Garo Emerzian, DPM

Nearly one year after undergoing a first MTP joint fusion with Dr. Emerzian, I feel I can fairly evaluate both the procedure and my overall recovery. While the fusion itself appears to have been technically successful, my overall experience and outcome have been disappointing. What surprised me most, particularly as a healthcare professional, was the lack of practical preoperative education. I received little guidance regarding mobility aids, bathing, home preparation, or the day-to-day realities of recovering from foot surgery. Most of the equipment and strategies that ultimately helped me through recovery were things I researched and obtained on my own. Had I not planned ahead, the recovery period would have been considerably more difficult. Following surgery, I developed a significant wound that remained open for months. Despite ongoing treatment in the office, healing did not progress, and I ultimately referred myself to a wound care clinic, where the wound was successfully… treated. The prolonged wound complications prevented me from wearing a normal shoe for approximately six months and significantly delayed my recovery. Although the fusion healed, I was left with progressive drifting and crossover of adjacent toes, creating ongoing functional problems. I now require toe spacers and splints for comfortable walking and have found finding comfortable footwear significantly more challenging than before surgery. I have also consulted multiple foot specialists regarding possible corrective surgery. My advice to prospective patients is to ask detailed questions about recovery expectations, possible complications, the impact on surrounding toes, the long-term effects on footwear and function, and the realistic timeline for returning to normal activities. I wish I had better understood these issues before making my decision. While the fusion itself was successful, the lack of patient preparation, prolonged wound complications, delayed recovery, and ongoing functional issues have left me dissatisfied with the overall outcome.

Run while you still can! Garo ruined my foot. I wouldn't take a hamster w/a hangnail to him.

Dr Emerzian is a phenomenal doctor. He is down to earth, professional and very knowledgeable. I came to him for help resolving a foot issue I had been suffering with for 3 years under another doctors care. After only one visit with Dr Emerzian, he found the issues that needed correction, and we had a treatment plan. His expertise has me back in shoes and walking normal again. I would recommend him to everyone who has any issues with their feet…he will help in whatever way he can and keep you informed along the way. Thanks again Dr Emerzian!!!

Dr. Emerzian performed my foot surgery on December 23, 2021 at Condell hospital. My experience at Condell was negative – from a surgical nurse who could not set-up an IV to being overdosed on Albuterol by the Anesthesiologist. A week later when I saw Dr. Emerzian, he said I had developed an infection, I asked him if the infection would heal and his response was “we can hope” & he sent me home. He called me the next morning, New Years’ Eve, to tell me that I needed to go to the ER, he recommended that I go to Condell . I spent 5 hours at Northwestern ER. The results of the cultures taken in the ER showed I had two different types of infection in my foot. The ER doctor noted “patient concerned about infection”. I also had significant swelling in my leg which ended up ‘weeping’ which was seen by Dr. Emerzian. This required, yet another, trip to the ER for an ultrasound to rule out a DVT. The attending nurse asked if my foot surgeon recommended elevating my leg & I told her that no my… foot surgeon did not tell me that. Her response was ‘he should have’. I began elevating my leg & the swelling & weeping cleared up. Despite the questionable decisions made by Dr Emerzian, I was advised by two members of my health care team to stay with him and ‘try to work it out’. I was advised that changing doctors could be a greater risk. During my course of treatment, Dr. Emerzian called me ‘stupid’ and referred to me as ‘trouble’; when I tried to explain that I have an aversion to the sight of blood, he mocked me. Considering that I have passed out while having blood drawn, this is not a laughing matter. The icing on the cake was when Dr. Emerzian said to me “You know, I just can’t wait to get rid of you”. I felt that statement was unprofessional, petty & juvenile for a doctor to say to a patient. I could NEVER imagine one of my other doctors saying that to me or to anyone. In Dr. Emerzian’s bio, he says that the treats patients like he would members of his family. If that is true (?), I feel sorry for his family. Overall, the support staff at IBJI was excellent and accommodating. My nurses, Jo and Megan were excellent as well; competent, professional they took great care of me. I did call billing several times to question the charges on my statement. I was told that I would receive a return call but never did. IBJI charged my insurance over $900 for each 15 minute appointment. The EOB’s listed 2 separate charges for ‘surgery’ for each and every appointment when no surgery was performed. My health situation was complicated and horrendously stressful. I will never know if there were any options to help me heal in a timely manner as Dr. Emerzian was adverse to doing anything else than what he has done the same way for 25 years. The additional stress of dealing with a doctor with a bad attitude was unnecessary. Sadly, these reviews don’t seem to make a difference since I see similar complaints from other patients going back years. My hope is that ALL of Dr. Emerzians patients have an advocate present during an appointment. BTW – my husband was present during my appointments and witnessed Dr. Emerzian’s behavior. Dr. Emerzian may have years of experience but his plan is always conservative, regardless of how long it takes, the impact on the patient or how much it may cost.

Went to IBJ and saw Dr. Emerzian and was so happy I did. I had never had a broken bone until now at age 65. He was just so nice, kind, funny, yet very professional. I recommend him to anyone!! Thanks Dr Emerzian for all you did for me!

STORE AWAY FROM DOCTOR EMERZIAN!!!! He diagnosed a broken foot, although it was not just twisted (diagnosis of another doctor). He sent me a $ 247 bill for an office visit, an x-ray of $ 93, and an surgery that NEVER WORKED for $ 1,838 He ignores a certified letter from me, claiming that it was the cost of consultation and instructions. He doesn't want to change my bill and his office won't explain to me where the $1838 came from.