Dr. Jones is an incredible orthopaedic surgeon who transformed my life for the better. I have severe pes planus as a result of a connective tissue disorder. Hence, by my third decade, this resulted in hallux rigidus of my metatarsal joint, in addition to torsion of my metatarsal bone (i.e., bunion) with misaligned sesamoid bones. Given the amount of pain that I originally had in the foot, and the limited ability to walk, I originally had surgery with a different surgeon who performed a cheilectomy of my MTP joint. However, instead of obtaining relief to my original chronic condition, I was left with crippling pain, ongoing edema, scar tissue, an irregular surface of the metatarsal head, resulting in severe crepitus in the joint. Additionally, the bunion was not corrected, and as a result, I was unable to walk. Having a lack of confidence in several providers, I was adamant in finding a surgeon who could correct my orthopedic disability.
Consequently, I discovered Dr. Jones at… Northside Hospital in Cherokee, GA, and from the initial visit, I knew that there was hope and a solution to correct the damage in my foot. Dr. Jones not only has impeccable bedside manner, spending a significant amount of time in discussing all questions and concerns that a patient brings to him, but his knowledge and expertise in foot and ankle surgery, in addition to conservative treatment, is remarkable and indicative of his love and commitment to clinical treatment of complex problems. Dr. Jones was the only provider who ordered an MRI of my foot and provided me with additional conservative solutions to mitigate the pain that I was experiencing, beyond what my original provider had offered me. After it was determined that conservative treatment would not correct the underlying issues, Dr. Jones and I discussed surgical options and outcomes, where his confidence and careful assessment to my situation reassured me, all-the-while ensuring that I understood the potential risks to the surgery. He subsequently performed surgery at the main hospital (Northside Hospital, which is next door to his office building) to correct the bunion through a lapiplasty by fusing the first metatarsal bone with the medial cuneiform bone via cannulated screw fixation, in addition to revising the cheilectomy by removing the joint scar tissue and resurfacing the metatarsal head.
After six weeks of adhering to a strict non-load bearing protocol, to allow the bones to fuse, in addition to undergoing physical therapy, I was overjoyed and relieved that my chronic condition had been resolved! Not only was the original pain gone from the MTP joint, but I could finally flex my toe under weight-bearing load, without impingement. Furthermore, all previous signs of the original crepitus were gone, and load bearing stability was improved in the forefoot and midfoot. I was able to resume my confidence in being able to walk after several additional months of recovery to allow for soft tissue and bone edema to resolve with time.
Dr. Jones not only restored the mechanical function of my foot but gave me back the confidence to resume and enjoy the physical activities that many take for granted (e.g., walking, biking, and even bending down). I can truly say that Dr. Jones is a professional artisan that used the best surgical techniques in optimizing my recovery outcome, and for that I am eternally grateful! With full confidence in Dr. Jones, I highly recommend him, and his wonderful staff, for the exceptional patient care and attention at Northside Hospital. My only regret is that I did not go and seek treatment from Dr. Jones at the very beginning of my ordeal!
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