Dr. George J. Zambetti Jr, MD

Terrible experience. The doctor spent so little time reviewing my diagnosis (a knee ailment) and exhibited so little care in doing so, that I had to see another doctor as I found his opinion valueless. But unfortunately not free.

I went to Dr Zambetti today and was so scared something was really wrong with me. I had lumps under my legs I was in his office almost in tears and he came in quickly calmed me down made a few jokes and the second he touched my knee he said those are cysts and they were normal. I was still scared and said are you sure? He said I’ll prove it then drained them in a few minutes and sent me on my way. I suggest anyone that needs something within his practice to go see him, great guy amazing doctor id say!

I never go to the doctor, and this was the first time in my adult life that I have. I had a shoulder injury that was still significantly painful. I showed up 10 minutes before my scheduled appointment and was made to wait nearly an hour before Dr. Zambetti «diagnosed» my issue.
He ran through a series of visual inspections and hand pushing exercises to determine any problems, this lasted all of 5 minutes. No x-​rays, no MRI… He said it should be better soon and said I could leave. Two weeks later and I’m still feeling pain, stiffness in my arm, lack of strength and nerve impingement when I move it. Needless to say I’m filing a complaint with my insurance company and also going to see another doctor.
I’m upset that I did not read these reviews before, as I would never have gone if I had.

I almost never write Unilocal reviews, but I feel obligated to write this one to help people avoid wasting their money and time on Dr. Zambetti. Go to another orthopedic doctor. Absolutely horrible. Such a frustrating and disappointing experience.
Short version:
He comes off arrogant, uncaring, and actually withholds information. I got an MRI for pain in my hip. Dr. Zambetti was unreachable for days after (the results were ready within 24 hours), so I called the radiology lab for the results directly. It ended up being a torn labrum. When Dr. Zambetti called, he said there was nothing wrong with my hip and I can go back to training for a marathon. I told him I saw the results myself and saw there was a tear; he back-​stepped and told me to take a month off… seriously?! Forget about asking him for any insightful information about the issue; he doesn’t offer it and gives curt, uninformative answers when asked questions. I had to ask him for a physical therapist prescription — he was going to just let me do nothing and then run a marathon less than four months later.
Longer version:
I had a similar experience as the other reviewers, Anna and April. Dr. Zambetti comes off as arrogant and uncaring. And yes, I spent a ridiculously disproportionate amount of time waiting in his office compared to the amount of time I actually spent with Dr. Zambetti.
I went to Dr. Zambetti for pain in my knee that prevented me from running. I scheduled an appointment for a Tuesday at 12:15 pm; the morning of, I received a call letting me know that he rescheduled me for later that afternoon for 4:15 pm (no reason provided). I got there early at 4 pm, but didn’t see him until after 5:15 pm (the office was not busy). After waiting over an hour, he spent all of a minute looking at my knee before telling me not to worry about it, and that I should do more core exercises… no other explanation provided about the pain. After offering him more information about my background and marathon training (he didn’t ask, I had to just uncomfortably speak to it), he diagnosed hip pain I was also experiencing as a hip stress fracture saying that I should get an MRI. When I tried to ask questions — such as what would happen if I tried to run through it – he gave curt, uninformative answers such as «your hip will break,» without offering any other information. The MRI results came back (I had to call the radiology lab directly because Dr. Zambetti was unreachable) and I ended up have a torn labrum. When he finally called to discuss the results, he said: «so the results are back and there’s nothing wrong with your hip. You can go back to doing what you were doing.» What I was doing was training for a marathon… I told him that I saw the results and that it said I had a torn labrum. He immediately back-​stepped saying, «well, that’s common for runners (as if that excuses him withholding the information about my injury), and that I should probably take a month off.» I need to get a second opinion, if for nothing else because I want to speak with someone who cares and will take the time to offer explanations with the insight that should come with a medical degree. Save your time and money and go directly to someone else.
It’s also worth noting that I got the MRI on Thursday, and didn’t hear back from him until the end of the Tuesday of the following week. I called a few times each day in the interim trying to reach him to discuss the results, which were ready, and he was never reachable and never returned my call. On one of the days he didn’t get in until after 10 am, and the receptionist left the office shortly after 4 pm. MRI results should be a 24 hour turnaround… and they were… except that I couldn’t get Dr. Zambetti to discuss them with me. I wasted a week waiting when I could have started my physical therapy earlier to get ready for the marathon. Not to mention if I didn’t bother getting the results myself (due to Dr. Zambetti’s unresponsiveness), I would have been left wondering what the mysterious pain was in my hip, since the doctor said «everything was fine,» probably hurting myself worse.

I was referred to Dr. Zambetti by the CityMD urgent care clinic after they diagnosed me with a fractured metatarsal (foot). Dr. Zambetti examined me the following day and told me that although the bone was indeed fractured, the fracture was tiny and that CityMD had treated me «way too conservatively» by putting my foot in a soft splint and instructing me to refrain from weight bearing. Dr. Zambetti told me to use the crutches for a few days, bear weight as tolerated, and gave me a soft orthopedic shoe that he said I would need to wear for only a few days. He also told me that he did not need to see me for a follow up. I followed Dr. Zambetti’s advice, and within days, the swelling and pain in my foot increased substantially. I sought a second opinion from an excellent orthopedist (Dr. Donald Rose), who told me that I should have been completely non weight bearing for six weeks and provided me with a walking boot. He also told me that because of how my foot was treated initially by Dr. Zambetti, I might have to undergo surgery (insertion of screws and a plate). Fortunately, I was able to avoid surgery, but I did experience a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering as a result of Dr. Zambetti’s careless treatment. One other note: shortly after my visit, I had asked Dr. Zambetti to provide me with my records, and his office has failed to do so. Based on my experience, I would not recommend Dr. Zambetti to any future patients.

The prior 5 star reviews look highly questionable to me. I visited earlier in the year for a rotator cuff injury after having fallen down a flight of stairs. The pain was severe and I was questioning whether I needed an MRI. The visit lasted all of 5 minutes after a brief diagnosis and a simple, «nothing further needed». I was billed $ 500 for this «consultation». Would never return and wish I had done my research before scheduling this appointment. I would avoid.

The best. today is Sunday 3÷15÷15. He is the best. I had the pleasure to work in Amsurg with Dr Zambetti and register his patient. All his patient have confident in him. Now I had the opportunity to be a patient and now I can tell first hand he is the best in his Field. Thank u for healing me. I use to say to his patients you’ll be dancing tomorrow. Lol the 3^rd day if feel I can walk with no pain after 5 months of suffering.

I’ve seen Dr. Zambetti on a few occasions over the past ten years but never required surgery until getting the results of an MRI several weeks ago showing tears in both meniscuses in my knee. Surgery was scheduled promptly although due to the local hospital being out of network for my Aetna policy, his office suggested I travel to New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, where he had recently joined the surgical staff. While I was initially skeptical leaving Manhattan for treatment in the burbs, it turned out to be a very pleasant experience. After a 23 minute Über ride from my upper westside apt., I arrived at the hospital at 9:30 and was promptly ushered into my semi private room where Nurse Vicky prepped me for surgery. By 11 am I was in the operating room where the staff was unfailingly polite, helpful and nice. Dr. Zambetti’s manner was engaging, confident, and clearly in charge which completely relieved my anxiety.
By 1 pm I was back in my room enjoying the turkey sandwich Nurse Vicky had earlier promised. By 3 pm had returned to my UWS apartment resting comfortably and even took a business conference call at 4.
After a pain free weekend of bed rest, I was in the office Monday aided by crutches. Tuesday I was able to walk without aid. A week after surgery, the knee is pain free, solid, and a bit stiff. Not being a medical professional, it’s hard for me to rate Dr. Zambetti’s performance against his peers, but I can say the experience far outperformed by expectations and, therefore, earns 5 stars from me.

June 27, 2014, I underwent my second knee surgery (miniscus tear) with Dr. George J. Zambetti Jr, MD. August 14, I finished my second climb (11 miles round trip) of Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires. August 15, I completed a 32 mile bike ride through the Berkshires.
Eight years ago, Dr. Zambetti repaired my right knee (also miniscus) and I recalled that the post-​op process went exactly as described. I was walking in two days with a cane and five days later lost the cane. It took me much longer to recover after the first surgery mostly due to my fear of reinjury.
After surgery on June 27, 2014, I lost the cane in two days and began riding my bike after seven days. Nothing strenuous just a few miles, no hills. I lost the limp after 15 days. Still had trouble on stairs especially down. Pain while walking began to diminish and didnt need Ibuprofin to start my day. I ride a bike 15 – 20 miles per day at least five days a week. That includes some pretty significant hill climbs.
So after forty nine days I would consider the surgery a great success. Mt. Greylock is 3500 feet if you’re curious and I have climbed the steepest trails.
For context, a little about me: I am male, fifty-​six this September. I stay healthy and active through exercise including extensive hiking, biking and proper nutrition.
I wrote this review because if you’re seriously hurting in knee or shoulder you should visit Dr. Zambetti’s practice and take his advice. I did and I am much better for it. Twice! He has my greatest confidence and highest recommendation.

I had had a torn meniscus for 20 years, and it started hurting (a lot) about a month ago. My physician referred me to Dr. Zambetti, who saw me within a couple of days, got me an MRI appointment a couple of days after that, and then saw me again for the results a couple of days after that.
A badly torn meniscus, which required arthroscopic surgery, scheduled for the following week. Less than two weeks from the initial appointment with the GP to the surgery. Plus, I dropped by his office, without an appointment, to find out what exactly the procedure would be, and he took ten minutes out of his day (right away!) to talk me through it.
The surgery was quick, the following pain manageable (thanks, Tramadol!) and the swelling slowly went away.
It’s now two weeks later, and my knee is back to 98%. I’m extremely happy with the results, and with Dr Zambetti.

I came to Dr. Zambetti with knee pain which turned out to be a torn meniscus after being confirmed via MRI. I went to this particular doctor because it was a sports related injury and he is the Fordham Univeristy basketball team’s orthopedist which gave me some confidence that he would understand my injury and recovery concerns a bit more than a typical ortho.
It was pretty straight forward from then on. I scheduled a surgery at my convenience, which was on a Friday based on Dr. Z’s availability, and was back to work the following Tuesday. Prior to the surgery, I was told what to expect and how long it will take to get back to my normal state. I had a good overall experience with Dr. Zambetti and if necessary, will use his services again.

Going to Dr. Zambetti was a total waste of time. When I explained to him that I had knee pain so severe that I almost fell down a flight of stairs, he did not seem to care. I also told him that many people in my family have knee pain and have undergone surgery. His response to that was that it was irrelevant. Then he tapped my knees a couple of times and added resistance to flexing my legs. His diagnosis was that my core is weak (which is not true considering I work out at least 5 days a week at the gym and taking yoga classes, which I told him) which was putting pressure on my knees. He recommended that I get a personal trainer to take palates and that any problem I may think I have is all in my head.
Do not become a doctor if you are going to be passive and make me feel embarrassed for even coming in to see a doctor.
I still have pain in my knees.

I went to Dr. Zambetti with a knee injury from a skiing accident. He spent five minutes with me, was very dismissive and told me it was a knee sprain and that I should be fine in a week. Grasping for a few more minutes and answers to why my knee was hurting so badly I told him I had been icing it at night and asked what part of the knee would have been sprained. His answer, «It doesn’t even matter at this point,» and to the icing, «You don’t even need to do that anymore.» He made me feel as though it was embarrassing I had even sought medical help.
Following Dr. Zambetti’s advice, I continued with my training for a half marathon, but my knee seemed to be getting worse, not better. I went to another Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. William Schell (whom I HIGHLY recommend), who showed me a model of the knee to explain which part had been injured and why, ordered an X Ray and an MRI and found that I had a partially torn ACL with significant bone bruising, which could require surgery. Dr. Zambetti’s dismissive behavior and misdiagnosis has probably made my injury worse.

I have gone to Dr. Zambetti for a couple of different things. I was attracted by his long standing with Fordam University, among other things. I recently needed knee surgery (meniscus) and while I felt comfortable going to Dr. Zambetti, I did go online and read some reviews. It seems to me that the negative reviews were from people who never underwent surgery with Dr. Zambetti, so I significantly discounted them. The day of my surgery, no less than three of the nurses at Roosevelt Hospital told me that he was their favorite; that he is an excellent surgeon and has a wonderful bedside manner. Tomorrow will be one week since my surgery and I can say first hand that Dr. Zambetti is a magician! My knee feels great. I have little swelling, the bleeding has completely stopped and I am walking to work over a mile! I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Zambetti and his abilities. Thank you, Doc!
Thomas Zucosky

I went in regarding pain in my thighs, spine, and lower body area; the man basically said I was young (under 30) and need not worry about this sort of thing. Didn’t prescribe or recommend a single thing other than saying I’m fine. The pain is still present.

This guy is a total idiot. I went to him with numbing pain in my ankle and calf, and he told me I was fine and that I needed to wait until I injured myself more seriously before coming back to him.
Then I went to a physical therapist I had worked with previously, and she told me I had tendonitis and a sprained ankle, that I needed to take a few weeks off of soccer practice, gave me some exercises to work it out.
Never had a worst experience with a doctor.