Dr. Vilas Saldanha, MD

We had a very concerning experience with Dr. Vilas Saldanha (Texas Orthopedics), on-call at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, during my 93-year-old mother’s treatment after a fall. Dr. Saldanha did not directly communicate with my mother at any point during her hospitalization. He never greeted her or spoke to her, and all communication was directed to me, even though she was the patient. That set the tone for the entire experience. After a closed reduction, she was provided a shoulder immobilizer, but only the sling portion was applied. The abduction pillow component was not used or explained, and there was confusion among hospital staff and physical therapy about how the full device was meant to be used. As a result, she effectively wore only the sling for about three weeks, with no clear written instructions or proper guidance on its use. No physical therapy instructions were provided. Physical therapy later contacted Dr. Saldanha’s office and was told she could begin… weight-bearing exercises on the knee that had been described as having a “cracked patella.” No PT was recommended for her shoulder. At follow-up, the physician assistant said the knee was “chipped,” stopped the exercises, and asked whether a knee brace had been provided (it had not). He indicated a small stability brace could still be helpful. At the same visit, we were told her shoulder had become misaligned again. Shoulder replacement was briefly mentioned by the PA but immediately dismissed with the comment that “we wouldn’t want her to not wake up from surgery.” Despite the worsening alignment, the treatment plan remained unchanged, except that she could now “dangle her arm,” and we were told to return in four weeks. We sought an immediate second opinion. That orthopedist found the shoulder was severely damaged with multiple fractures and required urgent reverse shoulder replacement with CT planning. We were also told the knee was already beyond the window for intervention. After a thorough evaluation, surgery was performed, and I’m happy to say she is now recovering well. The difference in evaluation, communication, and clarity between the two experiences was striking. In our experience, this was not appropriate care for a medically vulnerable elderly patient, and I would not recommend this physician for elderly patients or similar cases.

I went in for a consult on having both hips replaced because both were bone to bone. Dr. Saldanha was gracious, respectful of my concerns, answered every question and had a great deal of empathy and encouragement for the quality of life change ahead for me. Never did I feel rushed, or was I ever made to feel anything less than the whole staff was there to support my surgery needs and a positive outcome! After the surgery and follow up appointment, the care continued to be first rate and the expectations Dr. Saldanha set for post surgery were spot on in every aspect.

Fine.

Always great! Extremely professional and caring. One of the best doctors I’ve ever seen.

Just wonderful, the hole staff treated me we love and respect

I could not have asked for a better doctor. I would gladly recommend Dr. Saldanha.

Great doctor and medical team . Everyone works together to give great care to patients!

Amazing human

When I was 73, I fell and broke my bone just below the hip joint on a Saturday night. I went to Dell Emergency Room. Within a hour they had x-rayed my leg and Dr. Saldanha had talked to me about my options. The next morning he put three pins in my leg. The surgery was successful but it took a couple of months before I could put full weight on it and then many more months before I began to return to my normal function. Over that period Saldanha tracked my recovery and was always helpful and extremely professional as were all the staff that I worked with. I now am back to walking my 10,000 steps per day and have almost complete motion in my leg.

One of the most patient physicians I’ve ever met. He took the time to draw pictures , show me xrays and put my shattered knee together. I’m finally walking again.