Ariel Palanca Md's Online Review Report Card

Dr. Palanca listened and explained surgical procedures well, but was ill equiped to deal with complications. I had to find another specialist on my own to treat the surgical damage I sustained. Communications at her office are difficult and she does not use a patient portal. The majority of her staff is professional and helpful.

Excellent orthopedic surgeon. She took down a failed ankle fusion done by Westermeyer and installed a full replacement (STAR) ankle.

Dr. Palanca performed tendon repair surgery on my ankle 6 months ago. Since then, I've been able to walk again without pain and limping. She is straightforward, honest and an extremely knowledgeable and skilled surgeon. She's also super nice and easy to talk to. I'm lucky I found her.

Dr. Ariel Palanca performed surgery on my right ankle on January 5, 2021 for chronic ankle instability, including dealing with ligament issues on both sides of my ankle and bone spurs. My problem had been going on for several years and was affecting my regular mobility, especially walking and hiking. The surgery went well and my after surgery consults were easy to plan and valuable. She always addressed my issues in a friendly and timely manner. Her team were also available to help me with questions. Dr. Palanca explained that my complete recovery could take a year, maybe something that people don't want to hear, but honest. I followed her recommendations, completed my physical therapy and worked hard. I am now (one year later) working with a trainer and back in my hiking boots! I am grateful for Dr. Palanca's skills, professionalism, willingness to answer my questions, and moral support. I definitely recommend Dr. Palanca.

Dr. Palanca preformed surgery on my foot to remove an annoying large bunion on my big left toe and corrected two painful hammer toes on the same foot. She was outstanding. The surgery was a wonderful success. Now I am back to walking 18 holes of golf four times a week with NO PAIN. She has excellent sincere thoughtfulness for her patients. All of her estimates for recovery time were on the mark. She explained all the benefits and potential downside problems of this surgery before I decided to go forward. I am so thankful to her. Anyone considering foot surgery would be very lucky to find her.

HORRIBLE SERVICE! While Dr. Palanca is skillful and professional, when you finally get to see her, but her front office is the most unprofessional, disorganized, disrespectful, non responsive, and poorly managed I've ever encountered! I'm finding a new Ortho doctor.

After consulting with a Podiatrist, then a Foot and Ankle Specialist at Sharp (disaster!) I am so very grateful to have found Dr. Palanca. She is very personable and takes time to really listen and I never feel rushed by her. I had a very complex and persistent wound infection requiring surgery on my toe with subsequent IV antibiotics via a PICC line. The wound, which wouldn't heal even with going to a wound clinic, healed right up after surgery, as did the other incision and 6 months later remains fine! I highly recommend this doctor!

The check in staff was extremely helpful and went above and beyond to get me set up for my appointment. Dr. Palanca was very professional, thorough and while she couldn't make the final diagnosis during the first visit, I trusted her instincts after asking her many questions about potential diagnosis and treatment plans. The staff was very quick to set me up with a temporary booth and clearly outlined the next steps.

Dr. P was my surgeon while at Stanford, and she was fantastic. She removed a bone spur on my left foot and replaced my right ankle. While the surgery itself went great, quite honestly, the recovery was not for the faint of heart -- it was slow and pretty darn miserable. But 13 months and lots of hard work later, I am walking without pain or a limp for the first time in at least 10 years. I'm hiking, biking, gardening ballisticly, and even dancing again. Wow. No meds, not even ibuprofen. I feel GREAT. Dr. Palanca is smart, kind, encouraging, realistic, and an excellent surgeon. San Diego is lucky to have her.

Dr Palanca is pleasant and is patient with all my questions. I never feel rushed. I find her very compassionate and would recommend her any of my friends and family. She always has a smile.