Dr. Robert Dunbar
Orthopedic Surgery
Seattle, WA
30 years experience male
Locations
Office
Seattle, WA
Insurances accepted
Medicaid
Medicare
Molina Healthcare
Premera Blue Cross
Regence BlueCross BlueShield
About
Bio
I am an orthopaedic surgeon with specialized training in trauma and fracture care. I work at Harborview Medical Center, a busy level I trauma center in Seattle, affiliated with the University of Washington.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Surgery
Doctor Q&A
60 Answers
12 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
ORIF: O.R.I.F. Or open reduction and internal fixation is when an orthopedic surgeon identifies the fracture fragments (with open surgery), then places the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Pain : Pain can come from a lot of sources. Stiffness can cause pain as you reach the limits of your lessened arc of motion. Weakness can also be a source of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
So, : So, the short answer is, "yes", such procedures are done for folks who have significant functional impairment. The longer answer is that this can be a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
It's : It's not unusual to have an increase in swelling for a few days after an injury and this may be accentuated by any manipulation that your doctor did t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
It : It sort of depends on where the fracture is, but this is a somewhat unusual situation. We typically do not advocate surgery for (what sounds like) a n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
There's : There's really not enough information to answer this question. Just the same "something neurological" really isn't a diagnosis and more investigation ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Chest trauma: The scapula is the medical name for the shoulder blade. The scapula bone is extremely thin & may fracture after any significant chest wall trauma. If ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends: Fracture pain is variable, depending on patient factors, the amount of energy absorbed and the displacement of the fracture. It's often fairly persist... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 56-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
See Ortho Hip MD: There are different potential causes for your discomfort. At 56, you may be startingto get some degenerative changes (arthritis) in your hip. Alternat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Hard to tell.: While a so-called "avulsion fracture" of the cubiod may represent just a small piece of bone pulled from the native cuboid, it's difficult for me to t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
What is upper leg?: Before answering this question, it would be better to define what exactly is meant by the term "upper leg". Orthopaedic surgeons (and others) typicall... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends: There are various types of oi, as i imagine you are aware. Some types are worse than others and respond better or worse to treatment.
Bisphosphona... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
A few days: Rib fractures are often indicators of chest wall trauma and may be associated with lung problems.
Open fractures of the arm (humerus in the upper arm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
More nonoperatively: In ancient, medieval & even colonial times, there were bone setters who treated fractures. Open fractures were often treated with amputations, though... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Joint Surgery: Arthroscopy is minimally invasive joint surgery, commonly used for the knee & shoulder, but also for the ankle, hip, wrist, elbow and other joints.
... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
A few possibilities: A persistent hip problem can cause referred pain to the knee on the same side.
You may be more active now that your hip is improved, unmasking what... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Unfortunately, : Unfortunately, there's not enough information to figure out exactly what's going on here. Just the same, hopefully i can offer a few thoughts. If your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Overall condition: Stable fixation with a quality reduction of the fracture that enables the patient to resume activity, including weight-bearing are all important. Gett... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Remove disease: Of course, each joint is different, but a classic example of what you are asking about is a knee arthroscopy the removes any loose or torn cartilage, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Pain, loss of motion: I agree with my colleague who has already provided an answer, but there are some symptoms that while not specific, might point you in the direction of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
It : It depends largely, but not entirely, on whether the pain medications given to him for the surgery also have acetominophen in them. Many such pain med... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
It : It surely does sounds like you need to be evaluated. I agree that an orthopaedic surgeon would be an excellent choice. Significant injuries may occur ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
It : It of course matters where the bony prominence is, but this may represent arthritis in your midfoot. It likely hurts because of the degeneration of th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends: Fractures that come through the skin are treated like emergencies, to minimize the risk of infection.
Closed fractures are best placed into a reas... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
I agree, it depends: This depends on several factors, age (kids heal much more quickly than adults), whether the fracture is widely displaced - suggests greater disruption... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
I suppose: Genu simply knee and valgus is the deformity that means the lower part (toward the ankle) is jutting to the outside. I believe that this is the more s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Sometimes: Open fractures, in which the fracture comes through the skin are commonly the result of high energy injuries. These injuries often cause stripping of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
While : While a more thorough evaluation by a physician (like an orthopaedic surgeon or someone trained in sports medicine) would be more likely to give you a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
When : When you have such a problem in both arms, some consideration should be given to there being a a single problem at a point in your body at which it co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
While : While it may be expected to have some discomfort, there are some types of pain that may signify something amiss. Burning or electrical type pain is of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Torn knee cartilage: You don't have to be a football hero to get a torn meniscus in your knee. The menisci are the rubbery semi-circular cartilage structures that cushion ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Depends: Loss of sensation in the far end of the extremities can be related to underlying medical diseases like diabetes and problems that affect blood supply ... Read More
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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Blood flow: Using ice or other cold therapy after an injury helps to decrease the blood flow to the area which helps to decrease the amount of swelling and may du... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
It : It may be that it is not actually the muscle that is being compressed and that remains indented after your press on it. It may be that this is the sof... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
If : If you have not had a basic work-up of these joints yet (to include plain radiographs) and you have complained repeatedly of pain in these joints to y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
One : One common area from where bone marrow biopsies are taken from is the iliac crest. The ilium is one of the bones in the pelvis and between the outer a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Ligament surgery : Posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) reconstruction is surgery to replace (not repair) the ligament that keeps the leg from translating backwards behind ... Read More
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5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Maybe, maybe not.: Essntially, if you have an incomplete stress fracture, you should decrease your level of activity to the point at which you no longer have the symptom... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
No: The ct will provide valuable information as to where the dead (often infected) bone is located. While ct scans do impart some radiation, a single scan... Read More
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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Be active: Start with low impact exervcises, such as tai chi or similar activities.
Having a diet that is well balanced and includes enough calcium is quite i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Tendon : Tendon transfers are well described for treating muscular imbalances in the foot and ankle. They are not only for the hands and upper extremities. An ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
The : The simple answer is "no", we cannot do this over the internet with as little information as we have. Your history of 2 falls from a bicycle (or motor... Read More
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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Yes.: While your fracture has been fixated with an implant construct, your bones have not yet healed. It is absolutely possible to loosen the implant during... Read More
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5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Might be more: What makes you sure that this is simply a so-called sprain? There may be more involved. Does your knee lock or catch in any specific motion or positio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
I : I agree with dr. Weinzapfel. Still, one thing to remember is that while you saw the fracture on the x-rays and that is dramatic, it is the entire fore... Read More
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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Removing fluid: Arthrocentesis usually involves inserting a needle into the joint to remove fluid. This may be done to remove a hematoma or to investigate the fluid t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Bone pulled off: An avulsion fracture is typically a small break in the bone that is caused by the pull of a ligament or tendon that is attached to the bone. This is u... Read More
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5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Nothing.: Broken and fractured are the same thing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Wow: The proximal tibiofibular joint is where the top (knee end) of the two bone in the lower leg come together. The it is the tibia, not the fibula that a... Read More
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5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Dunbaranswered
Orthopedic Surgery 30 years experience
Pain, can't walk: Femoral neck fractures are extremely debilitating. Elders get these fractures commonly and may have the affected leg shorter than the other and/or rot... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
138
Thank you notes
Apr 10, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Dunbar is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Dunbar is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Or co2 from the toilet
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Cheers mate
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Graduated 1993MD
Residency
Hospital For Special Surgery
Residency
Westchester Medical Center
Residency
Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center
Awards
Top Doctor, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Top Orthopedic Surgeon , First Place, Washington - Winter
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopaedic Trauma Association
Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
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