I was referred to Dr. Gregorius after I broke my ankle earlier this year. Before I was referred, the physician's assistant reassured me that the break was not that bad and that, most likely, I wouldn't have to have surgery because nothing looked displaced. First of all, when I got to his office, I spent 30 minutes waiting in the waiting room and another 30 in the back--ridiculous. When I was finally seen, I was promptly told by Dr. Gregorius' assistant, that I would probably need surgery. Even then, she told me that there were pros and cons to the surgery, and given that i wouldn't be able to get scheduled for another week, it might not even be best given that bone begins healing at the three week mark and I was already a week and a half out from the injury.
When Dr. Gregorius came in, I was balling. I explained that, although I have good insurance, I'm a broke grad student who doesn't get paid all summer and that I had a plan to visit my ailing father in the next couple of weeks. He was really reassuring, but insisted that if I didn't have surgery I would DEFINITELY have problems with my ankle for the rest of my life, saying he could already see arthritis developing in the x-ray. He told me that the bone was too displaced, and he made a really big fuss about the fact that I needed surgery ASAP. But he had a nice bedside manner and taught me to use my crutches better, which I really appreciated.
I went home feeling dejected but reassured, thankful that if I had to have surgery it would at least be with someone who had compassion and kindness. However, as I recounted my experience to a friend and fellow grad student, she looked at me surprised and asked my doctor's name. It turned out that the year before she had been referred to the same doctor for a knee injury and he had also insisted that she needed surgery in the next week. Because she felt pressured, she decided to get a second opinion from another dr. The doctor told her that she didn't,in fact, need surgery and instead recommended a knee brace and physical therapy. Hearing the story, I sought a second opinion, and lo and behold, I was told by another doctor that the displacement in my injury wasn't notable, and I didn't need surgery. He was very graceful about it and said that it was just a "different opinion," but obviously I was a bit upset with my experience at Empire where I had specifically asked if there were any other options besides surgery. I was given a cast for 7 weeks, and then sent to physical therapy for six. Now, I'm almost 5 months out and feel as good as new without surgery. I have full range of motion. I can climb up and down steps. I've gone dancing, climbed up and down sketchy ladders, and I've had minimal pain throughout the whole experience (without a single dose of pain meds either).
I waited to post this review in the event that the second doctor was wrong and I had any major complications, but alas, I'm just fine. As per all the positive reviews, I'm sure Dr. Gregorius is a great surgeon, but that he might have performed unnecessary surgery on me(and another woman!) is scary and frustrating.
TLDR: if this doctor rushes you to get surgery that you feel like you might not need, get a second opinion. read more