Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
510 Castillo Street
Suite 203
Santa Barbara, CA
Top reviews
Todo vien
Explains what needs to be done and answers all Question I ask. Very polite and everyone is very nice and helpful.
Dr. Stuart Hutchinson has served the Santa Barbara community as a spine specialist and surgeon since 1980. He practices at Alta Orthopaedics, located in Solvang, Santa Barbara, and Oxnard, California. His grandfather was a doctor and his father was a prominent general surgeon in Seattle. As a child, it was clear to him that he wanted to follow the same path in the medical field.
Watching how his father treated people and how much his patients loved him, taught Dr. Hutchinson the importance of connecting with patients on a very human level. He believes that part of the art of medicine is to treat them with care and compassion, and to be sensitive to their needs. That means he takes time to listen carefully to his patients’ concerns and to discern whether issues in other areas — not always physical — are affecting the patient’s overall well-being and ability to heal.
During his 5 years of medical training in South Africa he learned that, given time, patients can often heal without surgery. Some situations require immediate surgery. It’s important to recognize those. But he favors a less invasive approach that steers away from the current trend of offering surgery as the first treatment option.
In 1985 Dr. Hutchinson teamed up with Dr. William Dunbar, to establish the first local center for orthopaedic surgeons who wanted to specialize in more focused areas, such as spine surgery or foot and ankle surgery. Their center grew into what is today Alta Orthopaedics.
Dr. Hutchinson draws inspiration and energy from nature and being outdoors. He likes to play golf and hike the beautiful Santa Ynez mountains. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Whitney, and Mount Rainer, and has snow skied in Utah and Colorado. Dr. Hutchinson’s family is close by in Southern California and Arizona.
VOLUNTEERING
Dr. Hutchinson has a deep personal connection to the world of volunteering. His father founded the non-profit Fred Hutchinson Research Cancer Center in Seattle, after his uncle, a Big League pitcher, died of lung cancer at age 45. Today it is renowned as one of the best cancer centers in the country and the best place in the world for bone marrow transplants. It has produced three Nobel prize winners over the last 20 years. Dr. Hutchinson serves on their Board of Ambassadors and MCs their annual fundraiser in Palm Springs.
SPECIALTY WITHIN SPINE SURGERY: KYPHOPLASTY
Dr. Hutchinson was the first surgeon in the Tri-Counties to perform kyphoplasty to treat compression fractures of the spine. Today he is the only surgeon in Santa Barbara who uses this procedure. Pain goes away immediately and patients get great results. They can return to daily activities much more rapidly than with more invasive methods of treatment.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Participating physician in the Summer Olympics 1984
Co-founder of Orthopaedic Specialists, Santa Barbara, which later became Alta Orthopaedics
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Arizona.
Completed his medical training at the prestigious Stellenbosch University in South Africa where he spent 5 years
Certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, September 1982
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons since 1985
Active member of the North American Spine Society since 1985
Member of the South Africa Orthopedic Association since 1990
ACL
Elbow Tendon Pathology
Fractures
Meniscus Tears
Rotator Cuff Disease and Calcific Tendonitis
Shoulder Dislocation & Instability
Shoulder Replacement
Tommy John Surgery
Locations (3)
Alta Orthopaedics
510 Castillo Street
Suite 203
Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Alta Orthopaedics
2027 Village Lane
Suite 101
Solvang, CA, 93463
Alta Orthopaedics
210 Palisade Drive
Suite 201
Santa Maria, CA, 93454
More About Stuart Hutchinson, md
Practice
Specialties
Insurance
NPI Number
1922110329
Provider's Gender
Male
Reviews
Very professional atmosphere the only thing I would have to say is that I've always had to wait 45min to an hour for my appointment s which is disappointing
Todo vien
Explains what needs to be done and answers all Question I ask. Very polite and everyone is very nice and helpful.
Excellent
Karina is wonderful, and knowledgeable. She always makes me feel comfortable. Myrna
Hi, we are waiting another month to see doctor and have scheduled the CT scan the assistant ordered. Still in pain.
Karina Worden is very professional and good at her job. I was in yesterday 6/14 for a cortisone infection in my knee. She did a great job and I was worried for no reason! Today I have no pain in my knee! It feels great!! Thank you Karina I really feel better!
On time; PA extremely thorough and knowledge
She answers all my question
Highly skilled with a wonderful caring demeanor. Fully recommend
Very kind and professional
PA Worden was very nice and explained the treatment plan and epidural procedure well. Front desk staff that was not helpful when I told them I could not sit and needed a place to place complete the intake forms. I found a small counter in a hallway but it was so akward I fell down. Someone eventually found a small room where I could lie down. There was also a lot of confusion between Alta and Pueblo Radiology re Pueblo’s need to review the spinal X-rays your off ice took. After many phone calls your office agreed to provide my X-rays husband for $10.00 but would not provide the X-rays directly to Pueblo. We brought the CD w/ X-rays to the Pueblo epidural appointment but they said it was too late and couldn’t use them. The epidural went fine but the radiologist only injected one area— not two areas as you directed. He relied ONLY on the MRI and refused to view or keep the X-ray CD from your office that we brought with us
Excellent all around. Extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Thank you so much!
Alta Orthopedics rocks! Everyone at Alta Orthopedic, from when you enter the door, get seated in your room, have xrays when needed, to when you leave are professional, considerate, knowledgeable and effcient. Upon arrival folks in the front office always greet you and are ready to get you situated for your appointment. The PA is so incredibley knowledgeable and considerate in answering all my questions. She is very good. I have been using Alta Orhtopedic for treating Osteoarthritis in my knees for 6 years and their quality treatment and knowledgeable expertise enables me to continue my active lifestyle managing my ranch, riding my horses, hiking and running agility with my dog! I am so very grateful to Michelle Meredith, Dr. Proctor and all the Alta Orthopedic Solvang staff! They are the best!
Very good. Very informative. Your staff were very pleasant and helpful. Would recommend your services to anyone.
Karina took the time to review the results of my imaging with me, and make a treatment plan for me. She was very helpful, and answered my questions.
Great facility. Warm friendly efficient staff that are all very hard working. Michelle Meridith is an outstanding practicioner with exceptional patient skills. She is gifted particularly in the use of ultrasound guided joint injections. After 15 years of personal experience with many, her skills are by far the best I have ever encountered.
Es una excelente atencion
Most excellent- extra step professionalism!
Karina My visit with her was very informative regarding my upcoming survey! She is pleasant, patient, very nice! Good addition to Alta orthepaedics!
Michelle is amazing!
Very attentive. Has answers and solutions to questions readily available.
They got me scheduled on short notice. Their team is profession, accomodating and efficient.
Michelle is great. Caring and professional.
Helped my Dad w/ back spasms
Dont want to said anything
She always listens and seems to care about her patients. I trust her about treatment options.
Profesional snd thoughtful about my needs
The BEST!!!!
Michelle is the best!
