Dr. John D. Kelly, MD

I’ve stayed quiet for far too long, trying to convince myself that what happened to me after the surgery you performed on my right Achilles was somehow normal, acceptable, or just “part of the healing process.” But the truth is simple: you permanently damaged me — and then dismissed it. I came to you trusting your expertise. I expected to get better. Instead, I walked away with four numb toes, a non-functioning calf, and a completely altered life. I can't run, jump, or even do a basic calf raise. I can't play the sports I once loved. That part of my life is over. And yet, I’m told everything is fine. No. Everything is not fine. Everything is shattered. What was supposed to be a routine recovery has turned into a daily reminder of how careless and dismissive this process became. I was never truly heard, never given honest answers, and certainly never treated with the level of urgency or empathy this situation demanded. You may go on to see dozens of other patients and forget my… name. But I live with the consequences of your work every single day — every time I try to move like I used to and simply can’t. I hope this message stays with you. Not just as a note from a “dissatisfied patient,” but as a person whose life was altered by your decisions. The least you could do is acknowledge what happened and stop pretending that numbness, weakness, and permanent loss of function are “just fine.”

My health insurance denied everything by him. Women don't deserve imaging evidently. It's shocking that Penn allows him to educate residents. The chief resident seemed unsettled in my appointment too. My actual imaging away from Penn shows an acl injury.

Have a chronic ACL injury at this point, but no imaging was ever ordered. (Quote by his check-in desk: He doesn't order any imaging.")

Very disappointing. Dr.Kelly is very nice and has a great reputation but my shoulder is worse than before surgery. It is extremely painful. After two visits I still can’t get the help I need to heal. It was my first surgery and I hope it’s my last.

I waited months to see Dr. Kelly and then the appointment was a great disappointment. I felt as though nothing, none of my complaints, were taken seriously. Was it because I was a woman? If I were a man would I have been listened to more seriously. He kept cracking jokes and never asked what my symptoms were. In fact, my pain was so bad, I felt physically ill. He seems distracted by his attempt to be amusing. I will try another physician and hope for a better outcome. I need someone I feel is competent, not a comedian.

Ruptured my ulnar Collateral ligament. Went to two other surgeons who said you’re not worth it because I’m not a professional. I couldn’t do basic things because my arm hurt and I was losing feeling in my fingers. Dr. Kelly was the one who said I will fix you. Great experience. A day after the surgery he called me personally at like 8 at night to see how I was doing. 4 years later and my arm is better than it was before the surgery. Don’t know where I would be if he didn’t help me.

I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Kelly and Penn Medicine. My entire experience from the initial consultation to Surgery and recovery has been nothing short of great. Dr. Kelly and staff have been amazing and helped me understand thoroughly everything that was going on and what to expect throughout the entire process. I'm grateful that I was referred there and should I need help again it's the first place I'm going. Truly a great experience.

Had surgery with Dr. Kelly 5 years ago. I was grateful for the diagnosis after 10 months of seeing dozens of providers, having many tests, & wrong treatment. After my surgery I was in worst pain for a long time, was out of work for 5 + months. My last appointment, 6 months after surgery, was still in worst pain than before the surgery. He told me there was nothing wrong with my joint, he fixed it. My PT told me to get on with my life & if I was in pain it would be like having a headache, take a pill a move on. I've had intermittent pain since, have never gotten back to my activity level or quality of life since. Now am having increased pain again & need more surgery due to the issues he did not fix to start with.

Dr. jelly is the best out there. He did both my shoulders years ago and I have never ha s problem since. I drove to Philadelphia from Tampa Florida to have surgery because he is so good at what he does. He had a wonderful personality and is very caring.

Butchered my leg. Severed a nerve and scarred a vein and told me my pain was just me being "anxious". Did not provide follow up care or do a work up to see why I had such pain months after the surgery. Instead, he said my pain was simply my anxiety and actually referenced this in my medical records. I had to have diagnostics done away from UPenn which showed a severed nerve and a scarred vein. Upon alerting the administration at UPenn about this they have yet to refer to a nerve or vascular doctor for a work up and for options. It's now been ten months post surgery that I have shooting nerve pain in my leg and swelling from the severed nerve and scarred vein. Terrible, unethical doctor. He may seem like he has a decent bed side manner, but try asking him "technical" questions about the procedures or recovery. He prefers to banter about the stock market and make corny jokes. Have been wholly disgusted with UPenn's failure to address the complications. Avoid.