TOA Testimonials

Dr. William B. Kurtz performed a bilateral hip replacement surgery on Dwayne Clemmons recently and his post-op results were incredible! Dwayne shared his experience below. The following account is in his own words and shared here with his permission.

"After visiting a Sports Medicine Center and receiving the diagnosis that I needed bilateral hip replacement, the best advice I received was to find a surgeon who would perform the Anterior Method. It was explained that this method would yield the fastest recovery with the least restrictions of movement. During my research I became acquainted with two people who had hip replacement surgery by Dr. Kurtz. They had nothing but good things to say about his bedside manner, as well as the overall surgical experience. In addition to the personal testimonies, I was highly impressed to find that Dr. Kurtz had over 14 patents concerning knee and hip replacement implants, as well as a patented leg length study. After reading more about the Direct Anterior method on Dr. Kurtz’s website, as well as watching a total hip replacement video, I made the call to visit his office.

Dr. Kurtz answered all of my questions and I left feeling confident that I had found the right surgeon for my procedure. I soon scheduled a surgery date. Twenty-three hours after surgery I walked approximately 250 feet without a walker or cane. I was walking better after surgery than I did pre-op the day before. My hips did not hurt and I was able to stand tall and erect; something I had not done in a while. This also resulted in a gain of one-half inch in height. I’m 5’11’’ again.

Two weeks after surgery I returned to school as a teacher. I was able to attend all of my classes and function as I normally would. Six weeks after surgery I was on the tennis court with a ball machine. I felt no pain or discomfort during my 30-minute session. I am slowly working my way back to a full 1 ½ hour match. I tell everyone I know about Dr. Kurtz and the Anterior Method."

Dwayne Clemmons

If you're considering joint replacement surgery and are interested in scheduling a consult with Dr. Kurtz call 615-329-6600.

Brandy Lee, a patient of TOA spine specialist, Dr. Burrus, pulls a single person kayak towards the water at Long Hunter State Park. The kayak weighs about 40 pounds without any gear in it.

Brandy writes, "I couldn't even walk in April of 2008, so being able to (carefully) pick up a kayak is something I'm incredibly grateful to be able to do. I blew out my disc at the L4/L5 level. I had degenerative disc disease, but I think a fall down some stairs finished it off. I think some bits of the disc were sitting on my sciatic nerve, and the pain eventually got to be so bad that I couldn't even stand up. I spent a week dragging myself around my house by my elbows before I called Dr. Burrus and begged him to move up my surgery, which he graciously did. He had me up and walking a day later. I honestly feel that he saved my life. He's my hero! I owe him so much more than I could ever repay. He's one heck of a talented surgeon! My 9-year anniversary will be on April 8th of this year, and I don't think I could be any happier with the results of the fusion."

I can hardly believe the dramatic difference in the quality of my life as a result of the two anterior total hip replacement surgeries Dr. Rose performed on me this past year. Prior to surgery, I had severe arthritis in both of my hips. Years of physical therapy and multiple knee braces provided me with minimal relief and resulted in a very sedentary lifestyle. Now I can actually walk without pain and enjoy such tasks as shopping for groceries. Until someone has experienced how pain and discomfort can truly impact the quality of their life, one really has no idea what a difference these two surgeries have meant to me.

Even more importantly, Dr. Rose was very approachable and he always listened to me and fully answered my questions without hesitation. Quite honestly, the results of these surgeries have been beyond my expectations and I attribute these results to the surgical expertise and the attention and quality of care that I received from Dr. Rose.

I am a hockey player and I injured my shoulder playing May 27th 2016. Dr. Garside knows sports. He knows hockey. I am back on the ice in 5 months. I still have few more months of strengthening but should be back to same-level of play where I was playing prior to the injury.

The process worked like clockwork. MRI, surgery, rehabilitation and follow ups. All professional-fully met my expectation. I highly recommend Dr. Garside. Especially for sports injuries.

"I recently had the experience of attending Physical therapy at TOA Franklin Physical Therapy. I would like to compliment the staff at this facility, Angela Whittaker, Jill Gruenke, and Austin McCarthy, for the excellent care and treatment that I received. As a retired Physical Therapist myself, with over 30 years experience, I was very impressed by their clinical knowledge and expertise. I will require additional orthopedic surgery in the coming months and look forward to once again attending Physical Therapy at this facility."

My daughter, Jaden, dancing en pointe as Clara in the Nutcracker just a few years after Dr. Yu performed surgery to remove an extra bone in her foot. If you have any questions about the skill of Dr. Yu; a picture is worth a thousand words. What the picture does not show is the level of compassion and patient education he showed through the whole process!

Thank you, Dr. Yu.

Dr. Burton,

Thank you for the second time this year for the great outcome I have had with my knee replacement. It will be seven weeks tomorrow since surgery and I am just almost back to normal. I am absolutely amazed at how fast and how well this one has gone! The first one went well, but this one has been even better. I think having the other knee in good shape and knowing what to expect probably helped, but I really have had very little pain or soreness this time once I got over the initial swelling.

I can actually walk without thinking about every step I take because of the pain. I can sit in the floor with my legs straight out in front of me. It has been years since I could do that! I can go shopping and stand in line with no pain. Until someone has lived with pain that affects your quality of everyday life, they really have no idea what a difference it makes. I will say I believe it also depends on the person and how determined they are to get better. It would be very easy to just sit back and do as little as possible, especially for the first couple of weeks after surgery, but I have been and still am determined to have the best outcome possible.

Also, Sarah has been great throughout this whole process to answer any questions I had regarding surgery, medications, etc. She’s awesome! I was also impressed with St. Thomas Midtown. I was treated well there and felt like I received quality, compassionate care.

I know I will be seeing you again, but just wanted to be sure I told you just how much I appreciate all you have done for me once again.

Best regards,

“Dr. Daniel Burrus recently performed Back Surgery on my Husband. Before, during, and afterwards, he was very attentive to his needs which included emergency surgery and hospitalization. Christy Fullum, Dr. Burrus's Medical Assistant, was very prompt to respond to me to answer any questions I might have concerning his medical care.

Thank you Dr. Burrus and Christy."

I just wanted to let you both know how very much I appreciated your kind & expert care during the past year. Your conscientious attention to my situation and willingness to try different approaches to my neck pain was so important to me & Rob. It is clear to me that you both love what you do! I am truly a "success story" and can't thank you enough.

TOA Murfreesboro physician, Lydia White, shared the most encouraging story regarding one of her patients:

'I have a patient, Ross Sessions, who's a senior at Siegel High School. One year ago, I met him in the Emergency Room after he suffered terrible fractures of his left wrist and right elbow during a pole vaulting accident. At the time, his injuries were so severe that it seemed unlikely he would ever vault again. I did surgery to correct the deformity, and he had to work very hard to regain his strength and motion. I still remember asking him, do you really want to go back to pole vaulting? I thought he would be scared, but instead he said, "I'm going to try." Recently, I received an email from his mother telling me he was once again competing, and I went to see him in a district meet. Not only did Ross win, he vaulted his personal best, 10'9! He's also won the county pole vaulting championship this year. It took a lot of bravery for him to make a comeback, and I am so proud of him.

Ross, on behalf of Dr. White and all of us here at TOA, please accept our most enthusiastic congratulations! We are all so proud and thrilled for you, your amazing recovery and this outstanding achievement. Way to go!

I survived the duck season in Arkansas & have not had any issues as before the surgery.

Headed to Argentina in a few weeks thanks to your procedure.