Dr. Theodore Phillip Firestone, MD

When I was looking for a knee surgeon, I chose Dr. Firestone. Why? I know there are risks with any surgery. If something were to go wrong, I wanted an experienced surgeon who could help get me to the best outcome possible. When a failed knee replacement became my reality, I trusted Dr. Firestone would help me. Instead, Dr. Firestone failed me. I suffered from day one. I could not bend my knee. Dr. Firestone insisted the knee was perfect and finally said he was tired of hearing I was not happy. The pandemic slowed me down but I managed to see a few surgeons. They all diagnosed a failed knee replacement. A few months ago, I had a much-needed knee revision surgery. Today, I am no longer crippled: I can finally walk without a significant limp; I can bike and hike. I still reflect on my decision to go with Dr. Firestone based on experience. I now realize the best surgeons also possess empathy, compassion, and integrity. These are qualities I did not see in Dr. Firestone.

If you want the Best of the Best Dr. Firestone is it! He replaced bilateral knees and hips for my mom 7-8 years ago and it completely changed her quality of life for the better. She no longer has daily pain due to her osteoarthritis. He gives the utmost care and his team delivers the same. Eva thanks you Dr. Firestone and thank you for giving her back the life she knew before pain.

Did extensive research to find the right Dr. for my bilateral knee replacement (both at same time) 72 years old. Far exceeded my expectations. Manageable pain, great team working with me and wonderful recovery. Dr. Firestone is among the best in the world. In 3 days could walk without cane or help. Used a cane for 4 weeks could not have asked for better results, minimum pain and great care. When just ok is not ok. Dr. Firestone exceeds. He puts the ART in surgery.

I had a unsuccessful left knee replacement by another doctor. 3 years later I needed my right knee replaced and was referred to Dr. Firestone by a number of people, because they said he is “ THE BEST”. My surgery and post recovery has been astonishing. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dr.Firestone because he IS THE BEST??

Dr. Firestone not only is an extraordinary doctor, but also an extraordinary human being. I can Vouch for the fact that his abilities and skills are unmatched. No words are enough to appreciate for what he has done for me. Dear Dr. Firestone, Thank you for your tremendous skill in performing my operation. Your talent and caring manner is a credit to the medical profession. You are truly a lifesaver and a blessing to people on Earth. You gave me a new life. Thank you, again. GOD Bless You!!!

I am a physician. In my opinion, Dr. Firestone is a brilliant physician and surgeon. He is courageous and confident yet compassionate and caring. He performed repeat total knee replacement on my wife who had previously undergone a sub-optimal total knee replacement by another surgeon in Arizona. My wife's result from Dr. Firestone's surgery was incredible. She was walking the same day as the surgery. Her knee function is completely restored and Dr. Firestone performed an incredibly complex surgery that most knee replacement surgeons would not be able to accomplish. I recommend Dr. Firestone to all my family members and patients. I would not go anywhere else if I needed knee or hip replacement. Andrew Rabinowitz MD

Dr. Firestone to me when I asked him if he performs the quadriceps sparing knee replacement surgery. After listing to him brag about himself for a few more minutes I asked him again, so you don't cut the quadriceps muscle at all and he replied again "no I don't. Not all orthopedic Dr's perform the quad sparing knee replacement surgery but it is a much less invasive surgery simply because the quad muscle doesn't have to heal. So the truly arrogant Dr. Firestone is a liar, plain and simple. If you need total knee replacement surgery find a surgeon that truly does the quad sparing knee replacement. Cutting the quad muscle is the "old fashion, out of date" knee replacement surgery. Don't be fooled do your research, and get the quad sparing surgery.

May 19, 2019 Dr. Firestone replaced both my knees 15 months ago, and last week, I completed a three-day hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (and back up again)! I had exactly zero pain for the entire hike. Before I met Dr. Firestone, two other orthopedic surgeons had told me that I needed to live in a house on one level (because I wouldn’t ever be able to go up and down stairs regularly) and that knee surgery would probably reduce the extreme pain I had, but would not restore functionality. They told me that I would never hike again, and that I should delay having surgery until I had accepted this fact. They also said things like, “No one ever died of knee pain,” and “This is purely elective surgery.” After Dr. Firestone operated, he noted that if I had not had the surgery when I did, I would probably have ended up permanently consigned to a wheelchair within two years, due to the deteriorated state of my knees. Two days after I got out of the canyon, I hiked to… the top of Granite Mountain in Prescott, AZ, another 6 hours of hiking for me, round trip. Even before Dr. Firestone operated, I was more impressed with him, his focus, and the protocols and arrangements he had put in place than I have been with any other doctor who has ever treated me. Some of the reasons are: 1. He was the first doctor whose opening remarks to me were about the pain he realized I must be experiencing. He turned from the computer screen to meet my eyes and said, “You must be in so much pain!” (Other doctors typically focus on the technical issues – joint space narrowing, lack of cartilage – but not the impact of those issues on me and my life.) 2. He consistently looked at me when he was talking to me, rather than being focused solely on the computer screen. I felt that he actually saw me, not simply the case. 3. He quoted infection and readmission statistics to me, which no other doctor has ever done, and he contrasted national results to his (better) results, which was not only reassuring on the face of it, but indicated that he pays attention to the results that patients get – not just on what happens during surgery. 4. He had experience with patients with a comorbidity I have, and he described clearly why he expected me to get good results despite it. He was the first doctor to tell me why the comorbidity would not be an issue, instead of simply saying, “Don’t worry about it.” 5. He wanted to send me directly home instead of to rehab, for two reasons: infection rates in institutions can be troublesome, and people do better convalescing in their own homes. In my experience, doctors typically default to sending patients to rehab for a few weeks, and his approach and his reasons for it make more sense to me. 6. He also asked me, though, whether going home would be workable for me, instead of assuming either that it would or wouldn’t be. 7. In the initial consultation, as we talked about the challenges of having surgery on both knees at the same time, he remarked, “You’re tough. You can do this.” That was an unusual thing to say, and I was both amused and impressed that he was able to draw that conclusion so quickly. I am tough, and I did do this. But I’m still not sure how he knew that! 8. He has a spectacular nurse practitioner, part of whose job it is to answer questions for patients who are about to have surgery, a very practical arrangement, and the incumbent, Jeanette Jumawan, was very patient, generous of her time, knowledgeable, clear, thorough, and reassuring in answering my questions. 9. Jeanette’s answers were factual and informative. When I asked if I would be able to walk 150 feet when I first got home, she replied, “Our patients walk 300 feet before discharge. That is the distance from the patient’s room, around the nursing station, and back to the patient’s room.” Many practitioners would have answered by saying, “Oh, you should be able to walk a good distance.” 10. When I asked about the environment in the operating room – was there typically a lot of conversation? Or was music typically playing? Or was it quiet? – Jeanette seemed genuinely appalled at the idea that it could be anything but very quiet, with a complete focus on the job at hand. I was very happy to hear that the focus is on the patient, not on banter, music, etc. 11. When I asked about a protocol to reduce the odds of delirium, Jeanette answered the question and then commented, “You know, it has been a very long time since we had a patient develop delirium.” This was startling and welcome news. The national statistics on delirium in the hospital are very high, even outside the ICU – depending on the study, perhaps 20%-70% of patients develop delirium, and the long-term consequences can be horrific. The idea that this is an exceedingly rare experience among his patients was spectacular news. 12. Jeanette finished every conversation by saying, “If you have any more questions, call me,” rather than implying that she was too busy to take additional calls. 13. Jeanette was also very welcoming and inclusive when I arranged extra support for myself, such as a care manager and a massage therapist. This attitude can be rare, and I appreciate it. 14. Dr. Firestone sent out surveys to track before-and-after pain and functionality, which implies an interest in knowing if the intervention has improved the patient’s quality of life. In my experience, this focus is unusual. It is also highly significant to me. 15. The antiemetic he typically uses is listed as a good alternative to more common ones for people with one of the comorbidities I have. I was grateful to hear that. 16. He uses aspirin rather than other standard but more dangerous blood thinners, and I was very happy to hear this. 17. He talks to patients before they are put under. I have had experiences in th

Dr. Firestone replaced my left hip in 1999 and my right hip in 2004. It is now 2018 and I am still going strong. I have never had any problems with my hips and am so ever grateful that Dr. Firestone was my doctor. When I had my first hip replaced in 1999 Dr. Firestone told me that the right hip would probably have to be replaced in 5 years. Exactly five years later I was having my right hip replaced. He told me that his patients don't come back for seconds. In other words the first operation would do the job!! He knows that his expertise is the best and I can vouch for that. Thankyou Dr. Firestone.

Dr. Firestone lets his huge ego get in the way of his professional judgment. He may be fine for a healthy person in need of knee or hip replacement, but is unable to show good judgment for people who have pre-existing conditions that need attention before just having a surgery. If anything goes wrong, he blames the patient. He has zero bedside manner and many people looking for knee or hip replacement leave his office after first consult because of his arrogant and condescending attitude. He completely ruined my hip.