Dr. Joan Williams, MD

I have had wonderful doctors, mediocre doctors, and some doctors I did not care for. However, I have NEVER experienced anything remotely like Dr. Williams' “care'. In my opinion, Dr. Williams should never be allowed near another patient. If my appointment reflected his standard bedside manner, he bullies most of his patients by talking over them, ignoring them, and otherwise acting like his doctor’s coat gives him the right to treat his patients as mindless children. I came in requesting some standard tests to, hopefully, rule out several possible cancers as the cause of alarming symptoms. If I had not stood my ground, I would have left without any answers, care, or possibility of finding the cause of alarming health issues.

Dear Joan,Good morning. Hope all is well. I’m sure that you don’t remember me, but ten (?) years ago, while you were still with UCLA Health in Santa Monica, you operated on my broken right ankle, inserting a metal structure. The operation went very well and, until now, I had quite forgotten about it. However, over the past couple of weeks or so I have experienced a certain numbness and tingling in the ankle, so I am wondering whether that piece of metal might be acting up or is such a condition symptomatic of something else, for example, a weak right knee? What do you think? Is this a common complaint which might simply disappear? Sorry to bother you with these aches and pains, but I would be grateful for your response.Sincerely,John E. Bowlt

I am a senior male whose left ankle became painfully Arthritic due to age and a lifetime of sports. Dr. Williams performed a fusion on my ankle when she was at UCLA to correct the previous work of a pre-eminent Northern California Orthopedic surgeon. He had recommended an ankle replacement when the earlier procedure failed. . Dr. Williams was recommended to me by an Orthopedic surgeon at a rival institution as being the most talented ankle specialist in Southern California. I travelled to L.A. from my home in the S.F. Bay Area in order to obtain a second opinion from Dr. Williams and subsequently decided to have the fusion performed by her. Dr. Williams work restored my functionality and eliminated the pain entirely. In my opinion she is without peer.

Dr. Williams was the perfect surgeon for my severe ankle fracture. She was gentle and kind, willing to answer every question. I never felt rushed at all. My surgery appears to be a complete success (still recovering, though getting closer to normal). She has my highest recommendation and I feel so lucky to have been under her care.

Dr Joan Williams is incredibly knowledgeable and has been extremely diligent in resolving my ankle break issues. I really appreciated her thorough follow-up in assessing the various surgeries that were required to mitigate my broken fibula. Her assistant, Fabiola Flores, was fantastic to work with as well and provided great teamwork. Many thanks to Dr. Williams for her expertise and persistence in helping me through my journey to recovery!

I am 26, Dislocated my ankle, and fractured my fibula. Dr. Williams was extremely helpful and explained everything she was doing. After two surgeries I am walking again with not even a limp. She's amazing.

Told me that an Ankle Arthroscopy for my ankle issue wouldn’t help me. Well, here I am 4 years later after having it done at Cedars-Sinai and I’m close to 100%

I tore all the ligaments in my right ankle and before I saw Dr. Williams I went to 2 other doctors. 6 months with a swollen ankle, pain, PT, boot, crutches, neither orthopedist prior to Dr. Williams would help me in the way I needed even going as far as saying it was just a sprain. I went to Dr. Williams for a 3rd opinion and so happy I did. She was straight to the point on what she could do for me, we booked surgery and am now comfortable on my ankle again. Thank you Dr. Williams!

I was advised by several doctors to use Orthopedics, rather than Podiatry, to correct a bunion on my right foot. UCLA had two orthopedists who specialized in bunions. I chose Dr. Williams. I found her to be cold and uncommunicative. The surgery she performed went well as far as recovery, but it did not result in correcting the still painful bunion. She has suggested a more radical follow up surgery that I later learned would negatively affect my ability to walk. She did not tell me this.

I have tried health systems in 5 different countries now. This was the worst and most transactional doctor appointment I have ever been to. After waiting for more than an hour, Dr. Williams spent about 5 minutes with me, barely looked at me, was clearly impatient to hear what I had to say, and did not provide a solution to my problem. To complete, she never sent the prescription she told me she would give me to the pharmacy.

Extremely professional. Excellent communication skills. Empathetic. Skilled surgeon.

Amazing surgeon! Dr. Williams repaired my ankle and tibia. They were broken from a bad fall. Physical Therapists who works with me on my rehab are all impressed by Dr.Williams skill. Furthermore, she is friendly and patient. Her confidence (not arrogance) put me totally at ease before and after the surgery.