Edward Diao, MD

I did my research and found the BEST HAND SURGEON on the West coast. Dr. Diao performed a THUMB CARTILAGE REPLACEMENT on my right thumb. I have been typing for over 40 years and wore out the cartilage in my right thumb. He inserted a cartilage replacement and it felt like getting a completely new hand. It has been quite some time since the surgery and the hand and thumb still feel like new. Pain is down to zero and I am amazed. The surgery was easy — I was prepped every step of the way and the office staff were always on hand to answer questions. Dr. Diao has great patient rapport, very down-​to-​earth, kind, patient. And speaking of the office staff and medical assistants: each one of them are polite, well-​spoken and sweet. Dr. Diao is in demand and his staff are quick to return calls and answer all questions. I feel blessed to have been guided to Dr. Diao. The experience was excellent from beginning to end. I am so grateful to Dr. Diao and his excellent staff.

I had a great experience with Dr. Diao, he is extremely patient oriented and easy to talk to, and I had a great result. I broke my hand one morning, was able to see him that afternoon and have surgery to put pins in the next day — this is due to his great staff who are very helpful, return calls promptly and go out of their way to accommodate patients. the whole experience was a breath of fresh air compared to dealing with many other doctors with undue formality and indifferent staff.

I first saw Dr. Diao in 1999 long before he had his own practice. I was a referred to him by a trusted surgeon in Boston. I had a good experience with him then. I recently had need of a hand surgeon, again. A decade and a half later, he’s still a pleasure to work with.
This time around, I ended up with a billing issue and I’m pleased to report that his office worked through it with integrity.
Recommended.

I had hand surgery from Dr. Diao in November 2010. It was the worse decision of my life. I injured my pinkie when I was younger causing a Boutonnière Deformity in my right pinkie finger. Dr. Diao said that he could fix the problem and straighten my pinkie finger. He said that it was minor surgery… It was the most painful surgery I have ever had. I was in pain for over 9 months and had to go to extensive rehab. It has now been over 4 years and my pinkie finger is not straight and has a hard bulging scare tissue around the middle joint which makes it difficult to bind. I have lost mobility in my right pinkie and can no longer make a solid fist. In receiving a second opinion, I was told that I was not a good candidate for the surgery. I regret getting this expensive and unnecessary surgery from Dr. Diao. He over charged me for a surgery that never should have been done in the first place. I suggest getting a second or third opinion before going under the knife with Dr. Diao.

I went to Dr Diao for carpel tunnel-​like symptoms, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to talk to him. He was super friendly, listened patiently, and examined me thoroughly (including xrays). (I usually feel with doctors that I have to spit everything out quickly, and that it’s a race for them to get me out the door.) That was not the case with Dr Diao; I was there for a full hour.
As for the office staff, I left a message one evening after hours, and they called me back at 8:30am the next morning, and got me in by 11:30am the same day. What a GREAT experience. I look forward to working with Dr Diao for my on-​going treatment.

Dr. Diao changed my life. After living with thumb everyday pain for 2 years at 26 years old I needed someone great.
I saw almost a dozen hand surgeons, considered the best in various cities, over 2 years to resolve my issue. None had confidence or even seemed to know what was my issue.
Diao identified my problems in a matter of seconds. I never had a painful day post surgery. My recovery has been rapid. My joint stability and strength has impressed my therapists as well as my expectations.
I enjoyed Diao’s personality. He provided me amble time to ask questions and was thorough in explaining what is going on. He has a fantastic real time xray machine that showed me a lot of data. Come prepared with questions and you’ll get answers. If you dont ask questions, shame on you, as Diao won’t waste your time so be engaged.
I couldn’t be more happy about my choice going with Diao. Hope to never need him again but if I do, he will be my only choice.

My experience with Dr. Diao was … well let me share my thoughts. I had previously been visiting a clinic in Richmond CA, with no results, so I notified my insurance company, they ok’ed me to visit a real doctor, after 2 visits I asked to see someone else, that Dr. didn’t seem to know much about my symptoms.
Dr. Diao came off very confident, I enjoyed that since I had been in so much pain a long time, he diagnosed me with «Left index finger flexor tenosynovitis» aka; trigger finger. What bugged me was the 2 office visits and 2 shots (cortisone?) in the hand which did nothing. I knew it wouldn’t alleviate the pain and it did nothing but waste everyone’s time. So his confidence I started to question. He presented with the above, Left finger flexor blahblah … I really wish, but insurance companies take the short way, wish I had a MRI to really see/​diagnose what was really going on.
Ok, I received the surgery, no complaints there, folks were all nice, BUT now my finger hurts, burns & sometimes numb. I received no therapy, just 2 office visits and good bye.
I have no bad feelings towards the Dr. and I would recommend him but it may have been the insurance company that had him fallow a protocol that doesn’t help the patient … I dunno.

When I found Dr. Diao (at the recommendation of another respected surgeon who treated a friend) it was just in the nick of time. I was 27 years old, and 1 week away from a «Permanent Disability» diagnosis ending my 6 year career as a Registered Nurse. After tearing the cartilage in my wrist when lifting a patient, I had already gone through a TFCC (wrist cartilage) repair and 10 months of pain, PT/​OT, and an unsuccessful recovery. My previous surgeon had told me the only option to help the pain, and attempt to return my mobility enough to go back to work was an ulnar shortening (sawing the arm bone in half, taking out a wedge, and putting the 2 pieces of bone back together with a plate and screws). Resistant to another painful, invasive surgery, I went to Dr Diao for a second opinion. He was very confident that a simpler procedure and less invasive approach would get me back to work. Fast forward to today (almost a year later) — I was back to work 3 months post-​surgery and was able to keep my position as an RN, with no limitations! I am more grateful than words can express to have my wrist back, keep my job, and return to my previously active and athletic lifestyle.
In response to some of the other comments– Dr Diao (and his staff) has been nothing but friendly, patient, and professional. Regardless, I think competency and surgical skill is far more important than a doctor making you feel warm and fuzzy. I think my own experience in the medical field (majority as a critical care nurse) should add validity to my review, as well as the fact that my husband is also an orthopaedic surgeon and was equally impressed with Dr Diao.

Dr. Diao was very friendly, attentive and easy to relate to. He properly treated my «mallet finger» (same injury as Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giant fans) and it’s healed now. He also gave me good advice on how much athletic activity I should be engaging in at my age! The staff were all very efficient, friendly and courteous.

I had a bad experience overall.
I was not informed regarding the charges for the procedures (like ultra sound which I could have denied as I was already told that everything is fine based on my x-​ray). Moreover this was done on both my hands and I was double billed (I had sprain only in one hand). I found out about the charges only when I received the copy of the huge bill.
Then I called to their billing office and requested if they could at least not charge me for the ultra-​sound procedure done on my good hand and I was told to expect a call back next week. But all I got was another copy of bill. After sending the check by mail, I called to check if they received it but the person in charge of San Francisco office was out and I was told that I will get a call back. I did not get any call back but instead after a few hours when I checked my online bank statement I saw that they just deposited my check. I did not appreciate their indirect approach at all.

I highly recommend Dr Diao and his staff as well as the surgery center. Great expereince and results. I had two hand surgeries after hit by a cyclist and shattered joints. They are the best!

I had contracted tendons in both hands. Dr. Diao was very patient and respectful in discussing options. He was never condescending, but would make recommendations: surgery for one and injections for the other, which I did and am pleased with the result. I waited too long for surgery, and my finger did not fully straiten. When I told Dr. Diao that it was functional just a little uncomfortable he said there was no need to re-​set it if it wasn’t a problem for me.
I also found Dr. Diao to be very mindful of my financial concerns and insurance coverage.

Background on my injury — I fell from about an 8ft height onto a concrete walkway and broke my scaphoid bone and dislocated my hand. The injury is technically called a ‘trans-​scaphoid perilunate dislocation.’ Scary, and painful. After a night in the ER I went to the SF Hand Clinic the next day — Dr. Kyle Bickel’s practice — and he told me that I had suffered an extremely traumatic injury and diagrammed how he would fix it. He would place a pin in the bone and heshowed the complicated pin-​and-​suture technique he would use to fix all the ligaments I had torn in the dislocation. After surgery Dr. Bickel told me I would be in a cast for 6 weeks, a removable splint for another month or two while I began physical therapy, and then after 6 months to a year I could return to physical activity i.e. workouts, my sports (basketball, skiing, ultimate frisbee). The best I could hope for was about 75% of the abilities in my wrist back.
Needless to say I was pretty upset at this outcome and I sought a second opinion with Dr. Diao. This was the best decision I could have made. He diagnosed the exact same injury but his outcome was very, very different. He would pin the bone just like the other doctor, but he would allow the ligaments to heal themselves rather than using any pin/​suture or other technique. I’d have two weeks in a soft cast after surgery, then a removable splint for another couple of weeks while I began PT. After a month or six weeks, I could return to my sports and workouts if all went well. This is exactly what happened — I was back on the field playing ultimate literally four weeks after the surgery, wearing a splint and playing mostly with my other hand, but just being out there was so much better than I would have hoped for initially. Dr. Diao’s technique allowed me to begin regaining my range of motion after just two weeks post-​operation, while the other doctor would have had me in a cast for six weeks creating stiffness and really limiting my long term outcome. I’m two months out now, and totally free of restrictions i.e. I can do any activities involving my wrist. With the first opinion, I would be working really hard right now just to shed stiffness and regain range of motion, and I’d be limited to stationary bike workouts or jogging.
Dr. Diao is not a businessman, he’s just a great doctor. The diagnosis and recommendation he gave me wasn’t about what ‘the book’ says about medical care. He knew that I was an active patient, that I would be diligent in following PT instructions and rehabilitating myself, and that he could use a more aggressive approach with me. The other doctor recommended the ‘by the book’ conservative solution, which would have limited my long-​term ability to use my wrist, but would have resulted in the largest possible insurance claim and revenue for his business. I couldn’t recommend Dr. Diao more highly, I just feel that this is the absolute best-​case outcome for me, that he did a terrific job really understanding my injury and my unique case. He’s extremely well regarded in the academic and medical worlds as well — I found him through a recommendation by one of the top hand surgeons in New York City, and he teaches about wrist and hand surgeries to medical students as he’s a leader in the field.
In summary — overall, always seek a second opinion, I learned that lesson from this situation. And if you need wrist or hand surgery in the Bay Area you should absolutely pay a visit to Dr. Diao.

I haven’t see Dr. Diao in a while, mostly because my arm is still good. In fact, it’s stronger than ever. It’s been more than a year since my surgery… I should make an appointment to see him. Looking forward to squeezing the hell out of that dynamometer!

Dr Diao did not perform the procedure as he told me it would be done. He even blamed the drill for malfunctioning. I went to Dr William Green and he expertly repaired my hand… a remedial surgery due to the damage done by Dr Diao’s treatment. Again, Dr Diao blamed the drill «it wasnt supposed to do that». One word comes to mind: runaway

It’s been two years since my last visit with Dr. Diao and I have to say that the service continues to be great! I am volunteer cheerleader with Cheer San Francisco and occasionally sprain my digits from our stunts. My first visit with Dr, Diao was great. He accessed my injury to my thumb and recommended therapy vs. surgery.
This week I saw him again for another injury to my thumb. i was able to schedule a visit the next day and the staff provided me with all the information I needed prior to my visit. I arrived 10 minutes early and the staff had my information ready. Dr. Diao promptly saw me at my scheduled time. I have a follow up visit in a month and will report back on my experience. So far it is a 5 star for service!

Very surprised by the negative ratings for Dr Diao. I can only say good things about him and his staff.
A few years ago, I had an accident and needed hand surgery for a severed tendon. Before the surgery, your hand needs to be put splint and must stay immobile. Dr. Diao and staff scheduled me into surgery in just a few days (to minimize the risk the tendon would retract further.)
During the surgery (and post-​op visits), everyone was very professional. They hid the scars well and they did a great job by me.
If ever I needed a hand surgeon, I’d run straight back to Dr. Diao.

After falling down a small staircase, I broke my left wrist in four places. Dr. Diao was recommended as a hand/​wrist specialist.
In a very busy office with many patients coming and going, I was pleased with the friendly and accommodating staff. Dr. Diao immediately removed the cast that was put on in the emergency room as this was causing severe swelling. I was put into a much gentler removable splint, given instructions on how to care for my wrist, and went into surgery a few days later. There is a surgery unit conveniently located at the office location. No hospital. My attending nurse was an absolute angel and the rest of the staff, great. With four pins in my wrist, waiting time for healing was much shorter than a cast would have been. I am very happy with the outcome.
Yes, there are times when you must wait in doctor’s offices, but I find this to be the norm. I did not find Dr. Diao to be anything but professional in his demeanor. Doctors have many expenses and Insurance companies pay the minimum. This explains why most doctors rush and see many patients.

I saw Dr. Diao per a recommendation and did not enjoy my experience either. Besides overhearing him yelling @ his front office staff member, I already knew I won’t like the guy.
He rushed through my appointment and came off Rude.
I would search on Unilocal for a better Hand Doc in SF.

I think Dr. Diao was nonchalant, condescending and disrespectful. He rushed through my appointment and did not explain my diagnosis. He gave me an injection that I had to ask what it was for and how it would help. I was so overwhelmed by his brashness, that I didn’t bother asking anymore questions, and left with a painful wrist not knowing the pain would last 6 – 8 hours later. Then he said if it still hurt in a month I should make another appointment. I definitely did not do that, and went to another doctor who treated me much more humanely. I felt like if I wasn’t young, Asian and female Dr. Diao would have treated me with a bit more respect.
The only decency I was shown was from the staff member who took my vitals and whatever preliminary tests. She was kind and helpful.
Also, the office sent me a bill several months later, which I had already paid (I have the proof on my credit card bill with the date of my visit). I didn’t want to have to deal with them again, but now I must.
[Final update, turns out the injection Dr. Diao administered was done poorly, because when I got a similar injection from the second doctor he told me it shouldn’t be painful, and it actually relieved my symptoms. Must’ve been the right drugs this time in combination with an accurate shot that cured my painful wrist in one fell swoop. Thank you Dr. William Green!]