Dr. David Douglas Aronson, MD

My son saw Dr. Aronsson when he was 14 for spinal surgery. I found him to be very professional and fully explained the procedure my son was to undergo. The surgery took over 10 hours and he routinely called us from the OR to give us a status update. As a (over)protective mother I would answer questions that were directed at son. Dr. Aronsson would tactfully let me know that he needed my son to answer his question. In the 12 years since his surgery, Nick has done well. I would not hesitate to contact their office even after all these years if I had a question or concern. A few years later we were at FAHC for another reason and Dr. Aronsson was walking down the corridor speaking with one of his colleagues. He immediately walked away from his colleague and came up to speak with my son and ask how he was doing. I understand there can be negative outcomes and I feel for these families; however, I feel it is important to offer another point of view.

This Doctor is definitely the WORST orthopedic surgeon EVER!!! My family trusted this man for years with the care of my daughters hip dysplasia . HUGE mistake! Fletcher Allen needs to get feedback from his patients. I'd bet my life he wouldn't have a job!! Any parents looking for a real doctor contact Dr. Millis/or Dr.Karlin ( Boston's Children's Hospital )

My son was born with bilateral clubfoot and had surgery on both feet at age 7 months at All Children's Hospital in Florida. We moved to VT in 2002 and my son began seeing Dr. Aronsson. My first impression, and continuing impression, was that he was a flake. However, my pediatrician, even though he agreed with my personal opinion about his personality, assured me he was a fine surgeon. My son ended up needing a triple arthrodesis 2 years ago. His care at Fletcher Allen was substandard and his after-care with Dr. Aronsson has been substandard as well. At our last follow-up, approximately 5 months ago, he told me my son's foot was fine, he was not having continued pain, and implied that my son was faking. I witnessed my son every day limping after any amount of walking or standing, and it had also began to effect his hip and knees as he was over-compensating because of the foot pain. I went back to my pediatrician and demanded another physician. We were sent to Dartmouth (first… rate hospital) and were informed that the triple arthrodesis had not healed. There are three bones on the top of the foot that are fused together. The metal bone had never healed and, in fact, now has developed arthritis on both sides of it. We go back to Dartmouth this month (9/11) for an MRI to see how much damage there is, whether it can be repaired by booting or casting the foot, or if he will need another surgery. After my son's surgery we saw this doctor more than a dozen times and even though I continued to insist something was wrong, he blew me off and insisted "x-rays" don't lie. Well I guess he should learn to "read" an x-ray. The same x-rays taken at Dartmouth clearly showed the middle bone was "dropped", "unhealed", and you could see the arthritic changes!!! If you put yourself or a loved on in this man's hands, you are going to regret it as I do and as my son will the rest of his life!!! He will be facing a life of surgeries and continued pain, something that this triple arthrodesis was supposed to prevent!!!

I took my 2 year old daughter to see him because of concerns about her walking. He was very rushed, hard to understand, said my daughter "did not want to be examed" on report when I remember her being very cooperative and in the end he brushed off my concerns. My daughter was FINALLY diagnosed with progressive scoliosis a year later, if she had been diagnosed at that appointment she would have had a chance for full correction, now she is facing a childhood of casting/bracing and painful surgeries. He never even looked at her back. Do not listen to this doctor! Get a second opinion, wish I had.