Shahan V Yacoubian, MD

my mother is 87 years old, a longtime patient, and suffered so much pain not to mention two back to back emergency visits to the hospital due to the blatant lack of care and compassion — we took her in due to extreme shoulder pain and it took two months to get an MRI — once we got that there was once again ZERO care or concern for her well being — she was never once asked what is wrong with her, where it hurts, what happened, what the MRI reports says, what we need to do, what medication to take, the list goes on and on and on and on — why be a doctor if you DO NOT CARE about your patients — ESPECIALLY if they are elderly??? is this how you would treat your own mother or father??? as an ENTIRE FAMILY we are SO DISAPPOINTED with this LACK OF HUMANITY — wow wow wow NOT GOOD!!!

Dr. Shahan Yacoubian did my knee surgery in August 2015 and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I consider 3 key factors when searching for a professional service provider, including doctors: excellent service, communication and competence.
Excellent Service:
Dr. Yacoubian’s staff was on top of it from the beginning. The initial on boarding process, surgery intake, and pre-​screening was all very seamless and well organized.
Communication:
I went into each appointment with a list of questions which were always answered in a pleasant and easy to understand manner. I hate it when people use industry jargon to confuse people and luckily that was never the case. Most importantly, Dr. Yacoubian consistently kept my wife updated on my progress after surgery as I was in the recovery room.
Competence:
There is no question Dr. Yacoubian is great at what he does. He has years of experience doing surgeries and impeccable credentials. I always knew I was in good, capable, hands.
This was my second knee surgery on the same knee so I thought my tennis playing days were over. But Dr. Yacoubian did such a great job that I was back on the courts in less than 2 months swinging a racket. Of course I did my physical therapy as prescribed.

Dr. I was told (finally) that your office failed to comply with a requirement and they would have been happy to permit me to use you as I initially requested had you done that. I object to your making it sound like I simply didn’t understand how insurance works, that’s preposterous.
Additionally, and I left this off of my original review but I see someone complained four months ago, your staff was not helpful. It was never one phone call as I experienced with my second physician. I had your staff routinely tell me oh, you need to call this one for that, never offering to handle the request. I needed a medication refill (pain, rather urgent) and called the ONE person I was told could handle it. Turns out she’s out that day and no one picked up her messages.
It would be helpful if you could consolidate and treat patients through your staff a little more efficiently.

Dr. Yacoubian helped me with my shoulder pain. While surgery could be something needed in the future, Dr. Yacoubian did not rush to encourage surgery, but recommended physical therapy which has drastically improved my strength and lessened the pain. The speed and attention to detail with which Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists operate is outstanding. Dr. Yacoubian’s expertise and ability to clearly communicate is fantastic. I highly recommend Dr. Yacoubian and his office.

With 3 kids and a clumsy self this is my 6^th visit to Dr. Shahan Yacoubian’s office. He is such a mild tempered easy going doctor. He put me at ease and answered my endless questions.
If you ever need an Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Yacoubian is who I would recommend!

This my second hip replacement surgery. The first was six years earlier on my left hip. Cause: osteoarthritis. I am now rwo weeks out of posterior approach full replacement right hip surgery. I was discharged from the hospital after about 52 hours and happy to be heading home. I used Percocet twice at home and then Extra Strength Tylenol about four to six nights to relieve annoying pain in my «groin» area and to allow me to sleep. I take aspirin daily for thinning my blood to avoid blood clots and will do so for 30 days post surgery. I used home therapy five times through today and followed instructions carefully in two to three sessions of the exercises per day on my own. I inceased my daily walking steadily to the point of yesterday walking (carrying but not utilizing my cane) 1.3 miles (about 14 long residential blocks). I am working on regaining strength and range of motion, but am currently pain free. The surgery and rehab has been successful and I expect to be back playing badminton within another eight weeks. I will start outpatient physical therapy next week. Dr. Shahan Yacoubian is awesome.

Great doctor !! Was recommended to me by my GP — the only doctor I would recommend — and I totally agree with him. Had hip surgery 3 months ago, & went flawless. His support staff at his practice is top rated. As far as orthopedic surgery, Dr. Shahan Yacoubian is the best !!

I broke my femur in a fall due to the fact I needed a total knee replacement, not only did Dr. Yacoubian repair my leg with a rod, screws and bolts, he then gave me my new knee! 3 weeks after the knee surgery I was going on 5 mile urban hikes! 6 months later I was dead lifting (with a trainer at Push Fitness) 145 lbs. Today 8 months later I’m up to 185 lbs. ! Walking, biking, hiking & playing golf all better than before! I am sooo looking forward to getting my other knee done!
By the way… his brother did my rotator cuff with similar results!
The whole staff is wonderful as well!!!
Thank you all!
Michealene M.

My friend, linda lamb, put off total knee replacement surgery for as long as she could. Now she wonders why she waited so long. Dr. Shahan V Yacoubian performed surgery. 2 ½ months later I was back to yoga which I had been unable to do for so long… Than you

I injured my knee while skiing a few weeks ago and even though I had minimal symptoms, I decided to have it checked since it just did not feel right and I was afraid it would give away. Having known Dr. Yacoubian from before, I called him to have it checked. He was able to accommodate me as soon as I was able to go in and within the first minute he diagnosed me with a torn ACL which was later confirmed with an MRI. He fitted me with a brace and was extremely patient. He answered all of my questions and gave me a referral to a sports medicine specialist to further explore my treatment options since an ACL repair is part of a different sub-​specialty than the one he sub-​specializes in. I have been extremely satisfied with the care I received by Dr. Yacoubian and his office staff and would highly recommend him.

I had two unsuccessful hip operations over a period of 10 years. Through my insurance company I was referred to Dr. Yacoubian… who specializes in reconstructive joint replacement surgery. Prior to my surgery with Dr. Yacoubian, I experienced 8 hip dislocations, each requiring an EMT trip to the hospital.
In researching his bio I was impressed that he was Harvard trained and… had a humble and pleasant personality the likes of which I had never experienced from a surgeon before.
Bottom line… the next day after the surgery I could walk with crutches and sensed a new extremely solid feeling in my hip for the 1^st time in many years!
After 3 days I could walk well over 100 ft with crutches.
This operation took place in 2008 and to this day I have been remarkably pain free!

Dr. Shahan diagnosed my Hip quickly and efiiciently. He could tell by the way I walked and an x-​ray that I needed a Total Hip replacement. He didn’t waist my time with MRIs or physical Therapy and my hip was replace with in 3 weeks. In less than 4 weeks after replacement I was pain free and walking without a limp. I never waited more than 10 minutes in the office and the Doctor was available to answer questions at anytime before and after my Surgery. I only wish I had gone to the Orthopaedic Surgery Spcecialists sooner. The office staff is professional, personable and skilled. There is no need to live in pain.

Dr. Shahan Yacoubian has a great focus on the patient’s needs. Thorough, friendly and approachable but also calls it as he sees it. Dr. Shahan Yacoubian is one doctor I will continue to come back to, trust and appreciate.
The office staff is very efficient, friendly and easy to deal with on my first visit and on subsequent visits. Also, his surgery coordinator, Donna, is amazing. She was so sweet and patient. I highly recommend Dr. Shahan Yacoubian and his team.

I chose this doc for a total knee replacement based on his excellent credentials (I did a lot of research before choosing him) and was not disappointed. He is a highly qualified orthopedic surgeon, and I am thrilled I selected him for my procedure. His staff is friendly and helpful. Dr. Shahan spent a lot of time with me both pre and post surgery, and I never once felt rushed. I would highly recommend him to anyone contemplating joint replacement surgery, particularly the knee. As a matter of fact, I plan to return in a few months to have him replace my other knee.

Dr. Yacoubian is the best orthopedic surgeon you could ever find. He is so gentle and caring and makes you feel comfortable at all times. I had been walking around with pain in my upper leg with every step I made for 8 months. My GP sent me for an ultra sound and everything was decidedly fine. Well it wasn’t fine because with every step the pain got worse and worse. I went on the internet and tried to self diagnose this condition. I came up with a torn ligament or a pinched nerve. A torn ligament would supposedly heal in time. It didn’t so I decided I had a pinched nerve. I am not one to live in any type of discomfort so I started asking family and friends. My father in law said I might want to see an orthopedic doctor. I asked a good friend if she knew any in Burbank. As it turned out her aunt had an amazingly great experience just recently with Dr. Shahan Yacoubian.
I remember my first appointment and explaining to Dr. Yacoubian that I think I have a pinched nerve. He gave a reassuring smile and said we will see. I then went to the X-​Ray room right there in his office. Five minutes later he returned to me and showed me the X-​Rays that showed very clearly that all the cartilage in my right hip joint was GONE. He said no wonder I have been in pain my bone is scraping on bone with every step. He gently advised me of my options. I immediately took his first suggestion and made an appointment for a cortisone shot. Well — that didn’t work at all. So I went back to see Dr. Y and said I’m ready to be out of pain as soon as possible and we scheduled my hip replacement.
Just before my scheduled operation date I struck up a conversation with a colleague who just so happen to have had a hip replacement a year prior. Needless to say we made lunch plans and talked and talked. Anna loved her experience and her surgeon. None other than the fabulous Dr. Shahan Yacoubian was her surgeon. She gave me details of the whole experience that I would have never been able to anticipate. I was confident going in and felt like I was blessed to have the dream team of orthopedics, family and friends.
It has been 13 weeks now and I feel 10 years younger and I’m getting the bounce back in my step. You might think my age range is 70 ish but NO I am a very young 56 years old — Anna is even younger than I am.
My experience with Dr. Shahan Yacoubian could not have been better. His whole staff was FANTASTIC. No excessive waiting or any negativity at all. There is a possibility that I MAY need my left hip replaced (hopefully in my 70’s). I will be delighted to have this experience with Dr. Shahan V. Yacoubian — HE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!

After surgery for a badly broken leg and complications of my knee, I am again walking and riding my motorcycle. Dr Yacoubian was very professional and his staff treated me with respect. There was never a long wait in his office and I am very pleased with the progress I have made. Shahan is a very skilled surgeon and I am lucky to have had him to perform my surgery. I am very pleased with the outcome. I doubt it would have turned out as well with another doctor.

I went to Dr complaining of severe pain in knee and hip joints. Dr operated on hip and said knee was reflected pain from hip, and would resolve in a year.
Admin/​Support staff here are well below a normal standard of care. Looks like the Dr inherited the staff when he bought the practice. Admin was angry, elderly woman who tried to keep all the insurance info in her head instead of using computer. She also resisted email and wanted to fax everything to my work even when I explained the shared fax at work violated my right to confidentiality.
I was to get a pain-​relieving series of shots and the admin said they had to get pre-​approval and to wait 10 days. Later, I found out I did not need pre-​approval and could/​should have had the procedure the same day.
I spent months on Disability and PT, and pain in knee did not resolve. I reported falling down, a feeling that the lower leg was «hanging by a thread» when sitting and that I was unable to drive my car. No one suggested I get a second opinion– I was ill and being treated for other ailments simultaneously and thought I was being well cared for /​treatment was normal.
After *a year* of begging I finally got Dr to operate on the knee, which showed a bone fracture, ligament tears and damage matching my reported symptoms. I felt betrayed and heartsick, as I’d been in pain the whole time and unable to resume my normal life, driving, climbing stairs, etc.
When I tried to get the pain-​relieving therapy used before for this new area, the elderly admin again said I had to wait 10 days for ins. approval. I said that is incorrect and the surgeon said She’s the one who knows. I went outside and called my ins, who said this is already in their billing system from last year, what is the problem? I went back in and told another admin staffer this and they said again, we will not treat you today– wait ten days for us to get approval.
Admin used shaming language with me when I tried to get her to email accurate and filled out Return to Work forms, saying she’d «never seen any company ask for such detailed information» sent inaccurate/​wrong information to my insurance and HR, and was rude on the phone, slamming it down after leaving a message for me.
I think the Dr wanted to help me, but he should have gotten a second opinion when my pain continued. I can’t get that year of my life back. He needs to lose that staff before someone sues him over their bullying and falsifying legal descriptions of back to work info. If this sounds like your idea of a treatment team, good luck.