MEET
DR JOSEPH KOU
Orthopedic Surgeon
LOCATIONS
Walnut Creek
Dublin
PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
WHERE
Can I See Dr Kou?
WALNUT CREEK REDWOOD
2625 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek CA 94598
DUBLIN ORTHO CLINIC
4000 Dublin Blvd
Dublin CA 94568
SERVICES
With Dr Kou
PARAGON28 APEX 3D
Dr is skilled in Paragon28 Apex 3D which addresses inherent challenges associated with Total Ankle Joint Replacement.
WRIGHT MEDICAL INFINITY
Dr is skilled in Wright Medical Infinity Total Ankle Replacement.
FRACTURE CARE
Dr is skillful in Fracture Care which often involves resetting the bone in place and immobilizing it.
DR KOU'S DME STORE
Dr Kou has identified a list of products you will need at your pre-operative visit to assist in your recovery following your surgery.
LEARN MORE
About Dr Kou
Dr. Kou provides state-of-the-art orthopedic care in an efficient and compassionate fashion, and his patients enjoy his down to earth bedside manner. Dr. Kou educates his patients on how and why their problem developed and on what conservative and surgical treatment options are available to them.
Dr. Kou is among the best-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons in the country and has been in the field for more than 10 years.
Orthopedic Surgery is an ever-changing field and the advances in foot and ankle care materials and technology have dramatically changed the way most Orthopedic Surgeons practice. Dr. Kou uses the latest in foot and ankle surgery technology and techniques, including performing both the Wright Medical Infinity Total Ankle Replacement and the Paragon28 Apex 3D Total Ankle procedure.
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Board Certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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Fellowship
- Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 2008
- Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
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Residency
- Orthopedic Surgery
William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 2007
- Orthopedic Surgery
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Medical School
- Doctor of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 2002
- Doctor of Medicine
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College
- B.S. in Biochemistry
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1998
- B.S. in Biochemistry
Medical Interests
Areas of Interest:
- Wright Medical Infinity Total Ankle Replacement
- Paragon28 Apex3D Total Ankle
Reviews
About Dr Kou
I love Dr Kou , as my orthopedic Dr ... He did my 1st surgery on my left foot and will do my second surgery on my right... He understands what is going on and the difficulties I have being flat footed.
Dr. Kuo is an excellent ankle/foot surgeon. I first met him about 4 years ago when I fell and broke my ankle. My ankle had a clean break and required a cast, then a boot, then physical therapy and it healed excellently. A year later, I had another accident and smashed my other ankle which suffered a break, except it wasn't a clean break. Under Dr. Kuo's keen and careful guidance, I recovered after 6 weeks in a boot. Months later, I required arthroscopic surgery on the same foot where Dr. Kuo removed a small bone that became loose likely during my fall. I was amazed at how quickly I once again recovered with full motion and no pain. Recently, I developed pain in my ankle that was accompanied by bone popping. The MRI showed evidence of arthritic inflammation and I appreciated how Dr. Kuo once again engaged me in treatment options. We agreed that I would try an injection at my ankle. To my happy surprise, all my symptoms of pain and popping went away. I truly appreciate that Dr. Kuo is not just an expert in his field, but he educates and communicates in a way where I feel respected as a patient and engaged in treatment decisions, something that is extremely important to me and my family. I've grown to trust his care so much that I have trusted him with the care of my family members whenever ankle issues arise. Thank you Dr. Kuo!
He saved my leg!!! I am so grateful.
Great demeanor and very easy to talk to.
Dr. Kou repaired my Achilles tendon and chronic tendonopathy and modified my calf to increase range of motion. After 15 years, I'm pain-free and able to workout, run and hike without being hobbled the next two days. THANK YOU!
Dr. Kou Provided a simple explanation of the surgical procedure that I was having done. He informed me of my options and supported my decision to have surgery. Dr. Kou is an outstanding surgeon, very professional, and brutally honest. Thank you Dr. Kou You're the greatest!
I had some issues with my right ankle and toes for a long time. Referred by my family doctor and friends from my retirement community , I went to see Dr Joseph Kou. He was not only friendly, down to earth, he was also very knowledgeable, spent time to make assessments and gave me his honest opinions and suggestions of solutions. I am so happy now and so grateful that Dr Kou solved my long term problems. Anita in Rossmoor
Extremely helpful; fully understands patients problems; is very empathetic and gives good solutions. Extremely satisfied and thankful.
I am really happy with Dr. Kou. He has been helping me for a few years with my right foot. I feel a lot better every time visiting Dr. Kou. Special the short he gave me was NOT hurting so much like someone did. Thanks a lot Dr. Kou !!!
My surgery center and physician were amazing. Sequoia Surgery Center was amazing, this is how all centers should be. Dr.Kou, I can’t say more, it’s only been one month and my foot feels great and the my scar was minimal and healing great. I’ve only had a three surgical procedures and by far this was my recovery. I will recommend any friends to Dr. Kou.
I visited Dr Kou twice. one was ankle surgery two years ago, he was very nice and did great surgery, I got very good result. This month, my ankle was hurt when I traveled in Europe, I contacted with Dr Kou and made an appointment. I got treated when I was back home two days from the travel. Again, Thank you, Dr Kou.
Dr Kou is very pleasant and thorough
Doctor Joseph Kou, MD, is an orthopedic physician - an exceptional one, to be clear. I don't write too many reviews unless it has to do with something positive; something that others might benefit from, so here it is... I was recently diagnosed with enthesophyte; a bone spur at the heel and Achilles tendon, sometimes known as a heel spur. It's very painful and extremely complicated. At the pre-op appointment, his description of the surgery was made very clear to me; how it was done, what to expect, and how the two of us could make sure it was successful. He's a great communicator and easy to talk to. There's a lot of other nice things I'd like to highlight, but in short, the work he performed was outstanding. I'm extremely greatful; cant say it enough. If you're looking for a solid professional, check him out. I'd refer anyone to Doctor Joseph Kou
I’m a new patient of Dr Joseph Kou but my impression and experience with him have been very good so far.
Dr. Kou listened well to my injury situation and suggested resolutions that may heal my current injury regarding my right foot. We did option 1 but then I had to go back for option 2. Next, my foot was fully healed. Wonderful Foot Doctor!
Great Doctor and wonderful employees
Dr. Kou did a full ankle joint replacement for me and I couldn’t be happier. Ankle feels great, zero issues with the surgery or recovery. Finding the right surgeon is really important as they are not all the same and Dr. Kou is really good.
Dr. You was very kind. Took his time explaining to me and answered any questions I had. I would most Definitely refer him to my friends and family members and if anything changes with me I would see him for sure...
Dr. Kou performed a surgical repair on the peroneal tendon on both feet 4 years apart. I am now pain free n enjoy walking on a regular basis.
I've had a very pleasant experience with Dr. Joseph Kou and his wonderful staff in Walnut Creek, Ca. I had my ankle fused and during my recovery I had questions I forgot to ask after my cast removal at 10 days. I called the office and received a phone call within 30 minutes of my calling. After 1 month, I'm recovering wonderfully without pain, although I'm not walking on it yet. Physical Therapy is my next phase in a couple more weeks. I'm very happy with my outcome so far.
Dr. Kou is on off the few local doctors who offers an ankle replacement procedure. I am six weeks into the recovery and the progress is great. I had severe arthritis in my ankle joint. I am looking forward to getting back on the golf course.
Had a great experience with Dr. Kou, he’s both professional and personable. Knew instantly looking at my x-ray where my pain was even before I told him, walked me through what surgery would be like and scheduled it as soon as I was ready. Yesterday he operated and it went seamlessly. The whole office and surgical center knows what they’re doing; staff is friendly and they followed up quickly on all my calls and questions. Highly recommend.
The staff was very helpful
Dr. Kou has been my ankle specialist for many years. He is very pleasant and understanding. He has done several surgeries and ankle replacement. As a result I am a very happy patient.
Very professional and courteous staff. Knowledgeable about what they’re doing. Informative about my options for treatment and clear in explaining it to me.
I have had a few different Dr's and I would have to say that Dr kou is by far the best I have had the pleasure of being cared for by
Dr. Kou handled the diagnosis and surgery for my ruptured achilles. I saw him on a Monday and had surgery on Wednesday, so I appreciated the quick scheduling. He explained everything clearly and his manner with patients is very calm and reassuring. I felt like I was a great hands with Dr. Kou and would not hesitate to recommend him for orthopedic foot related issues.
I was referred to Dr.kou after suffering an egregious foot injury, which resulted in some doctors saying that I may never be able to walk again and encountering Dr. Q he was very kind, he listened, and hopeful, and had a plan that allowed me to be able to run stand and really be back to fully recovered Dr. Kou Is one of the best doctors anyone could get in regards to foot injuries
Dr. Kou, is a very personable, super intelligent about his profession and a down to earth doctor that hears you, takes your problem seriously and you can talk too comfortably. I definitely recommend him, he will fix you up!
I had an extreme bunion on my foot which was giving me pain and loss of balance. I was skeptical of having operated but with Dr. Kou’s assurance I went ahead with the surgery. After nearly 4 month my foot is completely healed and fused. I am extremely happy with the result. I have no hesitation to recommend him. He is great in every aspect being a great doctor.
Dr Kou and his team are just fantastic. Nursing staff is so warm , welcoming and caring . Doctor himself did an amazing job . Megan is sooo nice and kind. I felt always safe and taking care of me . Highly recommend. ! Front desk gals are just so friendly, paperwork gets done promptly and they are just great communicators. Exactly staff and I will stay there as a patient for sure .
Dr. Kou is a highly competent, caring physician who is easily approachable, and offers a high standard of care. I’m so happy that Dr. Kou was able to conduct my surgery and after care.
Everyone at the office is great . Dr. Is amazing takes time and listens to you may surgery great ! Hopefully never need another surgery but if I did I would go right back to Dr. Kou
Dr. Kou Requested another xray of foot which was the right choice because the first xray taken by primary doctors office was done incorrectly making it appear that my foot had a chipped bone when infact it did not. He took one look at new xray and determined that there was no broken bone only a bad sprang gave some a dvice how to care for it and no followup required.
Dr. Kou was so knowledgeable as it related to my ankle fracture as well nice and personable. He took care of my injury and was very easy to speak with.
Dr. Kou is an exceptional physician. He is known for being a perfectionist in the operating room. He has a wonderful bedside manner. He gets right to the point and will always tell you the truth, which means he won’t underestimate or overestimate the time it will take to recover. I had a complicated surgery, and he gave me time to think about it, and did not urge me to have it done until I was ready. He described the recovery as a commitment, and he knew I would have to make arrangements to be non-weight-bearing and non-driving. At the time I was ready he worked to get my authorization quickly and met with me to prepare me for the surgery. He also has a wonderful PA named Megan Smith who could not be nicer or more caring, and competent. She made the experience so much better than it could have been. She really made me feel as if she cared about every aspect of my recovery. The entire office is extremely friendly, they work to try and meet your needs with respect to scheduling and are pleasant at all times. I highly recommend Dr Kou and his office staff.
Dr. Kou is amazing. I was diagnosed with a rare injury where I had major ligament damage in my ankle, and my bones basically separated. Pretty gross. Well, I had been passed around from two different surgeons and finally got to meet Dr. Kou. He was super nice and made me feel at ease, and understood the level of pain I was in. So, he went so far as to schedule me for surgery the next day. Surgery was done and I am on the mend. Had to re-learn how to walk but Dr. Kou was great in getting me all the PT I needed and answered my questions honestly and thoroughly. I'm super glad I was sent to his office!
Answered my questions.
He has the best technique for delivering cortisone injections. You can barely tell there is virtually no pain involved and the results are great as well.
I was able to get in to see Dr. Kou when my arthritic ankle flared up recently. He was as nice and professional as could be. He took x-rays, and he took care of it immediately. I was in and out of there, pain-free, in about 45 minutes. I would definately recommend him.
Great Experience! Professional, knowledgeable and to the point. The entire staff is efficient and work together with Dr. Kou to make a great, dedicated team!
Dr. Kou managed to accommodate me in spite of his booked schedule when I could not walk with a mid foot problem. I was scheduled to leave for a cruise planned a year ago. He was kind and patient, identified the problem and fixed it and I was able to make this trip fully recovered. I would highly recommend him .
Fast, on time, knowledgeable. A very good experience with a first-rate doctor.
Dr. Kou (and his PA Megan Smith) is a first class people doctor and surgeon. After tearing my achilles over a weekend, I saw Dr. Kou 2 days later and he addressed all of my concerns and questions and understood what was important to me post surgery. He recommended surgery as my best outcome and performed successfuly surgery the following day. I had a follow-up most recently at 18 weeks post surgery and got clearance to resume my normal recreational activities (light hiking and golf) at modest levels while indicating that full recovery is realized around the 6 month mark. I have recently learned that Dr. Kou has performed surgery on a couple of people I know in the past year and they have the same great experience and positive surgical results.
I saw Dr. Kou on February 6, 2023 and he immediately scheduled me for surgery the next morning. As an athlete it was very important for me to get the best care possible. He performed an amazing on my Achilles and got me back to playing in 9 months! I highly recommend him for anyone who is seeking care from an orthopedics physician.
Dr Kou has been a real pleasure he took care of my problems and so far everything is good I highly recommend him his staff is just as friendly and helpful as he is. He keeps me working and has done more for me than any other podiatrist has.Thank you Dr Kou
I understand the need total ankle replacements are rather rare compared to other joints. That is why I’m so pleased that Dr Kuo was recommended to me. I got 2nd and 3rd opinions and Dr Kuo is truly on the cutting edge of technology. X-rays showed I had no cartilage remaining before my surgery now I can walk with endurance with pain.
Dr Kou was very knowledgeable and helped answer all my questions. I’d recommend him to anyone! Thanks!
Dr. Kou is an excellent surgeon and he showed great interest in my wellbeing. I had smoked for over 50 years and did not want to quit, be he convinced me to actually quit. My ankle replacement is healed. Thank you, Doctor Kou.
Dr. Kou is the top surgeon in his field. Truly a gifted surgeon. A doctor who has both empathy and compassion is a rare find.
Dr.Josphen kou takes the time to answer all questions you have and very understandable lot of his team I would recommend
Dr Kou is the without question the most skilled and knowledgeable orthopedist in NorCal, especially for all things foot and ankle. I did the research. He is the man. My journey included asking him to fix damage done by a less skilled professional, he embraced the challenge and a year later I am walking 18holes of golf like before this drama began. Trust this guy.
I had a surgery on my right foot by Dr. Joseph Kou in May 2022. The surgery went smoothly, and I have recovered mostly in 4 months. I was able to walk and took a cruise trip in April 2023. I would like to express my sincerely appreciation to Dr. Kou.
I’ve seen Dr. Kou for foot surgery (arthrodesis) and he did it so well I was able to return to all of my sports even better than I was previously. I asked him to fuse the bone/toe at an upward angle so I could torque off of it, and he pulled it off! This is the best group of doctors you’re ever going to find, and I have 6 surgeries to prove it. Better every time!
My consultation was amazing and I am looking forward to my surgery which will allow me to walk again without pain. I highly recommend this doctor
Dr Kou performed a total ankle replacement in August, 2021. He is a wonderful surgeon within great interpersonal skills.. Pre-surgery, he did a great job describing my medical options with the issue I had. The surgery and recovery went exactly as he had described. Today, I have an ankle with all the mobility, etc. as a human ankle with no pain, something that I could not conceive could happen thinking back 3 years ago. I recommend him highly.
Dr Kou is legit. My young athletic daughter and I have seen him 3x over the years for various foot, ankle and toe injuries. He understands the bones, healing process and provides realistic expectations. He is not quick to operate unless it's really necessary. He can repair past surgery mistakes. He's professional and thorough. I would highly recommend Dr Kou.
Doctor Kou diagnosed that I had a broken tibia. He put a plate over the broken bone and screwed it in to the bone to stabilize it. It has been healing fine. I am now eight weeks in and I’m doing fine. It’s a slow process of recovery. I have the upmost confidence that Dr. Kou did a good job and I would recommend him to anybody.
I went in for a rolled ankle taking forever to get better. Dr. Kou right away set me up for physical therapy so I won’t need surgery. Very friendly, professional and listened to me. I highly recommend Dr. Kou
Dr Kou is, in my opinion based on the service I received and the outcome of the surgeries, a first class diagnostician and surgeon. He took me on time for every office visit (unlike most physicians) and finished the visit and any related exams in a very reasonable time. He answered all of my questions directly and gave me evidence and confidence that I could trust what he said. His PA is also very good in her role as an associate of Dr. Kou and an integral member of the treatment team.
Dr. Kou is always kind, courteous and patiently listens. I never feel rushed or that my questions have gone unanswered. I am happy to have found him and I trust I am in good hands.
Excellent care. Everything you expect when you need help. Thank you for all your care and advise.
Quick and determined to diagnose the situation and act accordingly
Very competent doctor! On my way to recovery after an Achilles tendon surgery, came in on a Monday and he performed the surgery on Wednesday.
Dr. Kou is amazing! If you have ankle issues like I did, he's the doctor you want to see.
Great Doctor and very informative and helpful with my injury. Would highly recommend to anyone who needs a good Orthopedic specialist.
Dr. Kou is beyond helpful. He gets straight to business but truly cares for his patients. I would highly recommend him!
Dr Kou did a fantastic job with my ankle /foot surgery. I would have complete confidence if I would need to have something else done with my other foot. He is very personable. I really liked him.
Dr Kou is patient, easy to communicate with, explains surgical procedures thoroughly and twice has offered me alternatives to the surgical procedures I thought I needed! Office is great. Never waited long to be seen.
Dr. Kou is amazing!!! He treated my 12-year-old soccer player, and was so informative and supportive for her treatment to heal from a really bad ankle sprain. He was also so thorough in explaining what we needed to do, and is definitely appreciated by our family.
Dr. Kou is great to work with. He reviewed my situation regarding my feet and recommended surgery on my left foot. All went well with the surgery and recovery went smoothly. A year later I had him look at my other foot and he recommended not to do the surgery since I didn't have any pain, just not a good looking foot. I commend Dr. Kou for not conducting the surgery since he felt unless there was discomfort or pain he would not do the surgery for cosmetic reasons. In the future if I had pain he wanted me to come back for another evaluation.
For me, Dr Kou did a big toe bone fusion, straightened my toe and removed several bone spurs. It was an intricate surgery to say the least. Dr Kou is extremely kind, thorough, responsive, wonderful bedside manner, easy to communicate with, knowledgeable and an amazing surgeon. I can’t recommend him enough and if Dr Kou is your doctor, you are in GREAT hands!!
Dr Kou has been my orthopedic surgeon seeing me through the corrective surgery to repair another surgeon’s failed ankle fusion surgery and has since then performed another surgery on the other ankle. Both surgeries were completely successful. Since then he has been very kind and helpful with the follow-ups. After the bad experience I had with a different surgeon I am very hapy and relieved to have found him, and I intend to use him again if needed. Both Dr Kou and his assistant have been wonderful. I trust then both and recommend then for ankle surgery.
I met Dr.Kou and he was very polite and understood my concerns about my left foot and I appreciate him very much. I will definitely recommend him to family and friends.
I am now seeing doctor Kou and I like him very much he takes out a lot of time to explain What he sees.
As a retired physician I was very pleased to meet a young physician with medical care values with which I could agree
Dr. Kou is an excellent physician. He treats me for ankle pain. I’m usually a bit anxious when I have to get any type procedure involving a needle, but I’ve never experienced so little pain. It’s almost pain free. He’s always been extremely patient and gentle. I so appreciate the treatments I receive from Dr. Kou. The treatments alleviate a great deal of pain from my ankles and therefore make my life just a little bit easier.
Great Surgeon - Great Staff -
I interviewed three surgeons before deciding on Dr. Kuo and it was the best decision I could have made. First, Dr. Kuo is kind. He is patient and clearly wants his clients to be fully informed and on top of all that, he was always on time, as was his PA, Megan. Dr. Kuo made me feel like his top priority and made sure all my questions were answered by the end of each appointment. My surgery was such a success and I highly recommend Dr. Kuo for any surgery involving your feet.
I am remiss in not having shared my positive experiences with Dr. Kou and Megan, his PA. I had surgery on both my feet to correct pronated feet. The first procedure occurred in early 2017, followed by a surgery for removing the pins. The second surgery, on my other foot, happened last March and it was, again, followed by pin removal. During all four procedures, Dr. Kou and Megan were extremely professional. I was particularly impressed with Megan's kind and caring support. I also appreciated the fact that Dr. Kou was very clear in setting expectations. This type of foot surgery involves a very long recovery and it was not easy, but I am so pleased that both my feet are now upright and I am able to walk without the pain I was previously experiencing. I highly recommend Dr. Kou and Megan. They make an awesome team!!
Dr. Kou is skilled, confident, and caring. Please see him before you let a DPM with a scalpel near your foot.
Dr. Kou has helped me so much. My ankle was messed up and wasn’t repaired properly until I found Dr. Kou. It is critical that you take the time after an injury to find the right specialist to work on your specific injury, in my case my ankle. Don’t go see the first orthopedic physician you can get in with. I think I could have avoided some surgery if I had been with the right physician in the first place. Dr. Kou is the best when it comes to ankles.
Dr Kou operated on my right foot 8 years ago this month. He performed 5 different processes. I had been almost unable to walk. It took 6 months to a year to heal fully as he said it would but one year later I was traipsing around Amsterdam, up and down stairs, etc. with no problem. I am still fine and am grateful to have found him. He was very sympathetic, very patient and very competent.
I saw Dr. Kou recently for an ankle issue. I found him to be very knowledgeable, approachable and patient. I highly recommend him.
I had an Achilles repair surgery with Dr. Kou and his PA Megan Smith. Though it was an unfortunate situation I had a wonderful experience. My appointments were always on time and I never felt rushed. Dr. Kou and Megan were both kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable, thorough, and happy to answer my many questions. They made me feel cared for during a very stressful time. Not only that, my surgery went well, I did not have any complications and I felt like I was in good hands.
I've had bunion pain for over two years after a basketball accident and I was convinced by three other doctors I need to have surgery. I saw Dr. Koo today and all the pain is gone. It also turns out I may not need surgery after all. Thank you for the attention to detail and giving me instance relief. Words can't express how thankful I am for not having this pain anymore but also the cost of surgery and more importantly, being able to walk and run without any pain. There's a few distinguished doctors out there that are not after money and I'm lucky to have come in contact Dr. Kou. Thanks again.
If you are in need of surgery, you will be in excellent hands with Dr Kou. His skill, expertise and experience are exactly what you need should you have an accident in life. I am a senior who had a complex break of my ankle in a fall, and my smooth and successful recovery is a result of my choosing Dr. Kou as my surgeon. He has a superb team of Megan, Gene, Patrick snd Isabelle that follow you through recovery - caring, realistic and highly skilled. Thank you Dr. Kou.
I had foot surgery recently. I was impressed by the staffs response to all my needs . PA Megan Smith made my recovery easy . She promptly called me back when I was in pain .She is very empathic, knowledgeable and pleasant. She listened to my questions and answered without rushing me . She was very sincere and respectful in all interactions . Isabel is Dr Kou ' s nurse and was also very kind ,helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you so much. Aneela
I had Dr. Kou and his wonderful Physicians Assistant Megan for my extensive foot surgery in January of last year. It has been a long time recovering, just as they said it would be...I can't say enough good things about this Doctor, about Megan and the entire staff...they are always available to answer questions you may have both pre and post surgery, and are always encouraging you to do the best you can do in your recovery, but to not over do it either....Dr. Kou was recommended to me from another respected Orthopedic Surgeon who said that Dr. Kou was the very best in this field, and after having this surgery I can absolutely state I would not have wanted anyone else to do this for me....Megan is always very friendly, very willing to answer all your questions and offer advice to lead you in your recovery process.... you will not be sorry if you choose to go with this medical team, they are professionals all the way....I also have had two cortisone shots in my foot as I continue to heal, and Megan is great at giving the shots, no pain whatsoever!!!!..I highly recommend this medical team....
Short version: Would highly recommend. Tore my achilles. Had surgery. Am extremely pleased with the results and the overall care I received from Dr. Kou and staff. Long Version: I saw Dr. Kou and his PA Megan Smith in December 2019 for a fully ruptured achilles tendon. FWIW, I am a licensed physical therapist and was referred to Dr. Kou by an old classmate who had his achilles repaired by him a few years earlier, and had excellent results. During my eval, Dr. Kou was professional, personable, and concise. We were both on the same page pretty much from the beginning regarding diagnosis, assessment and treatment options. In the end I was scheduled for surgery to re-attach the tendon 4 days later, but throughout the eval process Dr. Kou (and really the MOS staff as a whole) was considerate and sympathetic to my personal concerns and circumstances in his approach toward assessment, recommendations, and eventually surgery. As of this review, I am exactly 7 weeks post-op and physically I couldn't be happier with my recovery thus far. Dr. Kou and his team performed the surgery without complications. Post-op swelling has been minimal, and pain has been almost non-existent (FWIW, I have been very diligent in following post-op restrictions and instructions). My weight-bearing tolerance and range of motion have progressed nicely week-to-week and on the faster side of expected timelines; and at this point the surgical scar is very thin and only slightly noticeable. Dr. Kou checked in with me again at 4 weeks post-op to inspect the repair and see how things were going, but for the most part his assistant, Megan, has performed all of my post-op follow-ups. She's done an exceptional job ensuring that the repair and ROM have been healing well, as well as to instruct and educate me on what to expect with each new phase of post-op recovery. Not only that, but even though I am very familiar with the recovery process for an achilles repair due to my profession, at the end of the day I am still a patient– and Megan was able to answer and clarify all of my random questions and concerns, which has really helped put me more at ease during recovery. At this point, the extent of my recovery going forward will be more dependent on my progress through physical therapy, but I am extremely pleased with the outcome of my surgery and my overall experience with Dr. Kou, and would highly recommend him– especially to anyone with a tear or suspected tear of their achilles tendon.
Six weeks ago I made a big mistake. I thought that it would be wise to jump over a gas hose while it was pumping gas into my car. Let's just say I didn't clear the hose and came down on my ankle. My foot actually looked like it wasn't attached to my leg. I broke three bones (tibia and fibula) are the two names I remember. I also tore some cartilage. My first surgeon called me at home and said he couldn't fix my ankle. He said that he recommended an ankle specialist named Dr Kou. Dr Kou and his staff were amazing. I was nervous and in more pain than I have ever been in. 2 1/2 hours later, 14 screws and two plates...and I would soon be back to my new normal. Dr Kou is an excellent surgeon, a kind human being and somewhat of a magician. I highly recommend him!!!
Dr Kou recently did my foot surgery after I broke it badly in a recent car accident. I was quite nervous since I had never been through surgery before but he even came in over the weekend in his personal time to consult with me about the options and put me at ease about the whole procedure. Not too many doctors would do that! He was very personable and knowledgeable and I liked the fact that he was confident in his recommendations. Thankfully the surgery went smooth and I'm still going through the rehab process. Hopefully the healing will continue per plan and I will be able to walk again normally soon! Thank you again doc!
Dr. Kou treated my broken ankle that after 5 years was still causing me a great deal of discomfort! I should mention Dr. Kou did not perform the original surgery. He gave me a cortisone shot and the pain is just a bad memory. We discussed ankle replacement surgery as an option. Grateful the cortisone works right now! Thank you Dr. Kou!
Dr. Kou is an outstanding foot surgeon. He's easy to talk to and is caring and conscientious. He's operated on both my feet which were injured in an accident and has got me back to leading a normal life!
Thank you to Dr. Kou and his staff for giving me back the mobility of being able to walk again with the new STAR Ankle replacement. I have one tenth the pain in my ankle since having the ankle replacement in June 2017. My ankle had deteriorated to bone on bone after injuring it 30 years ago from a 30 foot fall onto cement and 3 surgeries initially to repair it back then. I am very thankful for the job done by Dr. Kou and thankful for the staff in helping getting it done. I appreciated the professionalism and expertise displayed by Dr. Kou and his PA Megan Smith. When first meeting Dr. Kou for consultation, my wife and I were impressed by his professionalism and expertise to my issues. As an orthopedic surgeon, we were pleasantly surprised by his approach in providing us with a diagnosis and that I would benefit from either a total ankle replacement or fusion and that we would discuss pros/cons of each, but in the end, he was going to allow for what I felt was most appropriate for my situation. I never felt pressured or directed to either option. Follow up appointments for pre-op and post-op have been just as informative, allowing for question/answers without feeling pressured for time and that he or staff are in a hurry to move on to next patient or bail out of room, either in hospital or office. My wife and I commuted almost 2 hours for his initial consult due to limited options in our small community and we would recommend Dr. Kou to anyone who is in similar situation with foot/ankle injury/pain. We are forever grateful for your skills and look forward to many adventures with the STAR ankle replacement. Thank you so much, Will R.
I had glass on the bottom of my foot for a month, I went to Urgent Care twice and Emergency Room, no one could take the glass out. I called 5 different doctors to see if someone would take the glass out and no one would return my call. Dr. Kou was recommended to me by someone at work, he looked at at my foot took and x-ray and on Monday and on Wednesday he did the surgery. I can't thank him enough!
I had a ankle injury, since I did not have a surgery, I mostly saw Megan Smith, the physician assistance. She is fantastic. Megan is knowledgable, competent, and caring. I totally trust her medical judgment.
I have been going to Dr.Kou for years now. He is the best doctor that I've ever had. He knows what he is doing and he is great at what he does. he has done three ankle surgeries on my ankle and the last ankle surgery was three years ago and my insurance didn't want to ay for it and Dr. Kou did everything that he could have done so that my insurance would cover it, He talked to the insurance everyday for about a week and a half and he had to keep summiting paperwork to the insurance. It was a long process with them but Dr. Kou never gave up and he was there for me and my family. Even though I don't have the same insurance anymore I still keep him posted on my recovery.
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.
Dr Kou, Confidence. No problem kind of guy! Pleasant.(loosen up in the humor dept.;)) But easy to laugh Skill. The BEST! I had STAR Total Ankle Replacement Feb. 2014 Not one moment of pain(in cast 34days) Great hospital stay(JM/WC). Now in 'boot' for 30 days. Then xrays, etc. Anyway Kou is a cool guy. He is THE man for your feet!! I hope he has a dog! (rescue one if not). Nan Kreeger
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.
I was previously diagnosed with a ruptured anterior tibialis tendon on my right foot. I had an MRI ordered by the orthopedist referred to me by my primary care physician. I decided to get a second opinion from my wife's podiatrist. I decided I needed a third opinion and was referred to Dr, Kou by my son's significant other (she had not ever seen him but was referred to him by her primary care Dr.). After his initial exam, I had total faith in him because of his demeanor, high confidence level he radiated, plus his experience in doing this surgery that the previous 2 medical professionals lacked. His knowledge and skill came out when the surgery went exactly as planned, the healing/recuperation/rehabilitation went exactly as he said it would, plus his willingness and ability to answer all my concerns and keep me informed of my progress during the entire process. He is in my opinion, extremely knowledgable re. this type of injury and should definitely be considered for doing foot or ankle surgery or for a second opinion.
Assisting the Doctor:
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Physician Assistants are highly skilled medical professionals. Dr. Kou is joined by Megan Smith, PA-C to provide the highest standard of care.
Reviews Mean So Much!
Reviews mean so much to both the doctor providing care as well as to prospective patients. We appreciate your reviews!
Dr. Kou has helped me so much. My ankle was messed up and wasn’t repaired properly until I found Dr. Kou. It is critical that you take the time after an injury to find the right specialist to work on your specific injury. Dr. Kou is the best when it comes to ankles.
Dr Kou operated on my right foot 8 years ago this month. I am still fine and am grateful to have found him. He was very sympathetic, very patient and very competent.
I saw Dr. Kou recently for an ankle issue. I found him to be very knowledgeable, approachable and patient. I highly recommend him.