Toolan Brian MD

Dr. Toolan performed an ORIF surgery on my ankle and did an excellent job. I think the other reviews are unfair as they are not representative of his skill as a surgeon. In fact, after reading the other reviews I became concerned and started asking other doctors and nurses at the hospital their opinions and sought a second opinion from a surgeon at another medical center. Dr. Toolan’s reputation among other medical professionals is stellar. Throughout my process of healing I have heard high praise from nurses, therapists, and even my anesthesiologist.
My incision site was a really clean line and had really minimal bleeding. The post-​op has been mostly pain free. And the physical therapy has been progressing very fast. I think every case is going to be slightly different as people have issues of varying complexity and different overall tolerances for pain.
It seems the biggest problem people online seem to have had is his «bedside manner». This is something a lot of people are going to see differently. I think most doctors, and especially surgeons, are very busy and pragmatic people. Dr. Toolan is a highly skilled surgeon, he is not a psychotherapist. If you want someone to sugar coat things by your bedside but do a crappy repair on your bones then that is up to you. In my opinion, he was a friendly guy. During consultations he addressed all of my concerns and answered all of my questions, and he has clearly remained very committed to getting me the best possible outcome. The orthopedic team, especially his nurse, Jackie, have all been very responsive via phone and email and have been helpful with any concerns I have had along the way.

Dr Toolan performed major surgery on my foot in 2007. The pins broke. I have now in 2014 been told that same surgery will have to be done – a redo. The other major Chicago foot doctor basically said Dr Toolan botched it. Besides that the hospital was terrible during earlier surgery. My husband had to ice it all night. There are good doctors in Chicago – Dr Toolan is not one of them. There are also good hospitals in Chicago – U of C is not one them. All you have to do is look at rankings of US News.