Dr. Mc.Donald did a great job on my surgery for my broken wrist. His wife was also amazing, shepherding me through the process. I'm so grateful! read more

I developed Carpell Tunnel due to an accident where I was hit by a car. I was holding onto a grocery basket and we were thrown 3 to 4 feet. Ever since then I had severe Carpell Tunnel on both hands and pain up my arms. The best thing I did was do a consultation with Dr. McDonald. I had surgery on my left hand and it was so streamline. It was done in office and they really took care of me. My left hand healed so quickly. I can't wait to do the right hand. So done with this numb hand and pain. Thank you Dr. McDonald and staff! read more

I think Dr McDonald is excellent.I saw him about six years ago for a carpal tunnel surgery.My hand needed pain meds for a day or two and my recovery is still fine.I would recommend him to anyone.I don't think you could find a better surgeon. read more

I am an avid rock climber that developed carpal tunnel syndrome from years of over use. It always felt tolerable until the sensation in my fingers was gone. I could no longer feel the rock with my index, middle and ring fingers. Dr. Demers gave me a steroid injection to see if my symptoms would improve however, the numbness persisted. She referred me to Sonora's hand specialist, Dr. McDonald, and assured me his skill and attention to detail is unrivaled. My experience with Dr. McDonald was top notch. He spent a considerable amount of time with me during the office visit and I left feeling confident in his ability to help me. Today, I am a couple years out from the surgery and I couldn't be happier with the result. I am back rock climbing and using my hand with zero deficits. I have heard he is now using a minimally invasive, arthroscopic technique for his carpal tunnel surgeries and having excellent feedback from his patients! I highly recommend Dr. McDonald as a surgeon, he is genuine, relatable, knowledgable and highly skilled. read more

I have never been so insulted in my life. This Dr does not care about you or your injury. This man is rude, unprofessional, and insulting. He came into the office did not know what I was there for he sent me out for a nerve test witch clearly showed damage to the nerve. This man has no answers for me. I said maybe I should find another Doctor, he then stood up and walked out of the room not saying anything, while letting me sit there. DO NOT GO SEE THIS MAN. HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. read more

This man has no business dealing with patients. He is rude, arrogant and just a general jerk. Was sitting in preop waiting for surgery. He came in to talk with me, said I was being antagonistic. Mind you I was partially sedated. Cancelled surgery on the spot, left me in tears and went to go talk about me. I heard every word. Complaint will be filed asap with the hospital. read more

I had an URGENT referral from Mark Twain-Dignity (Angels Camp) ...10 weeks later, and appt. with this JERK. He had no records, had not even seen an X-Ray ? Told me that due to my insurance, or lack of (MediCal) , the ONLY thing he could do was to "fuse" a joint in my finger ??? No Xrays, no medical records ?? He spent a total of 3.5 minutes with me (I timed him) Where do they find rude, arrogant "Drs" ..Seventh Day Adventists philosophy is to care for those as Gods children ??? I'm sure that this man doesn't share these values. read more

I went in to see Dr. McDonald for a knot on my finger - pretty minor, but needed to see if it was a growth or arthritis, etc. as it was a bit painful when pressed. Another doctor referred me - and also warned me that he was "a smart ass." They took an xray (afterwards I saw that they charged me for TWO - right and left - and I only had a bump on my left hand. And we wonder why our insurance costs are so high). Dr. McDonald walks in the room and says "What are you here for?" Really? Completely unprepared, didn't review my file, didn't look at the xray. He's rude and unprofessional and chances are that he has patients only because there is a shortage of them in Sonora. Do not waste your time or money on Dr. McDonald. read more

I went to this Quak and I have never been so insulted and belittled. He should no concern about my injury, I felt he did not want to deal with my injury. When he was giving me no answers I said maybe I'll find another doctor. He then stood up and walked out of the room without saying one word and left me in the the room. When I was leaving the office I gave him an ear full. DO NOT GO TO THIS DOCTOR. read more

I went to Dr. McDonald to discuss my severely arthritic right thumb. He works in the same office as Dr. De Mers, who I had consulted and hold in high regard. Dr. McDonald specializes in hands. I drove 80 miles (round trip) from near Yosemite to keep this apointment. After waiing for 35 minutes I was taken for X-rays of the right hand/thumb, and then led into "The Hand Room" and waited for Dr. McDonald. He came into the room like he was on a mission. I briefly told him my story -- carpal tunnel that is controlled with rest and exercises, and a big swelling at the base of my thumb. I explained that my thumb was weak and that my primary care doctor had diagnosed arthrtitis of the thumb. McDonald seemed almost irritated with me. He took my thumb and did some maneuvers that caused a lot of pain,then took a little test for electrical conduction. I had told him that I had already taken that test and that I do have carpal tunnel, but I wasn't there for that. He was shouting at me all though the 5-minute interview (yes, a total of five minutes!) as though I were deaf. When I told him that I am 65 and have extremely sharp hearing, he never lowered the volume. He said "You have severe carpal tunnel and should have surgery as soon as possible." I tried to tell him that I was told it was arthritis, and that's when he got angry. He said (shouted) "YOU SHOULD GET A SECOND OPINION AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW WHAT COURSE YOU WANT TO TAKE." Before I could say another word, he stood up and stalked out of the office, and I was left there feeling like what-just-happened?. He never even showed me the X-rays, something doctors always do. I called the next day and the X-Ray tech promised to send them to me. I left furious and insulted and certainly didn't need him to tell me that I need to see another doctor. I don't know who this guy thinks he is, but it was the most unpleasant doctor experience I've ever had. I drove home to my little mountain town and stopped in the library, where I had a conversation with a woman who had undergone carpal tunnel surgery with Dr. McDonald. She said "it was a terrible experience --I saw him for five minutes, then when I went into surgery the staff put me under, and I never saw the doctor again." She said she isn't happy with the results of the surgery and wished she had seen another doctor. I know I certainly will. . read more

I should have read the negative reviews about Dr McDonald before making an appointment. I saw him a year ago, my experience mirrored those of the other reviewers. He was rude and uncaring. I have arthritis in my fingers, he took X'Rays but never even mentioned them when he came into the examination room. He offered no solutions, didn't even suggest a steroid injection. He basically dismissed me. I was furious and knew I would never go back to him. I did, however, ask for my X-rays. My hands have become very painful so I made an appointment with a hand surgeon out of Pleasanton. Wonderful caring doctor. He looked at the X-rays and told me I had bone on bone in my thumb. McDonald never mentioned that. I'm angry that I've suffered for a year because of an incompetent doctor. I can't believe he's still practicing or that he has any patients. I hope people read this review, there are plenty of other good doctors out there. read more

I had a problems with both hands being able to rotate or pick something up. It felt like I had two sprained wrists. Dr. McDonald performed two separate operations and did an excellent job. I am pain free in both hands and fully functional. I am very glad that we have a hand surgeon in town. He is a man of few words but was pleasant during my appointments. read more

I'm sorry to read of the bad experience had by the woman from Yosemite. Though I have had to wait from time to time, Dr. McDonald has always been attentive and caring. My daughter is seeing him now for two recent injuries and he still continues to ask about my injury when I bring her in. He talks to me like I know something, not like I'm an idiot. He's willing to listen and always addressed my concerns. If I had any complaint it might be that McDonald doesn't follow-up or move the process along, so-to-speak, but what doctors do nowdays? Overall, Dr. McDonald comes across as knowledgeable and well-meaning. He's a good doctor and a nice guy. As to the woman from Yosemite: though there is no excuse for a professional to be rude, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt and assume something bad was going on behind the scenes that affected his performance that day. He's human. (I hope the Yosemite patient is finding help.) read more

I join the Yosemite reviewer in being very disappointed in Dr. McDonald. He also walked out on me during an exam. That was an awful, hurtful and embarrassing experience and certainly the worst I've ever had with an MD. I found him to be mercurial, with a strange attitude that he feels you're trying to put something over on him. Very weird. By all accounts he's a very good surgeon and came highly recommended. But there's lots of good surgeons who are friendlier and helpful, which is who I went to next after immediately quitting McDonald. read more