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Dr. Michael Gainer, MD

Dr. Michael Gainer, MD

Orthopedic Hand Surgery*
25+ years of experience

Dr. Michael Gainer, MD is an orthopedic hand surgeon in Des Moines, IA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Gainer has extensive experience in Hand & Wrist Surgery. He graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1995. He is affiliated with medical facilities Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center and Monroe County Hospital. He is accepting new patients.

3.7 Star Rating
Based on 37 reviews 3.7 Star Rating (37 reviews)

Practice

450 Laurel St Ste A Des Moines, IA 50314

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Hospital Highlight

Dr. Gainer is affiliated with Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, a highly rated hospital.

At a Glance

  • Areas of Expertise
    Dr. Gainer specializes in the areas of Hand Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery. See board certifications
  • Friendly Staff
    Patients said the staff was friendly. See reviews
  • Hospital Satisfaction
    Patients said they were highly satisfied at this doctor's hospital. See hospitals
  • Easy Scheduling
    Patients said scheduling was easy. See reviews
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Dr. Gainer's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Gainer

3.7
37 ratings, 21 with a written review
5 star
68%
68%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
32%
32%

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One of the Best!
Dr. Gainer has a great combination of skill, knowledge, and personality. He is friendly and kind, very easy to communicate with. He figured out was going on with my hand and came up with a game plan in no time. The joint injection pain was minimal and I noticed improvement quickly. Wonderful physician.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Dec 19, 2024
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Grateful
Developed a problem suddenly with finger on my dominate hand. Was freaked out over weekend (duh forgot there is Ia Orthopedics Urgent care) Called n Monday early afternoon was seen Tuesday morning. Got a steroid shot and already feel it’s working. The novacaine in with steroid was awesome. Great quick to respond staff. 1st time to downtown location smooth sailing. Thank you Dr Gainer
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Dec 12, 2024
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I had a great experience with Dr Gainer. He asked questions and gave me a diagnosis. He gave me a shot for a trigger finger. It should help within a month and if it doesn't he said he could do a simple procedure that will fix it. But so glad to try the shot first.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Nov 24, 2024
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Rude and unhelpful
I would give zero stars if I could. He came into the room already having decided I was wasting his time. He was short, condescending and when I asked questions he just stared at me blankly like I wasn’t worth the answers. He told me I was just getting old.. I am 44. There is no way I can live the second half of my life without using my dominate hand. I am seeking a second opinion as his was useless. He had zero empathy or guidance for me.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
Helpful
Nov 11, 2024
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Good and Quick
Diagnosed a problem with my thumb and prescribed a method to alleviate the pain.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Richard Kirsner – Oct 19, 2024
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Caring and Professional
I have had numerous trigger finger surgeries with Dr. Gainer, and have always found him kind and professional. He offers alternatives, and listens to your issues. I trust his expertise, however I do not find the downtown office fast. Usually when I check in there is a line up of people waiting and one girl doing the work. Numerous other employees walked in and out but no one stopped to help. Last time I was 10 minutes late due to waiting in line. The waiting room was completely full and I will not go there again, even if I have to wait longer for an appointment.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Oct 03, 2024
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Poor bedside manner and suspected nerve damage
He took little concern for my father. He wrapped the bandage too tight after Carpal Tunnel surgery. We had to have another doctor cut it off after suffering for 3 days with great pain. We believe my father has nerve damage as a result of the surgery as he has had to have a lot of therapy to regain use of the hand and it is still subpar. We would not return to this doctor. He does not listen to his patients and was quite arrogant despite having made some errors in my fathers’s care.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
Helpful
Daughter of an elderly patient – Feb 29, 2024
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Terrible physician, poor bedside manner
Interruptive and arrogant. He treated me poorly and even yelled at one point in time. He said my hand after surgery looked great, but I still couldn't use it. I had to ask for physical therapy. My experience from start to finish with Dr. Gainer was terrible. I will never go to his office and be under his care again.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Jun 27, 2023
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condescending & rude
I went with my husband for his appointment since I'm a nurse & wanted to understand what was going on. This man tapped his temple & said it was all in my husband's head. He missed q huge wrist injury that cannot be corrected because a year had gone by before we had a real professional find the problem. Do not trust this man-I won't even refer to him as a MD. Doesn't deserve the title
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
Helpful
angry wife – Jun 14, 2023
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Dismissive and rude
Does not allow the patient to speak or express concerns regarding pain. Has walked out in the middle of conversation and stated does not want to hear anything about it.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Staff friendliness
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
Helpful
Edgar – Mar 15, 2023
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Made an appointment for a painful bump on my right wrist. Right away the nurse told me that I had to get x-rays done before I could see the doctor. Then Dr. Gainer came in and took a quick look and told me that there was nothing to do about my wrist. He only talked about surgery. He didn't give me any alternative solutions. He didn't even talk about the x-rays that they made me have done nor did he show me the x-rays. If I'm going to pay for the x-rays, then I want to see the x-rays and have the doctor explain them to me. WORST experience of my life with a doctor. 100% waste of my time and money. I found out more info about my wrist problem on Youtube, then I did from Dr. Gainer. I will be telling everyone about my horrible experience with Dr. Gainer at Iowa Ortho.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
T Ann – Apr 13, 2021
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I first saw Dr. Gainer when he came to the Boone County Hospital many years ago. He did carpal tunnel surgery on my wrist and I was very satisfied with the results of the surgery and the scar was impossible to find after it healed! My husband had a very painful trigger finger that was frozen in place and his surgery was done quickly and he's very grateful that it hasn't happened to another finger! We have advised others to go to him ans we won't go to anyone else for treatment of our hands!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Nov 21, 2020
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Dr. Gainer knows what he is doing, explains the surgery, and meets you right before surgery. He is kind, answered all of my questions, let me take pictures of my x-rays too! Highly recommend Dr. Gainer!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Apr 20, 2019
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Answered all my questions. I am so happy to be able to use my thumb again without pain. I wish I had gone to see him sooner. Overall nice and to the point. I would definitely recommend him to anyone. He tells you what needs to be done and he does it
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Apr 04, 2019
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So helpful and sincere!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Apr 03, 2019
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Because of the hand injections due to arthritis, Dr. Gainer assures this 70+-year-old BMX racer continues to maintain my grip on my handlebars, enabling me to keep that competitive edge in my 56 & Over Women's Cruiser Class. Thank you Dr. Gainer.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 30, 2019
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I was well taken care of throughout my care. very punctual with genuine concern for my wellness.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 29, 2019
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Very talented surgeon. Office staff and nurses are outstanding from care to follow up. Highly recommend Dr. Gainer!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Tony Kapsch in san francisco, ca – Jun 30, 2017
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Dr. Gainer has performed 3 procedures on myself and 1 on my husband. We continue to see him whenever a problem pops up and he has undoubtedly been the most informative, caring and professional doctor we have ever been seen by. I would highly recommend him. You certainly will be taken care of by him and his wonderful staff!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Tammie Palazzo in Pleasant Hill – Jun 21, 2017
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Would not recommend. Very rude and doesn't seem to care about patients or referring physicians when requesting his input. Don't trust his opinion as another provider
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Des Moines, IA – Mar 22, 2017
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About Me

biography

Dr. Michael Gainer, MD is an orthopedic hand surgeon in Des Moines, IA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Gainer has extensive experience in Hand & Wrist Surgery. He graduated from Southern Illinois University School...read more
  • Orthopedic Hand Surgery

  • Orthopedic Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Southern Illinois University School Of Medicine

    Medical School, 1995
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery®
Hand Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Locations

Practice

Unavail450 Laurel St Ste A Des Moines, IA 50314
1

Practice

Iowa Orthopaedic Center P.C.5300 NW 86th St Ste 500 Johnston, IA 50131
2
Iowa Ortho710 E 1st St Ankeny, IA 50021
3
Iowa Ortho500 Jefferson St Pella, IA 50219
4

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Monroe County Hospital

    6580 165th St
    Albia, IA 52531

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    95%
    Patients said that nurses always listened to them and explained things well

    13% higher than the national average

    92%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    10% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center

    1111 6th Ave
    Des Moines, IA 50314
    Recipient of 4
    hospital awards

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2024)

    Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    86%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    2% higher than the national average

    71%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    5% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality