Southern California Orthopedic Institute
24051 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91354
Patient Reviews
The following are reviews from patients of Dr. Karzel.
“Dr. Karzel is the #1 shoulder specialist in Southern California. He is very professional, addresses the pain and helps you on to recovery. He has a great bedside manner, is very clear and patient in his explanations and answers. I have never met a surgeon that is so professional and yet personable at the same time. I recommend Dr. Karzel, Carol, Mickie and his whole SCOI team. They are wonderful!”
– Monique S.
“Dr. Karzel has been terrific! He explained my MRI and my procedure in great detail. He has excellent bedside manner and answered all my questions. His staff have been outstanding and physical therapy team have been wonderful too!”
– David G.
“Very professional.”
– Angie J.
“The most caring,compassionate doctor”
– Sybil R.
“Dr Karzel seems to care about his patients. So far my experience has been wonderful. Great support staff too!”
– David G.
“Great doctor!”
– Anna S.
“Dr. Karzel’s has been the very best surgeon. I recommend him and his entire staff to everyone. Thank you all for taking such great care of me.”
– John L.
“Dr. Karzel has been right on with all his diagnosis and has been very helpful in my recovery. Thank you very much.”
– John L.
“Excellent care by all involved concerning my condition. Excellent communication by Dr. Karzel and staff could have been happier that I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Karzel as my Doctor, & SCOI Valencia has the best Physical Therapy Department around! I have and will always recommend SCOI to everyone I know, and of course Dr. Karzels expertise and professionalism.”
– Arthur S.
“Fantastic service. Happy with the doctor, my procedure and physical therapy.”
– Hilary C.
“Dr. Karzel is the best, and shoulder surgery went well. In recovery now in a sling.”
– Jeanne B.
“Efficient, excellent time management, provided in-depth explanations. Great communication skills. Left office delighted.”
– Elizabeth O.
“Dr. Karzel is the best, period!”
– Ron V.
“Dr. Karzel operated on my right shoulder previously. When I re-injured it and my left I knew correctly who would be taking care of me. Dr. Karzel has an excellent bedside manner and takes the time to explain what is going on and what the plan will be moving forward. He is an outstanding surgeon and fixes things correctly the first time. I have seen many doctors at SCOI, three different doctors have operated on various parts of me, and I do not hesitate to recommend SCOI and especially Dr. Karzel.”
– Michael T.
“Dr. Karzel spent plenty of time discussing my knee problems and options. He seems to be a genuinely caring doctor.”
– Lucinda S.
“I have no issues with my doctor. He explains everything that is going on.”
– Joe P.
“An excellent experience. I found everyone to be knowledgeable and caring, as well as willing to answer any questions I had.”
– Rosalie M.
“Had pectoral reattachment surgery back in 2018. Dr. Joseph Burns performed the surgery. Both doctors did a great job. In 2021, I felt like I may have overdone it in the gym because my shoulder was very sensitive for a long while. Dr. Karzel reassured me everything was still intact. He went over the MRI with me and put my concerns to rest. Thanks, doc.”
– Trevor B.
“Dr. Karzel has always been and is the best. I have known him for over half my life. I would go nowhere else.”
– David P.
“Dr. Karzel was very courteous and was very helpful in explaining my medical issue.”
– David H.
“I had a great experience! Everyone was very professional and friendly. Thank you!!!”
– Stacey S.
“Dr. Karzel took time to explain my injury, how it would heal, and what I should expect as it healed. Best news was that I did not have to have surgery. I was very pleased with Dr. Karzel and his staff. I would be happy to recommend SCOI and Dr Karzel.
I was also very impressed with Jennifer and Christine in the Physical Therapy department. They were great and helped me get my arm and shoulder moving again. They were both very patient which I appreciated. A very positive experience.”
– Janis A.
“Received thorough and comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery. Dr. Karzel and his staff are consummate medical professionals with a high degree of experience and expertise in orthopedic injuries and treatment protocols. I cannot recommend them highly enough.”
– Colleen T.
“I am a 53 year old male. I spent the majority of my 40s as an electrician laborer, using many impact power tools. Impact power tools can transfer many stresses from the hand to the elbow and shoulder joints. I used these tools repetitively for many years. I endured right shoulder pain for approximately the last 5 years. This pain was experienced as a sharpness that occurred during certain ranges of arm motion that involved overhead reaching and lifting. The pain was intense during sleep time wherein I would typically awaken 4 to 5 times a night due to discomfort in the right shoulder joint.
About a year before my surgery, I started treatment with a massage therapist who worked at a chiropractic clinic. The massage therapy effectively improved my right shoulder flexibility and range of motion, but it failed to address the root cause of the sharp pain that I continued to experience. Next, the chiropractor referred me to SCOI where I was under the care of Dr. Ronald Karzel.
At SCOI, through x-ray and MRI diagnostics, it was determined that I had a large sub acromial bone spur in the right shoulder that likely caused pinching of my rotator cuff and bicep tendons. The MRI clearly showed a large tear in the supraspinatus tendon. This is the tendon associated with the motion that involves raising the arm. I went with Dr. Karzel's recommendation to proceed with a rotator cuff repair surgery - this was determined to be the best course of action for my situation.
The surgery was completed in 1 afternoon at the Van Nuys facility. The Van Nuys staff was competent and professional. I elected to have a nerve block which eased and facilitated the pain management after surgery.
I am 8 months out of surgery as of this writing. For me, the recovery process has been very positive. I was fortunate that I only required 2 days of pain meds. The key was regular use of ice packs on the surgical site for at least 2 1/2 weeks with occasional use every few days afterward.
The recovery process involved daily follow up with the SCOI office via emails until the first 4-week post op office visit.
I returned to my desk job after 2 1/2 weeks post-op, maintaining my arm in an arm sling and performing only simple desktop computer work. I became an expert at using the mouse with my left hand.
After 2 months, I began physical therapy at the SCOI Valencia Office. The physical therapy challenged me to increase my flexibility and range of motion. The physical therapy was performed in a casual, gym-like environment, and the staff was cheerful, competent and qualified - I can honestly say I experienced daily measurable improvement in range of motion.
The physical therapy process continued until about month 5 of my recovery. Therapy consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises.
Today, 8 months after surgery I can stretch and exercise with full range of motion. My shoulder and arm strength is almost back to where it was before my injury. I have no interruptions in sleep
Overall, I will say the entire diagnostic / surgical / recovery / rehabilitation process has been successful, continues to be successful, and has exceeded my every expectation.
I am very satisfied with Dr. Karzel and the SCOI team and I gratefully endorse there services.”
– Michael V.
“Second shoulder surgery, first one done at SCOI. I could not be any happier how this one turned out! Dr. Karzel was wonderful, he explained what was wrong and how he would try to fix the problem and he did. His entire staff was very professional. It was a great experience.”
– Michael D.
“Dr. Karzel so very professional while also caring with his patients. My knee surgery was quick and had positive results. I would recommend him to to those requiring specialized knee care.”
– Barbara J.
“Very compassionate, knowledgeable. Takes time to explain things and to listen. He is not rushing every time he sees pt. He is truly top notch!”
– Chloe R.