Dr. Jeffrey Nathan Lawton, MD

Dr. Lawton was my surgeon last year and I have tried to let some time pass to see the long term effects of the surgery. I originally thought this would be somewhat of a routine procedure because Dr. Lawton made it seem as so and seemed very knowledgeable about what needed to be done to take care of my situation. Surgery came and went and things seemed to be progressing positively until they weren’t. During the post operative follow ups, in my opinion, Dr. Lawton missed very obvious signs that my surgery was not trending as it should and has left me in a drastically worse situation for my life. The wrist developed an infection and, looking back, this was quite evident to the naked eye, but as I asked about some signs that may indicate this I was told this is normal and this possibility was not considered. During my first appointment in occupational therapy, the doctor seemed very alarmed at the sight of my wrist and clarified with me that the doctor had indeed seen this and was okay… with it. Days later I found myself in the emergency room having emergency surgery to repair my wrist and remove some infected bones. I do not think he was the cause that it became infected, but I believe he did not give the appropriate care and attention to very clear signs of infection. (I only say this after seeing my wrist after the emergency surgery and comparing to what it looked and felt like at any of my post op appoints after the first surgery that I very clearly communicated to him as well.) Originally he said this surgery would put me in a better situation, but I feel more handicapped than before the surgery and as he said in my last appoint “I don’t know if it will ever feel normal again.” If I could go back, I would not have had the surgery. I would not recommend Dr. Lawton to anyone and I would consider changing my doctor if he was my current doctor. I would have given 0 stars if that were possible.

dr lawton is no doubt the worst doctor I have ever experienced. My hand for most purposes is completely ruined. In his own words "this is worst now than before". He offered no explanation walked out of the room and said you can go back to work. It is now over 5 months and still in pain and minimal use of my right hand. Would not recommend this very arrogant doctor.

Now I had gone to medical school with Jeff at the University of Michigan Medical School. We met in 1989 and became rather good friends. Jeffrey is one of the most brilliant of men and if it were necessary to refer a friend or relative who needed ANY type of orthopedic surgery, I would, without hesitation, refer them to Dr. Lawton. If he happened to be on vacation, I would tell them to wait until his return. If someone required hand surgery that did not live in Michigan, I would ask them to fly to Michigan to have the surgery done by Dr. Lawton.