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Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge
Bone & Joint Staff • December 27, 2022
Sciatica Pain Relief from a Doctor Who Cares: Mabel Kirkes’ Patient Story

Ask 72-year-old Mabel Kirkes of St. Amant about her spine doctor, Kevin McCarthy, and you’ll hear some rave reviews. He may not have performed her first spine procedure, but she is quick to let you know he’ll perform all of them in the future, just as he has for the past fifteen-plus years. 


Complications from Neck Surgery

The relationship between Mabel and Dr. McCarthy started after she had neck surgery with a different orthopedic surgeon at a different practice. Complications from that procedure led her to research other physicians and straight into Dr. McCarthy’s office at the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge. Through the course of his examination, Dr. McCarthy discovered that a loose screw from that first surgery was just a hairline away from rupturing her esophagus. Immediately, he sprang into action, setting her up for a second surgery that would help her avoid a dire medical complication. As Mabel, a self-proclaimed country girl puts it, “He jumped on it like a dog on a bone!”


Injections to Control Sciatica Pain

Following her successful neck surgery and positive experience with Dr. McCarthy, Mabel knew precisely where to go when other back pain issues later arose. This time, her pain stemmed from sciatica, a condition in which irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve leads to pain in the lower back, buttock, and leg. The degree of this pain can vary. For Mabel, the discomfort was severe and negatively impacted her quality of life.


To address her pain, Dr. McCarthy suggested epidural injections. Although the idea of a long needle in her back was frightening, Mabel trusted her doctor implicitly. 


“If I wasn’t at ease with my doctor, it would be hard to let them stick those needles in for the epidurals,” she says. “Anything could happen, but I go in there with complete trust in Dr. McCarthy. I know I’m going to come out feeling better.”


For the past five years, Mabel’s sciatica-related pain episodes have been well-controlled thanks to regular injections with Dr. McCarthy. For that, she is immensely grateful, not only do her physician, but to the staff who support him. Between Dr. McCarthy’s office team and the group of nurses at the Orthopedic Surgery Center where her injections are performed, Mabel has a robust team of medical professionals playing an integral role in her success. Still, there is just something special about the man who performed that neck surgery many years ago.


“Dr. McCarthy is wonderful,” Mabel raves. “He’s truly one-of-a-kind. He’s caring, compassionate, and he doesn’t just make me feel like another number. He will sit with me as long as he needs to answer all of my questions.”


While back pain and spine surgery are something every patient hopes to avoid, there is also the deep hope that if they find themselves in Mabel’s situation, they are also fortunate enough to find a Dr. McCarthy.

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The Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus

The Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus

By The Bone & Joint Clinic Staff • February 11, 2025
Damage to the meniscus, which serves as a cushion between the thigh and shin bones, can cause severe pain and impair movement.
Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis and Managing It at Different Life Stages

Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis and Managing It at Different Life Stages

By The Bone & Joint Clinic Staff • January 31, 2025
While it is often associated with aging, arthritis can affect individuals at any stage of life. Understanding the different types of arthritis and how to manage them at various life stages is key to maintaining a high quality of life.

Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge Physician Practice Transition – Effective April 1, 2025

By Bone and Joint Clinic Staff • January 30, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA, January 30, 2025 – Effective April 1, 2025, four distinguished orthopedic surgeons from The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will transition to Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic (BROC), continuing their commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care. The physicians joining BROC are: 1. Joseph "Jeb" Broyles, MD – Specializes in joint replacement surgery, knee arthroscopy, and cartilage regeneration. 2. Arthur "Art" Hess, MD – Specializes in trauma, hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction, and total joint replacement surgery. 3. Mat hew "Matt" Mazoch, M D – Specializes in shoulder and knee surgery. 4. Alan Schroeder, MD – Specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Beginning April 1, 2025, these physicians will operate under BROC's umbrella while continuing to see patients at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge's current location, 7301 Hennessy Blvd. Eventually, the doctors plan to transition to BROC's campus on Bluebonnet Blvd. The estimated timeline for that move is Summer/Fall 2025. In addition, Dr. Patrick Hall will be transitioning to his own practice, Hall Podiatry, that will continue to provide quality podiatric care to patients. Dr. Hall will continue to practice at 7301 Hennessy Blvd. until May/June 2025. After that date, patients may see him at a new nearby location. Dr. Zachary Rohr and Christopher Belleau will also transition their practice to a new location effective March 31, 2025. We will update our patients once those details are finalized. Dr. Gerard Murtagh of The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will be retiring effective March 2025. Dr. Murtagh has been a vital part of the clinic since 1988 and has significantly contributed to its success. We thank Dr. Murtagh for his many years of service to the patients of Bone & Joint Clinic. Patients are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge using the current process for the foreseeable future. To ensure a seamless transition, The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will provide detailed information to patients in the coming weeks, including the secure transfer of medical records and continuity of care. The health and well-being of patients remain the top priority, and The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, BROC, and Hall Podiatry are working together to make this transition as smooth as possible while maintaining uninterrupted care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can contact The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge at 225-766-0050 or by visiting bjcbr.com . Patients can also reach BROC at 225-924-2424 or by visiting brortho.com .
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