Dr. David James Bielema, MD

Thank you Dr Bielema, our visit was for him to consult our mother about hip replacement surgery. He was awesome, explained everything perfect, he really cares and it shows in his work and explaining the hip problem. Great doctor.

Last year I broke my right ankle and left knee at the same time. Met Bielema at Metro/Grandvalley health. He is getting ready to do a third surgery on my ankle for hardware removal.I would highly recommend him. He is straight forward but friendly he is the best. I will miss him when I no longer have to see him.

Wouldn't even consider surgery on my broken collar bone. He told me to just let it heal. I got a 2nd opinion and was in surgery 4 days later. The Dr that did the surgery told me it never would have healed because of how it was broken. Glad I went thru a different Dr. Wish I could leave negative stars.

Dr Bielema is not a hand holder so if you want to be babied he is not the doctor for you. He is a straight shooter that tell you the truth without sugar coating. I had both hips replaced 8 weeks apart. He is an excellent surgeon, answered all my questions clearly and completely. He was my 3rd consult. I highly recommend him. Hips work great. I forget they were replaced in 2019

Dr. Bielema explained everything that was going on with me in a way that I could understand exactly what needed to be done to help me heal. Appointments were set up to get me through everything in a good amount of time. He was very informative. And I feel like I’m in good hands. He also had a very warm smile, that helps nervous people feel at ease.

Great result from knee replacement, back to officiating basketball with no pain

Absolutely horrible bedside manner, I was appalled at the way I was treated! Do not let this guy do surgery on you!!!

Was walking two weeks after total knee replacement, that’s what I call a great result

Felt very dismissed. He was very impersonal, didn’t make a good first impression on me to feel welcoming or comfortable. Aka his bedside manner is sh**. He could care less to be there and help you figure out what’s going on despite telling him his theory of inflammation is inaccurate. Don’t waste your time on this “doctor”.

Unprofessional, Horrible bedside manner!

While I am sure Dr. Bielema is a competent surgeon, he is not competent in his bedside manner. His communication with myself as a patient has been terrible. The first time I saw him I thought I would give seeing him another chance. The second time I saw him he barely asked me any questions, barely moved my hips/legs at all, and then sent me for radiographs. Prior to taking the radiographs he told me that he didn't think anything was wrong but he would send me for them anyway. Minutes later, after the radiographs came back, he walked into the room and threw his clipboard onto the computer workstation and sighed (as if exasperated). He said there were minimal changes on x ray from last time and that if something hurts I should just stop doing it. He told me that if walking hurts, don't walk. Take some aleve. Try to lose weight, but don't do any weight bearing activities. As an RN with treated developmental hip dysplasia who works in orthopedics, I asked him if the x ray views he took ruled out femoracetabular impingement (sometimes these can only be seen on a certains views, such as the 'frog view'). Dr. Bielema rolled his eyes and then showed me the computer screen for about 10 seconds and said that there was a small projection on the painful hip, but that it was beside the point. I asked him if he was saying that it may be a small cam lesion. Dr. Bielema said that "you are looking too much into this." He said that although both hips have shallow sockets, it's nothing that needs surgery, so if something hurts just don't do it. He then said "If you want to have it removed I can send you to a guy who will do the surgery whether you have FAI or not. And remember, FAI doesn't happen in people with developmental hip dysplasia, because the socket is too shallow to allow it." I told him that I understand that surgery was not the answer for everything and that I did not want any unnecessary surgeries and that I just was asking because I wanted to understand more about what was causing such extreme pain if he felt that my mild shallowness of the hip sockets shouldn't cause extreme pain. He then went on to say that in his opinion the 'soreness' is from inflammation and fluid build up from mild changes in the hip socket, so just don't do activities that cause this soreness. He kept mentioning soreness over and over again, and I could barely find any gap to ask a question. He never asked me if I had any questions throughout the entire appointment. Near the end I said, "Dr. Bielema, I am not trying to argue with you..." and he then interjected "well you kinda are." (EXTREMELY RUDE, especially because I said this very polite and respectfully to him and I barely was given any time to talk during the entire appointment)! I then said, "You keep mentioning 'soreness'. I just wanted to clarify that I do not feel 'soreness'. Soreness isn't a problem." I told him that I feel excruciating deep, sharp pain the groin and that it locks up, pops/clicks, and that sometimes when it happens I cannot even lift my foot off the floor because the pain is so excruciating. I also told him that this pain is severe at night when I try to roll from one side to another. He then said nothing and just rudely picked up his clipboard and said "well, we will order an MRI then, but in my medical opinion there is nothing wrong." The rest of the staff at OAM have always been great. Dr. Bielema is not someone I would ever recommend seeing. Totally dismissive and not a good listener. No compassion. In my medical opinion, any medical provider (nurse, physician, etc.) who thinks they know everything is of the biggest danger to their patients. This is why open dialogue and evaluating a problem from several options is critically important.

Dr. Bielma provided me with a tremendously positive and informative surgery consultation. He was patient with my questions and gracious when offering clarifications. He has an amazing support staff as well! I highly recommend Dr. Bielema.

I had my knee done by Dr. Bielema a week ago today. I find he is a no nonsense guy. So far since my surgery, I’m feeling pretty good. I have recommended him to 3 of my friends.????????

He's been a god send replacing both of my knees. I can't thank him enough.

Worst care, worse bedside manner.

Dr Bielma is a wonderful Dr. I was in a horrible auto accident, he saved my life and my legs. He has always been there for me through all my surgeries. I would definitely recommend him. I can't say enough good things about him.He is also wonderful with children.

Dr Bielema is a great Dr. he has performed numerous surgical procedures on me after a major trauma accident, and he Is the reason I am alive today.

Do not believe in giving pain medicine for a total knee replacement. Doesn't explain the procedure very well. Don't give patients other options but surgery. Money hungry.

very poor listener, hand on the door knob, very limited exam. totally cold response to my pain complaints, dismissive. Find another doctor.

I really liked Dr. Bielema, he is caring, took good care of my fractured ankle.Showed me my X-Rays, discussed my fracture,ect... . He has a good bedside manner,curtious, friendly, knowledgeable.I would reccommend him to others. He did surgery on my mom and did a GREAT job.