Orthopaedic Surgeon William Stetson Earns 11th Castle Connolly Top Doctor Recognition

William B. Stetson, MD, has been recognized as a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the eleventh time he has received this prestigious designation. Only about 7 percent of licensed physicians in the United States are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties within their regions. This repeated recognition underscores Dr. Stetson's consistent clinical excellence and peer respect in the competitive field of orthopaedic surgery.

As an orthopaedic surgeon with Stetson Lee Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, the Burbank practice he co-founded in 2005, Dr. Stetson has maintained private practice since 1995. His specialization in sports medicine, arthroscopy, and surgical treatment of orthopaedic trauma serves patients across all age groups. The significance of his expertise extends to performing arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery for complex injuries of the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle, along with treating arthritis and related orthopaedic conditions.

Dr. Stetson's procedural capabilities include rotator-cuff repair, meniscus repair and meniscectomy, reconstruction of knee ligaments including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation and shoulder bursitis and impingement, and repair and reconstruction of traumatic injuries. His preference for minimally invasive arthroscopic surgeries, while maintaining traditional open surgeries when appropriate, reflects the evolving standards in surgical care that prioritize patient recovery and outcomes. His philosophy emphasizes that "We give each patient individualized, personalized care, and we recommend surgery only when it is necessary," highlighting a patient-centered approach that aligns with quality healthcare delivery.

Board certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery with subspecialty certification in orthopaedic sports medicine, along with fellowships in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Arthroscopy Association of North America, validate his professional standing. Beyond clinical practice, his role as doctor for Olympics Team USA men's and women's indoor volleyball teams demonstrates application of his skills in high-performance environments, potentially influencing sports medicine protocols globally.

Dr. Stetson's contributions to medical education and access are notable through founding Operation Arthroscopy, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing orthopaedic surgery and arthroscopy to underserved populations, and SurgTime, a telesurgery platform that expands access to surgical education. As an adjunct clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine with over 25 years of teaching experience, he impacts future generations of surgeons. His affiliations with Adventist Health Glendale and the co-founded Alameda Surgery Center further integrate his expertise into community healthcare infrastructure.

The Castle Connolly selection process, where Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and chosen by a physician-led research team, adds credibility to this honor. Dr. Stetson's medical education from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, residency at Los Angeles County Medical Center and USC Medical Center, and sports medicine fellowship at the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute, where he learned shoulder and knee arthroscopy from pioneers, provide a foundation for his achievements. Additional accolades, such as the 2007 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, induction into the Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2024, and consistent naming as one of "America's Top Orthopedists" by the Consumers' Research Council of America, reinforce his distinguished career. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://www.castleconnolly.com, with selections based on rigorous criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories, without any payment from doctors.