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Dr. James Carr, MD

Dr. James Carr, MD

Orthopedic Surgery*
25+ years of experience

Dr. James Carr, MD is an orthopedic surgeon in Atascadero, CA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1996. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as French Hospital Medical Center and Adventist Health Sierra Vista. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

3.7 Star Rating
Based on 50 reviews 3.7 Star Rating (50 reviews)

Practice

8844 Morro Rd Atascadero, CA 93422
Telehealth available

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Compare with other Orthopedic Surgeons

Compare Dr. Carr with our nearby Orthopedic Surgeons at Dignity Health-Arroyo Grande Community Hospital.

Make an appointment at Dignity Health-Arroyo Grande Community Hospital today at
(805) 222-6084.

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Dr. Carr's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Carr

3.7
50 ratings, 18 with a written review
5 star
64%
64%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
6%
6%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
30%
30%

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Great Help
I was nearly immobile with back issues and Dr. Carr got me up and running in no time.
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Eric Simonsen – Apr 06, 2024
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My arm is worse than before surgery
Dr. Carr did a tendon repair. When his PA removed my dressing, she saw infection starting and failed to prescribe antibiotics. My arm is worse now than before my surgery.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
Helpful
Mar 29, 2023
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Carr is good, staff or process not so much
Carr is supportive and empathic in appointments, and says to call if you have problems. But the office makes that difficult. Medical assistant doesn't return calls. They leave you hanging in regards to surgery dates (weeks to hear and weeks after that for surgery). When people are in severe pain, they need support from the medical practice. All it would take from them is a simple phone call. Instead, it feels like staff really doesn't care how much you suffer, and you are left feeling hopeless. Maybe this practice needs another medical assistant and another scheduler and a reminder to show some empathy.
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Staff wasn't friendly
Helpful
Oct 08, 2022
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An extraordinary Doctor Surgeon !!!
I am a patient of Dr. Carr over 2 years now and all i can say he's OUSTANDING specialist ! His surgical intervention at the L5 S1 spinal fracture save my life . After surgery and bones fussion he provide me with all necessary medical support and orthopedics devices to get at the best possible recovery status. His excellency and integrity surpass all my expectations. Also his always optimistic style of work gives me hope in an already hard time of my life. For me it is a Divine gift on Earth and i am so grateful he treat me. Millions of THANKS are not enough to the skills and knowledges he apply to the medical act. Thanks again Dr Carr ! You are the BEST !
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
V – Jun 02, 2022
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Great surgeon !!!!!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jun 17, 2021
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Very nice and professional. Excellent care and compassionate. Explains details of medical problems. Highly recommended. Follows covid precautions.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
deb c – Feb 05, 2021
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After seeing docs who seemed more interested in setting up future cash flows for themselves than solving my back pain, it was refreshing to have Dr Carr offer real, possible solutions. I chose (with the help of insurance approval) a decompression laminotomy procedure. Within 48 hours of the outpatient surgery, I could tell my previous symptoms were significantly relieved! No more feeling like my thighs might explode or give out first thing in the morning, and no need to rely on the bathroom counter for support while brushing my teeth. The doctor and his staff were accessible and easy to work with from initial consult through post-op visit. So glad a friend of mine shared Dr Carr's business card with me a few months ago!
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mark K from Cambria – Oct 23, 2020
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Best dr. He gets 10 stars from me. My 2 surgeries went awesome. Best surgeon
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
joyce – Oct 02, 2020
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I would not recommend Dr. Carr or his practice to anyone. His staff member, Shannon, is specifically very unhelpful and unprofessional. I wanted to schedule my first appointment with him and I called during their office hours and had to leave 2 voicemails over a weeks time before I heard back from anyone. Once I finally had my appointment, Dr. Carr did not take my back pain seriously at all. He didn't even do an evaluation or any tests to see if there was actually anything wrong. I have had this back injury for a year and tried many remedies. His solution was physical therapy for 6-8 weeks and said that it should be totally fine by then. (It is not better.) I had a follow up appointment that I needed to reschedule, so I emailed Shannon. She was completely unhelpful and rude. She said there was no availability for when I was hoping to reschedule and did not offer me any alternatives times. They have lost a patient and I will strongly advocate to anyone who asks not to go to Dr. Carr.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jun 27, 2020
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decompression and fusion of L4 & L5 very pleased with the results
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
chris in templeton, CA – Jun 18, 2019
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Outstanding physician. Excellent communicator. Compassionate.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
D. Spencer in Paso Robles, CA – Jan 28, 2019
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What a great man, very easy to talk to and very professional. This Surgeon knows his stuff. I have many friends that are very happy with the quality of their experience and outcome.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Patrick Stanhope in Templeton, CA – Nov 16, 2018
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Dr. Carr performed an anterior/posterior spinal fusion on my back that was totally successful. I was very reluctant to have the surgery, but his kindness and willingness to discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery were great. He checked on me frequently and while he was professional, he treated me like a friend he cared about.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
7 others found this helpful
Helpful
Carol Tootle in Fairfield, CA – Sep 13, 2018
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Dr Carr ruined my life by implanting an artificial disc badly in my cspine. He lies and won’t help when things go bad.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Broken neck in San Luis Obispo , CA – Jul 28, 2018
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I saw Dr. Carr for the first time today. I was impressed with his office staff from my first phone conversation. Now that i have met the Dr himself, i am doubly impressed. He spent quite alot of time with the physical examination and going over my x-rays and MRI in the room and explaining things he saw as he went step by step through the process then with his recomendations... he has a great peronality and a good sense of humor and patience since i kept asking. questions Great visit
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
10 others found this helpful
Helpful
Carolyn neill in Arroyo Grande, CA – Feb 16, 2017
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I was referred to Dr. Carr for a back problem. He walked into the room and asked if the pain was down the back of my legs. I said, no. He said "call me when it does" and walked out of the room. The charge $400.00.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
11 others found this helpful
Helpful
Atascadero, CA – Feb 08, 2017
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Prompt, professional care in an urgent situation. It's really great to have found a spinal specialist in our area who radiates compassion and competence. I could not have been more pleased.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
WRH DDS in Los Osos, CA – Dec 30, 2016
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Totally unprofessional in his lack of follow through and attention to patient care and well being. I called every day for a week to get a RX changed...everyday I wwas promised a return call. I was never given the courtesy of a return call. Totally disappointed with this doctor's compassion, professionalism , and timeliness!!!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
15 others found this helpful
Helpful
M. Pelletiere in Paso Robles, ca – Aug 08, 2016
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About Me

care philosophy

I strive to provide my patients with the best medical care possible.
  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Orthopedic Spine Surgery

  • General Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • University Of California Davis Medical Center

    Fellowship Hospital, 2001
  • Via Christi Regional Medical Center

    Internship Hospital, 1997
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University

    Medical School, 1996
  • California State University Northridge

    Undergraduate School, 1988
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

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Locations

Practice

Office8844 Morro Rd Atascadero, CA 93422
1

Practice

Office1551 Bishop St Ste 210 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
2