering the daily benefit of a perfectly working elbow again.
Submitted Oct. 2, 2017
I was first greeted by a medical student. I have been in a lot of pain, with a torn achilles tendon, and was feeling good about finally seeing a professional for any advice he could provide.
I told the medical student that I would prefer to speak to the Dr. (i told her that I was a retired operating room nurse). Dr Dubberley came blasting into the room, and without any greeting, raised his voice and said "you were an operating room nurse...did you not have time to learn before you became a nurse!?"
He then told me that he did NOT know why I had been sent to see him. "You have the results of the ultrasound that shows a tear....there is nothing more I can do!"
I was by then in tears, exhausted, and in extreme pain!...He did NOT even look at my foot!
He said "i'll give you my card, come back in 2 months, if you're still in pain, and we may do surgery at that point"
Wow. The funny thing is, that he is going to get paid for this!
This man, and I call him that, because Dr. is only a term used for his book knowledge and degrees ......has ANGER ISSUES! I have worked with many a surgeon in my day as a team, and this one is unlike any I have ever met. RUN AWAY, and ask for another referral!
Submitted Aug. 22, 2017
Told me I had a couple of tears in my rotator cuff. Found out later I had torn out the whole rotator cuff. I couldn't have a regular shoulder replacement as the tears were too severe.
Submitted Dec. 6, 2016
Worst doctor ever! Stay away from him. I had wrist surgery 10 years ago, where he totally destroyed my wrist, put screws in when he had originally discussed doing a bone graft and now I have been in continuous pain, minimal range of motion and can barely use my left hand. He has pawned me off on other doctors and no longer accepting me as a patient.
Submitted Oct. 6, 2016
Dr. Dubberley is amazing! He has my daughter finally on the road to recovery. She broke her arm the beginning of April and the surgeon at Children's decided she did not require surgery even though it was an unstable fracture...10 weeks later we went for a second opinion at the Panam Clinic and Dr. Dubberley was very caring and concerned for her well being and got her into surgery 5 days later. His secretary was very kind and reassuring when I called with questions. He is very knowledgeable and came and spoke to me after the surgery was complete and treated a worried mom with respect.
Submitted June 14, 2019