Success Stories

Dear Dr. LaBohn and Staff,

I want to thank you for all the wonderful treatment and kindness I’ve received over the past many years. I’ll miss you all and I’ll be thinking of you often. I hope I find a doctor in North Carolina as great as you.

Best regards,

Fay

My experience at the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay was extremely pleasant, from my first visit to my most recent one. Michelle, the Office Manager, was always very courteous. Knowing how busy I was, she went above and beyond to assist me with insurance questions, and called multiple times to remind me about different things I had to take care of before my foot surgery—from paperwork to blood work. I don’t have enough room here to list all the positive ways in which Dr. Stacie Fessette made correcting my bunion such an awesome experience. From the start, her enthusiasm was unfailing and contagious. My husband and I had so many questions about what the surgery and recovery would be like. Although this was a procedure she had done countless times before, and although there are far more extensive surgeries one could have, she made us feel as though every question deserved the right amount of attention, and that she genuinely cared. Her “bedside manner” was above reproach from beginning to end. I definitely consider Stacie Fessette a “diamond in the rough’ in the medical field. I’d recommend her to anyone looking for a “foot doctor”.

Thank you

Kristen

Dr. Blustein and Plant City Staff,

My husband and I love to hike, particularly moderately strenuous trails in the National Parks. Because of severe arthritis in my big toes, I was forced to limp, in severe pain, during our last hiking trip to Glacier Park in Montana. After barely being able to make it back down the mountain trails, even with the hiking poles and excellent boots, I was told by my husband (lovingly, of course) that if I didn’t make an appointment to see a podiatrist, the Glacier trip would have to be our last hiking venture. Not willing to give up that activity which I so enjoy or the daily fitness walks on the trails throughout our community, I scheduled an appointment to see Dr. Steven Blustein at the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay in Plant City. The x-rays showed severe deterioration of the big toe joint on my right foot, with not quite as severe damage on the left foot. Dr. Blustein explained that my options were an artificial joint replacement or a fusion of the joint, but that he would not be able to determine the best option for me until he operated and could visually and precisely assess the damage to the joint. He explained the pros and cons of each surgical option, stressing that with the fusion; I would not ever be able to bend the toe joint which would make putting on a hiking boot, and hiking steep trails difficult at best. Being an avid hiker himself, Dr. Blustein understood why I would prefer the artificial joint replacement which would allow bending of the toe, but he made no promises ahead of the surgery…only stressing that he would do what was best once he could actually view the damaged joint. Suffice it to say, due entirely to Dr. Blusteins’s professionalism, his concern for my overall well being, and his superior ability as a surgeon to focus on intricate details; I was able to exit surgery with a wonderful, new bendable toe joint! His follow-up care is at least as good, if not better than his surgical ability. Dr. Blustein called me three times between the surgery on Friday and my appointment with him the following Monday in his office to make certain I was doing OK. Bottom line…my husband and I have a hiking trip scheduled to Vail, Colorado, less than three months after my surgery, and I have already increased my fitness walking speed to 3.6mph. I plan on having Dr. Blustein operate on my left toe early next year and would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Blustein, his friendly staff and capable nursing staff, and Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay to anyone who asked.

Thank you,

Christine G.

Dr. Auger and Office Staff,

You were such a great help. Even the girls upfront make you feel like family. They are so caring and helpful. As for Dr. Auger, he is an excellent doctor. I came in with so much pain and I am now not having much at all. When they performed the x-ray the lady was very gentle. Everyone was so professional. It was a great experience.

Thank you so much,
Carol B

Dr. Rivera,

During September, I began to experience pain in both my heels with the left hurting more than the right. I was using aerobic exercise- 20-to-30 minute sessions five days a week- as a tool to manage stress from my full-time job, and as a defense against osteoporosis as well as a family history of cardiovascular disease for almost 30 years. On weekends, I golfed with my husband. I also enjoyed hiking, walking, dancing, biking and kick boxing. Because of constant, unrelenting heel and foot pain of varying intensity along with muscle spasms and cramping in my legs ( even when my feet and legs were at rest), I was forced to suspend most of my aerobic activities. Finally, the pain became so severe, I sought medical help.

During the following twelve months, under medical advice, I tried generic orthotics, cortisone injections, pain medication, strapping and, finally custom orthotics. On my own, I used daily stretching exercises, alternated my shoes, and applied ice compresses. Although the right foot pain stopped, nothing worked to relieve my chronic left heel pain! To stand or perform domestic duties (cleaning, cooking, gardening etc.) for 30-60 minutes would cause so much pain that it would force me off my feet. I felt like I was walking on broken glass all the time with hot, sharp stabs of pain shooting up through the heel of my left foot and around the sides of my left foot up into my leg. In addition, pain from the pressure of my left heel lying on a mattress or a foot rest would cause me to lay my left foot on its side to relieve some of the pain. Finally, the pain became so severe, coupled with the muscle spasms in my left foot and leg at night, I could not sleep and the quality of my life was profoundly impacted.

I didn’t know what to do. Fortunately, Dr. Rivera did! He explained ESW (Extracorporeal Shock Wave) to me—a procedure which uses very strong sound energy waves to enter the affected area and shock it to generate healing using an Ossatron device.

Since this procedure is painful, I was anesthesized prior to the ESW treatment with the Ossatron at a local out-patient surgery center. It took about 30 min for the procedure. I was told to expect the pain in my left heel to continue for some time after the treatment but that it would gradually go away. (After all, we had tried so many other conservative treatments for almost a year). Imagine my joy and surprise to be completely pain-free within two weeks of the procedure!

That was eight years ago! To this date, June of 2011, I have never experienced one iota of pain in my left heel and foot. This is a truly remarkable procedure for any patient suffering from intense, chronic, heel pain without success from trying other conservative treatments for relief. I unhesitatingly recommend consideration of this treatment with Dr. Juan Rivera as I consider this procedure to be a miracle worker!

Dee Swisher

Dear Riverview Office,

                I am a 75 year old diabetic and have been a patient of Dr.  Michael Fleeter at the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay in Riverview, Florida since 1995. Since 1995 I have also visited at least 13 other doctors as a patient.

                My visits to Dr. Fleeter’s office are quite a comparison to my visits with other doctors. Beginning with the telephone- I can actually talk to a person! There is never a problem with parking. I am greeted by an office staff that is well groomed, efficient, pleasant, personable, compassionate and respectful. I’ve never had to wait unnecessarily passed my appointed time to see the doctor. It appears that the office staff has changed very little in 16 years. All of these things indicate to me that there is good management and respect for a good doctor.

                Dr. Fleeter has always cautioned me to take care of my feet. This caution was remembered in January 2011 when I developed a blister on my left big toe. I called Dr.  Fleeter’s office and was immediately given an appointment. Dr. Fleeter has worked diligently since to get that stubborn big toe well and it is finally well, as I knew it would be.

                Dr. Fleeter has always treated me with respect as a whole person, not just a “Big Toe”. He has explained the treatment he was pursuing, listened to my complaints (even they were not of my feet.) and my “smart remarks”. I respect him as a person and as a doctor and have complete confidence in him.

Juanita T. Whitney

Dear Dr. Rivera,

I am very grateful to you and your staff at the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay. I came to your office at the suggestion of a friend. The wound on the bottom of my foot was not healing. The infection was spreading and the current treatments were not working. From my very first visit on May 5, 2010 you knew the exact treatment needed, a new procedure using activated collagen. I was kept very encouraged with your positive attitude. You started home healthcare for daily wound dressings, ordered antibiotics, and gave me “walk-in” care in your office whenever I felt the need. By March 14, 2011 my foot wound was completely healed and I was back to exercise class at the YMCA!

Sincerely,

Helen W.

Dr. Blustein,

I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done to relieve the severe pain I was having in my big toe. The surgery placing a Hemi Joint in my big toe was a huge success and I am now able to walk without the pain I endured for several years after my  auto accident. You and your staffs compassion during the entrie treatment period is very much appreciated. I’m thankful to my wives reccomendation to you which came based on several of her co-workers being treated by you for various foot problems all with 100% satisfaction. I have had to see many doctors in the past several years for various things but none have provided the expert care and professional treatment that you have. You can bet that I will always recommend you and the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay to anyone that needs the services that you provide!

Sincelerly,

Richard K.

Dear Dr. Fleeter,

I can't thank you enough for treating my feet for the heel calluses and the toenail fungus. Your combination of kindness, compassion and expertise has lifted my spirit and eased the pain in my feet. I can now walk without my feet hurting and the nail fungus is getting better due to Nail Stat.

A patient that recommended you to me told me she received a thank you letter for the referral and she was quite pleased that you acknowledged her so graciously. You are a rare credit to the medical profession and I can only hope that my granddaughter, a recent graduate pharmacist interning at Sarasota Memorial, can incorporate human kindness into her medical knowledge in order to excel in her field.

Thank you!

Dear South Tampa Office,

Thank you so very much for taking such good care of me. You really took a potentially bad situation (me at my wits end) and made sure I got in to see someone today. Wish other offices could learn from your professionalism and people skills.

Enjoy,
Janet and Jeff

Dear Dr. LaBohn,

Thank you for all your care and kindness. I appreciate all you have done for me. You fixed my left foot and took away that pain, improving my quality of life, and I am so grateful to you.

Sincerely,
C.B.

Dr. Rivera,

I am very pleased with my results and the overall care I received at the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay. I am at a job where I stood for very long hours and had very bad chronic heel pain. Since I was casted for orthotics I have experienced a very noticeable difference and decreased pain.

Thank you,
Robert

Dear Ankle + Foot Center,

Last week, I was vacationing in Tampa. While there, I had a painful but minor problem which required medical attention. I requested a referral to a podiatrist in the Tampa area and I was fortunate enough to be referred to the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay. I was treated by Dr. Stacie Fessette. Dr. Fessette was professional, reassuring, knowledgeable and friendly. She explained the recommended a procedure which involved removing one of the nails on my foot and thoroughly answered all of my questions. I was particularly concerned because I was running a race the day after my return to the Washington Area. Dr. Fessette assured me that I would heal in sufficient time to compete in my race, and she was correct. Her overall demeanor exuded the highest levels of competence and confidence. she is certainly a credit to your practice.

In conclusion, you can imagine how unsettling it is to require medical attention so far from home. Everyone associated with the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay was courteous and accommodating. Please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation.

Very truly yours,
Edward

Dr. Fleeter,

Thank you for the great care you gave my mom. Thank you for your concern for her health. You and your staff were always so kind and helpful to us. Your care was greatly appreciated.

Sharon

Dr. Fleeter,

Many thanks for the wonderful care given to my mother yesterday. Not only did her feet stop hurting but she left your office in high spirits due to your kindness.

With much appreciation,
Johanna

Dr. Rivera,

This was my first surgery and I want to thank you and your team for a great time.

Thanks,
Rick

Dr. Auger,

Dr. Auger did a very fine job. He and his staff are #1. It is a pleasure to come here.

Willard M.

Dear Dr. Blustein,

After 11 years of pain and discomfort with my feet, Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay saved the day. Working in retail, I was on my feet constantly and at times the pain was unbearable. No way could I take the time off work that was required with conventional surgery. You used a non-invasive procedure (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) and I was back at work in only one week. The pain in my feet is gone and I have you to thank for that.

Thank you,
Vicky R

Dear Plant City office,

After months of experiencing pain in my left foot, I made an appointment at the Plant City office of the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay. Dr. Blustein quickly and accurately diagnosed the problem as a Morton’s Neuroma. Because it did not respond to the shots, surgery was recommended. Due to my health insurance plan, I chose to have the procedure performed at South Florida Baptist Hospital. Dr. Creighton examined my foot prior to the surgery and explained exactly what he would do to correct the problem. He spoke in terms I could understand and answered all questions and concerns that I had. He truly put me at ease with his knowledge and confidence in correcting the problem.

I highly recommend the physicians and their staff at the Plant City office of the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay. Everyone was courteous and knowledgeable in the jobs that they performed. I will definitely keep them as my primary ankle and foot care center, and am already recommending them to family and friends.

Sue

Dr. Oulds,

I have been a patient of the Ankle + Foot Center of Tampa Bay for many years. I had surgery on my great toe January 2011. Dr. Oulds performed the surgery. I have since developed the greatest admiration and trust in his work. Throughout the while process he was understanding and supportive. No matter how nervous I was, he always made me feel comfortable with every detail before, and especially after surgery.

His staff was unbelievably helpful and caring as well. I was having trouble with my primary care doctor’s office approving a referral. His staff had to make numerous calls back-and-forth to get it resolved. Even with all of their other duties, they maintained a polite and courteous attitude.

I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Oulds for any podiatry need. You may contact me at harshbargers@pcsb.org for any further detailed information regarding my experience with Dr. Oulds and or my foot surgery.

Sabina

 
Dr. Rivera Wound Care from Right to Left completely healed.

Dear Dr. LaBohn and Staff,

                Thank you so much for your expert surgery (on both my feet) and superb care throughout the entire recovery period. You all made a tough time in my life seem so much more bearable.

You’re the best!
Jan