It’s a fairly common occurrence among patients at the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge. After they have come to see one doctor for a condition, they are likely to come back and see others as future problems arise. Carolynn Lee is one such patient, having seen four Bone and Joint physicians for issues ranging from her back to her feet.

Skilled Spine Surgeon Prevents Complications

Carolynn’s first visits to the Bone and Joint Clinic came in 2014 when extensive back problems threatened to leave her largely immobile and even wheelchair-bound. Unwilling to accept a fate that so drastically reduced her quality of life and ability to perform her job, Carolynn searched for a spinal surgeon who could make the seemingly impossible happen and keep her on her feet. In Dr. Chambliss Harrod, she found just the surgeon she needed - one who refused to accept a lifetime of immobility as her fate and possessed the expertise and skill to change that course. In the end, it proved that Dr. Harrod was exactly who she needed at the precise time she needed him.

“Dr. Harrod was a lifesaver for me. I had four total spine surgeries with him. He’s the reason I’m not in a wheelchair today!”

Ongoing Orthopedic Concerns

While Carolynn was fortunate to have found the perfect spinal surgeon to treat her lingering back problems, her orthopedic issues didn’t stop there. Having worked 30 years at a job that required extensive hours on her feet, she was often plagued with physical problems that stemmed from the strain on her body’s muscles and joints. 

Following her initial spinal surgeries with Dr. Harrod, Carolynn found herself frequently returning for compassionate and expert care at the Bone and Joint Clinic. She has seen Dr. Alan Schroeder for a broken arm, trigger finger, and arthritis in her knees, while Dr. Arthur Hess treated her for her hip. However, one of her most frequent and frustrating concerns was her feet.

Manual Labor Leads to Foot Problems

After three decades of daily manual labor in steel-toe boots, it isn’t exactly surprising that Carolynn’s feet haven’t been able to come away unscathed. Discomfort in her lower extremities is something to which she became accustomed. Still, when bunions began to plague her with their painful, bony protrusions, she knew she had to seek a solution, and she knew precisely where to go to find it.

“The Bone and Joint Clinic has really touched my life. The level of care, expertise, and just, in general, how down-to-earth all these doctors are is just great. The PAs and NPs are all wonderful as well!”

Dr. Patrick Hall immediately impressed Carolynn with his knowledge, expertise, and approachable demeanor. Instantly, she felt both comfortable with him and confident in his knowledge and skill as a podiatric surgeon. While he was confident in his approach, he also took care to understand the unique needs of his patient as an individual. Only after fully considering Carolynn, her concerns, her preferences, and her lifestyle did he formulate a treatment plan.

“Dr. Hall always took into consideration what I wanted and worked to meet my needs. I wasn’t a huge of fan of having to do physical therapy, and he customized treatment so that I didn’t need to.”

After multiple imaging tests and the use of a walker and activity limitations, the mutual decision was reached by both Carolynn and Dr. Hall that the time for surgery had come. It may have taken thirty years of steel-toe boots for the bunion and bunionette to develop on Carolynn’s foot, but it took Dr. Hall considerably less time to repair them. 

Today, Carolynn remains as active as ever, and although she can walk long distances, she still feels like it may be time for preferential parking at her favorite orthopedic clinic.