Einar Ottestad

Pain management specialist


Clinical Professor, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

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Additional Languages Spoken:
Norwegian

Biography


Dr. Ottestad joined Stanford faculty in 2007 and became Director of the Acute Pain Service in 2009. As such, he manages acute, post-operative pain, acute-on-chronic inpatient pain consults, and cancer pain at Stanford Hospital. He is committed to the Stanford Pain Center’s multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach when treating pain clinic patients with chronic pain. In the outpatient pain clinic, Dr. Ottestad possesses expertise in advanced interventions such as intrathecal medications, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, cryotherapy and cryoanalgesia, radiofrequency neuromodulation and ablation and ultrasound-guided procedures in general for the treatment of chronic pain. Ultrasound imaging allows accurate imaging of soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and nerves that are difficult to identify using only x-ray imaging or anatomic landmarks. This imaging is useful both diagnostically as well as therapeutically when specific, targeted treatment is needed in an area of pain.

Dr. Ottestad has written multiple book chapters and papers on pain management and has been an invited lecturer and instructor for over 60 national and international conferences in the last 8 years. He will become the President of World Academy of Pain Medicine Ultrasonography (WAPMU) in 2017. Dr. Ottestad is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management, and is an also an instructor and board examiner for the World Institute of Pain and the World Academy of Pain Medicine Ultrasonography, with secondary international qualifications FIPP (Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice) and CIPS (Certification in Pain Medicine Sonology).

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Residency: Stanford University CAPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007) CA
  • Medical Education: Baylor College of Medicine (2002) TX
  • Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine (2010)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Anesthesia (2009)
  • Fellowship: Stanford Hospital and Clinics - Pain Mgmt (2008) CA
  • Internship: The University of Texas Health Center @ Tyler (2003) TX
  • Board Certification, ABA, Pain Management (2010)

Administrative Appointments
  • Chairman of education committee, World Academy of Pain Medicine Ultrasonography (2014 - Present)
  • Director, Acute Pain Service, Stanford University Hospital (2009 - Present)
  • Member, Resident Education Committee (2010 - Present)
  • Member, Interdisciplinary Practice Committee (2011 - Present)
  • Member, Quality, Efficiency, Patient Satisfaction Committee (2012 - Present)
  • President, World Academy of Pain Medicine Ultrasonography (2017 - 2018)
  • Vice President, World Academy of Pain Medicine Ultrasonography (2015 - 2017)

Publications

Clinical Trials

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Specializing In

Practice Locations


Pain Management Center in San Jose San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA

2589 Samaritan Drive

San Jose , CA 95124

(408) 426-4900

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Pain Management Center in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

450 Broadway Street, Pavilion A, 1st Floor

Redwood City , CA 94063

(650) 723-6238

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Patient Ratings

(64 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.7/5

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4.8/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.6/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.6/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.5/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.7/5
Recommended to others
Likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others
0.0/5
Wait times
Wait time at clinic (from arriving to leaving)

How Our Ratings Work

The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

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Patient Reviews

(119 reviews)

Very kind, listened, explained procedure. Gave me realistic hope.
World class in both technical medical expertise and in interpersonal skills. He has helped me tremendously over the years. For example, he has used his ultrasound skills to correctly diagnose and treat delicate nerve issues. He is up on the state-of-the-art devices and therapies. Other pain doctors I have consulted point to Dr. Ottestad as their source for knowledge in their respective field. He was willing to re-engage with me when I was in a health predicament with severe pain. He was able to suggest certain procedures which ultimately alleviated pain.d When the Saluda Medical SCS device was approved by the FDA, he was quick to put me as "patient 1" at Stanford to receive an implant trial. He runs a very professional and competent Operating Room. I fee l safe and well taken care of at all times with Dr. Ottestad. I can be a particular and aggressive patient. I have had many bad back surgeries in the past which led to my current critical situation. Dr. Ottestad puts my mind at ease because I know I am getting the best medical care in the world.
Great experience with him. Listened well and was very receptive.
He is a great doctor. He listens!
Over the top with helping me out of my pain
He makes me feel comfortable in his knowledgeable hands.
Dr. Ottestad knew about my problems. because I sent him a note to specified my concern. So he can address easily.
Einar always takes his time with me to listen and explain what might be the next step in my treatment plan. He always is on time for the appointment.
He’s precise and detailed and also explains your case so that everything is clear. He listens and answers questions too.
I am fascinated with his love of learning the latest technology to help his patients!!
Very focused Doctor!
Friendly and concerned. Very willing to listen
Great doctor
Einar is a wonderful physician. The video visits are thorough, and never feel rushed!
Thorough conversation and consultation.
Dr. Ottestad is an excellent physician. He listened to me discuss symptoms and also asked very relevant questions. I’m extremely satisfied with his approach, his interaction with me and his diagnosis.
He was great: kind, friendly, personable, knowledgeable. He didn't interrupt me, as so often happens.
Dr. Ottestad is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and compassionate!
Thank you as always for your invaluable time
He is very present and knows my case very well. He listens to me, suggests alternative treatment, and lets me decide what treatment I feel is best. He genuinely cares.
All of the doctors at Stanford are phenomenal!
Dr. Ottestad has tried his best to help me with my PN. I look forward to where we go next in my case.
Appointment on time and really good professional doctors thank you
Visit good
Dr. Ottestad is very friendly and willing to explain the concepts again until I understand them. Neurology can be hard to comprehend, and even though Dr. Ottested explains the concepts for a layperson, I need to ask again, so I completely comprehend what he is describing. He is very patient and makes me feel that he is genuinely concerned about my condition and pain management solutions.
Dr. E. Ottestad I has been seeing for more than 10 years. I can rely on him for always knowing the details of my condition and taking the time necessary for me to explain any new concerns.
listens very well, very kind and patient, seemed to truly care about my pain management
Dr. Einar Ottestad is a very care person. He takes times to listen to my complains and. take steps to address my issues, that make me feel confidence in his care. I do appreciate it very much .
Meeting went as I had hoped, next steps defined.
Very kind, knowledgable and encouraging. Grateful he clarified things and that he knows my back doctor.
Excellent Doctor. Knows his work well!
Dr Ostted was very attentive and explained in detail areas of concern
He is an intricate part of my Medical team in treating a 30yr structural problem. The fact that we see the benefit of collaboration is invaluable!
Both Dr. Li (his resident doctor) and Dr. Ottestad were extremely helpful, patient, and understanding. My visit was very pleasant and positive.
Dr. Oddestad did a good job at finding my target of pain, and the injection was successful.
Excellent visit.
Due to Einar Ottestad exceptional ability to listen and ask the right questions he was able to suggest the right treatment for my pain. My quality of life has been greatly improved. So grateful for his expertise.
I enjoyed this appointment. Dr Ottestad made me feel that my situation was important to him. He listened to all of the details surrounding the history of my injury and we came up with a plan to help me with my pain. I am grateful to have found such a great doctor to help me.
Dr. Ottestad is a great doctor, he is professional, intelligent, thoughtful and responsive about his care. I have nothing but positive things to say about him and am thankful to have him as a caring provider.
Dr. PAMELA flood caused this problem by hitting the peripheral nerve with a nerve block procedure somebody please fire her. Dr. Ottestad is the only Doctor in pain management that I would let anywhere near my leg.
It is difficult to make appointments. My next appointment with my pain doctor is three months away. When you are in pain, three months is a a long time to wait.
Punctual. Spent the entire 30 minutes with me. Very kind and dedicated to his profession of neurology and the StimRouter. Dr. Ottestad has solutions for my nerve damage from a motor vehicle accident. Others doctors said there was nothing they could do, but give me pills. I brought up the nerve firings in my shin, which was shattered in the accident, and he said the are solutions for that too. I asked him if the Stimrouter would be help with my nerve firings, and we had a discussion about that and an explained how the brain gets re-trained. Dr. Ottestad cares and listens very well. He is very passionate about his about his profession and pain management. I am so glad he is my doctor.
I have recommended Dr. Ottestad to everyone I know suffering with pain.
explained things well
Dr. Ottestad was very attentive and answered all my questions.
I have experienced Doctors that make up their mind as to the best course and push for it. This was a better experience showing a good balance in being care and concern for the patient while also sharing insight and providing me with options to choose from.
Dr. Ottenstat was wonderful! He made me very comfortable before the procedure and quickly prepared the tools. Then he explained what he was going to do and proceeded to move ahead with the injections to help with my severe migraine headaches.
Dr. Ottestad is very thorough and at the same time he is a very good listener. I came away knowing that he cares about getting to the bottom of my pain and prescribing the most effective treatments.
He was nice and informative.
Dr. Ottestad was very good at explaining procedures!
A very good job with my injections he hit all the right spots thank you very much
I can't say enough about Dr. Ottestadt. I am so grateful that I finally ended up in his care.
He spoke well. There was really good communication between he and I.
It was a very productive visit.
Genuinely caring doctor. Clear in his explanations.
Dr ottestad is amazing. A lovely person and has amazing technique.
Very impressive fellow, I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to consult with him.
Proceduralists don't get much love - patients barely get to know them, but I am a fan and will be forever grateful to Dr. Ottestad for his kindness, patience, curiosity and optimism, in addition to his skill with a needle and mastery of ultrasound.
every body was very helpful. That was very much better than what i had experienced before
Fabulous doctor!
Attentive, polite, includes patient in goings-on, informative, friendly.
All of my appointments with Dr. Ottestad are excellent.
Excellent doctor! I have previously seen Dr. Ottestad for a different issue, and he listens to the patient’s concerns! Empathetic, caring, skilled in targeting the source of your pain, and applying different pain relieving techniques to target the source of your pain.
He was so nice and easy to talk to and explained everything about the procedure. He answered a couple of questions I had and I feel very confident that the procedure will go well.
They were very gracious and efficient… I was with care
This was a very pleasant, informative visit. Dr. Ottestad very clearly set out the possible treatment options and we set up a plan of treatment that shows possibilities for improving the level of pain.
Dr Ottestad is very smart and knowledgeable. I feel he understands me well, and I trust him completely. I am very happy to be under Dr. Ottestad care! Thank you!
Dr. Einar Ottestad is the best, and I am truly grateful to be his patient. I know that I am in good hands when he is there. Please take good care of Dr. Ottestad, so that he may continue to provide the excellent care that he gives.
Dr O Is a extremely good dr. I fully trust him Ed
very thorough, shared his screen and I have options
Clear communication. He asked a lot of questions and listened to the answers I gave. He clearly explained some treatment options.
Dr. Ottestad is a brilliant doctor. He is helping me unwind a very complex nerve problem. I am hopeful he will be able to continue to help.
Fantastic
Strong recommendation for Dr. Ottestad!
Excellent!
He is very knowledgeable and takes the time to answer any questions you have.
Very nice man, explained everything throughly. It was a pleasure meeting him.
Great doctor!
I had this care provider the time before in clinic and I was very disappointed in his care. And I remain as such with this visit.
One of the best experience in many years of trying to correct my pain. I finally have hope that my pain can be cured because of Dr. O's precision.
All was very good and I have recommended the pain clinic to others I know also dealing with pain/MS pain.
Outstanding in every way.
Thank you Doctor O.
Dr. Ottestad explained again clearly the placement of the stim router & the possibility it should work fairly well.
Excellent, caring, excellent physician
Dr. Ottestad did an excellent job of assessing my issue with the stim router placement and gave me a plan forward in how to continue using this device. He checked the placement with an x-ray, or ultra-sound and was able to check that it was close to the necessary nerve. No medications.
Patient with my anxiety level. especially Resident Physician. Attendind Dr. Oddstadt very perceptive about the crazy condition pain can get
I was impressed with Dr. Ottested. He was thorough in his examination and he listened to me, made me feel comfortable. At the end of my examination he was able to offer recommendations on possible treatments and immediately began the initial procedures. THANK YOU!!!
Dr. Ottestad reviewed a synopsis of my treatments, medications received prior & all applicable surgeries over last 8 yrs. Seemed to have it nearly committed to memory. First dr. to do so!
I thank my doctor very much.
Dr. Ottestad is a very confidence inspiring pain management specialist. He very much involved me in the procedure.
Really liked the fact he actually listened to me when I explained my pain.
Thank you all.
Highly professional service. Great experience overall <- knowledge caring respect.
good
I have had nothing but great treatment with everyone at my visits with Dr. Ottestad not one bad thing to say but thank you all.
Mean, uncommunicative; yet arrogant.
Care provider discussed treatment recommendations then was inaccessible when scheduling treatment became a problem - left 2 messages for him to call me - he never called - I had to go to clinic the next week to address scheduling concerns.
Dr. Ottestad is phenomenol
they are very good
Dr. Ottestad has a very kind and warm demeanor. He explains my treatment plan in a way I understand and I feel I'm included in what feels best. He takes as much time as needed to answer any and all question me and my family have.
Very precise about treatment planning for follow up work with procedures to try and follow up appointments.
I was surprised to note doc's explanation of my discharge instructions on my health, since he hadn't explained these to me @ visit.
He was very impersonal. I did not feel I could connect with him. He spent most of his time with his back to me typing into the computer. Otherwise friendly.
Dr. Ottestad was a good listener and addressed all of our questions and concerns
We liked how they took time to explain things.
most care providers I have seem at Stanford look to be in a hurry, also they don't see to want to share their findings with their patients , but the care provider I saw on this visit was vey polite , and willing to share his findings with me. he also took the time to set to explain so which speak volumes about him.
The entire pain team has been amazing and I can't thank them enough
Dr. Einar Ottestad is an excellent physician. He is very caring, kind concerned, attentive and professional. He always spends time listening to my problems and concerns and always offers solutions with good results. I completely trust him and will only go to him for my care.
Doctor Ottestad is great!!
Dr. Ottestad is very professional. His demeanor during my visit helped ease my stress about future pain management treatment.
I would highly recommend Dr. Ottestad. I have seen many pain management doctors and was very surprised that he took the time to review my records before seeing me, he actually did a thorough exam as opposed to just pushing meds and he actually showed genuine concern and readiness to help me. Not common practice today.
No explanation of what they were trying to accomplish.
He was in a hurry. He didn't explain the kind of meds he was giving me. He was condescending & flippant.
Very nice provider.
He listened carefully about my concerns regarding an MRI result. Admitted he had never seen the report and my concerns were valid and significant to my care.
It was a procedure & Dr. Ottestad did a good job. It wasn't a regular office visit.
Dr. Ottestad is wonderful.
Excellent, from start to D/C.

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