Calvin H. Knapp Jr, MD

Dr. Knapp is a godsend. My wife suffered with sinus infections for years — one after another, antibiotic after antibiotic. Finally she decided enough was enough and we Unilocaled for ENT recommendations. Dr. Knapp was at the top of the list. Now we know why. It’s been two years since the sinus surgery and she hasn’t been sick or taken any antibiotics during that time. She recovered extremely smoothly following surgery and Dr. Knapp was kind, patient, and reassuring all through the healing process. There’s really no way to sufficiently thank him. Her life (and mine) is completely different now… so much better. Thank you Dr. Knapp!

Dr. Knapp is an outstanding doctor. He listens fully, assesses with recommendations with full intention to deliver excellent patient care.

Dr. Knapp is absolutely the best ever. If you need an ENT doc, do not hesitate to contact him. His entire staff is just as fabulous. I really have no words to describe how great he is. I had sinus surgery and am thrilled with the results and Dr. Knapp’s care.

It’s been my experience that unless you have chronic sinus infections and sever allergies you won’t really know how much it hurts or how big of a bother it can really be. Thank Dr. Knapp for embracing not only my complicated anatomy, but my life and family. I highly recommend Dr. Knapp. Thank you for all your help!

I was referred to Dr Knapp by a sleep study professional in the area. Dr knapp is personable and professional. His staff is wonderful and friendly yet professional. He performed my nasal and sinus surgery. Surgery was performed across the hall from his office. Recovery went well and the surgery was a success. He followed up and called me several times post surgery to check on me and answer questions. I would highly recommend him and his staff to anyone.

So far, so good. First of all-i’ve seen 2, count em’- yes…2 ENT’s over my right ear issue. It’s been a long haul and I’d almost given up. Then I realized, this November will be the start of my 3^rd year and my ear is still jacked up. I can’t have that. Do you know how hard it is to get silly putty out of your hair?! And btdub, I cannot tell you how un-​sexy a swimming cap is.
I yet again Unilocaled me some recommendations for the best ENT in Seattle. This office is truly a gem. I’m still in the process of getting my ear stuff worked out but in my one visit so far, I have a TRUE diagnoses, got some prescribed drops that will neutralized my lobes and drum and there is hope on the horizon that one day-​I might actually be able to dunk my head under water… say whhhaaaatttt. I’ve never been more excited for my next Dr. appt. I will be seeing Dr Polaskis in the same office for my follow up.
OH and the technology they use here is pretty cool… I even got to watch a micro-​camera go into my ear canal and saw my very own ear drum (or more accurately, where my ear drum is as you can’t actually see THROUGH the infection zone). It was rad to watch him pour solution down my ear and match up that sizzle sound to a live visual as to what was actually happening in there. Though it sounds like a bunch of little worker men hammering away in my lobes, turns out-​nope, no little guys in my ear drum…

Just piling on to the slew of good reviews. Dr. Knapp is incredibly thorough with his diagnosis, treatment options, and expected outcomes. He is thorough, caring, and patient. He’s worth the wait!

These folks are wonderful. Dr. Knapp was clear, honest, available, and helpful. I got my sinus troubles resolved with a simple surgery with little or no pain, easy recovery, and lots of interactions initiated by the doctor and his staff to make sure I was doing fine as I recovered. They’re great!

Over the past 20 years I have seen five or so ENTs about my allergy and sinus problems. Dr. Knapp is the first one who outlined the options (antihistamines, shots, or surgery), and recommended surgery. He performed my sinus surgery (septoplasty, turbinectomy, and strengthen nasal valve) and I was off work for about ten days. Within six weeks, my breathing had improved dramatically, and for the first time in a decade I could sleep all night lying down. He is the best ENT I have ever visited, I strongly recommend his services.

I do think it is odd that doctors are on Unilocal.But, since Dr. Knapp is being reviewed here, I must pile on. I had a childhood accident which left me with injury to the right side of my face. Unfortunately, I became «used to» some of the problems I had over the years. I wish I had met Dr. Knapp sooner. A series of unfortunate events led to me to a place where a person in my life, Dr. Jennifer Melville, did some research on my behalf. She asked every doctor she knew, every nurse, all the PA’s which ENT was the best in Seattle. Dr. Knapp’s name came up over and over again. I am so thankful Dr. Melville did this searching around on my behalf.
Without going into too many details, this is the doctor that other doctors would go to, or send their kids to see. My surgery was two months ago, and I feel so amazed that I even went about my life with all those problems! The whole staff at his office is great, the front desk, the nurses, his assistants. There is more but I won’t keep rambling. Read the other five star reviews. Much deserved.

Everyone who says Dr. Knapp is a god-​send is spot-​on!
A little over a year ago, my nose was accidentally broken. I put off diagnosing and treating it, but I knew what was wrong the very moment it happened: deviated septum. You see, half my lifetime ago, I had the same thing happen. Subsequently, I suffered from about 4 sinus infections per year, and countless migraines. 7 years ago, I discovered my deviated septum was the cause of these issues, and decided to have surgery to fix it. I wasn’t promised a cure. However, the surgery cured my migraines and sinus infections for 6 years — until my nose was broken again.
In 2005, my septoplasty surgeon was a doctor back in Texas. Since it is a small world, Dr. Knapp actually knew my former doctor! He even commented on what great work my previous doctor had done in my adenoids — before he even knew who my previous doctor was! Before my first surgery, I had heard nightmare stories of people having septoplasty done way back when. Previously, they would pack the nose with giant cotton wads, and you had to breathe through your mouth for the first week or so. I was assured that doctors had abandoned those old methods since it could lead to infections and other issues.
Let me just say that first surgery was *rough*. Recovery took about 2 weeks. I needed assistance getting to the bathroom for the first few days. I couldn’t fathom even chicken broth for days. Pain levels were astounding. I looked like someone has beat me. My nose swelled up to epic proportions, and I could barely open my eyes. The irrigation and bleeding were quite miserable to deal with. My poor skin became so irritated from the gauze and tape stuck on my face for 2 weeks. My previous doctor also used these long, flexible plastic breathing channels. They were a little longer than my middle finger, and they had a half-​dome tube down the middle of it. Those things sat in my nasal passages for about 3 weeks, and they caused some serious misery. It hurt to even open my eyes that first day! When he took them out, good LORD it felt like giving birth through my nose! Worst of all, it took an entire YEAR to get feeling and movement back in the tip of my nose!
Fast forward to last year, and I went to see Dr. Knapp for my official diagnosis. I decided to postpone surgery due to work conflicts. Since I had already been through the procedure before, I didn’t want to miss another 2 weeks of work to recover from surgery. That was silly since it meant I suffered from more sinus infections over the course of a year!
When I finally had Dr. Knapp do the procedure, it was simply the best! My recovery time was only a few days! He doesn’t use those horrible breathing channels. Rather, he uses dissolvable packing. I could actually breathe through my nose immediately after surgery. I firmly believe that method alone saved me a world of misery! This second time around, I had minimal bruising on my cheeks, minimal swelling, and I could actually open my eyes! Drainage and bleeding we’re minimal. I did take it easy with soft, non-​spicy foods for the first week just to be safe. I could feel and even (slightly) move my nose the same day of the surgery! The procedure was light-​years better than the last time!
Dr. Knapp took the time out to answer any questions I had. He actually personally called me the evening of the surgery to check on me. After seeing him for sinus infection #4 in 1 year, he said «You really need this surgery!» He knows his stuff, and his staff was very attentive and responsive with any and all my questions.
Simply put, this guy is the best of the best. Trust me, I have great comparison evidence to prove it!

Had to go back again for a middle ear & sinus infection. Dr. Knapp was just as great as the first time, but I was in the waiting room 45 minutes to see him.
Not cool. I value your time just as you should value mine, especially since I had to leave work early to be on time to this appointment. These days, a receptionist could easily contact a patient and let them know that the doctor is running late. Everyone has a cell phone now.

Dr. Knapp is a god-​send! I have been miserable the last 5 – 6 years. I couldn’t breathe, was coughing constantly, couldn’t lose my baby weight because I’d go to the gym and be wheezing and have to stop. Probably worst of all were the constant sinus infections, 5 – 8 infections each year. I was always on antibiotics – the last infection took me through four different antibiotics and none would help.
I was referred to Dr. Knapp’s office a couple months ago, and he went through my CT scans, did an exam, and determined the root cause of my problems: small cavities, infected tissue that no medication would help, deviated septum, and just very small airways. He gave me lots of options, and also mentioned surgery. I have heard how awful sinus surgery is, but he told me that while he can’t guarantee it to cure 100% of my ailments, that it would make my life significantly better.
So, I went in a month ago and had turbinate reduction (he took an inch off from one cavity!), removal of the infected tissue and opening of my passageways, as well as a septoplasty. A month after the surgery now, I feel like my entire life has changed. I haven’t coughed once! I used to stay up all night coughing, every night. The recovery has had some pretty disgusting parts, but I can’t tell you how amazing it is to be able to breath. I only had dissolvable packing, which I heard is the worst part of the recovery, and no bruising at all.
He’s a miracle worker, and his staff is fantastic: his nurse was always available to me, (he even called me twice on the phone, which I have never heard of a doctor doing before), and his billing staff worked diligently to get my stubborn insurance to cover the cost.
Another reassuring point is that I see an amazing doctor for my asthma and allergy issues, and he and Dr. Knapp told me the same things about treatment, ailments, recovery, without ever even talking to each other. I was very impressed that these doctors were on the same page. :)
He’s amazing!

I love Dr. Knapp! He is the best dr to help you with any ear, nose and throat difficulties. He is thorough and explains
I love Dr. Knapp! I first met him back in 2008 when my doctor recommended him.
I found him to be friendly, knowledgable and to really ensure that I understood what he was explaining. I like enough detail to know that what and why’s behind a procedure but not in medical terminology. He also took the time to call me the evening of my surgery to see how I was feeling.
I have been sinus infection free for over 2 years. I would highly recommend him and his staff.

Having the surgery that Dr. Knapp suggested literally made my life better. I went through a brutal surgery of sinus surgery, turbinate reduction, nasal bone grafting and a septoplasty in conjunction with a tonsilectomy (that another doctor did) and as brutal as it was I would do it again in a second. Dr. Knapp is professional, personable, has a great staff and is an excellent surgeon. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.

I saw two surgeons before making my decision, and Dr. Knapp was the clear winner. I was told I should consider the other surgeon because she was a «conservative cutter.» No, she was inexperienced and trying to do as little as possible.
I had a complicated case. While I didn’t have clear-​cut repeat sinus infections, I had chronic, low-​grade sinusitis, congestion, and puffiness around my eyes and nose. No nose spray ever worked. Then I found out I had sleep apnea on top of it all.
Many times doctors simply remove part of the lower turbinates (structures in your nose that swell up to fight infection, but are sometimes just too big anyway) and straighten the septum so that the CPAP machine used for sleep apnea can work as well as possible. But I needed a lot more help than that. If you can’t breathe through your nose while you sleep, you open your mouth, and then you snore and your tongue falls back and then you get apneas. For some people it’s not their nose, it’s their tongue or jaw or even their body weight (you have to do a lot of lifting when you’re inhaling on your back).
For me, it was my ethmoid sinuses (the ones between the eyes) where all the trouble was. The first major improvement was no more swelling/​puffiness around my eyes and nose — and that was noticeable just days leter. Five weeks later I am OFF the CPAP machine. I didn’t just have to lower the pressure, I don’t need it anymore, period, and I’m more alert in the mornings than I’ve ever been.
Dr. Knapp is also extremely friendly, personable, and will answer any questions. And Swedish hospital is a great place for surgery.

Dr. Knapp performed a surgical procedure for me without any scarring or bruising (at least to the eye via externally). It is obvious he genuinely cares for his patients and his level of professionalism exceeded all expectations. I would without a doubt recommend Dr. Knapp to anyone who is looking for a nose, ear or throat specialist.

I had a problem breathing out of one side of my nose ever since I can remember. I went to Dr Knapp after consulting another ENT doctor. He gave me honest feedback about my deviated septum and told me that I would see a huge increase in my breathing should I have the surgery. I went through with it about a month ago and everything he told me was right. Some days are better than others but let me tell you, the good days are AMAZING! I am like a whole new man now! The surgery was only supposed to take 45 minutes but he worked on me longer because he said it was worse than he thought. I have NEVER been able to breath as well as I can now– THANK YOU DR Knapp!!!

Dr. Knapp is excellent. He diagnosed a serious and debilitating sinus infection that many doctors prior had simply ignored or missed. I had sinus surgery last November and it has significantly improved my quality of life. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Knapp or his office and surgical staff. They are always friendly and helpful. I would recommend him to anyone with sinus issues.

I couldn’t smell or taste for a year and it was due to sinus problems that would NOT go away via steroids, antibiotics, etc. I was miserable. Had sinus surgery done by Dr. Knapp. He rocked. My surgery was less than 45 minutes and I had no bruising or anything!
I heart Dr Knapp as he allowed me to have the ability to smell and taste again.