He's an outstanding orthopedic surgeon and hip arthritis. I would recommend them without hesitation.

Tragic injury left me with extreme outer hip pain. Desperate, after several conservative measures, I opted for surgery with Dr. S. The result, good effort, waste of money - did not work at all - it's been 15 years. Same pain as before surgery + new issues that were not there prior to the procedure. I wish I could undo what was done. But, I'm sure the tech is way better now. If I had a do-over, I would have asked about possible negative outcomes post surgery. I did not expect more chronic pain. read more

I agree that Dr. Sampson is a very personable doctor and his staff is great. My experience makes me quite upset as it has changed my life forever. I had multiple hip arthroscopies, one by Dr. Sampson and one by a doctor he had trained as well as shots of cortisone and cocks comb. At this point I was being told I had Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) and my hip was now bone on bone and I needed a replacement. This was in 2009 and I trusted Dr. Sampson to perform an anterior hip replacement. He must have had a bad day as many things went wrong during surgery like losing the drill bit in my femur, making this an almost all day surgery. After surgery I was anemic and needed a blood transfusion and had terrible pain in my left thumb which I was told was from the Hana operating table. I thought I was healing ok but it felt like I was stepping up. My physical therapist said I had a major leg discrepancy. I brought this to the attention of Dr. Sampson who told me I had Pelvic Obliquity. I had to pay for an orbital X-ray to prove the over one inch leg discrepancy. Dr. Sampson said I could just leave it and get special shoes to add the discrepancy. As I was in my mid 40's I didn't feel this was an option. So, three months later I had a posterior hip revision to change the hardware which was Johnson and Johnson Du Puy metal. Once again this was a long surgery where my femur had to be split like a log and put back together with a cable. Fast forward nine years of pain and I finally found a doctor at UC Davis that was willing to fix all my problems. In March 2018 I had my 3rd hip replacement on the same leg to replace the prosthesis that had grown into the bone of my femur. In addition I had tears in my gluteus medius and minimus tendons which had to be repaired as well as lengthening of my psoas muscle. I was in a hip brace for six weeks with no weight bearing allowed. In May of 2019 I had to have shoulder surgery on my AC joint which was damaged from all the walker and crutch use over the years. Still in pain I had another hip surgery in August of 2019 to repair another gluteal tear in addition to removing that dreaded cable that now had bone growing through it in my muscle (heterotopic ossification). Once again I had to wear a hip brace 24/7 with no weight bearing. Torture. I am still in physical therapy to be able to walk after this and was just informed I need surgery on the basal joint of my thumb as it is now bone on bone. By the way, what I have is hip dysplasia and my other hip is in need of replacement soon. All in all I have had six surgeries on my left hip plus two collateral damage surgeries (1 upcoming). This has left me in pain for the past ten years. I had to stop working and am on permanent disability. I would not call this a success. If that first surgery had been a success I could have had a normal past ten years, pain free. Nope, my hip rules my life. I feel like some of my best years in my 40's and 50's have been taken away from me all due to my decision to allow Dr. Sampson perform surgery on my hip. read more

I went to see Dr Sampson for a consultation in hip arthroscopy for a very, very difficult nerve problem. Except for the fact that he doen't take insurance and that first consultation costed me $480, he seems very good, took one hour to explain my problem and what he could do to fix. He also seems to be the one hip surgeon doing arthroscopy that people with difficult cases go to. That way he gets the necessary experience. The cost of the surgery is around $55k including hospital costs, assistant and anesthesia. Again, he doesn't take insurance... The insurance thing clearly costs him a star or more. I mean what good it is to have excellent care if you cannot afford it? I ended up having surgery with Dr. Kao read more

I actually can't believe I did not write this review years ago when I had my hip replacement with Dr. Sampson. I am coming up on 12 years post surgery and I am and was a fitness instructor and triathlete. I woke up from surgery feeling relief! I had been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and my entire world changed...or so I thought. Six weeks post op I was doing lap swimming for rehab as well as PT. I was skiing at 12 weeks, albeit gently, and I have had no problem, a very small, almost invisible scar at this point and can't say enough great things about the result of my surgery and the beautiful job Dr. Sampson did which made recovery a breeze. I moved to Los Angeles and had to have another hip replacement on my other hip. I wish I had gone back to Dr Sampson but I lived too far away. The same procedure had a completely different result, days in the hospital recovering, swelling, pain and less range of motion. Proof that Dr. Sampson is the best. read more

Dr. Thomas Sampson is a diamond in the rough. I have seen more doctors in my life than I can count and Dr. Sampson's experience, intelligence, and listening skills are unmatched. He was able to find the core issue of what is causing all of my problems and most of my pain. He will work with you and support you all the way through your journey and advocate for you whenever possible. Restores my faith in the medical system. Working with him and his son has changed my life and I will forever be grateful. They also have a wonderful team. Bridget, Dulce, and the rest of the team are so amazing. read more

Five-weeks, post-op, I am sitting in my nursing scrubs as I get ready for my first day back to work. I have to stop at my computer to thank Dr. Sampson before heading out to do the job I love. My history included twelve years of pain, with visits and treatment by four other physicians over the course of those years. After an MRI revealed a tear, another physician performed an arthroscopic procedure on my right hip three months ago, only to close me back up and tell me that "nothing was wrong." My ongoing pain told me differently. Thankfully, she referred me to Dr. Sampson; he took one look at my MRI and could see that I had pincer-type impingement, along with some damage resulting from the congenital condition. I only wish I had known more about hip impingement so I would have been a more informed patient/consumer. Had that been the case, I would have selected Dr. Sampson to care for me from the start. It seems that I am wasn't alone in my limited knowledge about this condition, based on my very limited experience I had with the physicians and radiologist who were involved in my case. Lastly, and very importantly, Dr. Sampson is one of the kindest physicians I have ever met. From my first visit with him, I felt that he cared about my history, my outcome and my goals. That isn't always the case, sadly. Thank you for getting me back to my life and my dreams, Dr. Sampson. Your grateful patient, Mary read more

I originally went to see Dr. Sampson for a second opinion on a diagnosis of Femoroacetabular Impingement and ended up feeling so comfortable with him during the consultation that I decided to have him perform the procedure instead of my original surgeon. Despite being a committed marathon runner/triathlete who's not afraid of some pain, I was definitely nervous about the surgery itself as well as the recovery period. Dr. Sampson made time for several after-hours telephone calls with me to address my specific concerns, and by the time the surgery date arrived, I felt fully prepared for the event. The surgery is conducted in the adjoining Post Street Surgery Center, and is unlike any facility I've ever been to. Unlike large, impersonal hospitals, the Surgery Center was a small, private setting that at times felt almost spa like (my IV was put in while I relaxed in a recliner in a private pre-op room). The surgery went swimmingly and I kid you not, I literally walked (with the steadying help of some crutches) out of the Surgery Center a few hours later. The first few days after the procedure were a little uncomfortable (albeit less so thanks to the Vicodin), but within a week I was able to walk without crutches and within three weeks I was able to do some light spinning on a stationary bike. During my initial recovery period and bi-monthly follow-up visits Dr. Sampson and his team were always available and attentive. And, best of all for someone who can't imagine a life without physical activity, Dr. Sampson was encouraging and helpful in developing benchmarks for a return to running. Perhaps the best compliment I can offer as to the effectiveness of Dr. Sampson and the procedure is that almost 11 months to the day after my surgery I ran the NYC Marathon pain free (well, free of the pain I had before the surgery -- evidently there's still no cure for lactic acid build-up). I can't recommend Dr. Sampson highly enough. Even if you ultimately choose to see someone else, he is someone you'll want to talk to if you're considering hip surgery. read more

I would highly recommend Dr. Thomas Sampson to anyone. As well as being an expert in his field he is an extremely kind and compassionate man. He takes the time to explain things to you and answers all your questions so that you fully understand everything - his staff are all wonderful too! I had been in horrendous pain for years and had visited several hip surgeons in Southern California who were unable to diagnose my pain. My husband found Dr Sampson after researching my hip symptons online. We communicated with Dr Sampson via email and phone, and after reviewing my MRI and xray films. he knew exactly what my problem was. I had arthroscopic hip surgery 10 weeks ago and can confidentally say that Dr. Sampson gave me a part of my life back. My mystery pain is now gone and if it weren't for a pre-existing spine condition causing chronic pain, I believe I would be pain free today! I cannot say how grateful I am to have been treated by such a wonderful doctor. read more

I had surgery 9/1/10 - impingement and Dr. Sampson performed a bilateral hip arthroscopy. I spent the 10 months prior and thousands of dollars trying to get a diagnosis and endured everything from accupuncture, physical therapy (going on a year now), doctors galore, 1st opinions, 2nd opinions, and finally got in to see Dr. Sampson - he's who the other doctors go to. He is so personable and makes you feel very safe about putting your trust in his expertise. He knows what he is doing. I walked on crutches for 2-3 days and was back to work in a week and now walking around fine. I can't start running and jumping just yet, but soon. I love visiting with him post-op because he's such a great, genuine person - on top of being a great surgeon. His office staff is amazing, as well. I am telling any and everyone that I know about him. If you have an inkling of hip pain - make an appt. with Dr. Sampson - I would not recommend going anywhere else as he is the BEST. I would have traveled across the country to have him do my surgery. I'm recovering nicely - I can actually sit without pain now and I never thought that it would have been possible. read more

Writing this one week out from hip arthroscopy and feeling great. Can't vouch highly enough for Dr. Sampson. He's not only a brilliant surgeon, but a thoughtful and considerate person who spends genuine time with his patients. The entire staff are also incredible. It's the best medical care I've ever received. read more

Dr. Sampson performed a hip resurfacing on my right hip in 2005. Eight years later I have full range of motion, and limited pain. I ran 2 marathons in 2012. I am very happy with the result of my surgery. The human body is not indestructable. I have had other surgeries, on other body parts, and the success rate is varied. Partly due to the human body, partly due to ageing, partly due to who performed the surgery, partly due to working the physical therapy later. There are multiple factors involved in recovery. As to my hip, Dr. Sampson performed very well, and a year later I was downhill skiing. I still have issues, but now, eight years later, I am very happy with my right hip, and am glad I did not get a full hip replacement. I cannot imagine a surgery going smoother that what I experienced with my right hip. (And I have had other surgery, and it was less smooth. Still successful, but less smooth.) read more

I was referred to Dr. Thomas Sampson by my chiropractor, Dr. Taylor Rabbetz for my ongoing LT hip problem. I had been hoping that stem cells, PRP, arthroscopy or something less invasive than an arthroplasty would fix me, as I was foolishly trying to keep all my original parts. After reviewing my MRI and x-ray, Dr. Sampson told me I had hip dysplasia and due to the condition of my LT hip,​ the only option for improvement was a replacement. He showed me the measurements of my sockets and the condition of my cartilage​, and my hypermobility did not help. But his kindness and patience alleviate my anxiousness about the situation and he referred me to Dr. Nicholas Mast. Post-op, I'm so glad I did this. Why keep an original part if a new part is better and improves the quality of my life? With the exception of future patdowns by the TSA... read more

After UCSF failed me miserably by not even being remotely interested in the fact that I was 46 years old and suffered years of undiagnosed debilitating pain in my hip/SI area after I had an exacerbation that had me diving deeper into what might be wrong and who I could see. An amazing PT was sure it was my hip so I researched and found Dr. Sampson. I walked into his clinic expecting some information but no cure and I was in for a surprise. He looked at me and said you have FAI and I can fix it. And he did. He is brilliant at what he does and his bedside manner is astounding. I am used to being dismissed and patronized by the UCSF doctors and Dr. Sampson was like a giant teddy bear - actually concerned about the fact that I had no life and didn't leave the house. Of course it helped I had what he fixes, but even if he couldn't have done anything for me I know he would have helped me look at what I could do next. He did an incredible job, the staff were amazing and he just cares. I have my life back, it's a miracle. read more

Dr Sampson is a wonderful person, I enjoyed my appointments with him tremendously. However, my surgery was a complete and utter failure, despite his assurance that I had a "90% chance" of being "fully-restored" after surgery with him. I never had any pain relief after surgery with Dr Sampson and seven years later I have Stage 4 osteoarthritis with massive bone deformity. I am 34 years old and scheduled for hip resurfacing surgery, hoping to put off a total hip replacement for another 15 years. The hip replacement or hip resurfacing doctors I saw, as well as the medical journal articles I read, told me that hip arthroscopy can hasten the deterioration of a mildly arthritic joint. Thus, you need to be absolutely sure that you do not have the beginning stages of arthritis BEFORE you have arthroscopic surgery, because you are only going to make things worse. Dr Sampson "found" my arthritis after my surgery. Shouldn't he have seen it before surgery? Talking to the total hip replacement doctors suggests that he should have. But don't take my word for it, please do your own research. Get second opinions from total hip replacement doctors, as they clean up the damage caused by arthroscopy. Also, a friend of a friend is in the exact same position I am in after surgery with Dr Sampson. read more

My Hip is all messed up after a surgery from Dr. Sampson. It's been a year since I had it and I had to give up most of my jobs as a professional Dancer/Dance instructor. Doctor told me I would be able to go back to dance in a short time, but hasn't happened. I am still seeing a Physical Therapist. I have a lot more pain than before the surgery and feel like I am disability.... I am very very sad.... Having surgery is the last choice, you need to think about it very serious. I regret I did. read more

I'm 15 days into recovery from hip arthroscopy for FAI with Dr. Sampson. I'll report back on my progress in a few months but for now I feel great. I was on 2 crutches for a few days and transitioned to one crutch or no crutch thereafter, depending on comfort level. I can not say enough good things about Dr. Sampson. I lived with hip pain for 4 years until I was diagnosed with FAI by another doctor about 8 months ago. I went to Dr. Sampson for a second opinion and the initial visit was so informative and refreshing I decided to go with him. I'm accustomed to doctor's swinging into a room, making a quick proclamation, and then leaving with no time for you to ask questions. At my first visit, and every visit thereafter Dr. Sampson has sat down with me and discussed in detail the procedure, recovery, etc. He's responded to all of my calls and emails in a compassionate and informative manner. His staff is equally attentive. If you are considering hip surgery you owe it to yourself to at least meet with Dr. Sampson. I'll be surprised to hear if you don't go with Dr. Sampson after meeting with him. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me. Chris M. read more

I saw Dr Sampson for the first time today as he is also gracious enough to treat us vets at the SF VA. It is hard sometimes to get Doctors to really understand your pain. He understood it right away and immediately made me feel comfortable. He explained what was wrong while he went over the x-rays with me and he did it in such a way that I could repeat it in a way that my family members could understand it as well. When I found out that he would be doing the surgery on both hips I was happy as I trusted him right away just by the way he treated me and talked to me. When I left SF VA even knowing I was going to have to have surgery I somehow felt relieved that I finally knew what was wrong and that I actually understood it. I have had great care at the SF VA and have never had a complaint. There is no doubt that Dr Sampson adds to the list of fine doctors we vets are blessed with. And by the way, he has a great sense of humor. Even if I was paying a million dollars for this surgery I would recommend Dr. Sampson. read more

I have several times and will continue to recommend Dr Thomas Sampson to anyone who is thinking about hip reconstructive surgery. Having lived with spinal and joint deformation and constant irritation for most of my life, I grew to accept the discomfort as normal. After moving to California, I met with a local arthritis specialist and he investigated why I had more intense pain levels, than arthritis would indicate, by ordering an MRI test. After reviewing my test results, he recommended and arranged for me to see who he considered to be "the best", Dr Sampson. And after my initial visit with Dr Sampson, I was so thoroughly informed, encouraged, and relieved that I might finally have my condition corrected, I agreed to the surgery. While I have not had any surgeries prior, this was not something I would agree to very easily. As I near my two year anniversary from the arthroscopic surgery to correct bilateral Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), I have great mobility (I work out with a personal trainer twice weekly) and am virtually pain free, a fact that I have not experienced since my early teens. I am now aged 52 years. Thank you Dr Sampson for giving me a new lease on life. I am thrilled. read more

Update: It has been nearly three years since my surgery. My hips still feel great! There have been a few times when I overdid the running and had some inflammation. When that happens, I back off and a few weeks later, my hips are good to go again. I check in with Dr. Sampson once a year, as he is interested in tracking my progress over time. Like many others I will forever feel indebted to Dr. Sampson. read more

Dr. Sampson repaired my left hip this December 2012 and the healing is going perfectly. Both hips are fixed up and I'm doing great. Sure there is residual discomfort, but I'm still healing. I ride an exercise bike 3 to 5 miles each evening and walk up to 2 miles each day after 6+ weeks. I flew in an airplane the fifth week after having the left hip repair and had no hip or lumbar pain. Such an amazing change for me - it has been over 15 years that I could fly pain free. read more

I had pain in my right hip and low back for over 30 years. As soon as Dr Sampson preformed my hip surgery the pain was gone.

I am forever indebted to Dr. Sampson for performing my hip arthroscopy July 2014. He was absolutely incredible from the moment I first spoke with him regarding the procedure. I had been mis-diagnosed in Ireland for several years and was at the point where I couldn't walk even 20 feet without getting extreme pain. I could barely move for several months preceding the surgery. I sent my MRIs and x-rays to him from Ireland, and he called me within two weeks to discuss the problems. I was elated when he told me he was confident that my referred pain was coming from the hip and that he could help me. It was a very slow recovery, but I believe this was because I was incredibly weak from barely moving for eight months prior to the procedure. I was literally taking one inch steps to decrease the probability of getting the pains. I was on crutches for several months following the surgery, but I was diligent about doing exercises every day for several hours each day. I am now 7 months post-op and I can walk several miles at a time, ride the exercise bike at a resistance of 12, do the elliptical with resistance and swim forward crawl and backstroke, all without pain. I just started riding a bike outside. I am on a lot of forums for people who have had this surgery, and I cannot stress the importance of having a top notch surgeon perform the procedure. Dr. Sampson meets all criteria not only in terms of skill level but also in terms of bedside manner. He genuinely cares about his patients and has never been out of reach when I needed to speak with him. He is one of the top surgeons in the country for hip arthroscopy and I recommend him without hesitation. I have been given a second lease on life thanks to Dr. Sampson! read more

I am 15 months into recovery from hip reconstruction surgery. After a mild fall ice skating, I was left with excruciating pudendal neuralgia (pelvic nerve pain) and unexplained issues walking/sitting that left me in agony even after the nerves started to heal. I tried many many non-aggressive approaches. I was told I was not a good candidate for surgery because I was hyper-mobile, nor could doctors see anything wrong via x-rays or MRI's. I ultimately saw 5 surgeons (including a spinal surgeon) before finding Dr. Thompson who immediately diagnosed a congenital bone defect, torn labrum and a cyst in my hip, then sent me to a CT scan to confirm. Not only did Dr. Sampson listen to me, but we discussed at length the issues and also his degree of confidence that surgery would solve the problem (it was complicated, I have scoliosis and I was 50). He is not a one-trick pony but deeply understands the mechanics of the hip and the implications for the surrounding areas. I could not have been more relieved to find Dr. Sampson 3 years after my original accident. I have full range of motion, a teeny tiny set of scars and no pain! He is also just a wonderful person. If you are athletic and not finding a solution, I can't recommend him enough. I am swimming, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and cycling is once again on the horizon. read more

I've waited way too long to leave this review. I had hip surgery in September after putting it off for a very long time. I was very scared to delve into it. After reading a review that said just get it done, you will not regret it, I went ahead and had it done. Well, I am here to say the exact thing....get it done you will NOT regret it. After being in a lot of pain for about 2 years I went to Dr. Sampson for a 2nd opinion. I wasn't really planning on using him since he doesn't take insurance, but after meeting with him, I decided that having it done covered under my insurance by a Dr that wasn't too sure he could fix it wasn't a good plan. Dr. Sampson knew exactly what to do and I couldn't wait to have it done. It was not as expensive as I thought it would be, because my insurance did cover the surgery center costs. It was about 2 weeks of an ice machine and 3 weeks on crutches and a surprisingly fast recovery after that. I was back to my 3 mile daily walks after about 6-8 weeks and skiing after 5 months. I cannot believe that I can sleep pain free almost every night and walk without a limp. If you have hip issues, Dr. Sampson is the best there is! Not much else to say. read more