Dr. Richard E Mccarthy

This is my story. Scroll down to some other anecdotes if you prefer not to read mine. :) When I finally acknowledged to myself that I could go no further in my daily life without the spine surgery/surgeries I'd been told I needed many years before by another out-of-state surgeon, I researched orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas where I now live. This was in 2002. Dr. McCarthy came up on the radar pretty quickly. I read everything I could about him before making my first appointment. The reviews then were generally good with the warning that he could be 'harsh' as some patients have stated here, but honest. I like honesty. Some people don't, or can't handle it (yes, I have personally met other patients of his that did not like his level of honesty). Also, not every doctor, even very good ones, will mesh with every patient, sadly so. But to continue...I had done my homework beforehand. Told him so when I met him. I like to be up-front too. We got done to business over x-rays and as… expected, I needed surgery yesterday. He was ready to operate. I said I had to wait another year for insurance to kick in so we wouldn't lose our house. That took him aback. :) So we made a plan and worked it out. He was, as I'd read, very honest about what needed to be done and about how I needed to approach what needed doing, mentally, physically, spiritually. Yes, he was brutally honest but never in a mean way. He wanted me to be prepared. Fast-forward to Jan. 2003...3 major 6+ hour surgeries in a week and a half. That man took me apart and put me back together again. He had to fuse so many places, he had to take hip bone AND a rib to get it all done. Now my x-rays look like an oil derrick is in me. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, even surpassing child birth. So much had to be done, I had to re-learn how to walk and go to the bathroom, etc. BUT, 15 years later, I am still able to walk on my own (he'd said my scoliosis progression would put me in a wheelchair before 50), I can breathe just fine (the curvature progression was compromising my heart and lungs) and I am enjoying my grandchildren now, something I did not think I would be able to do. So for that, I am eternally thankful to Dr. McCarthy for the hard work he did. **A story about Dr. McCarthy...even though he can be extremely honest with patients about their health, which understandably can be hard to accept, something many may not know is how he will go to bat for his patients when life happens. I have personally met family members of a young patient of his who has a condition where the bones break very easily, even just picking that person up to bathe or put in bed. One night, the worst happened and they had to make the long trek to Children's Hospital. Because of the severity of the break, the parents were doubted and child services were called in, even though the patient's files were on record. It was something that should not have happened. Dr. McCarthy got up in the middle of the night, after a long day of surgery and went to straighten things out for his patient and the parents. That misunderstanding never happened again. **There are many similar stories about Dr. McCarthy. Someone here said they felt he was arrogant. I've never seen that. To me, he is one of the most humble people I have ever met. But that honesty, yes, it's there. Take it or leave it. I hope of the former patients that have commented and not had good results, that they find/have found a working solution that makes their lives much better in their circumstances.

He came so highly recommended, I was very hopeful. My mild scoliosis had become severe with addition of deg. disc disease, extreme nerve pain in lower back made standing or walking unbearable. First round was 2 surgeries, a week apart since much work to be done. Never so much pain in my life as after the first one where they went in through my ribs. When they put the rods in my back, the next day the drain bottle came loose and nurse just discarded it and pulled tube. I didn't know any better. On the 300 mile trip home we were nearly there when it blew puss and blood all over my friends seat and continued to drain another 6 weeks. Now I know better. Surgery #3 Four months later vertabrae fractured and rods had to be extended up to my neck. Surgery #4 was to take out 2 nearly 4" screws he put through my sacroiliac joints as one was loose and jabbing me when I walked. I don't know why it was necessary to put them through there to start with, but I've had to get injections every… 3 mo. since for past 6 years and counting. #5 Broken rod Couldn't raise my upper body above hip level, bent totally over. Now I had been partly bent over since I went home from the first 2, making walking and standing exhausting, painful and very difficult. I brought this up every visit and he dismissed like he didn't hear me. A couple times he told me I was just leaning. On purpose? I think not, I had stood in front of stable objects and pushed, i simply could not stand up all the way. All I ever wanted out of this was to walk unhindered like I once did. I found out much later he told my friend who drove me(why he was discussing with her I don't know) that I was just fat and lazy. I did eventually gain alot of weight, could barely walk/stand and severely depressed. But I went home that way so I don't know how me could say that except that he didn't want to tarnish his record. I personally think that's part of his reputation, he just doesn't acknowledge the bad. Anyway, since I had a broken rod I guess, on last one he said at last minute that he would keep me a little longer than planned because while he was in there he decided he'd "stuff some wedges in your spinal canal and see if I can prop you up a little more". That was encouraging. Didn't work. I haven't gone back. I shuffle around as little as possible with a can. Just getting in and out of the car is misery. I've now been in pain and depressed for 16 years. My 5 surgeries took place 2009-2013. Everyone told me that since I'd had surgery no other Dr.would ever work on me. Haven't seen him yet but I found one. I'm afraid it may be too much to fix, will have to see. Not all bad. If you compliment Dr. McCarthy, he's sweet as can be. If you question or complain, stand back. He gets grouchy and stays hateful until it's over. 8 years later I have different pain than I started with, but in more places.

I had to have spine surgery & I've had amazing results & no complications at all. He is the best spine dr around & thankful he was my dr & I would highly recommend him.

Dr.Mccarthy has been treating my daughter for years. He always takes time to answer any questions we have. He always does amazing during her surgeries and I trust him completely!

Dr. needs to come down to earth in terms of arrogance.

Arrogant and harsh. Would not recommend.

Had back surgery 4 weeks ago by this surgeon to remove broken hardware. I have been running a fever and tachycardia ever since the day after surgery. His assistant Dr. Morrell told me the day after I left, "We will get you out of here and you'll be walking those pearly gates soon." Who makes a comment like that? I went back to see him two weeks after surgery to find out why I was having so much pain and he just said he would pray for me and told me to take Ducolax. Four weeks postop today and I can barely move. He said everything is all good. Just walk more and eat healthy. Big joke. Wish I could reverse the clock and not have had this surgery and kept broken hardware in. At least, I could live life. Now each day is a nightmare. Wondering when it will all end.

most arrogant doctor ever encountered. Ended my career. Avoid unless you are a child.

He lacks consideration of his patients and is unapproachable when asked questions that enable the patient to make an informed decision. However, he seems to be knowledgable in his field based on his status in the medical field.

My daughter has been seeing Dr. McCarthy since 1998. She was born with congential scolosis in her neck. He is the best there is. When she was 17months old 15 months after we started visiting him he did a spianl fusion on her neck. The condition she has is very rare and he had to study her case before he could decide what to do. Over the years her neck has straightened up. Dr. McCarthy says it was not him that did it but a miracle for GOD!