Hello, my name is Lewis Bellas, who is writing this to praise a great surgeon, Dr. Kevin Kaplan of Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute.
Back in February 2012, my wife and I were hit by a drunk driver almost head on at night. We were very lucky to be alive after that accident.
Needless to say, being the driver, I suffered most of the injuries. After seeing local doctors in Saint Augustine, Florida, I was told that I had two fractures in my lower left leg just above the ankle, a massive tear of my rotator cuff and a rupture bicep in my right arm. For my leg, I was in a cast for four months and in a wheel chair. By May 2012, I was able to walk again and I began to research orthopedic surgeons in Saint Augustine and Jacksonville. First, I saw an orthopedic surgeon in Saint Augustine and he confirmed that I had a massive tear in my rotator cuff and would need surgery. He told me that his surgical procedure would fix the tear, but I would have to be very careful, especially during the outpatient rehab phase since he had patient’s who tore the rotator cuff while doing their exercises. In my mind, I wanted the best orthopedic surgeon in the north Florida region.
I researched the internet and discovered Dr. Kevin Kaplan at Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute, who had the best credentials of any other surgeon, especially his speciality in rotator cuff injuries. The internet mentioned that Dr. Kaplan had spent time in the Los Angeles area training with surgeons who took care of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers and LA Kings. The “net bridge” procedure he learned there was highly acclaimed since re-tears of the rotator cuff were significantly reduced.
I made an appointment Dr. Kaplan in late May 2012 and I can honestly say I was greatly impressed by his extensive knowledge, a great bedside manner and always had a smile on his face. My wife had accompanied me on this doctor’s visit and she was also impressed the way Dr. Kaplan explained everything in detail, plus loved his nice smile. After reviewing my X-Rays and MRI, Dr. Kaplan told me I had a massive tear in my rotator cuff and some bone spurs. Shortly after this visit, I scheduled surgery in July 2012 with Dr. Kaplan. He did such a great job repairing my rotator cuff that I had very little pain two weeks after my surgery. Within several weeks after my surgery, I was in outpatient rehab doing all the necessary exercises with little or no pain. My physical therapist asked me who my surgeon was and I told him Dr. Kevin Kaplan. My therapist had heard of Dr. Kaplan’s “net bridge” procedure and how successful his patients have been after surgery. As for me, I finished my physical therapy three weeks sooner than expected, according to my physical therapist.
I can honestly say that my surgery was a complete success. I am an avid golfer and was back playing golf in less than five months after surgery. I am working out at World Gym three to four times a week and continuing to do exercises to keep my rotator cuff strong. I’m hitting the ball farther than before and beating some of my fellow golfers for the first time. I have referred at least three friends with rotator cuff problems to see Dr. Kaplan and they have had the same result as me. Based on my experience, my nephew is having surgery with Dr. Kaplan in early October 2014.
Dr. Kaplan is the greatest and we are very lucky to have him here in northern Florida.
Back in February 2012, my wife and I were hit by a drunk driver almost head on at night. We were very lucky to be alive after that accident.
Needless to say, being the driver, I suffered most of the injuries. After seeing local doctors in Saint Augustine, Florida, I was told that I had two fractures in my lower left leg just above the ankle, a massive tear of my rotator cuff and a rupture bicep in my right arm. For my leg, I was in a cast for four months and in a wheel chair. By May 2012, I was able to walk again and I began to research orthopedic surgeons in Saint Augustine and Jacksonville. First, I saw an orthopedic surgeon in Saint Augustine and he confirmed that I had a massive tear in my rotator cuff and would need surgery. He told me that his surgical procedure would fix the tear, but I would have to be very careful, especially during the outpatient rehab phase since he had patient’s who tore the rotator cuff while doing their exercises. In my mind, I wanted the best orthopedic surgeon in the north Florida region.
I researched the internet and discovered Dr. Kevin Kaplan at Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute, who had the best credentials of any other surgeon, especially his speciality in rotator cuff injuries. The internet mentioned that Dr. Kaplan had spent time in the Los Angeles area training with surgeons who took care of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers and LA Kings. The “net bridge” procedure he learned there was highly acclaimed since re-tears of the rotator cuff were significantly reduced.
I made an appointment Dr. Kaplan in late May 2012 and I can honestly say I was greatly impressed by his extensive knowledge, a great bedside manner and always had a smile on his face. My wife had accompanied me on this doctor’s visit and she was also impressed the way Dr. Kaplan explained everything in detail, plus loved his nice smile. After reviewing my X-Rays and MRI, Dr. Kaplan told me I had a massive tear in my rotator cuff and some bone spurs. Shortly after this visit, I scheduled surgery in July 2012 with Dr. Kaplan. He did such a great job repairing my rotator cuff that I had very little pain two weeks after my surgery. Within several weeks after my surgery, I was in outpatient rehab doing all the necessary exercises with little or no pain. My physical therapist asked me who my surgeon was and I told him Dr. Kevin Kaplan. My therapist had heard of Dr. Kaplan’s “net bridge” procedure and how successful his patients have been after surgery. As for me, I finished my physical therapy three weeks sooner than expected, according to my physical therapist.
I can honestly say that my surgery was a complete success. I am an avid golfer and was back playing golf in less than five months after surgery. I am working out at World Gym three to four times a week and continuing to do exercises to keep my rotator cuff strong. I’m hitting the ball farther than before and beating some of my fellow golfers for the first time. I have referred at least three friends with rotator cuff problems to see Dr. Kaplan and they have had the same result as me. Based on my experience, my nephew is having surgery with Dr. Kaplan in early October 2014.
Dr. Kaplan is the greatest and we are very lucky to have him here in northern Florida.