Bruce Sangeorzan, MD

I broke my talus eight plus years ago, and after eight years of local surgeons in the Spokane area telling me i needed to either amputate, fuse, or just walk on it I was able to find one competent surgeon who agreed to refer me to UW/Harborview Medical Center. I had an appointment within a few days, went in and talked to Dr Sangeorzian and he treated me like an intelligent person who deserved to be heard out. He agreed to Total Talar Replacement Surgery, and a few months later here I am: Healing, preparing for life without a boot, without pain, without disability. As an avid equestrienne, this is going to give me my life back. Thank you Dr. Sangeorzian and staff. I can't say thank you enough.

I went to my consult today prepared for a less than desirable bedside manner. As others have said, he has entered the room without a greeting. This happened today; however, I think he was just incredibly focused as his resident did my my initial exam. He came in and immediately started examining my foot/ankle. He was so knowledgeable, confident and explained things in detail for both surgical and non-surgical options. I have had three previous consults without feeling incredibly confident in what their approach would be coupled with lacking a detailed explanation. I left feeling confident in his opinion and took a lot away from this initial consult. I pretty much wanted to give him a high five. I was even able to evoke a few smiles and chuckles out of him. It was quite entertaining to see that he was wearing a Grinch tie. He must know his reputation. The support staff were stellar as well. I was greeted with smiles, was checked on, and nearly everyone in the… hall at their work stations made eye contact with a kind greeting. I was asked if I was okay from more than one person as I have a pronounced limp that is my normal gait. The awareness was impressive. I was also feeling terrible and they went out of their way to find crackers for me, get water, and look for 7-up which they didn’t have. However, one of the staff members said they should make it a point to have some on the floor. I work in medical, have had a very long inpatient stay, surgical complications (not ortho), and have high expectations. My expectations were met 100% and I was very impressed with patient care.

I went to my consult today prepared for a less than desirable bedside manner. As others have said, he has entered the room without a greeting. This happened today; however, I think he was just incredibly focused as his resident did my my initial exam. He came in and immediately started examining my foot/ankle. He was so knowledgeable, confident and explained things in detail for both surgical and non-surgical options. I have had three previous consults without feeling incredibly confident in what their approach would be coupled with lacking a detailed explanation. I left feeling confident in his opinion and took a lot away from this initial consult. I pretty much wanted to give him a high five. I was even able to evoke a few smiles and chuckles out of him. It was quite entertaining to see that he was wearing a Grinch tie. He must know his reputation. The support staff were stellar as well. I was greeted with smiles, was checked on, and nearly everyone in the… hall at their work stations made eye contact with a kind greeting. I was asked if I was okay from more than one person as I have a pronounced limp that is my normal gait. The awareness was impressive. I was also feeling terrible and they went out of their way to find crackers for me, get water, and look for 7-up which they didn’t have. However, one of the staff members said they should make it a point to have some on the floor. I work in medical, have had a very long inpatient stay, surgical complications (not ortho), and have high expectations. My expectations were met 100% and I was very impressed with patient care.

Dr. Sangeorzan recently operated on my leg. The surgery went fine, and I have no doubt he is a fine orthopedic surgeon. My primary complain is he has very poor bedside manner. At my initial meeting with him, I had to wait for over an hour, and when he arrived he was rather gruff and disinterested. I had lots of questions about the planned procedure, and he really couldn't be bothered to take the time to listen to my concerns and explain everything to my satisfaction. I know my procedure was likely very routine for him, but it was a big deal for me contemplating potentially life-changing surgery. The day of the surgery, both the anesthesiologist and Dr. Sangeorzan's fellow (young doctor in training) came to greet me in the staging area ahead of time and greeted me when I was rolled into the operating room. Dr. Sangeorzan was standing there in the OR and didn't even bother saying hello. It was very strange. It made me feel like he didn't really care that much about me or my surgery. That… being said, I have no complaints with the surgery job itself, so maybe he is just a great surgeon and not a very good people person.

I reviewed Dr. Sangeorzan, using my name (Karen) after he did my foot reconstruction. I said he was a skilled doc with poor bedside manner. I would like to edit my review. Since the original surgery, I have seen him a few times. First, he saved me from a surgery that another doc recommended. When that doc told me I needed surgery, I knew where I had to go for a second opinion. Dr. Sangeorzan told me to give it time, I did, it healed beautifully. After that, he (actually, his student) removed a painful screw from my foot. Unfortunately, there have been complications and I need surgery again. In spite of that, I have come to trust his judgement. I also have decided that he just isn't a people person and am ok with that.

Took 6 yo child in for treatment to a bad injury. This Dr. never greeted us or spoke to us in a friendly or personal way for the entire few minutes he gave us & didn't go into any detail for the parent. One of our WORST doctor experiences ever! This man has absolutely NO bedside manner at all...even for a sweet little 6 yo girl!

I've had a great deal of experience with doctors. I want a good listener (bedside manner) in my primary care physician. In a specialist, like Sangeorzan, I want expertise. I've seen criticism of his bedside manner. I don't care. He tells me what he thinks, what my options are, and does very good work. I had a total ankle replacement after two failed (not by him, and not the other doctor's fault) attempts to repair my shattered talus. I can walk. I recommend his work; and after a few visits, I actually made him smile!

I would never let anyone other than Dr Sangeorzan touch my feet! He is by far the best foot surgeon in the USA! He takes pride in what he does. Yes he does not spend a great deal of time with you, but the interns do and they pass the information on to Dr Sangeorzan.

Dr. Sangeorzan is an outstanding Surgeon and human being! I feel very fortunate to have him as an adviser. He is kind, thorough and meticulous. His staff are wonderful, remember your name and are always pleasant. I can't say enough great things about him.

Dr. Sangeorzan did surgery on my seriously pes cavus foot about 3 years ago. He did a good job on the foot. Pain is gone. I have trouble with balance and my ankle rolling out so I can no longer hike but I was literally to the point where if I stepped on a small rock or twig, I would fall. I am not that unstable any more , so I thank the doc for that. His social skills, however. Left a lot to be desired. I spoke to his assistant first. This was after a two hour wait. The doc came in and pretty much ignored me, just looked at the foot, asked a few questions, pointed a few things out to the assistant and left. He tried to ask me a few things the next time we met, but it appeared rote. I think he was just more into the foot which I guess is good but......... Like others have said, he came off as arrogant. I'm looking for another doc for my left foot and do not think it will be him.