Marc R Safran, MD

If I could give negative stars I would. Unless you’re a celebrity sports star, you won’t matter to this man. Went in for a meniscus tear and was treated like I was wasting his precious time. Ended up with blood clots from the surgery and the first thing out of his mouth upon seeing me right after my hospital stay was that I ruined his record. Anyone doctor with an ounce of compassion wouldn’t say something like that, even in jest, to someone who was in a life threatening situation. All follow up appointments I had to have were again met with me taking up his valuable time. Clearly he’s fine with some people, so perhaps you must be young and pretty or a sport star to get decent care from his man. If you’re an average person such as myself, I’d suggest someone else.

I saw Dr. Safran back in September 2010. I played volleyball very competitively and injured my hip. I went to multiple doctors and had an exploratory surgery and got no results. Within one session Dr. Safran determined what the problem was and set me up for surgery. He is caring, informative and will listen to your goals for recovery. I waited 6 years to write a review because I had other doctors tell me there was no way I would be able to run again. In fact, I have been running 50 – 100 miles a month for the past 3 years with no significant issues. Dr. Safran gave me back the ability to be active when walking used to be painful. He is the best!

He is a fantastic, knowledgable and very caring surgeon. I had my acl surgery with him about a year ago. All the physical Trappist that examined my knee after that mentioned the graft is quit strong. In one occasion when he noticed I’m not doing well in the rehab, he had his office directly contact my PT to give them specific instruction without me even ask him! :-)

Dr Safran misdiagnosed me. He was rude and hurtful. I was Traumatized by this doctor. He was berating and not someone who was willing to discuss my thoughts at all. After my second visit, which I left in tears, I refused to see him again. I cannot begin to tell you how damaging his conduct was to myself. I cried for weeks. I was completely in a vulnerable situation at the time and he failed to recognize that. The first time I met him I was in tears. He just handed me a tissue and looked away in an unsympathetic manner. He did spend a good amount of time looking at my situation. However, I had concerns that he was not getting what I was trying to tell him. The second time I saw him he was mean spirited, berating, insensitive, and not open to discussing my questions and concerns. I thought if he worked at Stanford he must be good? I think that is what caught my off guard the most. I do not think he knows how to treat people. I have seen this review of him before. I hope it is not a problem with females. I think this important. Females have a whole different set of circumstances that play in their background and possibly their injuries. The other complaints were also women and one man. The other doctors there are great. This experience happened years ago. I hope he has been retrained.

I am absolutely thrilled to have gone to Dr. Safran for my hip arthroscopy. In fact, I was supposed to have surgery in New York (with a fine doctor) and I’m thrilled that I ended up moving to San Francisco, because I believe the Dr. Safran is even better.
When I first moved to San Francisco I was worried that I wouldn’t find a doctor who could successfully fix my labral tear and FAI. I was actually referred to Dr. Safran by my doctor in New York, and after independent research (reading his reviews and reviewing his credentials) and the all important insurance check, I made an appointment with Dr. Safran.
Unlike some other reviews, I had no problem getting in to see Dr. Safran as a new patient. I think I called for the first time and was in for an appointment within two weeks. Once at my appointment, Dr. Safran reviewed my films (that had been done previously), asked me a lot of questions and talked through my options. He explained the issues affecting my hip even better and more thoroughly than my New York doctor. He immediately inspired confidence.
All of Dr. Safran’s staff are amazing. Jodi has been fantastic (and is just super nice and awesome!) and everyone at Stanford is incredibly polite and professional. When I had questions and concerns about a potential procedure (a microfracture), Jodi took the time to explain the procedure, why it is used, the likelihood that I would need it, and what the recovery would be like. Jodi and Dr. Safran were always very careful to explain everything that might need to be done, and then everything that was done.
I had surgery on my hip 3.5 weeks ago. While I will provide another update when I’ve fully recovered, the surgery itself went very well (as well as surgery can go!). My experience at Stanford was again amazing. From the nurses to Dr. Safran visiting with me before surgery to make sure I understood everything that could happen, my experience was overwhelmingly positive. During my first post-​operation appointment with Dr. Safran, he made sure to explain everything that he did, explain the pictures of the procedure (gross and fascinating), and carefully consider my recovery. His careful consideration led me to continue use of my super fun hip brace for another week, but I trust the man’s judgment, so I follow his orders!
I’m currently in PT following Dr. Safran’s detailed post-​operation PT guidelines. So far, so good. I’m walking around (I walked two miles, was sore afterward, but hey! I did it!), already doing easy resistance on the bike, and my PT assistant had the same surgery and says I’m recovering way faster than she did. I’m looking forward to month 4 when I should be able to run again! Dr. Safran told me everything went well, and he anticipates that I should make a full recovery. I believe him. Thanks Dr. Safran, Jodi and Stanford staff!

I have had an ACL reco + meniscus surgery with dr Safran just over a month ago, and I am very happy with the results so far. One month after the surgery I am already walking normally, and have started to get back to the gym.
I didn’t have any problems neither with scheduling the appointment nor with the surgery itself — it was very fast and effortless. I brought in my previous MRI, and they even didn’t have me do an extra X ray. Marc was very detail oriented, he listened carefully to details of my case, examined my leg, and walked me through the MRI, showing where the issue is. Then he walked me through the details of the surgery, and answered all the follow up questions I had. Specifically, I was wondering why he recommended titanium screws over self-​dissolving, and he explained that he had zero complications with titanium, vs several cases of complications in his career specifically because of the self-​dissolving screws — but he didn’t push his recommendation, but given me all the info and let me decide. That immediately created a lot of trust.
Surgery itself went fine and with no issues; they have given me good instructions on how to prepare, and what to do next. They did a good job controlling my pain, immediately post-​surgery and in the next days, which included not only pain medication, but also icing device and ROM machine at home — the device that would bend your knee for you, so that you regain the range of motion. Somebody have mentioned his rehab protocol — I confirm that it is really comprehensive, and covers day one to 4 – 6 months. Ortho rehab at Stanford is also world class, and nicely complements the surgery services.
Only minor negative thing I can note is that during my post op follow up appointment his schedule have slipped for more than an hour, and he seemed to be somewhat in a rush when he saw me — I assume, he was trying to catch up with the delay. Can’t really blame him for that — I have no problems waiting a bit, knowing that he spent more time with someone else who needed it more than I did.
Bottom line, I highly recommend Marc. He is a highly skilled professional, and I am very happy that I ended up with him being my surgeon.

We saw Dr. Sanfran for an ongoing hip issue going on for a year. We received an apt within a couple of weeks and provided prior films. He does up front evaluation to make sure he is the right person to see. If you have arthritis, he will refer you to the arthritis pain team. I like the idea that he identifies patients up front that he can’t help or someone else on his team is better suited.
The check in process was very efficient and quickly had an xray and into a waiting room.
I selected Dr. Sanfran because is highly regarded and well published in hip arthroscopy. I was very impressed. He talked about the ongoing issue, what we had done in the past (seen at SOAR) and then walked us through what was causing the problem.
Then walked us through all the options — from immediate to long term. One area of treatment is not covered by insurance and he was very up front about that ONE treatment. The range of options were from very little treatment to hip replacement, which eventually will need to be done. Doesn’t need to be done today, but will eventually.
We found his demeanor to be quite engaging, without ego. In comparison, we originally saw Dr. Dillingham at SOAR, whose ego filled the room so there was little room for anything else — oh, except his world series ring…
The folks at Stanford are data and results orientated, so all in all, would refer Dr. Sanfran to another and would/​will see him again. He does not perform hip replacement surgery — he would refer to anther colleague.
I would have said ⁴⁄₅ starts for the wait time, but wanted to counter all the one and two starts that seem a bit over the top. He did have to wait almost one hour to see him. But — He spent plenty of time with us, and we did not feel pressured or rushed in any way. He answered all our questions and told us things even when we should have asked, but didn’t know.

Dr. Safran is a great doctor and Jodi his assistant is awesome as well. I was originally going to have my hip done by someone else in the area, however, thankfully I was convinced to go see Dr. Safran for a second opinion.
He is really funny and as long as you come with questions he’s really great at informing you about everything. I’m a retired college soccer player and was running a lot. He tightened my capsule, shaved some bone (my impingement) and fixed my labral tear. I was up and moving soon after surgery. Several months later, I was back to my sports and activities.
To be honest everyone at Stanford is great. They’re on time, nice, compassionate and very helpful in addressing any type of question that you might have.

Dr. Safran is an awesome surgeon! I flew clear across the country to see him and was not disappointed. I’ve had one arthroscopic hip surgery for a labral tear and femoral acetabular impingement (²⁄₁₂) and will have the other hip done (for the same thing) in a few weeks (⁷⁄₁₂). I highly recommend him!
My hip surgery was outpatient. It was a very noninvasive procedure and I pain was minimal. As a matter of fact, much of the chronic issues that I’d dealt with were gone when I woke up in recovery.
The rehabilitation protocol that Dr. Safran provides is outstanding. You are kept busy with exercise protocol that follows the latest research. He tells you exactly what you should be doing with your exercises and what your physical therapists should be doing on a week by week basis! Following the protocol, I was amazed that one week’s exercises flowed right into the next.
Stanford has an organized system. It worked well for me, flying in from another state. With the first surgery I was able to stay in the area for a couple of weeks to do some on-​site therapy before going home. Stanford has a guest services department that will provide you with directions via public transportation, access to lists of local lodging, and the like.
It’s scary to read all of the experiences that people have had using inexperienced surgeons for femoral acetabular impingment. Do yourself a favor and go to someone like Dr. Safran so you get it right the first time. You won’t be sorry!

Having been referred by my physical therapist for a probable labral tear in my hip, I tried to get an appointment with Dr. Safran.
I am in constant pain, can barely walk more than a block. A personal fitness trainer, former salsa-​aerobics and step-​aerobics instructor, jazz dancer 30 years, 7 years of hip-​hop, i.e., I am an athlete who happens to be a senior.
I began the process of trying to make an appointment with Dr. Safran.
(It took a couple of weeks to sign release forms to have my previous MD’s office fax over my reports.)
Dr. Safran’s staff is trained to hold off new patients indefinitely. It takes multiple phone calls to find out if your records are received — then more time to find out that «Dr. will only read reports on Thursday».
Multiple phone calls in — «Dr. has not yet read your report».
IT IS EASIER TO SEE THE POPE than to find out where you are in this process. Weeks later, a brief message was left on my machine, «Dr. has decided not to take your case». NO EXPLANATION.
I ignored this message and decided to speed things up. I saw another MD in order to get an MRI, which confirmed labral tear, arthritis, bursitis. MRI report faxed to Dr. Safran. Follow-​up calls again, to confirm receipt of report. No response. Further calls were met by «Dr. received your report and has not reviewed it». Okay, maybe he’s a slow reader.
In the meantime I had another birthday — I am aging while waiting for some response from Dr. Safran. More phone calls and messages into his office. Finally, today I was informed that“DR. WILL NOT TAKE YOUR CASE BECAUSE YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS.“
BINGO! What does this say about Dr. Safran?
1. He only takes young athletes who don’t yet have arthritis.
2. It is easier to perform a labral tear arthroscopy without arthritis.
3. Leave the more complicated cases to someone else.

dont waste your time with Safran, I refuse to refer to him as a DR he is a rude, know-​it all type that will not listen to your symptoms with an open mind and will not look at or consider reports from other Drs. I was referred to him by my orthopedic surgeon after having X-​rays and an Arthogram w/​contrast on my hip that showed I had several ligament tears on my right and necrossis on my left hip, my DR told me that Safran is one that would be able to repair the Tears. First I waited over a month for the appt and when I got there he made me take X-​rays, even though I had all my reports and films that I had done they insisted that Safran insist on getting his own Xrays I didn’t feel comfortable with this because I knew that the tears would not show up on the Xrays and the Arthogram should be sufficient but I had no choice if I wanted to be seen. When I finally get to see Safran he had me do a few strength tests and tells me I have a hernia and that I need to see a general surgeon I ask him about the tears and he says there was no indication of such tears and then I ask him about the necrossis and he says he didn’t see any, I tell him it’s in my report and films he said it wasn’t, at this point I’m frustrated and ask for my films and reports that I had provided them and it takes them 5 min to find it, I look at the documents and noticed that it was not even looked at the report about the tears and necrossis was the first report he would have seen had he looked at the documents. I was so angry for waisting time and $ with this Fraud. I was hoping he was at least correct in the hernia diagnosis but of course I should have known better— he was WRONG!

One of the few hip arthoscopy specialists in the Bay Area. Thomas Sampson in San Francisco is another of the few reputable hip arthroscopy specialists in the area, but note most of his services are not covered by insurance.
Due to his academic duties, Dr Safran only sees patients 1 – 2 days a week. As a result, appointment scheduling usually takes a good 4 – 8 weeks.
For my consultation, I was first examined and interviewed by a fellow before Dr Safran performed a thorough re-​examination. Was able to quickly diagnose a hip labral tear and impingement with clinical tests, asking highly specific questions along the way. Comprehensive X-​rays at particular angles, eventually followed by MR arthrogram with hip injection. After consulting a few other local specialists, who were, unfortunately, not nearly as experienced as Dr Safran, I proceeded with surgery with him.
Very knowledgeable surgeon if you ask the right questions, else, not too much extra information is offered to the patient. Not particularly adept at bedside manner and frankly, somewhat condescending depending on the mood, but he is more than willing to take the time to address your concerns — presuming the patient is proactive in doing research and asking the appropriate questions. Dr Safran is very particular about how and why things are done, but relies heavily on the latest research.
Ultimately, my surgery with Dr Safran was not successful, despite over two years recovering. Follow-​up appointments with him have been unproductive, as he has been uninterested and by and large washed his hands of my case. Given the nascent nature of hip arthroscopy, I don’t blame Dr Safran for the unsuccessful procedure, but am quite disappointed in him for the lack of empathy and desire to provide or suggest further treatment.