Almost lost my leg after having post op complications. His staff was dismissive when I called. When I finally did see him, he just sent me to pt. The physical therapist was shocked when she saw my leg. Couldn't understand why he would even think to send me, as there was nothing she could do. She and I made numerous calls to his office, never heard back. I ended up needing 3 subsequent surgeries, one of which was performed by a colleague, as he was going on vacation for several weeks. He made the comment if he was aware of the situation, he could have done the procedure. I said how could you have not been aware? He and his office were completely inept. Thanks to another surgeon, at a different facility I gained the use of my leg back.

Submitted Aug. 31, 2023

Wish I could give zero stars. Avoid Dr. Minas and the Paley Institute at all costs. I’ve never met a doctor who is so inconsiderate, dismissive, and just a terrible person and untrustworthy surgeon. On top of that, the Paley Institute staff is extremely unorganized, uncommunicative, and misleading.

Every single doctor I’ve consulted says that they won’t do the procedure that Dr. Minas recommends, despite the fact that they are experienced in doing it. And Dr. Minas refuses to explain why that is.

Furthermore, he refused to answer additional questions I had concerning my second surgery. His last response to me was immature, arrogant, and unprofessional. I tried following up with his research coordinator, Liana Leja, but she completely ignored my concerns and never responded to me.

Dr. Minas really knows how to get your hopes up and then tear them all down. He said I might be able to run competitively at 2 years postoperative, which I was so excited to hear because running has been my lifelong passion and I would do anything to get it back.

Then at a later visit, he said that he did not understand the intensity and extent of my competitive running, and then said he’s not going to do my surgery. As a supposedly well-renowned orthopedic surgeon, how do you not know the definition of competitive running? Why would you tell me it was possible, and then make up the excuse that you didn’t know what I meant?

And why would you say you don’t feel comfortable doing the surgery anymore when he said that it would delay a knee replacement by 10-15 years? If it really would delay a knee replacement, then wouldn’t doing the surgery be better than not doing it at all?

I don’t even know how his administrative assistant, Ash Itinger, got hired. Her lack of communication skills is inexcusable. I went days without hearing back from her, and had to keep emailing and leaving her voicemails in order to get any kind of response. It was like pulling teeth with her. She also never responded whenever I would ask if Dr. Minas was running late. Instead, I’ve had to wait over 20 minutes at each appointment for him to show up.

Ash said that the Paley Institute would call me about a time to come in for my COVID test that I needed to have done before my first surgery. After no one did, I called them and they told me to stop by between 9am and 1pm on Saturday. When I got there, it was closed. I called and called and then got a hold of someone at the hospital, who said that they only do the COVID test between 9 and 11am on Saturdays. They told me I needed to be tested 48 hours in advance (my surgery was Monday), so it was a complete waste of my time and money.

Ash also said that local hotels offer discounts for out-of-state patients such as myself. When I called, I found out that was not the case. The savings was no different than if you signed up to be a Marriott rewards member, which is free to do and anyone can do.

Ash also said that there was a free shuttle between the hotel and hospital. Apparently it doesn’t run on weekends though (which is when I had to go there twice for the COVID test), and I couldn’t take it on the day of surgery because they rescheduled it from 10am to 5am. So really, the shuttle was just another false promise and I had to rack up my credit card with Uber rides. Besides that, they told me I had to be there at 5am, and then I ended up having to wait over an hour outside because they weren’t even open.

Also, the hospital told me just to wear comfortable clothing and to not wear any jewelry on the day of surgery. If it had not been for my dad, who told me not to eat or drink anything on the day of surgery, then I would’ve ate breakfast and drank water just like I do everyday first thing when I wake up in the morning. That was the hospital’s responsibility to inform me of that; not my dad’s. And it would’ve cost me missing my surgery that day all because the Paley staff failed to do their job and relay that vital information to me.

To sum it up, I really regret putting my trust in Dr. Minas and the Paley Institute, and I would never go back or recommend that anyone else go there. It was such a waste of time, money, and energy, and it did nothing to help the problems with my knee.

Submitted May 14, 2021

He is the best. He takes time to figure out exactly what is wrong. He really listens. His staff is fantastic. Definitely recommend 100%

Submitted April 10, 2019

I just had my second surgery with Dr. Minas. My first surgery, he was fantastic, took time to explain things and made me feel confident and comfortable with the plan of care. After a 10 year gap, I had my last surgery 2 weeks ago (the first of 2 planned). This was just for a hardware removal. I ended up with severe neck pain after the surgery (why?)and then readmitted for severe infection needing IV antibiotics. I still have not gotten a return call from him. He did not come to my post op visit, I saw the PA. This was upsetting to me because I was not having a normal post op recovery. I was having severe drainage and not healing. I put in multiple calls to the office requesting to speak with Dr. Minas and only got calls back from the PA or secretary. When I got readmitted to the hospital, I only heard from the PA. Where is Dr. Minas? Is the PA running his whole practice now? I am very upset with his lack of follow up and communication. What happened to the caring MD I had?

Submitted July 2, 2012

I am of two minds. Dr Minas is a fantastic surgeon, he is open to nonsurgical options and is willing to and very capable of doing a great job on your knees. However, the wait for appointments can be extensive sometimes months at a time. The most frustrating aspect of choosing this office is the lack of response to questions, medication requests, pre and post op concerns. The office turns off the phones after 5pm so there is no one to contact for post op complications. The whole process is much more stressful than it should be. I've had 4 surgeries with Dr M. so I feel like this is not an isolated experience. Tim is still with the office but his role has changed and he doesn't handle calls anymore. He is fantastic.

Submitted March 28, 2012

After several surgeries I still can't walk and the doctor doesn't know what the problem is nor has he invested the time to look into it.

Submitted July 26, 2011

Dr. Minas is a wonderful doctor. He was not able to fix my knee 100% but, he has been very good about explaining the complexities of my situation and is trying to correct another doctor's mistake on my leg. I trust him and feel lucky to have found him.

Submitted Jan. 29, 2011

Dr. Minas did a total knee replacement for me in 2005, after having four scopes done on this knee from another Doctor with no improvement at all I was reffered to Dr. Minas by my primary care Doctor. April will be five years and all is great. In my opinion you couldn't find a better orthopedic Doctor. He's simply the best.

Submitted Jan. 13, 2010

He is really busy and it might take you a few months to get an appt but VERY worth it. He knows "knees" and he is the best in his field as far as cartilage and severe knee repair. I also really appreciate the fact that he is not eager to do surgery, Dr. Minas is very thoughtful and will take a look at the entire picture before suggesting it. For me he gave me a range of 2-5 years before I would need it and then told me to go on with my life until I was ready. I really appreciate that in a surgeon, my last doctor just wanted to do surgery and it was a mistake. Also, the nurses he works with are amazing and very patient friendly. Dr. Minas is the only person I would ever trust with my knee and he is more than competent. Also his asst. Tim is amazing and will get back to you ASAP with anything you need. Tim is what every doctor needs, a person who is sensitive and will take the time to explain what is going on if you have more questions.

Submitted July 28, 2008

Pushes the envelope. cutting edge, unproven techniques. Can go over at times. Needs to give patient a realistic opinion of the outcome.

Submitted April 11, 2008