March 27th, my second favorite anniversary. Dr. Michael Higgins and the staffs at Tidewater Orthopaedics and the Orthopaedic Hospital at Sentara CarePlex made this day a life changing milestone. After several years of increasing discomfort, less hiking and biking, I “bit the bullet”. Actually, a wonderful physical therapist said enough is enough. Massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments were only dealing with the symptoms. The discomfort always returned.

Tight glutes, painful piriformis, decreased mobility were impacting an active lifestyle.
X-rays showed bone-on-bone contact in my left hip and stenosis in lower back. My body was compensating as best it could to avoid the bone-on-bone pain. The challenge was to decide the best 1st step. Dr. Higgins stood out. He took the time to understand my personal history and made recommendations. I cannot say that for others. With a new hip, I was hiking again July 4th with the grandchildren at 10,500 feet in the Utah mountains.

The Orthopaedic Hospital seminar prepared my wife and I on what to expect. Former patients answered questions and shared their tips. The seminar handbook was detailed as well as comprehensive. The staff on the day of surgery and afterwards could not have been more solicitous. The “go home” training with the hospital staff prepared me well for those first days.

Formal physical therapy was not prescribed. As Dr. Higgins said “walk and then walk some more”. With guidance from the Tidewater Orthopaedics staff we put together a “do and don’t” exercise regimen to strengthen my core and lower back. A massage today is for relaxation not discomfort.

Oh yes, there is one thing I would do differently. I would have gone to see Dr. Higgins 1st and much sooner. There were way too many quality of life issues waiting to age 73.

Submitted March 27, 2019

I was treated by Dr. Higgins and Dr. Jonathan Mason in 2018 for my back , hip and knee replacements both doctors are highly skilled in their work I am so glad that I have met these two outstanding phyisicans.

Submitted Dec. 21, 2018

Thank you Dr. Michael Higgins for being willing to work with my "Parts List" from an earlier surgery. The complication of a fracture from a later 2011 accident, you correctly and carefully diagnosed and carried out a revision, that kept me independent and fully mobile.

hank you Specialist surgeons Sara Bouraee (2010), Michael Higgins (2011) and Loel Payne (2017), Medicare, and Tidewater Ortho!

Fortunately I’ve had a wonderful professional career, a supportive soul mate, and several really nice pets. These three also contributed to three accidents - 1995 bruised knees, 2006 a fall on my left shoulder, and 2010 a bicycle accident. Now retired and not so rushed, as an extended cruiser on our 40’ trawler, it’s been eight years without any accidents.
Initially in 1995 I encountered an orthopedic doctor elsewhere who seemed to disregard accidental injuries in mature people and quickly voiced that older people were always going to experience osteoporosis with eventual expected surgeries as a cure for everything; he was not professional or concerned enough to consider that a partially remedied cure from an accident would not avoid unnecessary surgery later in life.

At Tidewater Ortho (TWO) each doctor, technician, assistant, and therapist seems to actually consider people as an individual, and provide full attention to each specific situation. With specialty medical, hospital, and rehabilitation facilities working in conjunction with one another, TWO seems to be well organized, efficient, and able to keep their staff well trained and happy. Therefore, each staff member extends to their patients care and concern, while providing the best possible and high quality medical service. The level of knowledge, skills, immediate accurate diagnosis, quick professional remedy, and thorough opportunity for total recovery amazes me.

Thank you Dr. Michael Higgins and Tidewater Ortho!

Submitted Oct. 25, 2017

I would reccomend dr higgins to any and everyone needing othipedic procedures. He is wonderful, attentive, answers questions and concerns and explains everything prior to surgery. He repaired a torn meniscus and did microfrcture on my knee. The only time I have had pain since (wirth complaining about) was the day of and the day after surgery, which is to be expected. Even then the pain wasnt unbearable. His staff is wonderful as well.

Submitted May 19, 2015

Dr. Higgins is always very attentive to my concerns. He is very knowledgeable and explains things thoroughly. He re-did my knee replacement that was done by another surgeon who told me it was fine even though it had caused me terrible pain for years. Dr. Higgins knew what the problem was and fixed it, I barely have had any pain since. My physical therapist told me his patients seem to do the best!

Submitted March 16, 2014

I had Dr. Higgins for both of my knee replacements and he did an excellent job. I had heard horror stories from friends about pain after surgery but both of mine involved very little pain. The Careplex Orthopaedic Hospital was a great experience from the joint class to my discharge with very attentive staff. Now I am walking faster than my friends who have "good knees". The staff at his office is very polite and helpful and Dr. Higgins always took the time to explain things inm plain english.

Submitted March 10, 2014

Dr. Higgins replaced my hip using the diriect anterior hip replacement (Jiffy Hip) 3months ago and I feel great. I only spent one night in the hospital and have been walking without a cane since 10 days after surgery. He always listens and answers my and my familys questions. His office staff is very friendly. I knew he was a great surgeon before I scheduled my surgery because my best friend works at the hospital and told me all the nurses and operating room staff go to him for their hip and knee problems and he has done hip and knee replacements on many of the hospital staff. I think that endorsment speaks for itself!

Submitted March 9, 2014

Not good at all will keep saying that you need to come back just to keep paying out of pocket money. If he put a cast on he will keep making you get X-rays and return to his office. They don't even show you the X-rays showing you your injures.

Submitted May 17, 2011