Putting her best foot forward
Mary Jo McKinney
Jan, 0001
Physicians: James Maskill, DPM
Michael Maskill, DPM
*The photo included in the story was taken prior to COVID-19.
A self-confessed tomboy, Benton Harbor resident, Mary Jo McKinney, doesn’t like to sit still. From working on cars to upkeep on her home, she likes to keep busy, work hard, and stay active. Even lifelong foot pain couldn’t slow her down. But as she got older, she started to struggle more.
“Growing up, I thought I just walked pigeon-toed and accepted it,” said Mary Jo. “Only later did I find out that it was a deformity that could have been corrected at a young age.”
Meeting the Maskills
Since Four Winds Casino opened in 2007, Mary Jo has worked in environmental services and as a job coach–both positions that required long hours on her feet. As her foot pain worsened, she began to search for a solution which eventually led her to foot and ankle specialist, Michael Maskill, DPM.
“I went to several doctors for help,” said Mary Jo. “We tried creams, we tried braces–nothing seemed to help. I decided to see a doctor in Niles who people kept telling me about. That doctor referred me straight to Dr. Michael Maskill.”
Dr. Maskill immediately diagnosed Mary Jo with an extreme case of flat feet. The condition, along with a severe bunion, could be corrected with a surgery to pull her foot in line with her ankle, repair ligaments and tendons, and correct bone deformities.
After the surgery on her left foot was successful, Mary Jo began to prepare for surgery on her right foot.
“Knowing that I had the same problem with my right foot, I was waiting to build up time off work for the second surgery,” said Mary Jo. “During that time, I learned that Dr. Maskill had a brother who was also a doctor. I read a brochure about Dr. James Maskill. It really inspired me, so I made an appointment.”
Although Mary Jo enjoyed working with Dr. Michael Maskill, she appreciated that Dr. James Maskill’s office was located much closer to her home.
During the initial consultation, Dr. James Maskill discovered a tailor’s bunion on Mary Jo’s little toe, in addition to assessing her flat foot.
“What I thought was just a painful, calloused area turned out to be a tailor’s bunion,” said Mary Jo. “Dr. Maskill explained that getting rid of the excess bone would make the pain go away.”
Surgeries to correct her right foot and the tailor’s bunion were successful, and Mary Jo’s foot pain began to improve.
The highest respect
When Mary Jo reflected on what the surgeries meant for her, tears came to her eyes.
“The surgeries made a really big difference in my life,” she said. “I’m confident and strong, but there’s one area I’ve always had low self-esteem: my feet. I would see others wear pretty sandals or open-toed shoes and I wish I could too.”
She continued, “I get excited about summer now, because I can wear girly shoes and show my two pretty feet.”
Not only have the surgeries changed the appearance of Mary Jo’s feet, but they've also helped her return to work at Four Winds Casino.
“I healed so well and Dr. James Maskill was so satisfied with my recovery that he gave me the option to go to therapy or aggressively walk on my foot,” said Mary Jo. “I chose to go back to work.”
“It is still a challenge sometimes, but when I struggle, I think about Dr. James Maskill and his encouragement to use my feet and work through any pain. I think about how firm he was, and his instructions to make sure to slow down, step, stretch, and aggressively put some pressure on my feet.”
Being in the unique position of having had surgery with both brothers, Mary Jo noted similarities between them.
“They are attentive and knowledgeable,” she said. “They explained things in a way that I could relate to. They are both gentle but give tough love. And they certainly don’t let patients get away with anything.”
Mary Jo said after her experience, she would recommend the Maskill brothers to anyone.
“I’m so thankful for my doctors,” said Mary Jo. “They both had so much positive energy around them. They hold their patients to a high standard and I hold them in the highest respect.” Bottom of Form
Foot problems can cause pain, inflammation, or injury, resulting in limited movement and mobility. If foot pain is slowing you down, learn more about treatment options and relief.