Mercer Bucks Orthopedics

I have been a pt. with Mercer Bucks Orthopedics since Sept. 2015. I’ve been to the Hamilton, Princeton Pike and Princeton offices. I first saw Dr. Kothari for hip pain and was treated with a non surgical method. After this method was not helpful I was referred to Dr. Ast for possible surgery. I had a Total Hip Replacement January 5 th.
Dr. Kothari was very nice, professional and to the point. No complaints with his care of me.
Dr. Ast performed my surgery. I couldn’t be happier with my outcome even though there was another problem found during the surgery.
D. Kawash PA-​C followed up at the hospital and answered my questions also very nice.
At my post– op visit Dr. Ast reviewed my surgery, explained in detail what was found and assured me that my progress was as expected. He took his time and was not rushing me in any way. He is professional, confident and sincere.
I am very pleased with my experience and would highly recommend this practice.

Copy of email sent:
Hello there.
I’m writing a complaint with the unprofessional experience I’ve recently had with Mercer Bucks Orthopedic Group. I’m going to start at the beginning where my whole ordeal began.
A. Booking my appointment over the phone. I never had a reason to see an orthopedic surgeon until I had a seizure and tore my rotator cuff almost a year ago and since then I dislocated my shoulder several times on a daily basis. Of course my «go to» for finding a doctor is the internet because I am not from this area. MBOPG seemed like a reputable establishment with lots of convenient locations and qualified doctors so I called. While booking my appointment, I put in a request to the receptionist to give me a reminder call the day before my appointment. Her response «No, we don’t do that». Ok fine, can you shoot me an email then?
«No, we don’t email». Ok…
EVERY doctor appointment (Neurogist, Obgyn, dentist…) ALWAYS was courteous enough to call the day before to confirm an appointment ESPECIALLY when requested. I always thought that was the norm until I called here. I would also think it would be beneficial to the office when trying to maximize the number of appointments and reduce the number of missed appointments. Microsoft Outlook, just a thought. Even if they are indeed fully capable of doing their jobs, you can’t fix LAZY. I’m not even going to get into being put on hold for ridiculous amounts of times and getting transferred to wrong extensions numerous times before getting to the right department.
B. Wrong brace size. Unfortunately there was a size large sling inside the medium packaging. Recycling slings amongst patients? That’s not even a subject I want to get into. I figured, since he fitted me so this must be the right size after all I don’t know how it’s supposed to fit. Fast forwarding, went with my instinct and got my surgery done somewhere else.
I did get a new sling after my surgery, but I preferred the one I received from MBOPG. I did however paid $ 35+ out of pocket through my insurance, I should expect to get something that I will be able to use and fit me correctly. When I called to exchange it for a medium (since that was what they intended to give me) his response was «the size M and L doesn’t make a difference, they are the same».
Ok, so why is it not «one size fits all» then? I’m not claiming to be a skinny person because I am not BUT I’m very small in stature so I requested a small instead which he replied «that won’t fit». Ok… You guys can’t call or send emails but you can see through phones? AMAZING!!! Apple might be interested in your phone system. I once again went with my gut feeling and had my husband pick up the size small brace. AMAZING!!! I didn’t have an extra 2 inches in the front and back, I wasn’t straining my shoulders in awkward angles to get comfortable, it made a world of a difference! I’m also not in as much pain or sore as much.
If I injured or tore something from wearing the wrong size brace (if that’s even possible) i would’ve been livid and you would have a lawsuit on your hands.
If you don’t give a fuck about your job, I’m sure there’s a Walmart somewhere near you. Fortunately for you, you work in a profession where you can make a positive impact on the lives of so many, unfortunately for the rest of us, it’s not as positive. I’m sure dealing with sick grumpy people all day is no easy task but it doesn’t take a doctor to make a patient feel better. My email is not just to bitch and complain and get someone in trouble but to remind you what a big difference you can make in the lives of so many DAILY. You work in profession of empathy and customer service not just answering phones and setting appointments you can’t even call to remind. This rant may fall on deaf ears but my intention of this is to hopefully make someone else’s experience with MBOPG a little more pleasant and not go through what I went through.

Extremely rude staff when I made my appointment several weeks ago. Very rude clerk at check in when there was a referral discrepancy identified. I don’t care how busy the waiting room was, not professional at all. Not coming back. Hamilton office.

I strained my lower back while packing and moving between September 2013 & March 2014. In April, I fell on my lower back and obviously damaged something more then I had in the 6 months prior. In June I went to see a Chiropractor who was unable to help me at all. In mid-​June I made an appointment at Mercer Bucks Orthopedics. They scheduled me for July 2^nd and about 10 days before my appointment I lifted something out of my car’s back seat and ruptured a disc or two. I called Mercer Bucks and told them I needed to see someone in an emergency situation. They scheduled me right away with Dr. Colarusso. After MRI & exam Dr, Colarusso referred me to Dr. Stephen Cairone. When Dr. Cairone saw the MRI he immediately attempted to schedule me for surgery as I told him I had a once in a lifetime trip to Alaska. By some miracle he was able to schedule the surgery for July 8^th and then he informed me that he would be on vacation starting July 4^th, but that he would come back to take care of my surgery. He was able to be there on July 8^th, performed the surgery without a hitch and went back on his way to continue his vacation. Today is July 23^rd. 2 weeks and 1 day after the surgery. I am in no pain at all, whereas prior to the surgery I couldn’t even stand for more then one minute, couldn’t walk at all and it took me a lot of time just to get to the bathroom. I was in pain all the time. I was taking Ibuprofen, Oxycodone, Percocet, you name it and the pain wouldn’t stop. I have a two inch incision in the center of my lower back, it is healing beautifully and I went to see him today and he suggested I start Physical Therapy immediately to strengthen my core, arms, legs and back. He also cleared me to drive, to return to my normal lifestyle and to enjoy my Alaska vacation. Dr. Cairone is one of the most caring and capable physicians I have ever met and I would recommend him without hesitation and with my utmost sincerity.

Do not make an appointment @ the lawrenceville office. You will wait at least an hour past your appt time. Make appt at Hamilton office they get u in and out.