Dr. Stephen Kurt Benirschke

I was was hit by a very large 80's vintage Buick 98 automobile while riding my bike. I was not wearing a helmet. My pelvis was forced through my handlebars and the steel handlebars were victorious and remained intact and my pelvis was completely destroyed. The absolutely true story was that the doctors called what remained of my pelvis as dust, powder, cereal and even soup. I was not allowed to stand for three months. Dr. "B" (Benirschke) magically completely rebuilt my pelvis and when we looked at the CT scans and X-rays you couldn't begin to tell the difference between his new pelvis and my original pelvis. Last week I celebrated my 30 years of walking and being upright. I have used canes and walkers but for most of those 30 years I have been a happy mobile human and meeting Dr. Stephen Benirschke was life changing. He is a complete human and a real healing caring doctor. He changed my life and I think that he kept me from being in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Thank you Dr.… B! The Professor (W. Kelley)

I shattered both heels in 1998 as the result of a roofing accident...If it wasn't for Doctors Benirschke and Nork, I probably never would have walked again. Boyd Muzzana, Anchorage, AK

I would not recommend this doctor to my worst enemy. He sits on old academic theories that do not work. He has a big ego. He shows no real interest in the patient as a human being, but rather as a dumb cash machine. He sees what he wants to see, he does what he wants to do. He does not listen, he does not inform. I have suffered for years, I had to have more surgeries to fix his surgery, but some of the damage he has caused to my body is permanent. Surgery is not a game to play with. He has no sense of responsibility. Easy for him to say "I am sorry" to appease his conscience afterwards, when no words can heal my pain. No way I would send my kids to UW or to Harborview to learn from him.

Dr. B is one of the most exceptional doctors I have ever encountered.

I was directed to Benirschke after 6 weeks of PT for ankle pain. After trying multiple treatments without results he suggested I wear a sleeping boot for 4 weeks and come back in to see him. I inquired about getting an MRI and he told me that it wasn't necessary to get one as of yet and even if I did the treatment results wouldn't change from what he was giving me. However he stated that if the boot didn't work, then we could discuss and MRI. On my return visit, I was still experiencing pain and I inquiring again about an MRI to which he condescending responded, "what will an MRI tell us?!". Which I thought was extremely rude and unprofessional. He continued to tell me that he would only give me a MRI if he thought I needed surgery, to which he confirmed that I didn't. Then he told me to wait another month to see if wearing special insoles would help and then again we could discuss an MRI. I stopped seeing Benirschke, saw another doctor and at my first appointment I was ordered… an MRI which showed a torn peroneal tendon and I am now looking at surgery to fix the issue that could have potentially been prevented had Benirschke ordered an MRI for me initially. I do not recommend Benirschke to anyone looking for an accurate and friendly diagnosis and experience.

I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Benirschke. I am in healthcare, and still amazed at his professionalism, skill and his quest for perfection! It radiates down to his staff.

Sumemr of 09 I broke my foot, Dr. Benirshke diagnosed it as a Liz Franc Fracture and put about 8 screws/rods in to hold it together. After the surgery, at every followup, from three months after the surgery to 2 years.(i was in a cast for roughly 5 months) I asked him if we could take them out because they hurt and basically made my foot look grotesque, there were bulges from where the screws were poking out, and it was difficult to walk on. about 3 months ago I went into his office and basically demanded he take them out because one was obviously moving, and all of them were causing me pain. He setup an appointment for me to be evaluated again in a month saying that he might be able to take them out, but would put more in if he did. Unsatisfied I went to two other surgeons, Virgina Mason & Swedish, both said that all the hardware needed to be removed immediatley because you could see on the X-rays (that bernischke's office took) that all of them were moving. Further, they both said… that I didn't need more hardware, my foot is healed aside from the osteoarthritis. I am now a month and a half post screw surgery removal, and they were right, my foot feels extremely better, the bone swelling has gone down significantly, and I can already go running and play soccer on my foot. Bernishke, if i could i would break your foot and leave a bunch of titanium in it for 2 years to rot, I am an athletic person and you seriously ruined 2 years of my life.

It's hard to describe what I want to say about Dr. Steve. He is likely the most detailed, finicky, precise, will not quit until it is perfect kind of mentality that I have ever known. If you are ever seriously damaged, broken, etc. just utter these two words to the responders: (Three, I guess) Harbor View & Benirschke. It's the only way you will function again after a trauma.

Dr. Benirschke is outstanding in his field and is the most caring physician I have ever met. I strongly recommend him to anyone who needs an orthopedic surgeon who has excellent knowledge about foot and ankle issues and knows how to deal with them. I have been receiving care from him for the past 1-1/2 years and am truly impressed.

When there's no hope there's Dr. B. Following a severe car accident I landed in three hospitals, in which all three told me I required bi-lateral amputation. Then I was flown to Seattle where Dr. B. not only saved my feet, but encouraged me through my recovery and gave me the will to walk and live again. Today I live a full life! My pain is minimal and easily managed with ibuprofen. Dr. B. will always have a specail place in my heart!