December 2011

This is my 2nd holiday season with my new knee and I can't thank you enough for your approach and what you do.  You so dramatically changed my life for the good and I just hope you all cherish how special what it is that you do.
Peter C.

Thank you so much for everything! My knee is feeling really good and I can't wait to ski (as soon as there's some snow).  I'm so appreciative for all that you do for me.  Thank you for all the great PT.  You are all true professionals with awesome personalities which makes it fun while healing up!
- Lisa C.

August 2011

- Orange, CA
I am writing this review on my phone on a business trip.  I had a torn PCL and flew down from Seattle to have Dr. Stone operate on my knee while other surgeons gave me a brace and told me sorry nothing we can do, live up everything you love and have a nice life.

Dr. Stone also found that my LCL was torn and was able to repair my PCL. I actually came upon these reviews while searching for his website to recommend to a friend. He restored the quality of my life and treated me with nothing but the utmost, care, concern, and respect. I enjoy all the sports and activities of life and my knee has never been better!

I suspect that only the few unhappy people feel motivated to write a review and most are for billing and other non medical issues? 

Well I was so motivated after reading this that I had to do this on my phone before my business trip.

Doctor Stone if you read this, you are the best on every level and I will be eternally grateful to you for restoring my health and  life.

Anthony S.



April 2011

- San Francisco, CA
The clinic is at the pinnacle of sports medicine therapy and repair. I've been going there on and off for a few years now for various injuries, both knee and shoulder. If you are committed to getting your injured joint into shape, you will have a good result. You don't need to be an athlete, but it helps to think like one and plan on a goal of some athletic performance when you're healthy.

Having a top notch surgeon integrated with a fantastic PT group means that both support each other, and ultimately, you. Each one can fix you to some extent, but after years of research, Dr. Stone and the PTs have found that the best patient results come from going into your surgery as strong and healthy as you can, getting the optimal fix for your joint, and then immediate PT follow-up for the next X months to get that joint mobile and strong.

Dr. Stone and the PTs are all athletes, too. It brings confidence working with people committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for themselves as well as their patients. For example, when the whole barefoot running-style craze started, some staff bought the vibram five fingers to try them, study them and understand how to best answer patient questions.

Today, I am able to swim, bike, run, and play soccer thanks to the Stone Clinic.

Andrew P.



February 2011

The Stone Clinic is absolutely an amazing place and a model of how all health care and healing should occur.

I have consulted with and researched many different orthopedists on how to solve my former issue of articulate cartilage defect on my tibia and femur that was a result of having my miniscus torn and partially removed in 1994 and then playing too many high impact sports on my shock absorber-less joint. They all said the same thing--- there is no way to fix/grow cartilage defects as large as mine were and I would have to wait till it was bad enough and then get a replacement. Good news (according to them) was that it would be a partial replacement since the middle and interior of my knee are just fine. Bad news is I'm 37 and don't want titanium and plastic in and out of my knee for the rest of my life. There has to be a better way.

Fortunately Dr Stone has worked tirelessly his entire life to find a better way, and not just for my particular issue, but for many joint issues. I had one surgery (the art cart paste graft) which cleaned up my joint, got me full extension and grafted cartilage form my inner notch onto my two exposed bones. The rehab and protocol were intense, but this is my only left knee and every second of it was worth it. I then had a second surgery to receive an allagraft meniscus transplant and I am now recovering from that. During that surgery Dr Stone captured pictures (and then a post-op MRI) of my health, new growing cartilage from the repaired area. Whether this is exactly like my original cartilage or not (it isn't but other docs like to point that out to me ) I do not care. It is a cartilage surface covering my bones and I no longer have bone hitting bone!!! I also now have a shock absorber in there that I have not had since the mid-90s. Every PENNY is worth it - again due to the fact of having only one left knee :)

The great physical therapists, receptionists, patient coordinators, nurses, technicians - EVERYONE ON THE STAFF - made the whole process and my time at the Stone Clinic not only beneficial for my health but ENJOYABLE. It is a group of really good people that are solely there to make YOU-the patient better. Most medical experiences i have dealt with in the past are uncaring, uncompassionate, cookie cutter operations that don't treat each injury as a unique challenge, but try to apply a (pre-approved by insurance company) net around healing everyone... and the doc only knows what he knows and doesn't really want to hear about much more beyond that.

Dr Stone's quote from The Chronicle a few weeks back sums up the vibe that is evident throughout the whole organization..."If we're doing something next year the same way we're doing it this year, then we clearly haven't learned anything," he says. "Particularly in orthopedics, there is so much room for improvement, so everything I do I try to think about how to do it better." Imagine if everyone operated on that level in life, business, relationships, etc.

I wish all docs operated on this level, but their hands are so tied b/c they are slaves to the insurance companies. This is where the part about the Stone Clinic being overpriced/out of network comes in. By not answering to the insurance monsters, there is a feeling of actually pushing the envelope and doing what is BEST FOR THE PATIENT - not what the establishment has deemed works (or worked 20 years ago when they last researched it). The good thing here that people seem to be missing is that your insurance company WILL PAY YOU BACK depending on your plan if you do the paperwork and stay on them. Sure you have to go out of pocket to start, but Lina and the rest of the team make it SUPER EASY to claim your reimbursements.

The mentality from day 1 was that I am not a (helpless) patient healing, but an athlete in training which leads to healing. This message, or mantra as it seemed on the first day, empowered me to understand my role in the healing process and I am thankful for this mentality. I was unable to walk on one leg for 4 weeks and had 6 hours/day of CPM on a couch, but still somehow left San Fran in BETTER SHAPE than I arrived (which wasn't bad at all).

There are many other perks too, don't get me wrong - like being in the beautiful Marina, a place that is pretty healing in it's own right; the ability to walk in the other room, have an MRI, and then walk back and look at it with the Doctor (In normal scenarios a doc orders an MRI, you have to schedule it a few weeks out, go get it , wait for it, then wait to see the doc again and eventually get some sort of reading, many times 4-6 weeks after the initial appointment.); the never ending supply of Joint Juice (a great way to get antioxidants, glucosamine, and thirst quenching in one); and again the amazing staff.

I am only 3 weeks out but I believe with no uncertainty that this was the best thing I could have possibly done!! THANK YOU DR STONE!!!!

Matt K.



April 2011

- San Francisco, CA

Years after both elbows repaired (tennis elbow, work related) and a torn meniscus of right knee repaired and a referral to Hip surgeon for hip replacement, This clinic and Doctor and all the staff are the best.

Alexander H.



April, 2010

- Paia, Hawaii

I had two knee surgeries at The Stone Clinic. Because of the severe arthritis in my knee and the flexion contraction preventing me from straightening my knee, Dr. Stone did a biological knee replacement in two
operations.  In October 2008, we did the articular paste grafting and in January of 2009, I returned to San Francisco and they put in a meniscal allograft.

I am totally please with my results. I have not pain, my flexion is 150 degrees and my extension is a perfect 0. The staff and car I received at the clinic during my post-op rehab was stellar.

Every other orthopedic surgeon wanted to do a total knee replacement on my knee. Dr. Stone was the only surgeon who realized he could save my knee biologically.

I will always be grateful. The Stone Clinic is clearly the gold standard.  It was expensive, but it was worth it.

Julie H.



February 2010

- Boston, MA

Dr. Stone and his team at the Stone Clinic are quite simply the best in the world when it comes to joint repair and recovery.

My wife recently had surgery with Dr. Stone and we have spent every day since her operation at his clinic, and have been blown away by the incredible quality of care we have received there. Dr. Stone is a brilliant surgeon and a pioneer in his field, and his team is talented, warm, and supportive beyond belief.

Yes, he is out of network and not cheap, but if you're young and active and want to stay that way, despite injury or damage, or you have a severe problem and aren't happy with the recommendations of your current doctor, then come to the Stone clinic. The innovative surgery and level of care you will receive here are leaps and bounds beyond what you'll find anywhere else.

My wife and I live in Germany most of the time. She has had knee problems since a windsurfing accident 10 years ago, and despite several surgeries, it had recently been getting worse.

After meeting with all the best surgeons in Germany, and extensively researching the state of the art in knee repair -- including reading surgical textbooks and peer-reviewed papers -- we eventually found Dr. Stone in San Francisco. Dr. Stone offered a much better option than anyone in Europe: a biological knee replacement consisting of a meniscus transplant and cartilage paste graft.

My wife is young and active and Dr. Stone's pioneering treatment is exactly what she needed. Dr. Stone has more experience than anyone in the world with this treatment, and his website gave us a lot of hope.

So we flew 12 hours to San Francisco to consult with Dr. Stone. Though we'd determined through our research that he was a skilled and brilliant surgeon, we had also read the previous Yelp reviews, so we were reserving judgment on the Stone Clinic until we arrived and had a consultation.

Well, Dr. Stone and his team were amazing. His examination was thorough and patient, he asked many questions, and his bedside manner put my German wife at ease about getting surgery in a foreign country. He is an innovator in orthopedic surgery, and the walls of his waiting room are covered with medical patents issued in his name. He performed the surgery a couple of days later and it was a great success. 

Since then, we've spent every day at the Stone Clinic for rehab, and have really gotten to know the team. Tricia, Melissa and all the other physical therapy staff are simply great. They give a tremendous amount of attention in a single PT session (making it really well priced, as one other reviewer mentioned). The attitude that they take toward PT is best expressed by what Dr. Stone told us just before the operation: "If you want great results, think of yourself as an athlete in training, not a patient in recovery." In addition to very thorough manual therapy, the PT staff at the Stone Clinic give you a great workout, starting just a few days after surgery, to ensure that you lose as little fitness as possible, and, in fact, maybe even end up fitter than before your operation.

It is also super helpful having the entire clinic in one office: you have PT with Tricia and her team, then the nurse Mary can examine and redress your wounds, you can consult with the assistant surgeon Ann who helped with the operation and who can address any inflammation and pain on the spot, and then you can get a follow-up MRI, all in the same place, without making multiple appointments or hobbling too far on crutches.

In fact, the PT staff are so great, we've decided to delay our return to Germany as long as possible to get through as much of the rehab as possible here in San Francisco.

And they have a complete gym there in which Dr. Stone said to "make yourself at home." So I've been getting a great workout while my wife gets great physical therapy.

We flew across two continents to get here - if you're lucky enough to live in San Francisco already, we don't see why you'd go anywhere else.

Nat F.



April 2009.

These guys get it. If you have a problem and you want to be healed and get back to an active lifestyle, visit the Stone Clinic. This place is what I call a "no-brainer."

Here is what sets the stone clinic apart:
The staff is friendly, helpful and hard-working (this is NOT a typical "doctor's office," people will offer to bring you water or a joint juice while you wait, and there's no glass window they hide behind. The whole office is open-air.)

The physical therapy is integrated into the clinic. Therapists and doctors talk about your case so you get the best treatment possible.

They have competent people in each section of the office to help you: For example: finance (completing forms, contacting your insurance company), nurses assistants (answer questions, prescribe medication, etc.).

Lastly, you can use the gym like your own gym to speed your recovery, and drink all the FREE JOINT JUICE you can handle!!!

All in all, it's a one-stop shop: world-class surgical expertise, positive, healing-oriented energy, a competent friendly office staff and integrated physical therapy. They even have an on-site MRI machine.

If you're thinking about surgery, come see Dr. Stone!

Pieter V.



April 2009

- Saint Helena, CA

As a foreigner I can't tell you what a relief it was to find Dr Stone and the Stone Clinic. A one stop shop for my injuries, an experienced cutting edge doctor who understood my fears, a phenomenal surgical nurse that had been by his side for 17 years(!) and a wonderful team of physical therapists that made me feel my recovery was as much their journey as mine. Thank you Doctor Stone for your sage counsel, kindness, care and for your efforts in getting me back on track to enjoy the active lifestyle that has been such a huge part of my life.

Latife H



April 2009

- Oakland, CA

As a mother of two teenager girls who have each had knee surgery in the last 15 months I can tell you that Dr. Kevin Stone and his team are absolutely fantastic and I feel so fortunate to have found them as a resource. I can also relate to the moaning and groaning about Blue Cross as I have been "working" with them for the past year on various reimbursements related to the knee injuries. Reimbursement rates on surgery are particularly disappointing.

On the matter of costs I'd like to mention that the $106 per physical therapy visit is an outstanding value. All other physical therapists I've seen request $200-$500 per visit. Dr Stone's physical therapist are highly knowledgeable and are really contributing to keeping health care costs down. I had to charge my expenses and wait for reimbursement, but I'd do it again because the results are worth it.

Dr. Stone is caring and interested, perhaps not coddling, but I have found him to be encouraging and concerned. The clinic provides a team approach including patient coordinator, billing coordinator, physician's assistant, assistant surgeon, calls to the home post-surgery, on-call for questions, and the all important physical therapy component. Suzanne, Melissa, Kelly, Trish, and Laura are all fantastic.

These are difficult injuries to recover from, so by all means avoid surgery if you can, but if you need someone you can rely on to do whatever is possible to get you back in motion, Dr. Kevin Stone is your guy.

Clara M.



November 2008

The Stone Clinic is not your typical Sports Medicine facility. I have seen Sports Medicine doctors for knee problems since the time I was 4 years old. At 29 years old, I've had 2 knee surgeries and am doing the best I can to stay active. The Stone Clinic is the most comprehensive, efficient, comfortable, orthopaedic care I have ever experienced. I saw Dr. Stone about a year ago, and was thoroughly impressed. He spent a lot of time with me during my initial visit. He spent time discussing the history of my injury, and performed a thorough clinical examination. I was able to get X-rays and an MRI done on the day of my visit. I expressed to Dr. Stone that I want to stay as active as possible as long as possible, avoiding surgery if I can. Dr. Stone was sensitive to my desires and recommended I try simple heel wedges in my shoes to help correct some of my malalignment issue. He explained how leg alignment can greatly affect knee pain. He also recommended I take glucosamine on a regular basis to see if it reduces my pain. I met with my physical therapist on the day of my first visit, and was sent home with specific exercises and stretches. 

I'm used to seeing a doctor, being sent away with a prescription for and MRI, waiting a week to make an appointment, waiting another week to get the results and discuss with the doctor--finally getting the prescription for physical therapy, and having to wait to make that appointment as well. At the Stone Clinic, the entire picture of my problem was painted in an afternoon, and I received top-quality care.

The heel wedges, physical therapy, strengthening and stretching exercises, and glucosamine have greatly alleviated my knee pain. I now exercise vigorously every day without knee pain. I found Dr. Stone to be a competent, conservative surgeon who was always on my side. The physical therapy team is top-notch. It looks like I'll be able to avoid surgery for a while now, but if/when I do need surgical treatment, I'll be back to see Dr. Stone.

Wendy A.
 


November 2008

I cannot say enough about Dr. Stone and the Stone Clinic. I am 55 years old, and active. 35 years ago, a surgeon took out my medial meniscus due to a tear. This was before the days of arthroscopic surgery. Consequently, I developed severe arthritis in the medial compartment of my right knee. My knee was contracted by 12 degrees. This caused undue pain in my legs as my quads were unable to work properly. I was also developing low back and hip problems.

I went to over 10 orthopedic surgeons looking for an answer. They all told me I needed a replacement, that my knee was too far gone. I was hesitant to go this route as I am young and also very active. I also knew that I would need at least one revision in my lifetime. Their diagnosis' did not feel right to me. I did not believe the knee was so far gone.

In a Google search, I found Dr. Stone. I went to see him in June and he told me I had bony blocks in my knee that were keeping the leg bent. He told me he could fix that and we discussed the biological replacement.

I knew this was the route I wanted to take. It was a chance to save my knee.

I am just back from the cartilage paste graft surgery, which was done 4 weeks ago. My knee is no at zero degrees instead of over 12, and I am working on hyper-extension.I have NO PAIN when I walk even though I am still healing and using one crutch. The cartilage past graft has taken and I go back in January for the meniscus transplant.

The PT's at the clinic are state of the art. They are the best. I received wonderful attention and care from the whole staff.

I also did not choose Dr. Stone as he was in my network. In fact, my insurance company will reimburse me about 25% of the costs. For me, the chance to save my knee meant everything.

Dr.Stone is amazing. I will always be grateful.

Julie H.