Dr. Matthew Roberts, MD

DO NOT GO if you’re under 30 and a woman. I’ve never had a doctor with such little bedside manner. He told me he didn’t know what was wrong with me and basically told me to F off. I still can’t walk two months later with major swelling. MRI showed multiple abnormalities with my joints. You can find better, faster and kinder care elsewhere.

I found him arrogant and dismissive. I think that he is a star doctor for the hospital and certainly is skilled at advocating for the most aggressive surgery, however I do not think he is able to individualize his recommendations for the patient in front of him. I was left with hardware that was too big for my bones and rubbed the insides of my shoes, causing enormous pain. He had no interest in addressing it. I went to a different ortho to have it removed- thank goodness, I can walk again. I believe he looms large at HSS so if you have a problem, seek outside help because no one else there will want to touch you after you've seen him.

Dismissive and rude. Callous in his bedside manner.

Most competent and compassionate Physician - Surgeon I have used.

Brought injured teenager in series of consults. Doctor was knowledgeable, kind, and very patient with her. He explained all options and was conservative in approach—did not push surgery or rush us out of office. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.

I had surgery on my foot several years ago with Dr. Matthew Roberts at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Roberts is, without question, the most obnoxious and rude physician. I would even say he is cruel. A few days after he performed surgery on my toe, I started to experience intense pain in that toe. He told me to come in and see him. After examining the toe, he accused me of having dislodged the pin he had placed in my toe. Since the pin was completely internal (except for a small part that protruded at the top) and my only activity after the surgery was resting with my feet elevated on the couch, his accusation was absurd. After shifting blame for his incompetence to me, the patient, he proceeded to yank the bent pin out of my toe without numbing the area. If you can picture having a fish hook shaped piece of metal yanked out of your toe without any warning, that was what the experience was like. As it ripped through my flesh, I started crying. The only thing Dr. Roberts did… was to hand me a tissue. Not even a word of "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" He just told me to come back next week. Furthermore, Dr. Robert's left my toe more disfigured than when I came in to see him initially. This past week, a different (competent) surgeon was able to partially repair the damage caused by Dr. Roberts. My toe will no longer lap over the adjacent toe. Unfortunately, however, the new surgeon couldn't put back the parts of my bone that Dr. Roberts unnecessarily removed - so the toe will never be the correct length - and I will have to live with the the awful scar Dr. Roberts left on my toe for the rest of my life.

After meeting several surgeons we found one and saved the best for last. Dr. Roberts is nothing short of amazing! He is knowledgeable in foot and ankle genetic disorders. He is confident and kind. He has given my son who is only 15 the ability to walk without pain and to live life like a teenager. I would recommend anyone in need of foot surgery that you go to see no one else. Truly you will receive top notch care!

Let me begin by saying that HSS is *wonderful*; every single nurse, administrator, orderly, tech, and *other* doctor was a joy to deal with. Just not Dr. Roberts. He was unbelievably dismissive of my severe and enduring post-operative pain — essentially accusing me of being a drug-seeker, despite the fact that I was *not* asking him for opiates. We asked (politely) for imaging, we asked for an intervention of *any* kind; what we got was a defensive, hostile, and even somewhat aggressive doctor who wavered between implying I was a baby and a dope-seeker. In between telling me that what I was reporting was *abnormal*, which, of course, was extremely alarming. While the final results of his surgical work remain to be seen, his patient care has been among the poorest I’ve ever had the displeasure of experiencing. Try, if you can, to get one of his colleagues instead, since HSS is the best hospital there is.

I had posterior tibia tendinitis surgery along with the removal of the novicular accessory bone. My recovery has been very long- a year since the surgeries but I have minimal discomfort. Dr. Roberts did a great job and was always upfront with the expectations. He did say prior to surgery that the road to recovery would be long and he was right. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Roberts for foot or ankle surgery. Dr. Roberts does not accept Medicare so you must pay upfront and the office will submit on your behalf. Expect some additional out of pocket cost since he does not accept Medicare. Small price to pay for his professional expertise.

From registration to discharge, I was treated with the ultimate care. Dr Roberts explained what he'd be doing to correct my deformity on my right foot. Although I have let three years lapse and still need my left foot reconstructed, I will not go to another hospital, or orthopedic surgeon for my surgery. I highly recommend has and Dr Roberts!