Scott A Hacker, MD MS

Worse run Dr’s office I’ve ever come across.
It began with my first 2 messages (requesting to schedule as a new patient) not getting answered. It has progressively gotten worse,
How disappointing an utterly unprofessional!
You can expect to not have your calls answered, not have anyone follow up, and get stuck doing office staff’s job for them. All that and I still have received no recent follow up on the MRI needed.
Who needs more work and more stress?
I thought, I hoped I’d receive help healing.
Not even a physical therapy script was written.
Unbelievable!

After two major knee surgeries with Dr. Hacker, my right knee is worse off now than it was before. It’s now been over 1 ½ years since my second surgery with Dr. Hacker and my right knee is still pretty much useless. Thanks for nothing!

I tore my lateral meniscus and was referred to Dr. Hacker. When I first met Dr. Hacker, I felt as though I was talking to a distant relative or friend. He took the time to listen to my story and frustrations of not being able to do the things I love. Even though my physical exam revealed little to no instability in my knee, he took my discomfort seriously. He left the treatment options in my hands, basically saying in very easy to understand terms, that my injury was probably going to stay the same. It wasn’t going to kill me, but if I wanted to return to confident active lifestyle, I might as well go under the knife. Again, I can’t stress how awesome he treated me through the whole decision making process. I felt as though I was sitting in a garage talking to a friend about how we were going to dial in a hot rod, rather than sitting in a surgeons office talking about the virtues of meniscectomy vs. meniscal repairs on my knee. With a laid back, yet confident demeanor, he made what should be a nerve-​wracking consultation very painless.
Other than a minor scheduling conflict, surgery day was probably one of the easiest days at the doctors I’ve ever had. Everything went flawless. Dr. Hacker was punctual, attentive to every question my fiancé and I had, and though I don’t remember, he was very efficient in surgery. I was only in the operating room for twenty minutes. Though his bedside manner was off the charts superb (something that seems rare these days in a busy healthcare system) I have to say the real testament to Dr. Hacker’s work was in my recovery. Within two days, I went from two to one crutch. After a week, I was walking with a slight limp. A few days later, I was walking normal. I can barely see my three little scars on my knee from surgery. I wasn’t on any disability from work, burning vacation days, and in need of income, so two and a half weeks later, I was confidently back to work. It’s been almost six weeks after surgery, and I write this testimonial after running seven miles on the beach. My knee couldn’t feel better and I owe it all to Dr. Hacker. If you are looking for a stress free, professional, and diligent surgeon, Dr. Hacker is hands down one of the best San Diego has to offer.

My experience with Dr. Hacker was phenomenal. One of the other reviewers had mentioned how busy he is– it’s true he’s extremely popular but that’s for a reason. My hip replacement went awesome. I’m about five months after my surgery, but I do think that I could go skiing now. He really is a phenomenal surgeon and I have to admit I did not deal with pain as I thought I was going to. I would also reiterate that is assistant Pam is awesome. I have nothing but the highest praise for how everything went and my continued office visits and physical therapy referrals have been great. I am the first patient in the morning– he’s an extremely popular surgeon so I’ll bet it’s pretty busy having afternoon. I think I’ll will stick with the morning appointments :)

Front desk customer service was so bad that I found another doctor before getting to meet Dr.Hacker. He was highly recommended from my local urgent care and I have heard he is a great ortho, unfortunately whoever he has running his office is unprofessional, unfriendly and ineffective. The phones were even not on until 9:30am, I had to speak with 4 people who gathered all of my insurance and personal info, went on hold multiple times, waited 1.5 hrs for a callback, called myself to check in (I’m in a ton of pain and anxious to make an appt), was told I’d get a call back at the end of the day at the earliest and she couldn’t help me set anything up… At this point I’m so put off by the staff attitude as well as how difficult it has been to try to make an appt, I’ve moved on to another doctor. For those of you who prefer to be treated with some sort of respect and don’t have all the time in the world… don’t even attempt this place-​and if you do, wait until after 10:30am to call so maybe you’ll get an answer.

After my first knee surgery failed miserably, I didn’t think there was much to do to get it back to where it was before I had tore my meniscus. I knew that I would have to go through the whole process again, explaining what happened in the previous years with my knee over and over again. Keep in mind, my 1^st surgeon didn’t communicate with me at all. He never acted like my surgery was important, that I was just another patient. And quite frankly, I wasn’t able to communicate well with him once he made that careless impression. My step mom had looked up a surgeon in San Diego and came across Scott Hacker. Just after the first appointment with Dr. Hacker, I already felt so much more confident about my knee. I had a total different outlook on my healing and I know for a fact that this change of mind was because of Dr. Hacker. Yes, I was just another patient needing surgery but I really don’t think that is how Scott Hacker views his patients. When needing surgery, it’s very good to be comfortable with your surgeon. I mean, you’re trusting them to cut you open and practically sew you back together. Anyways, it is now a week after my surgery and I feel brand new. My post surgery appointment went very well, and once again I feel so much more confident all thanks to Dr. Hacker.

Brilliant surgeon. One of the BEST in San Diego! Dr. Hacker did a total hip replacement for my 90 yr old mother who recently had her hip pinned and the pin failed. He is very personable and really cares about his patients. I would highly recommend Dr. Hacker.