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

Orthopaedic surgeon William B. Stetson, MD, has been recognized as a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the eleventh time he has received this prestigious designation. This honor places him among an elite group, as 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.

Dr. Stetson, who co-founded Stetson Lee Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Burbank in 2005, has been in private practice since 1995. His specialization encompasses sports medicine, arthroscopy, and surgical treatment of orthopaedic 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 orthopaedic conditions.

The surgical 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. Dr. Stetson emphasizes his practice philosophy: "We give each patient individualized, personalized care, and we recommend surgery only when it is necessary."

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Stetson maintains significant academic and professional contributions. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery with subspecialty certification in orthopaedic sports medicine and holds Fellow status with both the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. His professional reach extends to international sports medicine, serving as the physician for Olympics Team USA men's and women's indoor volleyball teams.

Dr. Stetson's innovative contributions to healthcare include founding Operation Arthroscopy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing orthopaedic surgery and arthroscopy to underserved populations, and SurgTime, a telesurgery platform that expands and enhances access to surgical education and interactive resources in real time. His educational roles include serving as an adjunct clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, building on more than 25 years of teaching experience that includes previous service as a volunteer professor of orthopaedic surgery at Los Angeles County Medical Center.

The Castle Connolly selection process involves nomination by peer physicians followed by review by the physician-led research team. Dr. Stetson acknowledged the significance of this peer recognition, stating, "It is an honor to be nominated by my peers for this award." Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://www.castleconnolly.com and maintains rigorous selection criteria that include medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories, with doctors unable to pay for selection.

Dr. Stetson's medical credentials include earning his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, completing a five-year orthopaedic surgery residency at Los Angeles County Medical Center and USC Medical Center, and a one-year sports medicine fellowship at the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute where he learned shoulder and knee arthroscopy from pioneers in the field. His career achievements extend beyond medical practice to include the 2007 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, induction into the Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2024, consistent recognition as one of "America's Top Orthopedists" by the Consumers' Research Council of America, and long-standing inclusion on the Southern California Super Doctors list with membership in the Southern California Super Doctors Hall of Fame.