Stephen Helgemo's Online Review Report Card

The best hand surgeon.Very thorough and highly competent.

Sorry for the long review. Id give ZERO stars if I could. Saw Dr. Olarte back on April 13th. The reason I waited this long to leave a review is because I was waiting to see another DR for a second opinion as I was very disappointed and frustrated after seeing Olarte. My PCP had sent me for an X-ray on my hand and wrist, didn't show anything, he then sent me for an MRI which showed a focal full thickness tear in the TFCC, ALOT of inflammation and a lack of cartilage in my hand. When I made the appointment I was told to bring in the MRI report and the MRI CD, Olarte will want to see it. Well he never looked at the CD and when he read the report he said " I don't believe in MRI's, I have no faith in them". He then took me to an X-ray machine, put my hand under it and said" you see, I don't see anything the MRI is talking about" That took about 5 seconds and he billed my insurance $180. I don't have to be a Dr to know an X-ray and MRI are two different things. We went back to the room, he asked me what I did for a living and I told him I used to do construction, he then tells me that's why my hand hurts, blindly gave me a shot, just stuck a needle in my wrist and sent me on my way. He wrote in his report that I did NOT have a tear. How in the world would he know!? Unless he has x-ray vision there was no way of him knowing that unless he looked at the MRI CD! Which he didn't! He also wanted to sell me a splint for $100 when I was literally wearing one at the time. The nurse came in after him with the splint and saw I was already wearing one and said ' oh you don't need one, you already have one and they are exactly the same. I pd $14 for mine on Amazon. This visit took about 5 minutes. Dr Olarte made me feel like he couldn't be bothered and didn't have time for me. I guess he couldn't make enough money off me. The nurse and staff were great. The girl that checked me out was more informative as to what I should expect from the shot, Olarte explained nothing. What a huge waste of time this was. Now the Dr I saw for the second opinion was amazing. When I made the appointment, they scheduled me in a time slot where the Dr could spend extra time with me since I was a new patient, I liked that right of the bat. He spent about 30 minutes with me. he read the report and actually looked at the MRI CD with me and explained in detail what I was looking at. He showed me the tear that Olarte said I didn't have! He also showed me all the inflammation and the lack of cartilage in my hand. He set me up for another shot, this time done under a scan so that they can make sure the shot was injected in the right place and actually numbed my wrist before the shot. This Dr also wants me to see a Rheumatologist because the tear wasn't due to any trauma and because of the lack of cartilage, I could possibly have an auto immune or inflammatory disease. He put a plan together for me and said he was the last one I'd talk to because that would mean I need surgery and he didn't want to do that if he didn't have to. Do not waste your time with Florida Hand center! Id be closer to recovery if I hadn't gone there, and If I hadn't gone for a second opinion and actually listened to Olarte Id still be in pain and not know why.

Dr Olarte is awesome!!!

Had surgery with dr.helgemo,he made a big mistake, he cut a nerve in my arm instead of moving it. I have nerve damage in my fingers&my arm.DO NOT GO TO DR.HELGEMO!

Dr. Helgemo is a highly skilled surgeon! As a dupuytrens patient he was determined to work as hard as he needed to so that I would get good results. I traveled an hour and a half to see him and it was well worth the trip! I found him to be very personable and the NA procedure I received yielded great results! His assistant Amanda was wonderful and so compassionate! I highly recommend Dr. Helgemo and his friendly staff!5 stars for sure from me!

If i can give them NEGATIVE stars... i most definitely Would. He is extremely rude ! Extremely rude! People want to feel confortable & wanted when they see him. He needs to be nicer about patients needs.

Dr. Olarte was able to diagnose my joint pain and I was able to get relief! I was given a couple shots in my joint (it took a couple visits to achieve) and a custom brace to wear at night or as needed. It's been a few years now and all no pain...very happy with their services and staff!

The Great Dr. Ivan Olarte and his lovely assistant Mandy took great care of me. This was my first ever surgery. I needed to have a benign tumor removed from my thumb. I was bit concerned at first but, they immediately assured me the procedure will be a complete success. True to thier word and just over 2 weeks since the surgery, I am back in the studio playing my drums again. Pain Free! Praise the Lord!

Very rude, roasted my hands and didn’t even want to take the time to help me. I didn’t sleep all night because my hands are in we’re in pain, he didn’t want to help because I looked tired! Hahah what a joke!

I received a referral for Dr Helgemo from a current patient telling me how amazing he was and how quick her recovery was. My first and second appointment, I completely agreed! He was kind, informative and understanding. His Ft Myers Office staff was on point! Then came the time for payment and surgery. I had to pay my part a week before surgery in full. Got it done. Then the day of surgery, apparently Dr. Helgemo was either running late or the Colonial Surgery Center told him the wrong time, because he was late. My husband, being the jokester he is said “I hope you are late because the line at Starbucks was long and you brought coffee.” Dr. Helgemo did not find that amusing. Surgery was short and sweet and I was on my way home. The next day, the surgery center called and I told themI was in pain but Dr. Helgemo’s office never called. The post op appointment the week after was suppose to be at 11:30, at 11:25, Dr Helgemo walked out of the office and said he would be back. The nurse then called me back at 11:50 to remove the surgery bandages. I never saw the doctor again nor have I ever heard back from the office till I got a bill. For TEN DOLLARS!! Have never received any follow up since the week after my surgery! I contacted my insurance company and according to my EOB, they OWE ME! I am very disappointed in the care and customer service from this entity! What a sad waste of talent!