Dr. Richard L Wixson, MD

Richard Wixson did my total hip joint replacement surgery in approximately 2008-10. Within four weeks following surgery, the femur was swiveling within the socket. I immediately called for an appointment and after x-rays, I was then told there was nothing wrong, this happened to me three more times within a six month period and I saw him and ultimately his resident, three more times. On my the first go-round he(Wixson)wanted to know why I was concerned, I told him that it seemed that this might be a precursor to the hip coming entirely out of the socket, he said "not necessarily"...which it did in 2013 and has continued to occur to the tune of six more times. I have since seen three independent(of Wixson and to one another)orthopaedic surgeons they all said the same thing, verbatim, wrong prosthesis was used and put in at the wrong angle. The penultimate dislocation, one and a half years ago, culminated in a permanent paralysis of my foot(same side as the operated hip)this occurred… immediately following reinsertion while this was independent of Wixson, his carelessness in during the surgery, selection of parts, and subsequent arrogance addressing my post-surgical concern is inexcusable. Sadly this is all past the satute of limitations in Illinois and while I did consult with a legal team, within the two year time frame, their sole practice and expertise is hip replacement failure, they said there was no case because their real specialty is suing the component manufacturers that's where the big money is. As you might imagine my life has been irreparably altered by his mistake(s).

I went to Richard Wixson on the advice of a well-positioned medical professional and I am so sorry I listened to her. Wixson did my left hip joint implant and within seven weeks the ball was slipping in its socket. I immediately made an appointment with him and he was completely unconcerned and said everything was just fine based on the x-ray that was taken that day. Two weeks later another slip within the socket, I went back to Wixson, I told him that my concern and fear was that the joint would completely out of the socket. I went back again one-week later....same lack of concern. The first time my hip came out of the socket I saw a Dr. Manning, also at Northwestern, and after many x-rays in a variety of positions he determined that the prosthesis was the wrong one to use, inserted at the wrong angle and that the ball was either too big or too small as that would be determined in surgery. I desperately wanted the revision surgery, unfortunately, Manning declined to do it because… of 'only' one out of the socket experience. But guess what? My hip has come out of its socket four times, I cannot begin to even describe the pain I was in and in addition to that my femur was positioned behind my pelvis, which resulted in me collapsing to the floor, it took me twenty-five minutes to crawl to my phone for 911. This last time something went very very wrong after the joint was reinserted I never regained the use of my left foot, it has been five months and until this neuropathy/paralysis is cleared up my new orthopedist, Jeff Ackerman who I trust and like very much wants to wait to do the revision. It has been five and a half months, I should mention that I am a ballet trainer as such I have been unable to work....my life has been destroyed by the slipshod work of Richard Wixson

Dr Wixson did 3 hip replacement on the right side. He did not diagnose the second replacement was not right after three years of mr reporting pain to him. Finally, after I could Bo longer walk without pain, he paid attention. He did the third replacement, after which he told me that there was no bone growth into the cup, ever, for three years. Hence, the reason for my pain during that time. He then told me the reason this had happened was that he had not seated the cup correctly. He further said that x-Rays are not able to pick up these problems,AND maybe HE HAD DRUNK TOO MUCH THE NIGHT BEFORE,OR MAYBE HE HAD HAD A FIGHT WITH HIS WIFE RHE NIGHT BEFORE!!!! Then he left the room. That was the last I heard from him. My husband was there listening to all this. In my opinion, he is getting old and not able to perform correctly.

Dr. Wixson is fantastic! he did my double knee replacement 8 years ago. I had a great result. He is caring and listens to my concerns. The only down side is he is busy- but that is the price you pay to get the best. I recommend him to everyone and know many on whom he has operated, all with good results.

Dr. Wixson's replacement of my hip was flawless in execution and painless in recovery. I would strongly recommend him for hip replacement. He also performed bilateral knee replacements on my 81 year old mother who thereafter walked rapidly four miles a day without pain.