Nearly one year after undergoing a first MTP joint fusion with Garo Emerzian, DPM, I feel I can evaluate both the procedure and my overall recovery. While the fusion itself appears to have been technically successful, my overall experience and outcome have been quite disappointing. What surprised me most, particularly as a healthcare professional, was the lack of practical preoperative education. I received little guidance regarding mobility aids, bathing, home preparation, or the day-to-day realities of recovering from foot surgery. Most of the equipment and strategies that ultimately helped me through recovery were things I researched and obtained on my own. Had I not planned ahead, the recovery period would have been considerably more difficult. Following surgery, I developed a significant wound that remained open for months. Despite ongoing treatment in the office, healing did not progress, and I ultimately referred myself to a wound care clinic, where the wound was successfully treated. The prolonged wound complications prevented me from wearing a normal shoe for approximately six months and significantly delayed my recovery. Although the fusion healed, I was left with progressive drifting and crossover of adjacent toes, creating ongoing functional problems. I now require toe spacers and splints for comfortable walking and have found finding comfortable footwear significantly more challenging. I have also consulted multiple foot and ankle specialists regarding possible corrective surgery. My advice to prospective patients is to ask detailed questions about recovery expectations, possible complications, the impact on surrounding toes, the long-term effects on footwear and function, and the realistic timeline for returning to normal activities. I wish I had better understood these issues before making my decision. While the fusion itself was successful, the lack of patient preparation, prolonged wound complications, delayed recovery, and ongoing functional issues have left me very dissatisfied with the overall outcome. read more

Just completed my second bunion surgery. The man is a great podiatric surgeon. Everything turned out great.

I went to Dr. Emerzian for a painful foot injury which caused me to limp. I learned I ruptured a tendon. Dr. Emerzian tried non-surgical things first. It didn't work but I like that he tried. He then performed reconstructive surgery on my left foot which included repairing the tendon, arch support, ankle bone, foot realignment, and achilles tendon work. The achilles was not the ruptured tendon but Dr. Emerzian explained that it would normalize my gait. It was not easy and I was in a cast for two months. I am going through PT now. It was a long haul but the pain is gone and I am walking normally again. In a few more months of strength and mobility training, I hope to be completely healed. I would definitely recommend. read more

Dr. Emerzian performed my foot surgery on December 23, 2021 at Condell hospital. My experience at Condell was negative - from a surgical nurse who could not set-up an IV to being overdosed on Albuterol by the Anesthesiologist. A week later when I saw Dr. Emerzian, he said I had developed an infection, I asked him if the infection would heal and his response was "we can hope" & he sent me home. He called me the next morning, New Years' Eve, to tell me that I needed to go to the ER, he recommended that I go to Condell . I spent 5 hours at Northwestern ER. The results of the cultures taken in the ER showed I had two different types of infection in my foot. The ER doctor noted "patient concerned about infection". I also had significant swelling in my leg which ended up 'weeping' which was seen by Dr. Emerzian. This required, yet another, trip to the ER for an ultrasound to rule out a DVT. The attending nurse asked if my foot surgeon recommended elevating my leg & I told her that no my foot surgeon did not tell me that. Her response was 'he should have'. I began elevating my leg & the swelling & weeping cleared up. Despite the questionable decisions made by Dr Emerzian, I was advised by two members of my health care team to stay with him and 'try to work it out'. I was advised that changing doctors could be a greater risk. During my course of treatment, Dr. Emerzian called me 'stupid' and referred to me as 'trouble'; when I tried to explain that I have an aversion to the sight of blood, he mocked me. Considering that I have passed out while having blood drawn, this is not a laughing matter. The icing on the cake was when Dr. Emerzian said to me "You know, I just can't wait to get rid of you". I felt that statement was unprofessional, petty & juvenile for a doctor to say to a patient. I could NEVER imagine one of my other doctors saying that to me or to anyone. In Dr. Emerzian's bio, he says that the treats patients like he would members of his family. If that is true (?), I feel sorry for his family. Overall, the support staff at IBJI was excellent and accommodating. My nurses, Jo and Megan were excellent as well; competent, professional they took great care of me. I did call billing several times to question the charges on my statement. I was told that I would receive a return call but never did. IBJI charged my insurance over $900 for each 15 minute appointment. The EOB's listed 2 separate charges for 'surgery' for each and every appointment when no surgery was performed. My health situation was complicated and horrendously stressful. I will never know if there were any options to help me heal in a timely manner as Dr. Emerzian was adverse to doing anything else than what he has done the same way for 25 years. The additional stress of dealing with a doctor with a bad attitude was unnecessary. Sadly, these reviews don't seem to make a difference since I see similar complaints from other patients going back years. My hope is that ALL of Dr. Emerzians patients have an advocate present during an appointment. BTW - my husband was present during my appointments and witnessed Dr. Emerzian's behavior. Dr. Emerzian may have years of experience but his plan is always conservative, regardless of how long it takes, the impact on the patient or how much it may cost. read more

Dr Emerzian is a phenomenal doctor. He is down to earth, professional and very knowledgeable. I came to him for help resolving a foot issue I had been suffering with for 3 years under another doctors care. After only one visit with Dr Emerzian, he found the issues that needed correction, and we had a treatment plan. His expertise has me back in shoes and walking normal again. I would recommend him to everyone who has any issues with their feet...he will help in whatever way he can and keep you informed along the way. Thanks again Dr Emerzian!!! read more

I went to see Dr. Emerzian for plantar fasciitis. I was seeing another dr who helped me tremendously, but unfortunately that Dr moved out of state. on my first visit, I told him what treatments I have tried and which have worked and which didn't. I basically wanted a cortisone shot on my heel because that helped with the pain. Instead, he told me he doesn't believe in shots and gave me some exercises to do. Next, he proceeded to wrap my foot in a pad of foam held by an ace bandage that was so tight my foot was swollen when I got home. He did nothing to address my pain. I did the exercises for two weeks and he made me come back for another visit. In a very brief, less than 5 minute visit, he tried to give me a pair of orthotics that may or may not be covered by my insurance. I tried to ask what to do for the pain and again asked for a shot, but instead I was yelled at and told he was the owner and a client of the place for over 30 years and he knows best. He has a horrible bedside manner, refuses to acknowledge his patient's concerns and it was a very upsetting visit. Amd he wanted me to come back a third time! No afternoon or evening appointments so I would need a third day off of work for no help. Needless to say I will not be back. I have never been treated so rudely by a medical, in his case, unprofessional person in all of my life. read more

Excellent experience/results yesterday with Dr. Garo for foot surgery. 25 years experience as a surgeon. Highly recommend him... the DaVinci of da feet! Thanx, doc. read more

Dr Emerzian was amazing at getting me in at short notice and really took time to understand what was going on and how to fix it. Forever grateful! read more

I was very surprised at the bad review I saw below, I am very pleased with he approach and care Dr Emerzian is providing with me. He never rushes my appointment, he answers every question and is commit ed to making my foo question better and get me moving! read more

I highly recommend Dr. Emerzian for foot health issues. My son was visiting another doctor for his complex foot issue and it only got worse over 5 months. We then sought a second opinion from Dr. Emerzian and he discovered the root cause of the issue right away. After implementing his recommendations, my son is now almost fully healed after only 2 weeks. I have rarely seen such an effective doctor. read more

Unfortunately this was not a good choice of podiatrists for our family and IBJI was not a great place to deal with on this matter. If you need a podiatrist I strongly suggest looking elsewhere, out of the IBJI institution and not with Dr. Emerzian. We spent a lot of money, and insurance spent even more, plus multiple visits to see the Dr. for orthotics. In the end we did not even get any orthotics, we had to go to another doctor to be casted for orthotics. They will make you go back multiple times and end up with nothing, each time you have to wait to see the Dr. and also pay, plus the insurance has to pay even more. read more

I've been seeing Dr. Emerzian for awhile for a foot issue. He has been very kind. He listens and works together with me to come up with the plan of care. He ended up needing to do surgery after exhausting conservative treatments. He is very professional as is his medical assistant. I would highly recommend Dr. Emerzian for any feet issues. read more

STORE AWAY FROM DOCTOR EMERZIAN!!!! He diagnosed a broken foot, although it was not just twisted (diagnosis of another doctor). He sent me a $ 247 bill for an office visit, an x-ray of $ 93, and an surgery that NEVER WORKED for $ 1,838 He ignores a certified letter from me, claiming that it was the cost of consultation and instructions. He doesn't want to change my bill and his office won't explain to me where the $1838 came from. read more

Dr Emerzian is an excellent surgeon. I had bunion surgery and I have had very little pain or dicomfort. My bunion was very large but now it looks perfect. Dr Emerzian usually performs surgery on Wednesday but because of my insurance I had to have the surgery at the hospital and the only day available was Friday. Dr Emerzian very kindly agreed to do it on a Friday. It's been three weeks since the surgery I have no swelling ,no bruising and no pain. The scar is barley noticeable. I was walking around with the boot without any pain 5 days after surgery. I highly recommend Dr Emerzian. read more

In May of 2007 Emerzian preformed surgery on my right foot. I seen him for a stumb toe. He told me I needed surgery or my foot would get worse, so I had it done. Six months after the surgery the ball of my foot started hurting really bad. I went to his office to show him. Him knowing fully well what the problem was brushed me off and gave me some cotton looking pad and cut out a horse shoe pattern to go around the sore spot. To make a long story short I went to another (real) doctor and he asked me why did this jerk do this to you. My big toe is an inch shorter than the other one. I am in so much pain I can't hardly walk. The owner of IL Bone and Joint would not even talk to me. DO NOT GO TO THIS QUACK!!!! HE IS A BAD DOCTOR!!!! read more