Joseph X Kou, MD

This is long overdue. I tore my Achilles Tendon 3 years ago, and Dr. Kou performed the surgery to repair it. He did an excellent job, till this day I have 0 issues and 0 pain. It’s only when people ask me about my scar or recall me being in a boot that they remind me that I actually tore it. He was exceptional, professional, caring and took the time to explain and answer all of my concerns before and after surgery. He looks young and sometimes (I) was quick to judge in that he may not have much experience but I was WRONG! Don’t judge a book by its cover!!! He is excellent, if I had to recommend someone I would say, please go see Dr. Kou before you commit elsewhere!

Dr. Kou did my total ankle replacement surgery using the STAR ankle replacement in November, 2012 due to traumatic arthritis. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I fell so lucky to have found Dr. Kou as there aren’t that many Doctors doing this surgery. The recovery was very easy with minimal pain. Dr. Kou has a great bedside manner, listened to my concerns and gave me all the information I needed to make an informed decision about having this surgery verses Ankle fusion. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made, no more pain, and I can walk again. If you’re considering this surgery, I can’t recommend Dr. Kou enough. Thanks again Dr. Kou!

Dr. Kou was fantastic from the second he talked with my daughter about her ankle surgery. He had a great bedside manner, was unhurried, explained everything carefully, reassured us and gave us time to ask questions. She went into surgery with peace of mind (me too!). Once surgery was over he was in the waiting room with us so we didn’t have to wait to hear. Great job. We highly recommend him. Everyone at the Muir Woods surgery center was fantastic!

I met Dr. Kou a few years back now. I had a previous surgery on my right foot which was around 9 years before at the time (by a different doctor). I started experiencing pain in my ankle and foot again and I could not walk for more than 20 min without my knee, hip and back killing me. It became so bad I sought help from many doctors. I eventually saw Dr. Bell in Pleasanton who referred me to Dr. Kou at John Muir Orthopedic.
Dr. Kou had reviewed my X-​rays, MRI and CT and we discussed what was actually wrong with my foot. Unfortunately, I had a Tarsal Coalition but it was fixable.
Dr. Kou was very reassuring and confident about the correction.
I went on to have the surgery which did have a long recovery. About 6 or 7 months after the surgery I was fully fused and was able to have the hardware removed. I am not able to supinate or pronate as well, but I am free of pain and able to walk. Also, I can now run! Prior to my surgery I had not run in over 7 years. I now am able to work out and comfortably run and enjoy participating in 5k, 10ks and working my way towards a marathon.
After my surgery and during the recovery process I saw Dr. Kou several times for my checkups. He is very precise, thorough and honest. I did my physical therapy at the same office which was convenient and helpful.
I highly recommend Dr. Kou for orthopedic care. I’m beyond happy with the outcome of my foot surgery as well as lucky. I am almost 3 years out from my surgery and have had no problems. I’m forever thankful to Dr. Kou for giving me the ability to comfortably walk and run again.

In October 2013 Dr. Kou did surgery on my right foot. 6 separate procedures. At the time, I could barely walk as a result of that combination of conditions. I had been through the cortisone shot routine.
By the end of six months I was walking normally, comfortably. In October of this year I took a trip to Europe. I spent 4 days in Belgium, and 10 in Amsterdam. I walked EVERYWHERE because that is what you do in Europe, especially the cities. Even with the trams, trains and buses, you are constantly climbing up and down, carrying bags, going up and down stairways in the stations, etc. I walked over cobblestone streets, trudged through museum after museum and even managed to wear some comfortable low heel dress shoes the night we went to a concert at the Concertgebouw.
Thank you, Dr. Kou, for giving me the ability and the freedom to roam around like that. Oh, and did I mention our rooms in two of the three places we stayed were on the fourth floor, with no elevator?

Dr. Kou is an amazing foot surgeon!
I did a lot of research before choosing him and I am so grateful to have Dr. Kou as my surgeon. He is kind and personable, and gave we realistic explanations and expectations. I had a total of three surgeries on my feet to resolve injuries I sustained having had my feet crushed from an accident several years previously. He also removed a very painful neuroma. The pain I lived with was huge. Now my feet are pain free. I can walk without any discomfort. Dr. Kou has given me my life back. I highly recommend him, he is the best of the best!

I ruptured my Achilles tendon in January and I waited until now (nearly fully recovered) to write this review.
I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Kou and Muir Orthopedic. I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Kou within two days of calling, and I was in surgery within two days of my first appointment. He did offer a non-​surgical method of recovery but I opted for the knife. The surgery appeared to have gone perfectly, and the surgical center followed up with me several times post-​op to check on how things were going.
On top of being a nice guy, Dr. Kou is very upfront and communicative. He made it clear that he subscribes to the more aggressive school of thought when it comes to Achilles rupture post-​op recovery. I was in a cast for about 10 days and then in a walking boot, which I could bear as much weight on as I felt comfortable. I’m very glad he takes this approach, it made my recovery a breeze, and I’m guessing that I’m better for it (given research I’ve done on more conservative approaches).
I’m happy to say I’ll be playing basketball again this summer and it is largely thanks to Dr. Kou and the rest of the staff at Muir Orthopedic and Sequoia Surgical.

While Dr Kou is kind, honest, and respectful, the overall experience is quite poor. DO NOT go to this practice if you are a workmans comp patient or you will be ignored. Each time I visited the practice there was a breakdown in communication between the office and the insurance adjuster or with the occupational medical group. Requests and reports are never faxed or sent although I was assured they were.
Furthermore no one at the office takes accountability for their errors. The practice is so large that no one seems to communicate with one another and no one really seems to care.

Dr. Kou was extremely professional and pleasant. He did a major bunion reconstruction on my adult daughter and made sure that we were comfortable with the surgery plan and follow up, and answered all of our questions. When she had difficulty with the pain medication he took my call and had the new prescription ready and waiting for me in the office. He was comforting and funny at the same time. We would highly recommend Dr. Kou to anyone needing foot surgery in the Walnut Creek area.

I had an awesome experience under Dr. Kou’s care. I was previously in a car accident and had to have multiple surgeries. When I had gone to another doctor about doing something about the nerve-​damage, hammer-​toes and bone spur in my foot, the doctor basically said «Well, that sucks, not much we can do.»
Dr. Kou on the other hand was quick to identify what needed to be done, and I was able to get surgery scheduled within the next month. It has barely been 2 weeks, and I am already back to work.
Dr. Kou is the man.