Dr. Afra was referred to me for treatment of a work related injury, when my condition only partially improved following treatment prescribed by the general practitioner. Both my shoulders had developed tendinitis from repetitive computer use and I was in a lot of pain and unable to perform many of regular daily functions, such as sleep on my side (which I favor), put on my necklace or lift my arms above my shoulders. At the first visit Dr. Afra took the time to get the full history of my injury and discussed various treatment options available to me. He then told me that I had the option of getting cortisone shot, for potentially an immediate effect (which I did not want) or potential surgery, depending on how I progressed after the next round of treatment. Dr. Afra said that although I had the option of getting a shot, if I were his sister, he would prescribe additional acupuncture for me. This treatment option would take longer, but would likely have better outcome. I happily accepted the option of acupuncture treatment. Dr. Afra prescribed two medications, an anti-inflammatory drug and another drug to prevent the stomach upset associated with the use of the anti-inflammatory agents. He then asked me to continue the physical therapy, but prescribed additional acupuncture. I am happy to say that after about 3 months, I am basically pain free. I can perform my regular daily functions and most importantly, I can sleep on my side, without pain! I really appreciate the special treatment Dr. Afra provided to me and the time he took to provide me with an honest input on my treatment options. I am sure Dr. Afra provides similar special treatment to all his patients. I highly recommend Dr. Afra. read more

As a triathlete, I've been unwilling to accept the fact that my knees are no longer those of a 20 year old! Dr. Afra performed a miracle and turned back time by giving me my knees back! I consulted with several orthopedists around town. All they wanted to do was cut on me and schedule surgery-- how utterly disappointing. A good friend of mine recommended Dr. Afra. She found him to be polite and respectful. So I gave him a shot. WHAT A GEM! I did my research on him. Great marks all around. After visiting with him, I found Dr. Afra to be very knowledgable, a real expert in his field. What I came to understand after my first visit with Dr. Afra far exceeded what I had learned from all the other doctors combined. As a life long athlete, present triathlete, with a college degree in exercise physiology I know a bit about the body. He is one of the only physicians I know who can speak intelligently about alternative methods of treatment (Eastern medicine, acupuncture, homeopathic, natural remedies, etc). After explaining my condition in detail he took the time to go through all the various treatment options. He made sure to tell me that if I had any further questions, I could always email him! Apparently he knows triathletes well enough to know I'd probably have follow up questions.....and he was right. When I emailed him with further questions, he responded with brochures and science articles to help me understand my options. WOW! Talk about going the extra mile. I'm back to my normal intense workout regimen. I owe it all to Dr. Afra's top notch care. Dr. Afra is by far the best surgeon in San Diego - hands down! read more

I feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Afra. After an incident with my knee I discovered I had a displaced kneecap and osteoarthritis. The orthopedic surgeon I saw prior to Dr. Afra recommended a highly invasive type of bone surgery with a prolonged recovery and rehab after just one consultation. I was stunned by the nature of the surgery prompting me to do further research where I found the International Patellofemoral Study Group. There are only 56 members in the world and fortunately Dr. Afra is one of them and in my own backyard! Dr. Afra's approach was on the other end of the spectrum compared to the previous surgeon. After looking at my x-rays and MRI, he physically examined me for pain. The prior surgeon didn't even touch my knee.. Dr. Afra was not eager to recommend surgery, instead said he wanted to "get to know my knee," and discover how large my "envelope of function" was and how to expand that function. I was already seeing improvement from PT and Dr. Afra encouraged and advised me to increase my activity level by small increments. He let me know I was not destined for a drastic surgery, there were other options. I found Dr. Afra to be more interested in encouraging and monitoring a patient's progress in the least invasive way without subjecting someone to the unnecessary risk of surgery if possible. After weeks of anxiety thinking I needed a major surgery, I feel like a weight has been lifted and I have found a wise and kind doctor. read more

The location, environment, staff and doctor were not impressive. It's located in an older area with stark furnishings from the 80's. The front office staff person must be related to the doctor somehow because I don't think she would be allowed to treat patients the way she does if she were not. As for the doctor, he saw me approximately 3 times for my issue. During the 3rd visit I asked for resolution or at least options. It was then that he told me that he was not familiar with my issue. He said his specialty was 'sports medicine' (even though his website lists my issue on it); I asked him why he didn't tell me this during my first visit. He looked dumbfounded and went to get a list of doctors who could assist me with my issue. I had to pay for each visit because my deductible had not been met, and he literally did nothing but look at it and would have continued to have me come back so he could 'look at my issue' (his words not mine) for who knows how long. As of today my issue fully resolved itself with no need for surgery or a doctor to look at it every 4 weeks. I expect a doctor to be able to say whether or not he can treat an issue and if he cannot then a referral should be made very quickly. read more

I have been a patient with Dr. Robert Afra for over 10 years. He effectively treated my rotator cuff injury as well as torn meniscus problems and degenerative arthritis in my knees. I first met him when he was with UCSD Medical Center. When Dr. Afra left UCSD for private practice I remained with UCSD Orthopedics. However, I soon realized that I was not getting the same attention to my knee problems when they arose and treatment was conservative, slow and unsuccessful, I was getting nowhere slowly. I sought out Dr. Afra in his private practice; I was able to see him within two days and got a second opinion. He accurately diagnosed my knee problem and surgically repaired it with excellent results. I have been with him ever since. Dr. Afra is the best physician I have ever been treated by, period. His office and bedside manner are thoroughly professional and at the same time very personalized. He is through, explains everything clearly and provides several alternatives from conservative to more aggressive; in my opinion he is a model for other physicians. He has never failed to successfully treat the problems I have presented to him and I would recommend Dr. Afra to everybody. Nicholas B, Ph.D. read more

While on a spectacular surf trip to North Shore Hawaii, I hurt my shoulder. In fact, the ER doc told me that he had a real hard time to put it back in. It turned out that I crushed my bone in addition to the dislocation. I decided to see Dr. Afra after some of my soccer buddies who had knee surgery with him recommended him. I'm so glad they did. It was clear that this was his expertise. I found him to be genuinely nice. He spent quality time with me asking pertinent questions about my activity level. He told me what my injury meant and what I could expect as far as my recovery was concerned. He was very thoughtful and thorough in his explanation. We decided to do surgery. I have since fully recovered from the arthroscopic labral repair that he performed. Physical therapy and my recovery progressed exactly as he said it would. His office staff were always quick to get back to me. I don't usually write lengthy reviews, but I felt compelled to do so to let the world know that Dr. Afra is amazing. He gets a perfect review from me. He is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and he genuinely cares. My surgical scar is barely noticeable. I am so grateful to have found Dr. Afra. read more

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Afra. I have a worker's comp case and was feeling apprehensive from the get go. It took a little while to be seen, but there were quite a few people waiting to see him. His staff frequently checked on me while I was waiting, was very apologetic and polite even though I wasn't worried about the wait. Dr. Afra took his time to review my cd of my MRI and the report on my knee. He was as thorough as could be with my examination even though I am in quite a bit of pain and it causes me severe anxiety. He gave me medication to take before we take additional X-rays and discuss my treatment options for a torn ACL. He suggested I should put some pressure on the insurance company to approve a better knee brace and he followed up on an email I CC'd him on almost immediately. He assured me his staff will do most if not all the work with the insurance company. Because this has been so stressful for me, he really made me feel at ease and confident in his diagnosis and treatment plan. He was in no hurry to discuss surgery, but wanted me to bring in my support system so we could discuss my options during my next appointment. read more

I am 3 weeks post op from an ACL reconstruction. Dr. Afra never made me feel pressured into surgery and made sure I was aware of all my options before we decided surgery is what was going to help my particular case. I can't sing his praises enough and he is a great doctor. Mike was essentially my personal advocate and worked diligently and fastidiously with all the insurance drama and red tape. I am very thankful for all he's done to help prepare me for surgery and make sure I stayed informed. You're the best Mike!!! Elvie is at the front desk and she is so sweet and makes sure I'm in quickly. She's very efficient and knows who I am whenever I call. My physical therapist Alexis is patient and thorough. She pushes me a little out of my comfort zone and understands my goal of recovery as an athlete. I always feel informed and empowered after my visits in this office because the people who work here have my best interest in mind. It's very convenient that everything I need to help me in my recovery is in one place where patient care is of the utmost importance. read more

For nearly a year, I've been under the outstanding care of Dr. Afra after a severe accident caused by a drunk driver, which resulted in knee and hip injuries. From the moment I was referred to him, I knew I was in the hands of a truly exceptional orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Afra's expertise, compassion, and clarity are unparalleled. He explains complex medical options in a way that's easy to understand, answering every question with remarkable patience. His methodical and personalized approach to my treatment, from surgery to long-term recovery plans, has been transformative. Additionally, the friendly and welcoming staff at his office make every visit a positive experience, always greeting me with warmth and professionalism. I'm deeply grateful for Dr. Afra's dedication and skill, which have been instrumental in my healing journey. He is a brilliant surgeon and a genuinely caring professional. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Afra and his wonderful team to anyone seeking top-tier orthopedic care and a supportive path to recovery. read more

I injured my shoulder October of 2011 in a worker comp accident. I am a former college athlete and sports medicine major, who is very aware of my body and treatment options and was very uneasy about having to see a physician "given" to me. After taking time to speak with me Dr. Afra presented me with his opinion and what he felt to be best way to proceed with treatment. He then asked my opinion. I was very relieved to know that Dr. Afra respected my knowledge of my body as well physical treatments available. My recovery was long and arduous, Dr. Afra was nothing but candid and honest throughout the entire treatment process. He ALWAYS presented all options, gave his opinion as to which he felt would be most beneficial and most importantly asked for my opinion. It is difficult to find a physician in today's world that will not only take the time to talk with their patients, but truly include them in the decision process of their treatment, Dr. Afra did this. I highly recommend Dr. Robert Afra. read more

After many years of suffering through a great deal of shoulder pain I finally took the time to do something about it. I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Robert Afra. Upon arrival at his office the staff was on-time and efficient. the Dr. was prompt and thorough. After some x-rays and an MRI we discussed the options available and proceeded with surgery for a fairly extensive shoulder reconstruction ( The best course of action due to the extent of the injury) . The time frame for recovery was 6-8 months. I followed the instructions from Dr. Afra as well as physical therapy and was feeling almost 100% 4 moths late and was back to my normal activities 6 months later. All through the entire process Dr. Afra was available and attentive. I cant say enough great things about Dr. Afra and his staff. If you need a great Orthopedic Dr please do yourself a favor and go to see him before anyone else...You wont be sorry!!!!! If I ever need additional attention I will surely go back to Dr. Afra read more

5 stars for Dr. Afra and his team. He treated me for over 8 months after he repaired my torn achilles tendon. He was very informative and caring every time we met. He always made sure my questions and concerns were properly answered. I was recommended to go see him from my Mom - who did a Yelp review of orthopedic surgeons in the Encinitas area. The first doctor I saw just felt my calf and said I needed surgery. Dr. Afra suspected that was the case but had me take an MRI to be sure. Since surgery is something you better be sure you need I felt more comfortable with Dr Afra and chose him. I ended up having surgery but Dr. Afra did go over both surgery and non-surgical rehab options. Throughout my rehab process I interacted with all of the staff: front desk, nurses and assistants. Everyone there was always very nice and willing to help. I would highly recommend Dr. Afra to anyone who needs an Orthopedist. read more

My experience with Dr. Afra has been amazing. Dr. Afra is great about really listening to what's hurting you and getting to the bottom of the problem. You can tell that he really wants to make sure that you as his patient understands the injury and the options you have to help fix the problem. Dr. Afra has treated me for both a broken wrist and torn meniscus as well as performing knee surgery when we had exhausted all other options. I love that he's not eager to rush into surgery unless necessary. My overall experience with Dr. Afra and his staff has been wonderful. It's a very clean, organized office, and I know that from the moment I make the appointment, I will be in good hands. I feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Afra and to know that he is the person to go to for any future injuries. Thanks !!! KC read more

I started getting treated by Dr. Afra toward the end of February 2013. After I had found out I broke my tib-fib. He saw me immediately and from the moment I met him he was so nice and welcoming. He explained I would have to get surgery ASAP. After he preformed my surgery I would go see him for follow ups every 2 weeks on my progress. He always answered any question\concerns. He was very understanding and very detailed with how I had to take care of my injury. He took his time to explain what was yet to come. He made the whole process a lot easier to cope with. He made the injury seem less painful than it was. In the end I got back on track with walking thanks to his assistance. Even when it came to his staff, the assistants, they were really nice and helpful. read more

Dr. Afra saw me for a scaphoid fracture and a bad sprain in my other wrist that really had me worried. He was very empathetic and explained my situation and treatment options with such clarity. Right away I felt at ease with Dr. Afra and very confident in his expertise and ability to successfully treat my injuries. I felt at home and in good hands with him and all staff. That was half a year ago. Now I don't even notice it in daily life, the loss of range of motion is so minimal. I'm back to bench pressing heavy like nothing ever happened. It's actually a much better outcome than I was prepared to accept. While no one's issue will be exactly the same as another's, I highly recommend Dr. Afra for the caring professional he is. He will take care of you. read more

Wow, I have read the yelp comments and would like to say I have received the complete opposite treatment. I like to express my experience with the office staff and Dr. Afra has been great! I have knee problems and I am on my way to recovery. His secretary elvina is very sweet and helpful. I never have a problem getting in and I have never been treated rude. Dr.Afra has been amazing and has given me the best care he can give. I have seen the office completely full and yet they manage to see me. Mike is a very funny and also personable. I want to say I have recommended some of my personal friends here and they have also had a great experience with the office staff and doctor. I WILL CONTINUE MY TREATMENT HERE AND WILL KEEP REFERRING FRIENDS AND FAMILY. read more

what a wonderful doctor warm, caring, makes you feel like family and expaining everything so you clearly understand what is happening with your injuries his staff down to the techs are so friendly and sweet and careful with your body it was really the best ortho doctor i have ever been to. and i haave broken parts of my feet several times in my youth so trust me i know and a lot of times the doctor just breeze you thru. he is amazing not only with adults but children, they leave with a smile and a lolipop if they want. i have seen a lot of children there truly an amazing an place kind of wish my next appointment wasnt my last!!!!!!!! love this man, the techs, and receptionist besides they are all so cute!!!!! jill k read more

Let me start by my surgery with Dr Affra, it was smooth,quick,and very successful. I broke my fibula in Dec, I'm now on my eighth week and already walking 100 %.Next week start lifting and hoping to get back real soon. The staff at Concentra are great as well, very helpful when Doc. Affra is not in.David in particular always a open ear, and willing to get you an answer. I also must day If it wasn't for Rebecca pushing me and doing her job as my therapist I wouldn't be where I'm at today. So with all that being said everyone with Dr Affra, and himself have made me a very happy Man, knowing in in his hands. Thanks to everyone at Concentra, and a huge thanks to my Dr Affra.God Bless you all. From The Martinez Family read more

I have nothing but good things to say about Dr Afra. In the past year, we have gone to see him for three separate injuries in our family. Each time I have called, we were able to get in to see him that same day. Once arriving for our various appointments, we have never had to wait. Dr Afra is a very personable doctor who takes the time to really listen and also explain in detail what he is seeing in relation to the injury. I also found him to be very responsive when I had a question after our visit had occurred - often times it seems doctors will take days to get back to you, but Dr Afra responded right away. I have recommended Dr Afra to many friends and each of them has been very happy with his services as well. read more