Ariel Palanca's Online Review Report Card

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!

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.

I went to see Dr. P on a referral from my Dr. I have pain in my big toe joint, ankles, knees, and hips. When I was in the exam room, I overheard the nurse discussing my responses to her questions with the dr. and the office staff. I overheard them all laughing about my case. I don't see anything funny about my answers, I felt very embarrassed and self-conscious about my whole visit after that. Dr. P. entered the exam room, asked a few questions, then basically told me when my pain got bad enough, (this is why I'm here. look at my records! I don't go to the doctor very often!!) schedule the surgery, which by the way, might not even take care of the pain. She said I had fallen arches, but did not offer any advice on what I could do for myself for that problem. She did not even address my concerns with my ankle, knee and hip pain. She was dismissive and not helpful at all. I have NEVER complained about a Dr. visit before. I'm shocked at how unprofessional her staff was.

The office was always very prompt, friendly and helpful. One time I arrived 30 minutes early since I was coming from another appointment that finished early. Instead of making me wait, they did my X-rays and got me in and out early. Dr. Palanca also was helpful and gave me context around my injury. No complaints!

Dr. Palanca is an excellent doctor. I very much enjoyed my foot surgery appointment with her last week. She explained the surgery and answered all my questions.

I was extremely impressed with this young surgeon. Dr. Palanca was in control from start to finish. The results that I have experienced greatly exceeded my expectations.