Orthopedic Surgeon William B. Stetson Recognized as 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor for Eleventh Time

Dr. William B. Stetson 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 sustained excellence in orthopedic surgery and his significant impact on patient care and medical education.

As an orthopedic 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 encompasses sports medicine, arthroscopy, and surgical treatment of orthopedic trauma, serving patients across all age groups. His particular expertise lies in performing arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery for complex injuries affecting the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle, along with treating arthritis and related orthopedic conditions.

The procedures Dr. Stetson performs 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. He primarily utilizes minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques but also performs traditional open surgeries when medically appropriate. We give each patient individualized, personalized care, and we recommend surgery only when it is necessary, Dr. Stetson emphasizes regarding his treatment philosophy.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Stetson serves as the physician for Olympics Team USA men's and women's indoor volleyball teams, bringing his expertise to elite athletes competing at the highest level. His commitment to expanding access to orthopedic care led him to found Operation Arthroscopy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing orthopedic surgery and arthroscopy to people in need. He also established SurgTime, a telesurgery platform that enhances access to surgical education and interactive resources in real time.

As an adjunct clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Stetson brings over 25 years of teaching experience to medical education. He previously served as a volunteer professor of orthopedic surgery at Los Angeles County Medical Center. His educational background includes earning his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, completing a five-year orthopedic surgery residency at Los Angeles County Medical Center and USC Medical Center, and undertaking a one-year sports medicine fellowship at the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute.

The Castle Connolly selection process involves nomination by peer physicians followed by review by the physician-led research team. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://www.castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications. Doctors cannot pay to be selected as Top Doctors, ensuring the integrity of the recognition process. It is an honor to be nominated by my peers for this award, Dr. Stetson commented on the recognition.

Dr. Stetson's additional honors include receiving the 2007 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, presented annually to only six former NCAA student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in their non-athletic careers, and induction into the Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2024. He has been consistently named one of America's Top Orthopedists by the Consumers' Research Council of America and appears regularly on the Southern California Super Doctors list, where he holds membership in the Southern California Super Doctors Hall of Fame.