My first visit with Dr. Parekh was in late summer 2010, the pain in my left foot was so severe I was often in tears. I had been to three different doctors prior to Dr. Parekh, I had been in a “boot” for months and there was no improvement in my foot or my pain. With in minutes of seeing Tenaja Gay the PA, Dr Parekh came in and examined me, he said to Tenaja, I think you are right we have a “Charcot foot” . Dr. Parekh ordered some test and described to me what the situation was with my foot and where we would go from this point forward. He tried a couple of things while waiting for my foot to “cool off” to help with the pain and discomfort. In December 2010 Dr Parekh performed surgery on my foot. He put some plates and bone grafts in my foot and then a really fancy piece of hardware on top of my foot with some posts going down into my foot to hold it all in place. The pictures were impressive, Prada has nothing on Dr. Parekh. Things were moving along fairly well until about six weeks later, I noticed some drainage from the area of the incision. 

Dr. Parekh saw me immediately, he scheduled an appointment at Davis Surgical Center to remove my “Prada” hardware. Our worst fears came to fruition, I had an infection. If it got into the bones I could loose my foot; by the time I woke up arrangements had been made to admit me to the hospital and transportation was en-route. Dr. Parekh and his team were wonderful. During my stay at the hospital and the follow up visits Dr. Parekh and his team kept a close watch on my foot. I had to sit on my rear for six months with no weight what so ever on my foot, but I followed his instructions explicitly. My foot healed beautifully and the infection never got into the bones. Today when someone asks how my foot is doing my reply is “Great it is still attached to my body“. I now have a beautiful foot, the arch is back in it the pain is gone and I am up walking around. I still have a way to go to completely rehab the muscles in my leg but the outlook is good.

Dr. Parekh is the man. He saved my foot and eliminated my pain.

Anna R. Curtis

In December, 2010, I underwent surgery on my right ankle to repair a damaged tendon and related heel bone mis-alignment.  The problems were caused by an old knee injury and subsequent years of stress on my ankle.  Now, six months later, I am walking straight and pain-free, and am grateful to Dr. Parekh and the NC Orthopaedic Clinic.  Dr. Parekh’s diagnosis and treatment plan hit the mark exactly.  His approach to the surgery repaired the tendon and corrected the mis-alignmnent.  In follow-up visits in the months after the surgery, he tracked the progress both of the healing from the surgical procedure and also the strengthening of  muscles in and around my ankle.  His directions regarding physical therapy, coupled with his periodic checks on the tendon and bone healing, achieved the desired result of fully recovered mobility for my leg and ankle. A+ in my book for successful diagnosis, surgery, and follow-up.  

Roger Waldon

Chapel Hill, NC

After a seemingly minor incident, I had a continual problem with my ankle for over a year. Four doctors, and one failed arthroscopic surgery later, I combined a visit to my brother in North Carolina with an appointment to see Dr. Parekh. I wish I had by-passed local (California) doctors and gone directly to him. His mannerism, communication skills, and professional knowledge immediately put me at ease. I chose to temporarily stay in North Carolina and let Dr. Parekh perform the required surgery which included replacing my irreparable synovial membrane.

There are no words strong enough to describe the positive impact Dr. Parekh has had on my life. I still have weeks of physical therapy, but I can actually walk again without my ankle swelling and going numb.  And I’m already back up to 30 minutes daily on my exercise bike. Thank you, Dr. Parekh.

Donna Wapner

For the preceding two years I had struggled with arthritic pain in my right ankle which forced me to give up golf and my job as an outside attendant at the golf course. It progressed to the point where I could no longer walk more than 30 yards without severe sciatic pain in my hip from favoring the ankle. My heel had moved inward and my ankle was turning under with each month that passed. I feared being in a wheelchair at 67.

On August 24, 2010, I was operated on by Dr. Selene Parekh to install an "Inbone Replacement". I am now entering my 10th week following surgery and will be walking this week in new tennis shoes with no support whatsoever. I still have physical therapy ahead of me for weeks, to increase my range of motion and yes, there is soreness and residual stiffness in my ankle, but the ankle is now straight, and I am walking pain free for the first time in years. I no long er have sciatica pain and I expect to be walking without any discomfort in a month from now.

I am thrilled with this new procedure and the possibility it offers many who suffer from ankle joint pain.

C. Edward Miller

 Port St. Lucie, Florida

Dear Dr. Parekh,

More than a year and a half has gone by since my first visit to your office when I was diagnosed with Morton’s Neuroma on my right foot. After a period of time wearing a metatarsal pad to try to alleviate the problem, it was determined that surgery was my best option. You and your team guided me through.

Before I completed the recuperation period from that surgery, I discovered that the same situation was occurring with my left foot. With a surgical bandage on my right foot and a metatarsal pad on my left, you and your team guided me through what would become yet another surgery. Today I can walk normally without any conscious thought of what it took on both our parts to get me to this point. That, in itself, is amazing to me.

With this letter in hand, I will be making my last follow-up trip to your office. I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to both you and everyone on my staff, from your receptionists to your physician’s assistant. All my visits were met with the utmost courtesy, respect, compassion and professionalism that I would wish for everyone who has to deal with a foot ailment.

To you, my physician and surgeon, I want to say thank you for your patience (with my endless questions), your attentiveness (the time you spent listening to me), and your compassion and expertise (to give me two feet that I can walk on painlessly).

I recall my first visit to your office when I pronounced that “feet shouldn’t hurt” and I knew I was correct by the smile on your face. Thank you for making that a reality. Please let your staff know how much I appreciate them. I will actually miss my Wednesday appointments!

Sincerely,

Cathy Thorn

As a past and current patient of the North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic, I wanted to give you some positive feedback regarding a surgery I had with Dr. Selene Parekh and his assistant, Tenaja S. Gay, PA-C on April 1, 2010 at the Davis Ambulatory Hospital.

As way of introduction—approximately 10years ago I had left foot surgery for a bunion.  The surgery site continued to be very painful even a year later.  Post-surgery, the large toe didn’t function properly and caused the second toe to take over as the large toe.  This caused me considerable pain which radiated up the foot and into the leg.

I knew I needed more surgery to correct the problem, but I wasn’t sure where to turn.  During the years I had several foot orthopedists examine my foot and make recommendations as to what they might do.  Because my first surgery wasn’t effective, I was very uncomfortable having a second surgery—although I knew I needed it.

Recently my primary physician, Dr. Lisa Emrich (UNC), highly recommended Dr. Parekh to me. One of the physicians in her office had been very satisfied with surgery she had had with Dr. Parekh.  Dr. Emrich said, “I have just the doctor for you.”  On that recommendation, I made an appointment right away.

Dr. Parekh and his PA, Tenaja Gay, were all business.  I was examined, interviewed and X-rayed.  Dr Parekh then came in to give me his diagnosis with a recommendation for surgery.  More than any other foot orthopedist I had seen previously, I thought he was a keen observer and listener.  After examining the foot and other information, as mentioned, he described in detail what needed to be done.  The second toe in particular required several procedures which none of the other physicians mentioned.  This built my confidence Dr. Parekh could really make a difference.  (At that time I had hip pain from the way I was walking.  I was worried that as I got older (67 yrs. old now), I might really be crippled by poor functioning of my left foot.

There was no pressure to proceed to surgery.  My husband and I went home, discussed the operation and decided to proceed with Dr. Parekh’s recommendations.  In a few weeks the operation was completed.

I had the operation on April 1, 2010 at Davis Ambulatory Hospital—a wonderful facility with an excellent staff.  The pre-op doctors (including Dr. Parekh) and nurses checked with me several times to review the procedure—what was being done?  Which foot, et.?  This put me at complete ease that I was in the hands of a caring and highly competent team of medical professionals.

Aftercare with Dr. Parekh and Tenaja Gay has been excellent as well.  I visit once a week for rebandaging and checking on any questions or problems I may be having.  Both Dr. Parekh and Tenaja listen well and have been highly supportive throughout the 2-month recovery period.  Also, they coach me carefully on physical therapy and how o care for my foot.  I have had no infections during the healing period.

The best part is that my foot is continuing to improve—the second toe in particular no longer radiates the pain it did when I walk.

My personal sense is that Dr. Parekh has exceptional surgical skills and ability to conceptualize innovative approaches to foot surgery.  I would recommend Dr. Parekh and Tenaja Gay to anyone who needs to resolve foot problems—especially if surgery is needed.

Please feel free to use me as a reference for other patients considering surgery with Dr. Parekh.

Nancy A. Ferguson