I've been in so much pain and discomfort for 7 months and finally had an MRI done. Per my pain doctor, I have no cartilage in my left shoulder. I have my first initial appointment with Dr. Pernell on 4/15/26. I'm in so much pain and can hardly walk at this point. I've had lots of questions already, be I'm so nervous and need to have all paperwork done properly. Renee in his office has been very professional, returned all my phone calls, and been very helpful. I'm so excited to see Dr. Pernell because I've heard he's the best here in the CVA. read more

I had a right total knee replacement last November 2025. The surgery went well and although I feel stiffness and tightness it is to be expected as the recovery may take awhile from a year to 1.5 year. I completed the physical therapy. I still do my home exercises twice a day. Currently i do not feel any pain. I can climb up stairs and I can kneel which I have not done for 5 years. I eat healthy because losing the excess weight helps tremendously, Dr. Purnell is an excellent orthopedic surgeon. He does not sugarcoat. He will tell you what you need to know and expect. read more

I feel lucky to have access to such a great experienced physician. Dr Purnell and his staff are number one in Bay area. His staff is polite and always helpful. read more

I took a while to write this review to make sure I was being fair in my intense disappointment in Dr Purnell. I saw him in 2021 for right knee pain. In my office visit, he glanced at my MRI, read the radiologist report, and announced 'there's nothing I can do for you. Go to physical therapy.' He never touched my knee, asked specifics about the source of the pain, etc. Instead, he stated he disagreed with the radiologist report that said I had a tear in my Hoffa fat pad with cartilage damage, said it didn't make sense, and sent me on my way. Luckily my insurance offers a second opinion service, so I filed a claim and eventually received a review from an out-of-state orthopedist who agreed with the radiology report and recommended Dr Stine in Tracy. What a difference Dr Stine made. He actually asked questions, ordered new imaging, and treated me for cartilage damage. After a variety of approaches didn't work, I had arthroscopic knee surgery in May 2022 followed by additional treatments and recommendations that are still continuing one year later. After receiving treatment from a competent doctor, I am dismayed by Dr Purnells arrogance and laziness. I also suspect he is biased against women because I know two men who pursued treatment from him and got his attention and focus (similar issues). I encourage Dr Purnell to remember he is working with people who are seeking help, not numbers or inanimate objects who can be dismissed or ignored. If you're not willing to listen and treat your patients with dignity, I'd advise you to retire or seek an academic position. read more

I have been extremely pleased with Dr Michael Purnell along with Marco Mitchell and their entire staff. Their care has been top notch from the first time I went to them for my total hip replacement & through several other issues. My wife has also benefitted from Dr Purnell's team and their professional care. read more

Dr Purnell is an excellent orthopedic surgeon. I would recommend him to anyone. I have actually worked with him in surgery, as I am an OR nurse and he is very knowledgeable and has great surgical skills. However, getting in to see him as a patient is VERY difficult. My husband has been trying for a week to get an appointment with him and the scheduling office has been completely uncooperative. They continually send him to a recording which tells him they will "Call him back within 48 hours". Well, it's been 144 hours and he still doesn't have an appointment. I would give Dr Purnell 5 stars, but I would give his scheduler zero stars, if that is even possible. read more

I have read the other reviews and cannot agree more with their assessments. "As a consumer, I cannot recommend Purnell's office. No business is immune from poor customer service, physicians included." I have also tolerated the incredible insensitivity and devaluing of people's time because I truly appreciate Dr. Purnell as a person and a physician, but do not go to this office unless you are retired and have nothing but time on your hands. They are NEVER on time. The last time (today) I was told they were on time at the front desk and the told me they only had one person ahead of me. So I waited, and waited, and after 45 minutes I came outside only to see the PA, who was to see me, hamming it up the nurses as I waited. So I waited longer and finally inquired again. They said I was next. I finally got up and left. I cannot take this disrespect. Too many lies and far too much blatant disregard for the value of your time. Don't go here! read more

I went to this office with a broken shoulder I saw the PA Marco. I had 3 visits which one they cancelled without telling me. They would never answer my questions and the whole office was rude. I decided to go somewhere else and come to find out they put me 4 weeks behind in my rehab process and I also might have to have surgery. I do not recommend this office to anyone. read more

It's not often I'm compelled to write a review, but this is one of those rare circumstances. As a new patient, Purnell's office was prompt and courteous. I was able to get an appointment, but only after making several follow-up calls. They were on time (by their standards apparently) for my first visit. I enjoyed my visit with Purnell, found him to be thorough, and was pleased with the proposed course of treatment. That treatment required 3 subsequent visits, over a 3 week period, all scheduled ahead of time. For each of those 3 visits thereafter, his PA was running 60 mins late, and that was just to get into a room, where often times I wait another 20-40 mins. I tolerated it, because I had heard good things about Purnell as a physician. Following those 3 visits, I was advised to wait 6 weeks to see if further treatment might be needed. Fast forward 6 weeks (just 2 weeks ago), I injured (or re-injured) the same knee I was having treated. I called the day after, and was told the soonest they could get me back in was 2 weeks later. I attended that appointment today, and was told they were again 40 mins behind. That turned into a 90 mins in their waiting room before being seated, along with many other patients. I asked for my co-pay back, and walked out. Not one person on his staff tried to talk me out of leaving, nor apologized for their apparent chronic inefficiencies. As a consumer, I cannot recommend Purnell's office. No business is immune from poor customer service, physicians included, it just takes longer to catch up to some than others. read more

I injured my right rotator cuff eleven years earlier. I had learned to live with the fact that I could not throw a ball or lift anything above my shoulder without pain. As I aged, the injury developed arthritis/bone spurs. I was referred to Dr. Purnell. Dr. Purnell fixed my shoulder...! The day after surgery, I had full function of my shoulder/arm without any pain or any need for pain medication. Two months later, I broke my right clavicle. My clavicle had shards and was described as a "jig-saw puzzle." Dr. Purnell returned from his vacation and repaired my Clavicle. A week after surgery, the pain had subsided enough to not require any pain medication. I found that Dr. Purnell is an amazing doctor and I wish I would have had my rotator cuff fixed years earlier. I received needed medication and physical therapy at a simple request. read more

My daughter has been in dr purnells office 3 times. All three only saw physician assistants. All three my daughter was told nothing wrong with shoulder but they ordered pt?? I requested a second opinion with another orthopedic and low and behold she had to have surgery!? Hmmmmm. Now no more pain and everything going great! My suggestion ... Skip this dr because u will not see him u will see his physician assistants read more

I am writing this review for all to consider before surgery. I have had my second knee replacement surgery with Dr. Purnell which I must say has gone very well. He is very professional and does a fantastic job. The problem I faced both times is the follow up, if you need a new prescription whether it be medication, or physical therapy they will not return phone calls or receive faxes from your doctor. The follow up is terrible, so plan on any future needs to go through your primary care physician. I thought the first time was just a problem in the office, but now I know half way through the second surgery this is an on going problem. Consider carefully. read more

We were referred to Dr. Purnell by my daughter's pediatrician after she was poked in the ankle by a stick. We were only ever able to see the PA and he was very insistent that she just had a sprained ankle and it had nothing to do with the poke or any infection. I told him that I was certain that it had been infected and suspected that there was something in there still. He prescribed a boot for 3 weeks and said it would be better. I called the office a week later to request an MRI and never got a call back and there was no record of my call. When we did go back, with no improvement at all, I requested the MRI again. He told me that it really wasn't warranted, but he would request it since I was insistent. I took her to a different Ortho who ordered an MRI right away. It was very hard to find, but today she had surgery and they found a 1 1/2 centimeter piece of the stick in her ankle. read more

Referred here by my regular doctor twice. After the second time going we were finally able to convince him to let me get an MRI on my shoulder but after I got my MRI I tried calling back to schedule my follow up appt. so I could get my results read and each time the office transferred me to their answering machine. Also I thought I was seeing Dr Purnell but on the website dr. Purnell's picture is someone who I have never seen. Kinda sketchy read more