How did you find your surgeon? - Foot Problems Message Board

cj1986 · 05-17-2009, 06:19 PM

How did everyone find their surgeons?

I'm looking for a surgeon, and am trying to find the "best" in my area (Chicagoland). Every doctor I come across online ofcourse says they specialize in bunions and foot and ankle reconstruction... and I doubt that one doctor would refer me to another that isn't in his practice. So my question... how did you guys all find your surgeons? Just by word of mouth?

Titchou · 05-17-2009, 06:54 PM

I asked my PCP (whom I trust implicitely and who is listed as one of the best internists in B'ham) who was the best foot surgeon in town. He gave me a name and then I researched him - online, asked other people, etc. Turns out he is one of the best in the country. Ask any sports med doc if they know who Andrews and Lemak in B'ham are and they will gush over them. My doc was the foot guy in thei practice when they were together. (Brett Favre was just here seeing Andrews about his arm)

So, if I were you in Chicago, I'd find out who the Bulls and the Bears use and go see those folks. Or, I'd come to Birmingham and see Dr. John Gould at UAB Orthopedics!

janewhite1 · 05-17-2009, 08:02 PM

Definitely, you want someone who is either an orthopedist who is board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, or (for some problems) a podiatric surgeon with extensive experience. (Do NOT go with a podiatrist who is not a podiatric surgeon.)

Your family doctor is indeed a good place to start, as are teaching hospitals in your area.

cj1986 · 05-17-2009, 08:43 PM

Thank you for your answers!

I'll look up the other pro sports teams around here and see who they use.
I have actually seen the doctor for the Bulls and Sox, but unfortunately was not to impressed. He sent me for a bone scan and MRI, both of which were conducted poorly (I don't blame him, but other doctors that saw the scans later on said they were almost unreadable and would have ordered re-scans). Anyways, he would spend very little time with us and said he didn't see anything in the scan so that there was nothing wrong with me, and I should just take Advil. Each time we saw him at two different offices we waited over 1.5 hours for him to spend 5 minutes with me. He ended up referring me to a podiatrist who we also had an unpleasant experience with (uncertain answers, billing for procedures I never had done, etc).

jflash3 · 05-17-2009, 10:49 PM

The bears and blackhawks ankle specialist is Armen Kelikian. He is out of Northwestern hospital. Just google him and you'll get all the info you want. He is one of the best in chicagoland.