Dr. Richard Thunder, MD

I had both knees replaced successfully! I was mobile and able to drive within 10 days. My physical therapists were impressed and I credit Dr. Thunder and his team for my recovery.

Dr. Thunder and his staff were responsive to my queries. After the surgery no one was in any hurry to get me out of the hospital; they paid attention to the status of my knee rather than the calendar. I now have a fully functional knee that I can hike and bike with. My recovery (to the point of being able to get around and go places) was quick; and within 2 weeks I was back upstairs in my own bed. Many thanks to the physical therapist for her assistance with my recovery.

Dr. Thunder was very professional and thorough throughout the diagnosis, surgery and post Op. Within 2 weeks of the surgery I went from debilitating pain to 'ZERO' pain. What a difference in quality of life. I would recommend Dr. Thunder and his team without reservation.

Anyone contemplating surgery can understand how intimidating the prospect of surgery can be. I had been putting off hip replacement for that very reason and kept researching the pros and cons of the procedure. When my pain became intolerable, I asked my doctor to refer me to an orthopedic surgeon. I met Dr. Thunder, who was very professional and a good listener. I explained my trepidation about surgery, and he went over the details of the procedure and showed me the parts that make up the artificial hip. He assured me that hip replacement is one of the most successful procedures, and that recovery time is optimal. My surgery went very well. When Dr. Thunder came to my hospital room post-surgery, I asked him if indeed he had replaced my hip, since I didn't feel a lot of pain. I also thanked him for ensuring that my leg wasn't shorter than the other. After he explained how he was able to do that, I concluded that he is a perfectionist, which isn't a bad quality for a surgeon.

I've had two total hip replacements by Dr. Thunder in seven months and am doing great. I so appreciate him. He knows what he is doing, is attentive, listens well to concerns and questions, and answers them concisely and precisely. He is direct, so if you need a "warm and fuzzy", squishy doctor, he probably isn't your person. But he is still nice and personable. I know that I need a surgeon I can trust to give me the best surgical care possible. For me, that is Dr. Thunder.

I was referred to Dr. Thunder by a friend. I was very impressed with his direct, no nonsense approach. If you want ‘warm and fuzzy’, this is not your doctor. But if you want a brilliant, straightforward physician who can work miracles, I highly recommend him. He performed hip replacement for me in December. I have had literally zero pain post-surgery after suffering for two-plus years. Highly recommend him as an exceptionally competent, straight forward surgeon.

Dr. Thunder was recommended by several people I know, including people in the medical field plus former patients who received full knee replacements. My surgery was well planned and performed. Through Dr. Thunder, I am doing follow-up PT at Torrey Pines Orthopedic Medical Group.

Listened attentively to my concerns Did not push for surgery Willing to assist with shots

My experience has been about as bad as one could imagine. In summary, this place is a meat market driven by profit for the doctor, without regard for patient care. I was referred to Dr. Richard Thunder for lower back pain. After waiting a few weeks, I had my first consultation. Five minutes later, he ordered an MRI and went on to next room. My wife and I could believe it when we saw him yelling across the office and a patient who was late! A few weeks later on my second appointment, the MRI showed a herniated disc. Dr. Thunder quickly became a used car salesmen and insisted he would fix it and operate on my back right away. He said that I shouldn’t bother with a second opinion, as nobody would care enough to get me on their schedule. Dr. Thunder walked me and my wife over to the “scheduling bullpen” and insisted with assistant “Ellie” to schedule me at the end of a long day of many surgeries. I’m told that this simple procedure that

I saw mixed reviews about him online so was pleasantly surprised to have an awesome experience today and wanted to share so patients like me in the future go in. He listened well, was thorough in exam, walked me through MRI, answered all my questions, and guided treatment path. His staff was very courteous friendly and on time. Overall awesome and I will definitely be back. Highly recommend.

Met Dr. Thunder to discuss the removal of a synovial cyst that had caused me months of serious sciatic pain and severely limited my activities. Dr Thunder was very sympathetic to my condition and promised to get me into surgery asap. He was able to get it done 4 days later. The responsiveness of his team was exceptional. The pain from the sciatica caused by the cyst was immediately gone and continues that way two weeks post surgery. I'm optimistic about a full recovery and appreciate Dr Thunder and his team addressing this painful issue quickly.

Went to Dr Thunder for some serious back pain. After reviewing the RMI he told me that he would not recommend surgery. That was fine as I would not look forward to surgery. I was not interested in pain meds since I do not tolerate them well. However, his comment to me to "Just live with the pain" completely lacked empathy and showed a lack of interest in helping find a solution that might reduce the pain. He left me having to go find another doctor who took my pain issues seriously and recommended a plan to help control the pain better. I was very disappointed in Dr Thunders lackadaisical, dis-interested attitude. I would not recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Thunder delivered excellent care for my knee replacement surgery and recovery.

I have seen Dr. Thunder about 5 times over the past five years for upper back pain and other pain related to muscle spasm, I have some issues with neck, and shoulders and upper back issues, nothing surgical but muscular but pain is not fun. . He has perscribed Physical therapy and also I have had injections in my upper back muscles which really helped a lot. He is the first doctor I have seen in 10 years that could help me with this upper back pain. I have been to over 5 doctors for this pain and Dr. Thunder was the only one who fixed the pain. He is pretty straight to the point and his bedside manner is not super friendly but that is fine for me. I don't go to him for emotional support. (:

Dr. Thunder listened very carefully and then thoroughly explained my options so that I could make an informed decision on a treatment plan. He is extremely knowledgeable and I completely trust his recommendations and feel strongly I will recover soon.

Dr Thunder is a truly brilliant surgeon. When I went to see him, I had already had a spinal fusion performed out of state. That procedure failed, leaving me in even more pain. Dr Thunder took on the unenviable task of first removing the failed apparatus and then repairing my lower spine. He almost unbelievably accomplished both. I have had no pain since the surgery. From his pre-surgery step-by-step explanation of the procedure to his thorough follow up, Dr Thunder was extraordinary.

I have been a patient of Sierra Park for years but, I hope I never have to go there again. Dr Thunder is not empathic or caring. He tried to tell me spinal stenosis is not painful but, I have it and, its extremley painful. They have no problem charging over 10 thousand dollars for tests and physical therapy but heaven forbid you ask for a prescription for pain meds.

I was very happy with my experiences, and ultimately surgery with Dr. Thunder. He saw me and diagnosed the herniated cervical disc issues I was experiencing which were so severe it resulted in surgery. One week post-surgery, the results are fantastic and I am pain free thanks to Dr. Thunder. For me, he was the perfect doctor to have through this experience and my results could not be better. No pain and an incision closure so great the x-ray tech at post-op appointment had to look closely.

I went to see Dr. Thunder due to a bad leg pain. He just let me go home because I didn't do a MRI before the visit. Why he didn't let me do MRI first before going to visit him? Did he know how painful I was? Waste of money and time, especially for people who are suffering from severe pain and really need good care. NOT recommended.

I agree that Dr. Thunder is a terrible Doctor. I saw him today I wanted him to look at my MRI he yawned and acted like he didn’t want to be there. I was asking him questions about the report and he seemed to be bothered by it, as he walked out of the room. He spent almost 10 mins with me, I was a new patient what a jerk!