Dr. Gary Schmidt, MD

I came in for a sprained ankle that wouldn’t heal, and it turned out. All of my ligaments and tendons were torn and stretched out. Dr. Schmidt fixed my ankle beautifully and have had nothing but success and amazing things to say about him ever since I wish he was still here in St. Louis.

I had surgery on my left foot to fuse the joint. It didn’t heal so he redid it but now my foot is completely numb. On my right foot I had bunion surgery. The pin started to come out so he had to redo it as well. My bunion is still not fixed. I am now seeking additional help from another surgeon to fix my feet. I definitely do not recommend this surgeon.

I recommend this doctor to everybody. When I hobbled into the office with a broken ankle, I knew I was in good hands. The staff there are amazing. When I first met Doctor Schmidt I immediately knew I was with a fantastic doctor who knows exactly what he was dealing with. During the holidays I know it's difficult to get an appointment. They moved some things around and got me into surgery the same week, even though appointments are scarce after Thanksgiving weekend, it was a miracle. Before & After the surgery, everybody was so friendly and so helpful. It really eased my mind. Doctor Schmidt and his team have absolutely done a wonderful job, sped up my recovery, and are so helpful even at all follow up appointments!

Had a bunionectomy in STL Nov 2020 by Dr S. He used an ungodly amount of hardware to stabilize the repair. 4 screws 2 staples 1 anchor & a wedge plate w/ a very sharp tip. Was told these would never need to come out. 2 weeks post op foot was still extremely swollen. Dr S said it looked great (it didnt), removed stitches and sent me home. Due to this and poor post op instructions, the incision reopened, took 2 months to scab and left a horrible& very large scar. Foot never healed properly due to the hardware/placement &incision problems. Caused constant pain and swelling/overheating. Needed compression socks almost every day. Almost 2 yrs later, ive just had surgery #2 to remove painful hardware. My bone healed around the point of the wedge plate, forming a sharp angle. On xrays it looks like someone cut a slice of pie out of my bone, but its healing. Trying unsuccessfully to heal from the 1st surgery has left me with significant back and hip issues. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Dr. Schmidt performed an Achilles tendon repair surgery on me in St. Louis in June 2019. The tendon healed, but I was left with swelling, redness, and eventually a fistula and secretions. Dr. Schmidt at first diagnosed an infection and performed a follow-up irrigation and debridement (I&D) surgery, but when that didn't resolve the issue, he changed the diagnosis to a suture reaction. More fistulas opened, however, and I eventually was correctly diagnosed with a deep infection near the tendon that I probably contracted during the original surgery. Dr. Schmidt's I&D had been insufficient. His later misdiagnosis of a suture reaction led to a delay in treatment, and put me at risk of sepsis. I needed two additional surgeries during a one-week hospital stay to stabilize the situation.

Dr. Schmitt has been my doctor for years. He is a wonderful orthopedic surgeon with a great bedside manner. We will miss him here in St. Louis. Guess I’ll be traveling if I ever have any issues.

I WOULD NEVER SEE DR SCHMIDT-My story is longer than I typed. Foot surgery to repair a tendon-First Post visit I asked him about a opening in the stitched area- DrS on EVERY visit said "don't worry it will heal up in 2 weeks- Opening larger and looked infected- Finally I said "I am worried"- Dr- go see a wound specialist-Next visit DrS asked how I was doing? I said upset it is infected DrS "Who told you that" I said your wound Dr DrS-"Anyone can grow bacteria in a petri dish" YOU DO NOT HAVE A INFECTION I said HOW CAN YOU discount the specialist? His response 20 plus years of looking at wounds-I Woke up one morning, fell thinking I tore my tendon again (EXTREME PAIN-Went to Dr- he said no tear and I don't think it is infected but I will write a script-2 days later I am in the ER with Sepsis- NEW Dr "losing your foot is possible"10 days, 2 surgeries later I leave the hospital- months with a pic line injecting antibiotics-Today 1/2 my foot is numb my ortho said I need adtl surgeries-WOW

I am a patient of this orthopedic group for other issues so, I thought I would stay in the practice. I live a couple hours away. The doctor I went to in my town made my issue sound much worse than it was. I was told surgery could be possible. I was petrified! Dr. Schmidt put my mind at ease after studying my MRI results and assured me that I would be fine with a boot and brace for a month or so. He was very thorough with his exam on both of my issues and even took more X-rays to confirm his findings. He explained his findings and I was extremely relieved and confident in the care I received from him. I would definitely return to this doctor.

Dr.Schmidt Treated me for a fractured fibula. He was very attentive, never rushed me and explained my condition very well. During both follow up appointments he said patiently and answered all my questions. The staff at orthopedic Associates was efficient and I never had to spend a lot of time waiting for anyone.

ITen years ago, I had a horrible bunion that was way past the time of getting help. Dr Schmidt removed my buinion, added a plate and 3 screws to stabilize my bones. I have been pain free ever since. Actually, as soon as the pain block wore off, I could feel my last two toes that I had no idea that had been affected to badly. I have sent numerous friends and co-workers to him. They have all been pleased with his work.

I would not recommend Dr. Schmidt to anyone. I had an ankle replacement done several years ago by him. I've been in worse pain since having it done. I didn't even know that was possible. I have since been to doctors who say the replacement was done very poorly. I developed other issues from the replacement as well. The staff is friendly and I had no issues with them.

I would NEVER recommend this Doctor to do Surgery on your foot. He totally ruined my foot. I had my surgery about 8years ago and have never been able to walk the same. I had another Surgeon,2 yrs ago, take X-rays of my foot, to see what this doctor did to me. He was blown away by what he did. He told me that there was NO way of repairing the damage he did. So,I felt other people should know, and be aware that your putting your feet in his hands. You might not ever be able to walk right again.

I had foot surgery by Dr. Schmidt in 2014. There were a number of problems afterward, including an infected toe that had to be redone; a bunion that is worse now than it was then; and a hammer toe that is too long, sticking out, and crisscrossing another toe. Walking is difficult; the surgery will have to be redone; and another orthopedic surgeon who looked at the x-rays and the foot was candidly appalled by what he saw. Despite Dr. Schmidt's excuses, this was a botched surgery.

Dr. Schmidt performed a total ankle replacement on me one year ago. It has truly changed my life. After 15 years of limping in pain, with little results from another doctor, I found Dr. Schmidt. I can now say that my new ankle is the best part of my entire body. I review optional replacements and Dr. Schmidt's impressed me the most. Dr. Schmidt and his staff were professional, courteous, and extended the confidence I needed to go thru with the surgery. Thank you Dr. Schmidt and staff.

I had bunion surgery a couple of years ago and since the surgery I'm unable to go back to my regular size shoe the second toe was extended out more after surgery and it's hard to wear any type of shoe with it not rubbing against and creating a sore. His resolution was to buy bigger shoes, so now I almost have to buy two sizes. I consulted with another doctor and indicated to me that I will need another surgery within the next 5 years and that my toes are now all slanting to the right.

A referral from a former patient put us in Dr. Schmidt's hands. My husband has suffered for years and Dr. Schmidt was able to give us the satisfaction we have long looked for. Only wish we had found him sooner.