If there was a star less than 1, that is what I would give him. In 2011, I went to him with a diagnosis of Morton's Neuroma. Two visits later I decided to have the surgery, even though I was not that comfortable with him. He really didn't examine my foot but just accepted the evaluation of another podiatrist. His entire office visit with me was talking about himself, and how much he likes running, and a similar surgery that a pilot patient had who recovered in three days. I mentioned two visits because I wanted my sister's impression of him. He started talking again about himself and his running and the pilot. I almost said, "stop." I heard this before, and this visit is about me. I should have listened to my inner voice but because two of my doctors recommended him, and he has been in practice since the 80's, I had scheduled the surgery. WHAT A MISTAKE I made. I thought it was odd that he didn't see me before the surgery nor did he speak to my sister when the surgery was completed. The instruction were given by the nurse at the time of the release. Whenever I accompanied a family member for surgery, the doctor would always come out to explain how everything went. I continued to have pain months after the surgery. Finally, I went to another podiatrist, and he said that I needed a MRI. When the results came back, it showed that the nerve was not totally removed. A year later I had the surgery repeated by an orthopedic doctor. Of course, after Burckhardt's surgery, nothing has been normal. I had relief from the pain with the second surgery, but Burckhardt left me with no feeling in one toe, and nerve damage. Because of all the pain in the damaged foot, I unconsciously shifted my weight to the other side resulting in knee damage and back problems.
In comparing his surgery to the orthopedic surgeon surgery, it was so different. The orthopedic surgeon gave me instant relief from my pain. The surgery itself was not as hard. I wore the surgical shoe for a few days, while Burckhardt had me in it for several weeks. I didn't need to go to physical therapy. I had no bleeding when the stitches were removed, nor did I get a staph infection. With Burckhardt, I had all of these things. I did not get the staph infection from the hospital but when Burckhardt removed the stitches a blood blister formed. Soon after he popped the blood blister, the infection started. I noticed that my foot was changing colors. When I went back to him, I showed the discoloration to him. His comment was "what is that." After seeing an infectious doctor the staph cleared up.
With the orthopedic doctor he had pictures in my file showing what he had to do to correct the botched surgery. Everything was very professionally done. He saw me and my husband before and after the surgery and told us what he did.
It has been almost three years, and I have had to see a knee and back doctors, plus two separate physical therapy sections. I now have to wear shoes that are two and a half size larger and two W. I went from a seven to eight and half plus two wide. I wear a brace on my knee since so much pressure was put on it when I shifted my weight My nerves in my foot are so sensitive that it is hard to wear a sock with it. I am now experiencing a hammer toe.
All in all, I have been through another surgery, seen an infectious disease doctor, knee and back doctors, neurologist, plus taking many pills for the pain and nerves.
I've had three foot x-rays, three MRI's (foot, knee, and back). I even had a nerve test by an neurologist. There has been much pain, lost of work time, much money spent for drugs, imaging, shoes, orthotics, gas and time. Time is money since I used all of my comp time and sick time from my work of employment. My vacation time was also used when I used everything else up. I had to return to my job even though I was still in pain. I didn't have the second surgery at that time. I was so discouraged that I did not know who to trust. After talking to a friend, she recommended the orthopedic surgeon since she had the same surgery plus a bunion, and hammer toe.
Since my surgery, I have found many people who had similar experiences. Because he had been practicing in this area for years, and in my case, was referred to him by two doctors, you would think you have made the right decision. I have now learned to not listen to other doctors since they are all friends and probably not familiar with the quality of his work. It is best to find a friend who had a good experience and also read about their background. read more
