Bell Sports Medicine Institute: David Bell MD Orthopedic Surgery 5924 Stoneridge Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588

"Dr. Bell and his entire staff are amazing. I had my first ever surgery (which was for my knee) about 4 years ago a few months before I moved to Australia for a year. Him and Mark made sure my knee was ready enough for a move across the world. Fast forward to September this year about 4 weeks before my brothers wedding I felt the same discomfort in my other knee in the exact same place after a dog ran into my knee and I twisted it trying to get out of the way. He got me into surgery within days after my MRI (which showed no tear both times) but he saw fluid and based on what I was describing which was that it felt exactly like my other tear, he thought it was the same tear I had in my other knee too. I only had a few weeks before my brothers wedding that I had to walk down the aisle for. Didn’t pressure surgery but was confident he knew it was the same and he was right. I can’t remember the name of the nurse (sorry I feel bad I can’t recall because I’m actually awful with names but she’s a gem!) who got me into surgery 2 days after my last appointment but I’m so grateful for her as well. She went out of her way to get me in quick vs waiting a over a week because I was desperate and I really really appreciate that she did that for me. Mark in PT is also incredible. Very knowledgeable and really good at what he does. I put all my trust in their staff because they deserve it. Mark and Erica have been awesome throughout my recovery. Mark helped me so much with my first knee surgery I was so happy he still worked there and would be able to help me after my 2nd surgery (after Covid I didn’t know who would still be there outside of Dr. Bell) Can’t say enough about how great Dr. Bell and his staff are, I’ve recommended him to multiple people. Thank you for everything! I attached a pic of the Great Barrier Reef I took on my phone which was only possible because of Bell Sports!"

"Two tennis friends referred me to Dr. Bell when I had pain in my right shoulder. After seeing Dr. Bell. he determined that I had a "big mamma tear" in my right rotator cuff. Since I enjoy playing tennis on a regular basis, I knew I had to get it repaired. My surgery was done in May 2021 at Hacienda Surgery and Dr. Bell was very calming and assuring as I was getting prepared for the surgery (the Hacienda Surgery staff was also very nice). I really felt that I was in good hands with Dr. Bell. Recovery and physical therapy took time, but each time I came to see Dr. Bell in the office after the surgery, Dr. Bell was so friendly and pleasant to see that I often looked forward to seeing him. :) The office staff were also to very pleasant and friendly too. I am now back in full swing playing tennis several times a week and thankful for the awesome job that Dr. Bell did to get me back on the court! I was so blessed to be referred to Dr. Bell that I would not hesitate to refer him to any of my tennis friends."

"My friends in the medical field recommended me to make an appointment with Dr. Bell after a major sports injury. Simply put, Dr. Bell has done a fantastic job and given me my life back. After listening carefully, following Dr. Bell's instructions post surgery (which, by the way, he did an excellent job with) down to the letter, and attending all of our follow-up appointments, I am happy to say that I can return to sport and normal activity. He even recommended a stellar PT team for my rehab, which contributed to my rapid recovery. Dr. Bell and his staff are efficient, straightforward, friendly, patient-oriented, and most importantly, focused on delivering healthy outcomes/results. I strongly recommend going to Dr. Bell for anyone who is looking for a great Orthopedic Surgeon. Thank you Dr. Bell and co.! Very fortunate to have crossed paths with you."

"He & his staff are professional & courteous. Br Bell was through in his explanation of the procedure during my pre-op visit & post-op visits. He's obviously a skilled surgeon and is well regarded by folks in the field of medicine. I'll be back if I need another repair... maybe knees or right shoulder. Hopefully not!"

"I visited Dr. Bell because of pain in my shoulder. This pain did not come from a trauma, it appeared seemingly out of no where. Dr. Bell prescribed an MRI, which showed a minor tears in one of my rotator cuff muscles. He latched onto this minor tear and immediate recommended surgery. I asked him if there were any alternatives to surgery (since my pain was not restricting my daily or active life) and his response was short and fairly demeaning ending in, "No, this is the only option". Not being a doctor or trained professional, I decided I should get a second opinion. I went to a specialist orthopedic (also a surgeon) who gave me a 180 degree prescription to Dr. Bell's surgery stance. This second Ortho said "No surgery!" plain and simple, taking it 100% off the table. He explained to me, in extreme detail, why I have pain and pointed out that the pain wasn't even where the tear was! This doctor prescribed Physical Therapy and ice. Simple. Said do it for 6 weeks and if the pain is still there he would be surprised! This made me very excited and even if it didn't work, it is always best to do everything you can before getting cut by a surgeon! I went and saw another specialist who was on the same page as the second Ortho I saw, "No surgery!" In fact, this specialist said, "You have a minor tear yes, but everything is still connected at your rotator cuff... What was Dr. Bell even going to do in the surgery? There is nothing to connect back up?" That scared me and is why I am writing this review. This specialist knew of Dr. Bell and said that he gets a lot of patients who say, "Dr. Bell prescribed surgery," when surgery wasn't needed at all. I am guessing Dr. Bell makes his money by cutting and not by being a good doctor. This third specialist also gave me some rib expansion (breathing) exercises to go along with the Physical Therapy. (This is because my shoulder pain is a SYMPTOM, not the actual issue in my body). I have now been with a Physical Therapist for 2 weeks, she focuses on the whole body to determine why I have shoulder pain as a SYMPTOM. This is important, my shoulder pain is a symptom due to other imbalances in my body. The exercises I have been doing are not focused on my shoulder, but on my whole body, and have already rebalanced my body allowing my shoulder to heal. I am 30 years old, I have been doing Pilates 2x a week for 8 years, I run 2x a week to stay fit, I live an active normal life, I eat healthy, I do not drink, and I do not smoke. Generally my body should be able to heal! If I had got surgery I would have been out for 6 months and then another 6 months to rehabilitate where I was cut into. And then who knows how surgery would have left my shoulder years down the road. I am not an alternative to Western medicine, in fact I believe surgery is needed for many issues and I trust Western doctors. But, the way Dr. Bell approached my pain was so concerning, down to my core, I had to get a second and third review - and am so glad I did. I am writing this review because others should know about my experience with Dr. Bell. I want to point out that Dr. Bell has a trend of recommending surgery when, surgery is not always the first option. Please always get a second opinion and please be careful when seeing Dr. Bell. It's your body not his. You will be the one living the rest of your life based on your decisions."