Dr. Charles Nicholas Rudolph, MD

This Dr. has no EQ so it's hard to tell if he really knows what he's talking about; I think perhaps his training is antiquated, but I felt my appointment was rote and robotic and not driven to a solution for my issue.

Minimal waiting time. He explained the surgery to us and answered all of our questions. His staff was excellent in scheduling the surgery and obtaining insurance authorizations. We would highly recommend him.

Well, I see I'm not alone in my assessment of the jerk that is Dr. Rudolph. He is a fat shamer and a VERY unethical human being. Might be a good surgeon, but that is the ONLY good thing I have to say about him. Wait till you hear what he said to me as I lay in my hospital bed! But I need to set this all up first. God forbid you are an ounce overweight. My first visit to his office for a possible knee replacement (and this should have been my first clue) was the unsolicited advice he gave me in regards to my being fat. Btw, I don't have a problem using that word. I'm fat and I won't be much longer now that I am getting my second knee done by another doctor and will be able to return to my normal activities of power walking and boogie boarding. I was a competitive athlete, so I know what I need to do that I haven't been able to do for several years now. He actually said to me, "Why don't you just eat one meal...EVERY OTHER DAY." What the?! Who gives ridiculously unhealthy advice… like that?! I even said to him, "Are you crazy?!" He then said, "I guess I shouldn't be giving out nutritional advice, heh, heh." I then responded with, "You sure shouldn't!" One more pre op visit before surgery and then he says to me, "Tell me the risks of surgery." And I did. He then said, "Now tell me the risk of surgery being that overweight." I said, "Look Doc, I know how overweight I am, you don't need to say that." Geez. Fast forward to two days after surgery as I am lying in my hospital bed at Scripps La Jolla, where he is not on staff, but does his procedures there. He comes in at like 6 am and proceeds to trace his hands over my body in some stupid fashion and all I could say was, "What are you doing?" He responds with, "I'm just trying to figure out how you do it." "Do what?" I say. He says, "YOU'RE LIKE THE SIZE OF TWO PEOPLE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A PAPOOSE LYING NEXT TO YOU." And he laughed whilst he said it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said, "You are the most unprofessional doctor and you have fat shamed me for the last time!! Leave the room now and I never want to see you again!!" I only saw his P.A. Eric, for my post op visits. Needless to say, I told several of the nurses, who literally dropped their jaws (pretty much the response I've received from everyone I've told this story to!!) and asked me to tell this to the charge nurse, which of course I did. She gave me the number of the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and several other hospital administrators to report him to. And you better believe I did as soon as I got home. The Chief called back and apologized profusely to me and said no one deserves to be talked to that way. He said he would be speaking to him regarding this matter. I told him that I just happen to be a confident fat girl. Can you imagine him saying this to one who isn't??! WAIT, IT GETS EVEN MORE CONVOLUTED FROM HERE! Fast forward 6 months later and I now need to get my other knee replaced, which I knew was coming. I knew I wasn't going back to him, that's for sure. After calling several other surgeons and being turned down, some because of my weight, and others because of my insurance, I got a bit desperate, and decided to call back Rudolph's office to see if there might be another surgeon in his office that might do the procedure. Eric, his PA answered the phone. When I told him why I was calling, he said, "Are you sure you don't want Dr. Rudolph to do it? You think the surgery went ok, right?" Yes, I said, but this is what he said to me in the hospital and I really don't want to see him again, bla, bla. Eric said, let me just see if he will even do the surgery on you and put me on hold before I could even say no way. What he came back with next, blew me away. Eric said, "I talked to him and he said, if you will call back the Chief of Surgery and tell him you regret all you said, he will do your surgery." WHAT THE HECK?!?! You want me to lie about my own horrific experience with you and compromise MY ETHICS to do so?!?! The nerve of that jerk!! I should report you to the AMA and don't think I still won't! Happy ending to this sad story. The very next day, I found a wonderful doctor who is doing my surgery this coming week. When I asked him why he would do the surgery when others wouldn't, he said, "Recent literature shows that there is no more of a risk doing surgery on overweight patients as there is on thinner ones." He also was blown away when I told him what Dr. Rudolph said and how I was treated. I sure hope someone in his office, or Dr. Rudolph himself reads this. You need to understand how you are undermining people's esteem and confidence with your fat shaming ways. Take some kind of patient compassion classes, because you are far from being a compassionate person, no less a caring doctor!!

Dr. Rudolph is the most horrific, non caring doctor, I've ever encountered. After explaining to me that I have Knock-knee, he stood up and demonstrated exactly how deformed my knees will look, in about a year, and then refused to help me until I quit smoking and lost 25 pds. I know I'm overweight but for god sake, I certainly don't need anyone diagnosing me with a knee deformity and telling me to screw off because I'm to fat to be his patient. I explained to Dr. Rudolph that I put on a bunch of weight since it took me 5 months to recover from my first knee surgery. Since Dr. Rudolph's surgeon buddy, did an Arthroscopic meniscus repair on my knee, i am now having more problems than ever. I can't even stand up and walk a few steps, without wanting to cry. I've been to two physical therapist and both of them refused helping me and referred me back to the surgeon. I asked Dr. Rudolph, who's suppose to help me now?? I can't walk without a huge limp and major pain, no physical therapists… will help me, and Dr. Rudolph then asks me how my arms are working. I responded that my arms are fine. He then assured me that I'll figure it out then, and to go wave my arms for exercise and go loose 25 pds. and quit smoking also. Or No surgeon will ever help me. I left there crying because Dr. Rudolph showed me how deformed I'll look in a year, and the name calling and go wave my arms and loose some weigh.. Not even a brace to help my issue, NOTHING, except, having me leave his office with thoughts of suicide.. I cried for 3 days straight. And if anyone would like to hear my encounter with Dr. Rudolph, please let me know. I have the entire thing on audio.. After hearing the mean things he said to me, you'll be in tears to.. Don't bother with this Dr. Rudolph. He's no doctor, and obviously he cares NOTHING about his patients..

I would not recommend Dr Rudolph. First, sometimes it takes a few weeks to see him. Second, he does not tells you to see him again, and whe you do he tells you exactly the same thing he told you on the past. He probably just milking insurance companies for the appointments. Third, you will spend at least 1 hour at his office waiting for him. Once, I've spent over 2 hours. Finally, his staff, especially office manager Kathy, never retren your calls.

Truly a wonderful Dr. He explains things completely, you leave his office with a feeling of trust and assurance. He is not in a rush; he takes his time and makes sure you understand what treatment is needed. His bed side manner is wonderful, you know he really cares about you. HE IS THE BEST

Dr. Rudolph scheduled my appointment within days of my request. His office staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful. The office facility was immaculate and comfortable. The doctor thoroughly reviewed my pertinent medical history along with my presenting complaint. Xray and CT scan were reviewed in detail in my presence. Patient interview and physical assessment were comprehensive. I was completely confident that in one initial appointment, his evaluation resulted in a clear diagnosis, prognosis, and appropriate recommendations for ongoing treatment. He was open, honest, and explained everything down to micro detail. My concerns were addressed and I left with a better understanding of my condition and my options for management than I had prior to the consultation. Dr. Rudolph is not only knowledgeable and skilled, he has an excellent, calming bedside manner. Scripps Health is fortunate to have him as an affiliated specialist. His qualifications are impressive and, on a personal level,… he exemplifies a "very good" health care provider. He is truly an exceptional practitioner. Five stars, not four, I award.

I have and will continue to recommend Dr. Rudolph to others. He is clearly a Doctor who cares for his patients that is gifted & skilled in medicine. Frankly, there was disappointment when I met him for the last appointment knowing I wouldn't be seeing him again!

Dr. Rudolph is a very caring and a highly professional doctor. He did my knee surgery and when I told him that for 20 years I needed hand surgery he within 3 weeks got approval from my insurance to do the surgery,no other dotor would do this for me. I highly recommend Dr. Rudolph and his staff is very compassionate and mke me feel I am important as a human being

Staff was very helpful and answered all my questions. My surgical experience was first class.