Sara Edwards (UCSF and Berkeley sports medicine) is a world-class, extremely skilled shoulder surgeon. I know this because she replaced my left shoulder about a month ago. Before the surgery, she examined x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. She determined that she could safely perform an anatomical replacement of my deteriorated joint. Other surgeons had said the only thing that would work was a reverse shoulder replacement. I trusted Dr. Edwards, and I'm so glad I did. You only get one chance with an operation like this. I am now on the way to full recovery. Her incision was smaller than I expected, and I have had very little pain post surgery. I used narcotic medication for two days, after that just some ibuprofen. She ordered a high-end sling for me, one that even had a little squeeze ball attached to it to exercise the arm. I only needed the sling for about a week. My range of motion is increasing daily, and I am now back to doing most of my normal activities. It's not totally healed yet. I can still feel pain in the joint with some kinds of movement, so I'm careful with what I do so I don't mess up the healing. The truth is, much of the time I don't even think about it anymore. I am SO GLAD to be out of the extreme pain I was in before surgery. I've done some things to facilitate my own healing: 90 minutes of qigong and use of PEMF therapy daily, but all the credit goes to Dr. Edwards. If your shoulder needs help, call her. You won't regret it. read more

Sara L Edwards, MD - Take a look at all the crap floating around in my shoulder that she removed! This is a coffee cup saucer. - Sports Medicine Near Me - San Francisco, California

Run, do not walk, and GO SEE Dr. Edwards! She is a miracle worker. I had struggled with knee pain for a year, was trying everything to get better without surgery, and she was patient and kind and non-judgmental when she saw me a couple of times and listened to me explain why I didn't think it was what she thought it was. Ha, turns out she has MD after her name for a reason, as I found out when I finally agreed to have surgery. She was right, and I had bad enough cartilage tears that they wouldn't have improved on their own. Anyway, post surgery I was mobile in a day; really walking well in a week; the pain was bad the first night but then totally manageable; and a month into recovery, I'm THRILLED with her results. She told me she did the minimum necessary to fix my problem, my knee feels GREAT, and honestly I can't recommend her enough. She has a kind, caring attitude, is funny and is just a real person. We've all experienced the rushed doctor who can't wait to get to the next patient, but that was NOT my experience with Dr. Edwards. Would that all physicians were created in her mold. read more

Dear Doc. Sara, I'm Jiawei (Kevin) Peng's dad. I know your assistant has been trying to reach out to him last week during his finals on the scheduled surgery this Tue. on 12/20. Unfortunately, he missed his call and he's trying to fly back to Oakland for this as scheduled. I'd say your office's kind assistant and support is well taken. Thank you. read more

Dr. Edwards is a fantastic doctor and surgeon. I went to her for a shoulder dislocation. When physical therapy was unsuccessful, she performed a labrum repair. She explained the situation well, gave me clear guidance and a treatment plan, and helped guide me through post-op physical therapy. I did a lot of research on her before the operation and she has a fantastic reputation among other surgeons. Shoulders are tricky because you're balancing the risk of re-injury with the risk of it freezing up. She was very clear about that and throughout the process charted a really nice path between getting me back to physical activity while counseling me on how to go slow enough to heal. She's got great hands, but just as importantly is crystal clear about what YOU need to do to give yourself the best chance of a full recovery. Can't recommend her enough. read more

I had been having problems with my knee and shoulder. My husband recommended Dr Edwards. I went to see her, she sent me for an MRI and X-ray. The following week I slipped, thought I had sprained my ankle, but as I was going to get X-rays for my knee, had one on my ankle as well...it was broken. It was late afternoon, was heading to the emergency room, my husband said maybe we should go by Dr Edwards on the way. Mind you, I had only seen Dr Edwards for the first time the week before. My husband recognized two of her office staff (Carly and Matt, my angels), just leaving the office on their way home. We pulled up, said we were on our way to emergency, they said no way. They opened the office, put my ankle in a splint, took my X-ray to Dr Edwards, who was finishing surgery and told me I needed surgery. They made an office appointment for me the next day, Thursday, while they tried to schedule surgery ASAP. The next day...the Friday before Christmas..Dr Edwards was going on vacation. She scheduled my surgery that morning. Two months of not being able to put weight on my foot was grueling. I had a few "moments", but Dr Edwards and her staff are the best. After all we've been through, they feel like family. I'm on my way to recovery. Sad to think I'll miss them, but they'll be seeing a bit more of this old lady and her maladies. read more

The 5-star raves are no surprise. I saw her after falling and spending hrs in St Mary's whose xrays showed I had a radial displacement in my elbow. Got my appt quickly. Efficent but warm/human staff, very pleaant, clean, modern, spacious office Dr Edwards seemed intelligent, thoughtful but bright, direct personality that I liked v. much. Alas, afterlooking at my x-rays, and examining me, she quickly explained that the surgery I required was quite specialized--I needed a hand surgeon, a microsurgeon. Instead of saying "bye!" she very graciously said to wait and she'd put in calls to 3 surgeons she knew...and she made a point of saying she has full confidence in each and would be operated on by any of them. As I liked her so much, that was reassuring to hear, I went home (full arm cast when I came in) and her PA phoned --also very personable and smart, liked him a lot, too. (no, I dont feel that way about all docs and their staff members!) He said it was good they'd called the surgeons for me, because only 1 of the 3 could do this type of highly specialized procedure. Imagine the time she saved me by doing that -- esp. when i was in pain and one-armed? And I wasnt her patient -- she didnt owe me anything. Super grateful. She referred me to Dr Joshua Gordon. My surgery last week took 4 hrs and 3 metal pins (I'm 62, btw) -- and I could not imagine a surgeon more capable or in whom I have more confidence. While Dr Edwards did not end up operating on me, I would recommend her to anyone I know and would have happily had her operate on me, had the sugery not required different skills. read more

I saw Dr. Edwards regarding elbow pain in my right arm. She doesn't take my insurance but she came so highly recommended by people that I trust in the medical field that I went to see her for an opinion anyway. Since I need my arm for work and my livelihood depends on it I wanted to hear from the best. She was extremely knowledgable, attentive, kind, pleasant and funny. I dealt only with her, no residents or PTs which I appreciated. Out of the three elbow specialist that I saw she did the most amount of physical examination, listening, answering questions and explaining. Everything she had to say made sense or else she would happily explain herself until it did. I felt totally relaxed and comfortable while talking to her which is highly unusual because this injury is causing me a great deal of stress since my livelihood depends on resolving it. She explained everything in great detail and was willing to hear out all that I had heard from other doctors and elbow specialists along the way and explain any inconsistencies or anything that I was unclear about. Her diagnosis was largely the same as the two other elbow specialists I saw and the proposed treatment was also the same...surgery. However, no other doctor had me leaving the office feeling as confident that this was the best option and why it was the best option. Thanks to her I feel psychologically prepared for an otherwise much scarier procedure and feel good about the success rate. If she took my insurance I would happily have her do the surgery. Since I cannot, she also helped me decide who the next best option was and I feel great about it. She said "I would let him operate on me". Well, he's my guy then. Go see her...she rocks! read more

I was referred to Dr. Sara Edwards by Dr. Kevin Saitowitz, my long time and highly-respected internist in San Francisco who knows well and is connected to all the best specialists in the Bay Area. I was very glad for his excellent referral to Dr. Edwards. I had injured both knees in a skiing accident and feared one or two torn ACLs. Dr. Edwards was thoughtful in her exam and reviews of the X-rays and MRIs. She recommended a more conservative treatment regimen to start. Dr. Edwards was very thorough, incredibly accurate with her diagnosis, and took all the time needed to answer my questions and help me feel comfortable and confident with the plan of attack. We reviewed the tests together, and Dr. Edwards patiently walked me through all the aspects of what she was seeing, what she thought would be the likely outcome, and how best to treat the issue and avoid surgery if possible. Dr. Edwards diagnosis and recommendations were 100% correct. I fully recovered with no need for surgery. I saw Dr. Edwards for a different issue with one of my knees and a shoulder, and same thing. She was comprehensive and 100% correct in her diagnosis and treatment plan. We've all been there - dazed at what is going on, a little scared and perhaps fearing the worst, and unsure of who to see and what to do next. Dr. Edwards, who is also a team physician for Cal Berkeley (as she was previously for Northwestern University), is a world-class orthopedist. In addition to being trained under the best programs and mentors, Dr. Edwards is unique in how much she truly cares for the well being of her patients. She is friendly, empathetic, and simply a great person as well as awesome doctor. read more

My interactions with Dr. Edwards so far have not been significant enough to review, but I can say that dealing with her office and UCSF has been horrible. No one ever returns phone calls. There is no email address to reach them. Weeks go by without knowing what is happening with steps to address my chronic pain -- more than 2 weeks after I was told I would hear from her assistant Rosie to schedule a procedure, I have heard nothing and had none of my messages returned. The MRI place cannot proceed with scheduling me because they need more information from Dr. Edwards and I have no idea where that stands, because no one will return my calls. Many many weeks have been lost due to their lack of communication. I simply ask that if a doctor is too busy to handle a patient, they have the courtesy to tell them so they can find someone else, which is apparently what my next step needs to be. read more

Dr. Edwards is fantastic, and as everyone says very personable. I like her. I went to her for pain in my knees. I was able to get in to see her quickly and her staff is wonderfully responsive to any questions. MRI indicates a torn meniscus she did not immediately want to do surgery. She suggested PT before considering surgery. I very much appreciate that her approach was the least invasive. I highly recommend her. read more

Saw Dr. Sara Edwards at SOAR Orthopedics on Sutter St. for a self-diagnosed sprained ankle. Dr. Edwards was top notch. She was personable, kind, straightforward, and a thorough diagnostician. She was also resourceful and understanding when I asked to keep the tests to a minimum due to my high deductible. She went above and beyond to accommodate my wishes. Would recommend Dr. Edwards unreservedly to others. read more

Dr Edwards is a talented surgeon and an amazing physician! I tore my ACL in a motocross fall. When I went to see Dr Edwards she was very attentive to all my questions about the injury, MRI, surgery and was very clear about the path to recovery for an athelete. On the day of surgery she and her team made me feel very comfortable with the procedure and had incredible bedside manner. Everyone I came in contact with was professional and caring. I am six months post surgery and my knee feels amazing. I have had 5 follow up visits and I am extremely happy with my progress and every interaction I have had with Dr Edwards. read more

Sara Edwards is an extremely caring and personable orthopedic surgeon. She treats you like family and won't try and jump the gun to give you surgery unnecessarily. Very responsive, great listener, wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

No question, Sara Edwards is 5 star! Dr. Edwards just performed arthroscopic surgery on my knee and I can't recommend her highly enough. She is extremely personable and caring. She takes the time to thoughtfully and thoroughly explain the process. which in my experience is all too rare these days. At my recent follow up visit, she showed me the pictures and explained the details of exactly what she did. Having dealt with other orthopedists in the past I can definitively say she is the best! Hoping that I don't need one, but if ever I do need an orthopedist again, there's no question, she's the one!! Additionally, all the staff at the SOAR office in SF and the surgery center are top notch! read more

Dr. Edwards is friendly and down to earth. I've seen her for an arthritic knee, and she has supported me to keep strong and avoid surgery.

After a bit of research through my health insurance, I was lucky enough to find Dr. Sara Edwards. I suffered a torn discoid meniscus in my right knee that needed surgical repair and with Dr. Edwards (and her wonderful staff), the process was simple, painless and overall successful. I couldn't be happier with my experience and more thankful to her for her help. I always felt well-taken care of by her and her staff. Following surgery, I have had no pain in my knee and have had a very successful recovery. Thank you Dr. Edwards! read more

Dr Edwards is multidimensional. Very intelligent and very balanced in approach. I am the father of 3 boys. One boy is a Division 1 Lacrosse player. One son is a rising Division 1 Lacrosse player (still high school yet committed). One son is in grammar school and has yet to see Dr Edwards. My two older boys have seen Dr Edwards on multiple occasions for an assortment of bone (including growth plate), muscle and tendon issues, and Dr Edwards has been successful on each occasion in terms of seeing my boys immediately, securing an x-ray or mri immediately and swiftly diagnosing the ailment and providing the solution (she does not waste time and is very direct). Dr Edwards extensive athletic background, including her work as Team Doctor at Cal, not to mention her own history of athletic prowess, in combination with her super knowledge and passion for her Orthopedic work brings multiple dimensions as a prism for counseling my boys on how to overcome whatever ailment they are experiencing and do so with a positive attitude and ultimately has helped my boys become stronger in body (and mind) when healed. Dr Edwards has evolved into a tremendous professional contact, friend and counselor for my boys. Dr Edwards deserves more than 5 stars. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Edwards for 5 years. I had a bad tear of my rotator cuff and labrum, but since I was an high-level athlete I did not want surgery. Eventually, the pain became too much and I decided to proceed with the operation. I was very nervous, but my fears were instantly quelled by Dr. Edwards. She meticulously reviewed the MRI with me and went over the surgical plan, risks and benefits, alternative treatment options, post-operative recovery protocol and the general physical therapy schedule. All of my questions were answered, with thorough consideration. During my postoperative period, she was extremely attentive and again answered questions I had. At six months post-op I was already in the gym again and my shoulder felt brand new. Her fantastic bedside manner with her wealth of knowledge makes her an incredible surgeon. I would 100% recommend her to any needing shoulder surgery. read more

I went to Dr.Edwards to get a second opinion for my upcoming shoulder surgery. I was so impressed with her.She showed me the MRI as she explained what she thought, she spoke just to me face-to-face w/o distraction, and when she spoke to me she was seated and facing me. She is also very knowledgeable, she listened, and I felt respected and validated. Her assistant was very courteous too. I would definitely go to her again. read more