“Hello!
First I would like to say, I love Coastal Orthopedics! They have been fantastic in all categories of care with not only myself, but my children, whom have had injuries as well. Although their injuries were minor and temporary, one with a jammed thumb and one with a fractured forearm, they could be seen immediately and with exceptional care. The staff was extremely friendly and played with my children, which made them very comfortable in what was originally a scary experience!
My experience with Coastal Orthopedics could not have come any sooner! I'm an 18-year hairdresser/barber and I own my own business alone. Having said that, I never though in my wildest dream that at 35 years old, I would be having immediate unexpected neck surgery. On April 1st, 2013, I awoke to not being able to lift my head, neck, or left arm. After many doctor visits, a couple of ER visits, 2 pain injections by my doctor, and numerous chiropractic visits, while all were requesting an MRI, my insurance company kept denying me because I had not been in an accident!” Really? By the end of the month, I was ready to die. I was in so much pain. I was living off of pain meds, couldn't work, drive, or even function as a wife or mother. It was awful! That's when someone recommended me to Coastal Orthopedics! When calling, I was able to see Dr. Mills the next day. After coming in and meeting Dr. Mills and explaining my ordeal, he immediately requested and got me approved for an MRI! The next day, he called me with my results, explaining to me that not only did I have one of the worst herniated bulging discs, C 5/6 in someone's neck that he had ever seen, but that my nerve in my left arm that goes from my spine to my thumb was being severely pinched/entangled somewhat in these discs. He didn't know how I was even functioning! I explained I wasn't really without lots and lots of pain, muscle and nerve meds, I wouldn't have survived the pain. I was unbearable! I had immediate surgery 2 days later. There was no question, do I want surgery.” It was, “when should I be there?” I was completely miserable! April 30th was my surgery day and I wouldn’t say it was painless, but my arm was immediately relieved. I was sore from the trauma from waiting so long but immediate relief! After a few weeks of recovery and several weeks of physical therapy, I was a million times better! Back to work (after 2 months of my business being closed!) and normal again!
January 18th. I awoke again to not being able to lift my arm, except this time, it was my right arm, my dominant arm. I thought I must have slept on it but as the day went on, it was worse and worse. I messaged Dr. Mills’ physician assistant, which is the most wonderful, helpful, medical provider I've ever met. She is always ready to help and offers me encouragement, advice, and care anytime I call or message her. She quickly returned my call and told me to come in first thing the following business day. Monday morning, I saw Dr Mills. With my history and symptoms, I was able to have an MRI right away and found out that again, I had the same problem! This time, it was C 6/7 and my right arm nerve being severely pinched! We couldn't believe it!! So here we go again, out of work, surgery, recovery, and therapy! Dr. Mills explained that sometimes C 5/6, and C 6/7 are affected by each other and when one is bad the other overcompensates. Usually it doesn't happen this soon but with my career and kind of work, it could happen. My surgery was January 24th and this time, because I was more aware of recovery and what to expect, it was a little easier to handle. Dr. Mills, his physician assistant, and the nurse Angela have all been fantastic!! I'm recovering now. The care and checkups have all been very encouraging! I will always use Coastal Orthopedics for all of our needs! I'm so thankful for them and all of their wonderful staff!! -- Jamie A. ”
“No one likes to have to go to doctors or have to have surgery. I have never ever come across a better doctor than Dr. Mills, his entire office staff, and his surgical staff. He is a wonderful doctor, who truly cares about his patients, and gives each and every one of his patients the individual care that they need. I would recommend Dr. Mills to anyone and everyone who is having back problems. I couldn't walk for almost 6 months and was in severe pain due to bone on bone friction in my low back. The day after surgery, I no longer had back pain and it is wonderful to feel that I can be productive again and live my life. No amount of thank you's can express how I feel about Dr. Mills giving me my life back. God bless you, your entire staff, surgical team, and Coastal Orthopedics. My wife and I would never go anywhere else with back problems. Dr. Mills has your back (literally.) -- Steve O.”
“On my second trip to Conway Hospital ER with severe pain in my lower back and leg, the ER doctor referred me to Dr. William Mills at Coastal Orthopedics. After getting an appointment, Dr. Mills had his office schedule a MRI. When I went back for the results, Dr. Mills said I had a herniated disc and lumbar spinal stenosis that could be fixed with an ILIF procedure, which consisted of a plastic spacer and clamp with screws. At 70 years old and never had any kind of surgery, that didn't sound all that appealing to me. I decided to try to deal with the pain with a little bit of medication. Within a week, I was calling back begging for the surgery.
I had the surgery on September 26, 2013. Immediately after the surgery, the pain was gone. I spent one night in the hospital and the nurses were really good. After being released, the first two weeks were a little uncomfortable but the medicine they give you takes care of the pain and you sleep a lot. After the third and fourth week, things got a little better each day. Week six, there was no more pain and no more medicine. I felt good and was looking forward to getting back to normal activities. I must say my first experience with surgery, I was very skeptic especially with the spine, but I couldn't be more pleased with the whole deal. Dr. William Mills and his staff wow, what can I say; they were excellent and they gave me life back. I'm very grateful. Thanks to you all.-- Wayne E.”
“I am one year post ILIF surgery. I had two discs that needed to be replaced after falling hard on concrete. Dr. Mills, his interns, and staff were there to give excellent care as I walked through my recovery period. I am very thankful for the best of care and would very highly recommend this office to everyone needing orthopedic care. Thanks Dr. Mills, you're the best!! -- Kathy W.”
“I see Dr. Wilkins every three months. I have osteoporosis and arthritis through my whole body and was told I have sclerosis. I have been coming there for years and have always been treated great and am very well pleased. --Catherine M.”
“I recently had xlif surgery and am still recovering, however I feel that the surgery has definitely rid me of chronic pain in my lower back. I was active as a senior, the surgery performed by Dr. Mills has allowed me to become as active as I was before the pain. -- Judith B.”
“After years of back pain, Dr. Mills suggested an X-LIF, a less-invasive surgical procedure to remedy my problem. My entire experience with him and his staff, both medical and surgical, were top-notch and the procedure went off without a hitch. I would not look any further for orthopedic service in the future than with Coastal Orthopedics. -- Gary C.”
“I have suffered with back pain for most of my adult life. I consulted with orthopedic physicians in my hometown, tried chiropractic treatments, injections into the back and into the nerve. The pain became increasingly worse and nothing I tried helped. I called Coastal Orthopedics and spoke with someone there about the different treatments and surgeries that they offered. I then asked my primary physician about what she knew about Coastal Orthopedics and, in particular, about Dr. Mills. I also went on the Internet and read all of the information I was able to find on Coastal Orthopedics and Dr. William Mills. I was impressed with everything I learned and called and made an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Mills. I felt very comfortable making a decision to have Dr. Mills do the surgery that I needed. I underwent surgery on November 2, 2012 and was driving again on November 7, 2012 and went back to work on November 12, 2012. I think this is remarkable after having major back surgery. I would highly recommend Coastal Orthopedics and Dr. William Mills to anyone who is in need of or considering back surgery. I am enjoying being pain free for the first time in years and doing a lot of things that I have not been able to do in many years. -- Sandra M.”
“On June the 19th, 2012, I was in an auto accident. At the time I felt some back pain, but thought it was just a strain. I started feeling some discomfort in my right buttocks, and down the right leg. I also could not pick up my right foot and place in down. I then called Coastal Orthopedics and they gave me an appointment with Dr. Mills. He examined me, took X-rays, and after he reviewed them, he set me up with an MRI. The MRI shown some distressed areas of the 3/4 and 4/5 lumbar area. He recommended a treatment called ILIF. I gave it some serious thought and then approved the operation. I am only one month out of the operation and by back never felt better. No more pain in the right buttocks or leg. My foot now has strength and I can walk properly. I am very pleased with the results and thank the staff and Dr. Mills for his help. -- Dennis T.”
“I had my second meeting with Dr. Mills and he explained my MRI in great detail which made sense to me and was greatly appreciated. He suggested a few ways we could address the problem. He gave me cortisone shots in the lower spine and prescribed a medication. I am looking forward to seeing him again and see if this is the right path. I have had surgery two times before and hope an alternative course will help. He, like Dr. Ramsey, is a pleasure to go to. -- Richard E.”
