Patient Reviews of University Foot and Ankle Institute

All was good about the treatment, but I was very upset when I was billed more than $700, and I found out that this location was not in-network in my PPO health plan even though your other locations were, and even though I was asked if I wanted to go to this new location by your staff and even though I was told by the doctor that I had already surpassed my deductible for the year -- a lot of confusion. Blue Shield somehow got this straightened out, thank goodness.

Dr. Bavarian has a very humane side to him that evokes trust and safety for the patient. He explained my problem well and what he will do to remedy it. I will be emailing him a few questions and then set up the process for a future surgery. I was so happy and hopeful after meeting with him I was dancing on the moon!

Unfortunately Dr Chan is leaving. He is a big loss. He thought through problems and treated them successfully. He was able to explain a condition to the average person. I think he actually really cared about his patients and his work, which in my opinion promotes healing.

I have been having issues with heel pain for years and nothing really ever helped for more than a couple weeks. Not the doctors here in Orange County, injections, physical therapy, ice, heating pad, stretching, nothing.

My friend from LA has been trying to get me to go to LA for treatment from her doctor at UFAI. After visiting me for the weekend and me hobbling through a local farmers market, she made me drive back with her to see her doctor.  She was able to get an appointment for me on Monday for the next day to see Dr. Ryan Carter and we drove in.  

Despite my negativity and general surly nature, the UFAI team was very nice. After filling out too much paperwork, Dr. Carter did an exam and ultrasound on me and told me my plantar fasciitis was a mess (duh!). He wanted an MRI, which I got in their office an hour later and then we met again in the afternoon.

Yep, I was a mess.  And since I already tried physical therapy and everything else, Dr. Ryan suggested we try this newer procedure called Tenjet. It's a water spraying device that breaks up and removes the scar tissue inside the foot that they have had lots of success with. But it has to be done in a surgery center but they took care of all the insurance stuff and two days later I was back for it.

It didn't hurt at all during it thanks to the miracle of drugs but afterwards, it did not really hurt either. It was tender but Tylenol did the trick. I was on crutches for a few days and then this Star Wars looking walking boot for a couple of weeks. And at Dr. Carter's recommendation, I also opted for physical therapy for recovery. The PT Team at UFAI was great, painful in the beginning but with only 3 weeks of PT, I was done and totally pain free.

I am now three months out, just had my last checkup and I can honestly walk without pain. It really changed my life and according to my husband I am sooooooo much less cranky. I really did not realize how much this pain spilled over into other aspects of my life, but it guess it did. I am not sure who loves Dr. Carter more, me or my husband.

Very informative and straight forward. Explanations were understandable and I greatly appreciated a recommendation for another surgeon in Michigan where we now reside. This information made for an easier decision.