Ortho 1 Medical Group — Local services in Coronado

I highly do not recommend seeing Dr. Pallia or Ortho1 Medical Group -- they do not hold themselves accountable or transparent. I would rate them 0 stars if I could.

• BILLING PROCESS REVIEW * I had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Christopher Pallia on July 14, 8:30am for my carpal tunnel symptoms. I was billed for a 45+ minute session on my health insurance claim. However, I know that I was only there for around 30 minutes. I was texting my boyfriend around the time I entered and left the appointment, since he dropped me off and was waiting for me in the parking lot.

I've called Ortho1 and I've left 3 voicemails across the last 2-3 weeks, trying to reach the billing department. Their voicemail says that someone is supposed to return my calls within 24 hours -- no one has.

• APPOINTMENT WITH DR. PALLIA REVIEW * Additionally, I was told that I was required to get an x-ray before my appointment. The front office recommended I go across the street to the Sharp hospital, where they do walk-in x-rays.

We didn't even look at the x-ray for my appointment. I had minor carpal tunnel problems (which to me felt pretty major at the time because I'd never had carpal tunnel before), and Dr. Pallia simply moved and pressed my hand and wrists around.

Two weeks later, I see my x-ray bill from Sharp hospital. It's a whopping $1356 pre-insurance. And $755 after insurance. Maybe this isn't the doctor's office's fault and maybe it's the problem of our health system in the States, but I believe I have the right to know if (1) an x-ray TRULY is required and (2) give the patient you're a disclaimer that the cost of getting an x-ray at a hospital is going to be very costly.

• PROGNOSIS REVIEW * For my carpal tunnel symptoms, Dr. Pallia recommended that I get cortisone shots in my wrists if it got worse (aka to invasively stick a needle into my wrist), but to give it a week or few. Dr. Pallia's recommendation was to just wait the symptoms out, and to consume cortisone pills to reduce inflammation. I never got the prescription.

When I asked Dr. Pallia about stretching or his recommendation on seeing a physical therapist, here's what our conversation sounded like: "Sure, home stretching could help." "What kinds?" "Oh you can find them on the internet." "Should I see a physical therapist?" "Your symptoms aren't that severe. You don't need to unless it gets worse. They really shouldn't be letting people see physical therapists without a referral because physical therapists aren't trained doctors."

TLDR; Nothing actionable, besides take pills and wait.

My physical therapist from Crossover that I saw later that day was much more helpful, and actually gave me a prognosis of ~6 weeks to recovery, actionable home stretches to perform (e.g. x times and y repetitions per z days).

Why did I write this all?

You'll see that on my Google reviews history, I have never posted a one-star review with such a long description before (besides the reviews to the entities involved in this same story: Ortho1 Medical group, Dr. Pallia, and Sharp Coronado, and Sharp Coronado Imaging).

I am writing this as a PSA to anyone out there who might be going through a similar problem. I don't want anyone to go through what I did. No one should have to jump through so many hoops to get treated, or have to worry about so many other problems, like (1) how many hundreds of dollars is that x-ray going to cost, (2) how can I fight off this claim that's been incorrectly billed to me for the wrong amount of time, or (3) is a doctor or a physical therapist more effective at giving me advice?

It's now been 1 month since my doctor's appointment. My claims were posted about 2 weeks after. 2-3 weeks later, I'm still waiting for a response from the billing department.

By the way, my wrist and forearm are on fire right now. I went into writing this whole review knowing that I would tire myself out for the day, but I still put my whole heart and soul into...

Dr. Pallia is the BEST ‼️Injured 4/4/2023, WC . Ignored, June 6,2023 getting Worse & new problems. Unable to do my Normal everyday Duties of 12 yrs. I called a Nurse Hotline asking for Help & Exp Situation. 62 Days Later, Page to Office 1 Hr of Paperwork. Told clock Out you have 24 hrs to see Thier Dr.. Can not Return W/O Dr.s Report & Diagnosis! I went 4 hr wait Missdiagnosed & Sent back to Work! Same Day, 2nd Dr. different City forced PT & said Nothing is wrong W/Y! Upset I wouldn't go, Released me MMI July 2023! LOA Aug/Sept 23, to Find a Real Dr. Examine Me. Unpaid Medical LOA WC, Never Rptd to Ca or Corp! 1 Year & 1 Mon Fighting W a WC Comp for a Approved Appt‼️MAY 12,2024 Meet Dr. Pallia & Less than 30 DAYS! Found Multiple Serious Med Problems. ❤️‍🔥👏Explain it All & how to Correct, Tears & Relief. Aug 30,24 Knee Surgery 16 Months Later! My pains Real , Tear Puncture & Bone Fragments. Liar & Fake Im not, 2 Dr.s 1 PT & 2 Chiropractors!! 1 Chiro 2 Exams & 2nd Chiro Puts me on my Side. Bends Knee Foot towards me, Pushes Downward! With Whole body min 250lbs, 2nd Appt! couldn't WALK for 7 DAYS!!! Lost & Dont TRUST any Dr. Except Dr. Pallia...

I seen Dr. Pallia on 3/5 / 25 he told me that he would order more therapy and medication. I stop by his office on 3/7 /25 and asked about the medication and therapy I need for pain and the secretary that was working said my order has not been written up yet so they could not put in for it. This is not the first time I have experienced this from his office. I just seen Dr. Pallia this Wednesday June 25, 2025 and was told there is nothing more he can do for me. Although, I am still having issues with both shoulders, left knee, and my neck. Dr.Pallia put in for more medication, and therapy for my left knee and his office said, it will take a month before I can get any help with the issues I have. I am in worse condition now than when I first started...