Karas Spero G MD - Atlanta, Georgia

Mac McKleroy

I wouldn’t recommend Dr. Karas to my worst enemy’s dog. I had a fall in which I landed on my right shoulder and felt something give. An ortho doctor did a sonogram and found a 2.5cm tear in my rotator cuff that they felt required surgery; so they ordered an MRI. Dr. Karas said the doctor who did the sonogram was wrong. Then he said, based on his review of the MRI (report only), he trusted the radiologist more than my 1st ortho dr. Said he was 100% sure I wasn’t going to have surgery on my shoulder. That I’m too big, too unhealthy, too out of shape and I wouldn’t heal (despite successful surgeries and procedures in recent years). He took my arm and roughly moved it up and down once and said I have range of motion (without consideration for the level of break-through pain even when I’m already on pain meds for other health issues), that I have osteo-arthritis and age-related issues (I’m almost 62), so all I need is a steroid injection and PT. And to follow-up with someone else.
I’m convinced he’s 100% sure he is not going to operate. And Dr Karas may have been correct in everything he shared - all the reasons I’m NOT getting this surgery. BUT I left his office feeling discriminated against based on my age, size, health, and ability (even though I’m in care and it’s well managed). I felt discounted and judged as being of less worth than the athletes he typically treats.

Katie Forrest

Went to him with an ongoing shoulder problem that had previously been diagnosed as a labrum tear, without asking for any previous scans or getting any of his own he dismissed the previous diagnosis and told me to go to physical therapy without a follow up appointment. Went back to a different doctor and just received MRI results that it is in fact a torn labrum.

Dale Duncan

August 29, 2020 marks the one year mark since Dr. Keros repaired my right shoulder rotator cuff and repaired my bicep. On August 28, 2018, I had my left shoulder rotator cuff repaired along with the bicep. My tears were the result of years of overuse. I was a National Champion gymnast in the late 80's and early 90's. I did my best for years with physical therapy and cortisone shots, but in 2018, I knew I had to face it.

I had an incident during a workout in February 2018, and I continued to avoid the truth with PT. I went to PT from March 2018 through July 2018, and again, things improved, but I knew in my heart my shoulders were not going to be pain free again unless I had them fixed. I didn't want to do it because I'd seen how difficult rotator cuff repairs were.

In July 2018, my PT said, you are good to go.

I said...I'm not actually.

So, I went to the doctor and got the MRI.

My PT looked at the results with shock on his face.

"How have you been a conductor and worked out with these injuries?"

Anyway...I knew what I had to do, and I had the left shoulder repaired.

It was awful.

PT was terrible...and Dr. Karas said..."I'm not sure if I can fix this. You've waited too long."

But I did it...

He fixed it.

When I woke up from surgery, he looked me in the eye and said, "I fixed that mess. Now it's up to you."

PT is what he was talking about. Most people don't do it. It's like a diet. It's hard.

But I wanted to have my life back, so I did it.

The minute he told me how messed up my left shoulder was, I knew my dominant arm (right) was even worse, but I couldn't cope with that at that moment.

I asked him for an MRI of my right shoulder in fall 2018.

The results were as I expected. Terrible tears in the shoulder and bicep.

He wanted to fix my right shoulder in March 2019, but it wasn't convenient for me and my work, and I resisted.

That's hard to do. Doctors often think they are gods, but I know my body.

So, I postponed until August 2019.

He was unhappy.

I hated it for him, but I knew what I needed to do.

And I was correct.

I did the PT like a champ again.

That is the key.

No PT? No result.

If you aren't going to get the PT, then just sit home in pain for the rest of your life.

I did my PT both times with Dan at Emory. He was located just below Spero's office.

PT should be close to your home. ....Otherwise, you won't go because you need to go a lot.

Tomorrow marks one year since my second rotator/bicep repair with Dr. Keros and PT with Dan at Emory.

I took up tennis on July 5, 2020.

I just finished my 14th tennis lesson, and my 5th drills class at Dekalb Tennis Center.

Not even the slightest shoulder pain in sight...

I plan to play with USTA at age 56 for the first time and ALTA when I'm ready to face the Atlanta doubles scene because apparently ALTA only does doubles and there is apparently lots of drama.

Good problem to have.

Grateful beyond measure for Dr. Karas.

His brutal honesty and the high level of Emory care have changed my life.

Manoj Madhavan

I needed ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) surgery on my left knee 8 years ago. Dr. Spero Karas took a hamstring tendon from my left leg and used it to reconstruct the ACL on my left knee using arthroscopy. Three small holes for the surgical tubes and the camera. I was out in 2 hours and back on the tennis court in 6 months. I used a brace for a year. Now - 8 years later I am playing more tennis than ever before, running 10Ks and so on. I feel great. Dr Karas is awesome!!!

Jordan Beasley

I've been through 2 orthopedists in the past month for a detached bicep and inflammation of my AC joint. The last one wanted to do surgery right away and quoted a 4 inch scar and a lot more pain than is necessary. Dr. Karas, with his entourage of observing and aspiring physicians in tow, sought a much less painful treatment with the added benefit of condensing the possible surgical procedures necessary (if any) to nominal invasion. I thoroughly appreciated his only-what-is-necessary approach and his guidance. You really can't go wrong here. Thanks, doc.

Wanda Hayes

My daughter tore acl and need surgery. Dr. Karas examined her and mri thoroughly and he explained to us the sugery procedure the recovery and healing procedure and therapy. He talked directly to her because she was 14 he wanted her to feel comfortable. He answered any questions we had. 2 years later someone from his office called following up on her progress. I love and recommend this doctor and staff to the world. He is worth the drive. Thank you Dr. KARAS and staff.

J D

Great Dr, explained everything that was going on. Gave me all the options. After the surgery my knee feels better than it ever has.
Was a great experience post op as well

Elizabeth Hackler

Best orthopedic surgeon in town. Staff and doctor took really good care of me.