Andrew Yun, MD

Probably the worst experience I’ve had with a doctor. I had been having increasingly bad hip and groin pain, and my chiropractor recommended him. They did an X-​ray, but no MRI, he was with me for a total of 7 minutes, said I had a torn cartilege and there was nothing to be done about it, except take over the counter meds. Then he left the room. That was the last I ever saw of him. He was rude, cursory, and practices bad medicine.

When I found out that I needed a hip replacement it kinda scared me. I’ve never had a surgery and was quite nervous. I went online doing a lot of research wanting to have the top guy in the area. Every website that I found had high recommendations for the St Johns Hip Center and Dr Yun.
Within the next few months I seemed to run into a lot of people that hap new hips or knew someone. I would have to say 80% of these people went to Dr Yun and raved about his skills.
So I scheduled my surgery, this last July 10. 1PM. All went great. Next morning a physical therapist shows up to take me for my first trott. I was a little sore from surgery but absolutely no joint pain and no leaning limp, I was amazed. So we get back to my room and she asked if I would like to go home today. I said «really» she said that my walk was so smooth and that I had enough leg strength to do some exercises that she would write a recommendation of when Dr Yun came by. So sure enough he came by that afternoon, asked some questions, tested some areas of my leg for numbness and tingling and had me stretch my feet with resistance from his hand. Dr Yun agreed to discharge me. In and out and in 24 hours.
So here’s the skinny. For two weeks it hurt and swelled. I followed the directions exactly with the exercises. I also had 12 home therapy visits (everyone really needs this), this guy made me work and walk and it hurt, but week 3 is monumental in your pain factor. Week 3 happened to be my follow up appointment in Santa Monica, I rode my motorcycle from Kanan Rd down PCH enjoying the ocean and my new hip. So at the office they check me out, feet placement, stance and a walk down the hall. Everything was perfect.
So now I am at 6 weeks. Zero pain, zero swelling. I walk daily and still do the exercises because the leg muscles are still weaker than the other leg. I am so happy with this new hip I barely remember having the surgery.
So I noticed all the negativity regarding bedside manner. Dr Yun is a surgeon that’s what he is trained for your nurse or caregiver will let him know if there is issues in your recovery and if so you would see him more. My initial office visit with him was all I needed to know that he was the one to do my surgery. And St Johns Hospital is also excellent, my care perfect.

AFTERCARE: dr. Yun is a specialist — a surgeon.
In terms of aftercare, you are very much on your own.
I strongly advise contracting with a good professional physical therapist, A sports medicine physician, and an infectious medicine doctor to make sure that your recovery and aftercare go as well as possible.
Any joint replacement surgery is prone to creating problems particular to that surgery, such as learning to walk again properly and or joint infection.

I was suffering terribly from a torn labrum, which also exposed other degenerative conditions that made me a candidate for a THR. Several people recommended Dr. Yun because I was looking for surgeon that could see me soon as my pain had become unbearable.
At my consult appointment, I waited a VERY short time before being called in; had XRAYs taken, which I appreciated because even if I showed him my MRI it was from a few weeks prior and things can change. Dr. Yun came in right away and was pleasant and efficient and gave a thorough explanation of what he saw. He confirmed that a total Hip Replacement was the only real way for me to gain relief, handed me a packet full of FACTS regarding the surgery, pre-​op, post-​op, and beyond; the process, the brand of prostetics and the reasoning behind his choices. I felt so informed prior to surgery and very confident that I would soon be running and exercising again. There was also an email where when I did have a question, no matter how small, his staff returned my email in a timely manner.
I was so grateful as I was able to schedule the surgery a week and half later. His pre-​op staff was amazing, meticulous, and caring. Dr. Yun came in to see me prior to surgery to confirm our procedure. The prodecure went well and as promised, I was walking in my hospital room that very evening. The next day I was walking with just a cane! At the time I am writing this, 2 days after surgery, I can actually walk on my own but use the cane as not to over exert myself. Many of the staff at St. Johns, where he performs the surgery, also very committed to his specific post op procedures, designed to limit potential set backs and problems.
I know that if I ever have to deal with my other hip, I would go to Dr. Yun without a second thought. He is absolutely a master at what he does!

My experience with anterior replacement has been a huge disappointment, both painfully and financially. Surgery was in late 2010.
I was doing pretty good up until 5^th month post op, and then things went downhill for me.
Here it is late July 2014, I deal with major numbness on the thigh (nerve/​tissue damage I’m told). Very often I have burning in that area which I believe is inflammation. Into my 2^nd yr+ I was told I had Iliotibial (IT band) damage… this has been horrible and caused MORE pressure on already arthritic knee. I had 2 months of ART work on the IT band and now it’s looser but numb and burning.
Then there is the shorter leg syndrome, I now wear ¾″ lift in my right shoe, too bad I didn’t know this issue early on, or perhaps it takes months/​yrs for all to unfold. The body is changed so much, I know this now. And I also deal with a messy foot/​ankle from the alignment being off in my body.
One thing I don’t have is the nasty groin pain which was the main reason I did this.
I know major surgery is a real gamble and one does not know outcome until it’s all over… but honestly, this has been too lifechanging and NOT in good ways.
A person I met praised Dr. Yun and that’s how I chose him, I had no other inputs anywhere from anyone. and boy oh boy I was not happy to do this, but did. Surely, wanted a much better outcome.
And YES, I know many have good outcomes, too sad I wasn’t one of them.
And the 3 night stay at St. Johns was HORRIBLE… I could list my reasons but it’s on my exit review, like it helps.
I was in St. Johns 30 yrs ago and what a major difference from then and now.
Wish I didn’t have to post this but can’t live with myself if I don’t…
I see where Dr. Yun reported I had not seen him post op, this is NOT TRUE, I went into his office 3 times for appts post op and probably exchanged 10+ emails with his PA over a couple yrs. I am a very responsible person and who would not go see their surgeon after this MAJOR surgery?
I’m dealing with a Mess from this Anterior surgery.

In 2011 I had a complete hip replacement by Dr. Yun. I had heard he was the best. That may be true but not in my case. I have chronic pain and pressure in my thigh. Walking is difficult. I have to accept this disability. The hospital sent me home with the name of a physical therapist who I contacted. After working with him several times I was in deep pain. I called dr. Yun’s office and the P. A. told me I was not supposed to get physical therapy. He was quite upset. Also, while in the hospital an occupational therapist yanked my leg and I screamed out in pain. She rolled her eyes. I had fractured my hip and had screws put in my hip. I was told the screws were moving and needed a hip replacement. What I wouldn’t give to go back to pre Dr. Yun. At least I could walk with ease then. I’m a permanent cripple now. Last but not least, I was in the hospital 4 days and Dr. Yun didn’t visit with me until day 4. The handout I received said he would see me the morning after surgery. Not! The quality of my life has deteriorated dramatically. I have waited a long time before reviewing Dr. Yun. It’s not my style to give this kind of review.

I neglected to place my review for Dr. Andrew Yun on the Santa Monica Unilocal page from 10/​13/​2013 — Dr. Yun continues to do surgeries on friends and acqaintances, end result: they are now enjoying a wonderful quality of life thanks to Dr. Yun.
Below is my review I placed on Unilocal, Marina del Rey office: 10/​13/​2013: My family and I have been to many doctors and surgeons throughout our lives and Dr. Yun ranks right up there at the top of ALL surgeons and doctors. We commend Dr. Yun for his professionalism, innovativeness, thoroughness in explaining what the xrays showed at a level that we could understand (comparing what the xrays show and what a normal body xray looks like), and his great attitude towards us. Fortunately, we did not have knee or hip replacement issues and physical therapy took care of the pain in my knees and my husband’s issue was his back. I then went back to Dr. Yun in August forwhat I thought was my hip. Dr. Yun was so caring and informative of what he thought my problem was in my back and not my hip.
We have friends (one friend was so crippled he could hardly walk — operation was February 2013) who Dr. Yun performed hip and knee replacements on. They are now pain free, recovery was minimal — no rehab required except for «Walk and Wait». I believe the innovative surgical procedures Dr. Yun performs (going in the front vs «traditional» down the side of the hip — I hope I said this correctly) without having to go to a rehab facility is what made the recovery time of our friends so fast. We have another friend who had the «traditional» down the side of the hip replacement performed in May 2013 by another surgeon and she was in the rehab facility for ~3 weeks and still had a ways to go.
Thanks to Dr. Yun for improving the quality of life of so many — he must sleep well at night being a «miracle» surgeon. We all are fortunate to have Dr. Yun in our «hip pocket» if we need him — we know he will be there for us!

well lookie here: a response from their office. Nothing changes the situation at all. This response, non response, (really did their response say anything meaningful rather than generic feel-​good sentences strung together?), it changes nothing. My point stands: the doctor was arrogant to me and he touts his ivy league credentials on his web site, but apparently isn’t all that mighty and diagnostic to venture a real opinion. I made it clear I wanted an INDEPENDENT opinion and yet I was dismissed out of hand because I had arth fibrosis, or so it stated in the others doc notes (the lousy one). Three minutes later left the room. He had the gall to charge me for his non medical blow off of me. And from the looks of the other responses, it’s seems to be a pattern.

Had a Total Hip Replacement with Dr Yun at St Josephs in July 2013 and was up walking that night and discharged the following night.
I’m not going to comment as to his «bedside manner» or «service» as some of the other reviewers have done because it’s inconsequential when you are talking about a major surgery and artificial hip you’ll have for the rest of your life (although Yun and his staff were very responsive and personable with me). I want someone that has done this procedure thousands of times per year and Yun does this probably more than any other doctor around. Save the Service whining for a restaurant or hotel review.
I am part of UCLA Health care and my UCLA physician referred me to someone at UCLA that does the Posterior approach. I chose Yun (and did not use my physician’s referral) because Yun does Anterior and I could not be more happy or grateful.
With an Anterior approach you have faster recovery and no restrictions — that alone is worth it.
Here is a tip: go to his Marina Del Rey office for the initial examination vs St John’s hospital. Same exact examination by Yun just in his private Marina office. Big difference is that you or your insurance company will be charged a «hospital facility fee» on top of the standard examination fee if you get that exam at St Johns. Either way Yun does the surgery at St Johns. And if you go to the Marina office you’ll have access to easy street parking for free. I found this out by accident and switched my initial exam from St Johns to his office on the same day just a couple of hours later!

Let me start off by saying I have not received a joint replacement from Dr. Yun, but felt compelled to share my experiences in the operating room. I have been in orthopedics almost two decades and can honestly say I am impressed with the orthopedic team at Saint Johns. I have had the pleasure of closely working with Dr. Yun’s hand picked team and have seen first hand individual compassionate care driven by precision in the O.R. Dr. Yun and his team have developed an unmatched technique to ensure proper alignment through state of the art techniques and proven methods with great results. The orthopedic team at Saint Johns Hospital have been recently recognized by consumer reports as one of the top 5 safest hospitals in the nation for joint replacements. I have recommended Dr. Yun to close friends and family and will continue to do so. If you are looking for a surgeon that provides great outcomes then look no further. And to those who have already had a joint replacement from Dr. Yun, congratulations!

I have never written a Unilocal review but I am compelled to let people know about my experience with Dr. Andrew Yun of the Arthritis Surgeons Medical Group at St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica. Dr. Yun was rude, disrespectful and could care less about the patient. I came into his office with an MRI of my hip and was told I needed to get an x-​ray. So I did. Dr. Yun came in and went over my x-​ray and then began to tell me about hip surgery and all it entails. When I asked a question he became agitated. I told him I had a list of some questions to ask and he said let me see them and began
belittling some of the questions and almost threw the list back at me. When I asked about how many hip replacements he had performed he said he didn’t know as though, who are you to ask me. He shut his book and said see another associate and walked out. I was flabbergasted! If you want a doctor that has lots of degrees, churns out surgeries to pay for his ivy league education skipped the courses in compassion, humility, and bedside manners then this is the doctor for you but not for me!

He may be a good surgeon but is follow up and bedside manner is a giant FAIL. Don’t bother with him-​he certainly won’t with you.