John W. Sperling's Online Review Report Card

Dr. Sperling removed a p-acne infected shoulder implant another surgeon put in. He then wrote a RX in his name for 6 weeks of IV antibiotics . He said this would take care of the infection and by this summer I would be feeling great again after surgery. Then without checking for infection before surgery he put a reverse shoulder implant back in. I was called 6 days after surgery saying I was still infected as the biopsy came back positive for p-acne or c-acne bacteria. UPDATE 07-01-2023: Now I have what is called "scapular grade three notching" which broke the baseplate screw and will require another surgery to put in a bigger ball or to move the baseplate to move the arm outward so the plastic socket does not hit the bone causing my glenoid bone destruction. The baseplate tray and the glenosphere ball are at maximum offsets and still there is interference of the plastic socket with the bone. That is the facts of my surgery by John Sperling.

Friendly,Straight to the point.I had a total reverse shoulder replacement.Doing things i haven’t done in twenty five years.Going back for another consult for another replacement.Best there is as far as I’m concerned.I would highly recommend Dr.Sperling.

I need a shoulder replacemt (not a reverse), and when I went to him for an evaluation, he spent less than 5 minutes with me, did not examine shoulder, just looked at images, brushed off all my questions and concerns, saying he operated on 1000s of 70-year-old women with all sorts of health isssues. After thinking about it, I cancelled the surgery and am going to try a different surgeon. He may be a technically great surgeon, but has zero care or desire to listen to patients. If you want to be an active, informed patient, he is not for you.

Dr. Sperling performed total reverse should replacements on both of my shoulders (6 months apart). The results were excellent. He performs about 400 shoulder replacements a year and is likely the best surgeon in the world for this procedure. I highly recommend him.

I had shoulder replacement surgery back in October '21 with Dr. Sperling. I was nervous about it, for obvious reasons, but I couldn't have had a better experience. Dr. Sperling and his staff are kind, patient, thoughtful, considerate, and available, no matter how mundane I thought the question might be. Aftercare was just as thorough. 5 stars, but only because Google won't allow me to award more.

During my consultation with for a torn rotary cuff that had been repaired once before by another surgeon years before this fall and second tear. I was told he would not repair a rotary cuff that has been repaired once as a second repair is guaranteed to fail. He said I may find a surgeon that would but he wouldn't. I had previously had a reverse shoulder replacement on my other shoulder at the Arizona Mayo Clinic 5 years previously out of necessity from an accident. So I have a comparison. This shoulder replacement is a complete failure. I've lost most of the strength as well as the range of motion. I can't tuck my shirt in my pants behind my back of perform bathroom duties or lift anything over should height. I had a false trust in him because of being with Mayo! I should have never listened to him or let him replace my shoulder. I am now severely handi capped with that arm for life. He thinks quite a lot of himself saying he replaces more shoulders than anyone in the world.

My right shoulder had been disconnected for 10 years after tendons and ligaments were detached or dissolved. After surgery and PT, I can now swing dance again with all the complicated arm movements which have helped strengthen the shoulders. I’m 79. It’s never too late to get your shoulders back!

Dr. Sperling removed a p-acne infected shoulder implant another surgeon put in. He then wrote a RX in his name for 6 weeks of IV antibiotics . He said this would take care of the infection and by this summer I would be feeling great again do to his superior surgery? Then without checking for infection before surgery he put a reverse shoulder implant back in. I was called 6 days after surgery saying I was still infected as the biopsy came back positive for p-acne or c-acne bacteria. He stated it was not his fault and he was not responsible even though he wrote the RX for antibiotic drugs. I also totally lost my anterior deltoid muscle. Again he said not his fault. Never had an issue with loosing my deltoid from the first operation. Has a very high opinion of himself that is not warranted. Can not backup his words with results.

Absolutely no ability to listen to the patient or ask the patient questions. He spent less than 2 minutes with us before scheduling surgery. His PA is the same way. He kept telling us to be quiet he was talking!

I had a complete shoulder replacement. A year later I over lifted and had a shoulder revision. A few months later I fell and fractured my shoulder. He was very kind, caring and the greatest surgeon. I did recommend him to a friend and she went to him with great results. Dr Sperling did not know that she was my friend. And she, too had great results.