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Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon with Wellstar since 2022.
Specialties
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Education & Training
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon with Wellstar since 2022
Office Locations
Expertise
About Michael Priola, DO
Michael J. Priola, D.O., is a board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeon. After finishing his fellowship, Dr. Priola was stationed at Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he was the sole provider for pediatric orthopedics. He served in the United States Army for four years with a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan with a small forward surgical team. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his role in Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return, he served as the department chief of orthopedic surgery for one year. He also is proud to be a part of the Shriners Hospitals for Children team, which is solely dedicated to the care of children with pediatric orthopedic conditions. He spent seven years in Minneapolis caring for children with congenital deformities, sports injuries and other orthopedic pathologies.
Specialties
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Education & Training
Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine
Certifications
American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
Wellstar Paulding Hospital
Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital
Languages spoken
English
Patient Reviews
Overall patient rating
4.6
Based on 218 patient ratings
I'd recommend this practice to family and friends
I'd recommend this provider to family and friends
Listened to me carefully
Earned my trust
Shared the right amount of information
All reviews have been submitted by patients after seeing the provider.For more information about the review system, check out this Learn more about our review system.
Patient Reviews
5
The staff and the service is fantastic!
November 10, 2024
5
It was very good and excellent service.
November 1, 2024
5
The doctor was top notch and so were his assistants.
October 30, 2024
5
Dr. Priola and the office staff are very friendly and professional. Dr.Priola was honest with his concerns and attentive to our concerns and as a mom his openness to my calls with questions makes it all the more the reason I do not mind traveling 2.0 hours for him to continue to be my daughter's provider
October 19, 2024
5
Dr Priola is awesome he cares, he listens and he discusses everything in great detail
October 17, 2024
5
It was good one
October 12, 2024
4
Excellent
October 11, 2024
5
Everyone is amazing. The scheduler is a blessed soul. She got us a last minute appt. I called everywhere else and no one could get us in. She performs Magic and I love her! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You turned my chaos into something I could manage.
October 5, 2024
5
The front desk personal was not friendly at all. Also not willing to help me in getting all the information I needed almost bothered by having to do her job
October 4, 2024
5
I was thankful I could get in quickly!
September 28, 2024
4
It was good!
September 27, 2024
5
The whole team was great and full of energy!
September 19, 2024
5
So fast! Thanks for being on time and not wasting time!!
September 4, 2024
5
Thank you for everything, Dr. Priola.
August 31, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have ever come in contact with! He went above and beyond for my child. He is extremely professional, the best bedside manners, and handled my son's anxiety well beyond our expectations. I will never ever go to another doctor again!! He is simply the best in the business.
August 22, 2024
5
Check in was smooth and efficient. I was welcomed warmly and did not wait long after arrival. The doctor was knowledgeable and professional with great bedside manner. Dr. Priola addressed my concerns and provided reassurance. I left the appointment a lot lest concerned and confident in the monitoring plan going forward. Will definitely return and recommend Dr. Priola.
August 22, 2024
5
Our doctor and attendant were wonderful and listened to our concerns. I know they have no control over other departments.
August 1, 2024
5
Excellent care and very professional in their diagnosis, they explain very well. I congratulate you.
July 27, 2024
5
Great Dr. And staff.
July 26, 2024
5
Great staff great attitude.
July 20, 2024
5
An absolute delight, in a time when I as a mother truly needed it, when it came to the care of my baby girl. Dr. Priola was everything I could have asked for and more. His bedside manner, compassion, thoroughness, I can't say enough good.
July 12, 2024
5
always an excellent experience here.
July 13, 2024
5
The staffs were awesome and Doctor priola is a professional I thank him a lot.
June 13, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have come across. He is extremely patient and kind with my child. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He will be the only provide I will book with from here on out.
June 6, 2024
5
I would like to say that the office staff as well as the provider were professional, compassionate, and very informative. And I am happy that I chose this practice and will recommend this practice if ever needed to anyone and look forward to the assistance and care that they're going to provide.
May 19, 2024
5
I have no issues with the Dr. But the process to reach him was so difficult and highly frustrating. If I can't reach the doctor through message also then it does not make sense to suggest wellstar.
May 4, 2024
5
Dr P was thorough, organized and explained everything very well during a very concerning time for me as a parent due to my child's injury! I was very happy with the excellent care received and would recommend this care to my family and friends! Thank you
May 3, 2024
5
The gentleman that was doing the check out was a little snarky when asking about the earliest appointments available. Overall we had a great first experience with a Wellstar provider.
April 25, 2024
5
We adore Dr. Priola. He is always great with the girls. He's very understanding, very caring. I love him as a doctor.
March 27, 2024
5
Dr. Priola was amazing!
March 14, 2024
5
The staff and the service is fantastic!
November 10, 2024
5
It was very good and excellent service.
November 1, 2024
5
The doctor was top notch and so were his assistants.
October 30, 2024
5
Dr. Priola and the office staff are very friendly and professional. Dr.Priola was honest with his concerns and attentive to our concerns and as a mom his openness to my calls with questions makes it all the more the reason I do not mind traveling 2.0 hours for him to continue to be my daughter's provider
October 19, 2024
5
Dr Priola is awesome he cares, he listens and he discusses everything in great detail
October 17, 2024
5
It was good one
October 12, 2024
5
Everyone is amazing. The scheduler is a blessed soul. She got us a last minute appt. I called everywhere else and no one could get us in. She performs Magic and I love her! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You turned my chaos into something I could manage.
October 5, 2024
5
The front desk personal was not friendly at all. Also not willing to help me in getting all the information I needed almost bothered by having to do her job
October 4, 2024
5
I was thankful I could get in quickly!
September 28, 2024
5
The whole team was great and full of energy!
September 19, 2024
5
So fast! Thanks for being on time and not wasting time!!
September 4, 2024
5
Thank you for everything, Dr. Priola.
August 31, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have ever come in contact with! He went above and beyond for my child. He is extremely professional, the best bedside manners, and handled my son's anxiety well beyond our expectations. I will never ever go to another doctor again!! He is simply the best in the business.
August 22, 2024
5
Check in was smooth and efficient. I was welcomed warmly and did not wait long after arrival. The doctor was knowledgeable and professional with great bedside manner. Dr. Priola addressed my concerns and provided reassurance. I left the appointment a lot lest concerned and confident in the monitoring plan going forward. Will definitely return and recommend Dr. Priola.
August 22, 2024
5
Our doctor and attendant were wonderful and listened to our concerns. I know they have no control over other departments.
August 1, 2024
5
Excellent care and very professional in their diagnosis, they explain very well. I congratulate you.
July 27, 2024
5
Great Dr. And staff.
July 26, 2024
5
Great staff great attitude.
July 20, 2024
5
An absolute delight, in a time when I as a mother truly needed it, when it came to the care of my baby girl. Dr. Priola was everything I could have asked for and more. His bedside manner, compassion, thoroughness, I can't say enough good.
July 12, 2024
5
always an excellent experience here.
July 13, 2024
5
The staffs were awesome and Doctor priola is a professional I thank him a lot.
June 13, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have come across. He is extremely patient and kind with my child. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He will be the only provide I will book with from here on out.
June 6, 2024
5
I would like to say that the office staff as well as the provider were professional, compassionate, and very informative. And I am happy that I chose this practice and will recommend this practice if ever needed to anyone and look forward to the assistance and care that they're going to provide.
May 19, 2024
5
I have no issues with the Dr. But the process to reach him was so difficult and highly frustrating. If I can't reach the doctor through message also then it does not make sense to suggest wellstar.
May 4, 2024
5
Dr P was thorough, organized and explained everything very well during a very concerning time for me as a parent due to my child's injury! I was very happy with the excellent care received and would recommend this care to my family and friends! Thank you
May 3, 2024
5
The gentleman that was doing the check out was a little snarky when asking about the earliest appointments available. Overall we had a great first experience with a Wellstar provider.
April 25, 2024
5
We adore Dr. Priola. He is always great with the girls. He's very understanding, very caring. I love him as a doctor.
March 27, 2024
5
Dr. Priola was amazing!
March 14, 2024
4
Excellent
October 11, 2024
4
It was good!
September 27, 2024
4
Excellent
October 11, 2024
4
It was good!
September 27, 2024
5
The staff and the service is fantastic!
November 10, 2024
5
It was very good and excellent service.
November 1, 2024
5
The doctor was top notch and so were his assistants.
October 30, 2024
5
Dr. Priola and the office staff are very friendly and professional. Dr.Priola was honest with his concerns and attentive to our concerns and as a mom his openness to my calls with questions makes it all the more the reason I do not mind traveling 2.0 hours for him to continue to be my daughter's provider
October 19, 2024
5
Dr Priola is awesome he cares, he listens and he discusses everything in great detail
October 17, 2024
5
It was good one
October 12, 2024
5
Everyone is amazing. The scheduler is a blessed soul. She got us a last minute appt. I called everywhere else and no one could get us in. She performs Magic and I love her! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You turned my chaos into something I could manage.
October 5, 2024
5
The front desk personal was not friendly at all. Also not willing to help me in getting all the information I needed almost bothered by having to do her job
October 4, 2024
5
I was thankful I could get in quickly!
September 28, 2024
5
The whole team was great and full of energy!
September 19, 2024
5
So fast! Thanks for being on time and not wasting time!!
September 4, 2024
5
Thank you for everything, Dr. Priola.
August 31, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have ever come in contact with! He went above and beyond for my child. He is extremely professional, the best bedside manners, and handled my son's anxiety well beyond our expectations. I will never ever go to another doctor again!! He is simply the best in the business.
August 22, 2024
5
Check in was smooth and efficient. I was welcomed warmly and did not wait long after arrival. The doctor was knowledgeable and professional with great bedside manner. Dr. Priola addressed my concerns and provided reassurance. I left the appointment a lot lest concerned and confident in the monitoring plan going forward. Will definitely return and recommend Dr. Priola.
August 22, 2024
5
Our doctor and attendant were wonderful and listened to our concerns. I know they have no control over other departments.
August 1, 2024
5
Excellent care and very professional in their diagnosis, they explain very well. I congratulate you.
July 27, 2024
5
Great Dr. And staff.
July 26, 2024
5
Great staff great attitude.
July 20, 2024
5
An absolute delight, in a time when I as a mother truly needed it, when it came to the care of my baby girl. Dr. Priola was everything I could have asked for and more. His bedside manner, compassion, thoroughness, I can't say enough good.
July 12, 2024
5
always an excellent experience here.
July 13, 2024
5
The staffs were awesome and Doctor priola is a professional I thank him a lot.
June 13, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have come across. He is extremely patient and kind with my child. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He will be the only provide I will book with from here on out.
June 6, 2024
5
I would like to say that the office staff as well as the provider were professional, compassionate, and very informative. And I am happy that I chose this practice and will recommend this practice if ever needed to anyone and look forward to the assistance and care that they're going to provide.
May 19, 2024
5
I have no issues with the Dr. But the process to reach him was so difficult and highly frustrating. If I can't reach the doctor through message also then it does not make sense to suggest wellstar.
May 4, 2024
5
Dr P was thorough, organized and explained everything very well during a very concerning time for me as a parent due to my child's injury! I was very happy with the excellent care received and would recommend this care to my family and friends! Thank you
May 3, 2024
5
The gentleman that was doing the check out was a little snarky when asking about the earliest appointments available. Overall we had a great first experience with a Wellstar provider.
April 25, 2024
5
We adore Dr. Priola. He is always great with the girls. He's very understanding, very caring. I love him as a doctor.
March 27, 2024
5
Dr. Priola was amazing!
March 14, 2024
5
The staff and the service is fantastic!
November 10, 2024
5
It was very good and excellent service.
November 1, 2024
5
The doctor was top notch and so were his assistants.
October 30, 2024
5
Dr. Priola and the office staff are very friendly and professional. Dr.Priola was honest with his concerns and attentive to our concerns and as a mom his openness to my calls with questions makes it all the more the reason I do not mind traveling 2.0 hours for him to continue to be my daughter's provider
October 19, 2024
5
Dr Priola is awesome he cares, he listens and he discusses everything in great detail
October 17, 2024
5
It was good one
October 12, 2024
4
Excellent
October 11, 2024
5
Everyone is amazing. The scheduler is a blessed soul. She got us a last minute appt. I called everywhere else and no one could get us in. She performs Magic and I love her! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You turned my chaos into something I could manage.
October 5, 2024
5
The front desk personal was not friendly at all. Also not willing to help me in getting all the information I needed almost bothered by having to do her job
October 4, 2024
5
I was thankful I could get in quickly!
September 28, 2024
4
It was good!
September 27, 2024
5
The whole team was great and full of energy!
September 19, 2024
5
So fast! Thanks for being on time and not wasting time!!
September 4, 2024
5
Thank you for everything, Dr. Priola.
August 31, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have ever come in contact with! He went above and beyond for my child. He is extremely professional, the best bedside manners, and handled my son's anxiety well beyond our expectations. I will never ever go to another doctor again!! He is simply the best in the business.
August 22, 2024
5
Check in was smooth and efficient. I was welcomed warmly and did not wait long after arrival. The doctor was knowledgeable and professional with great bedside manner. Dr. Priola addressed my concerns and provided reassurance. I left the appointment a lot lest concerned and confident in the monitoring plan going forward. Will definitely return and recommend Dr. Priola.
August 22, 2024
5
Our doctor and attendant were wonderful and listened to our concerns. I know they have no control over other departments.
August 1, 2024
5
Excellent care and very professional in their diagnosis, they explain very well. I congratulate you.
July 27, 2024
5
Great Dr. And staff.
July 26, 2024
5
Great staff great attitude.
July 20, 2024
5
always an excellent experience here.
July 13, 2024
5
An absolute delight, in a time when I as a mother truly needed it, when it came to the care of my baby girl. Dr. Priola was everything I could have asked for and more. His bedside manner, compassion, thoroughness, I can't say enough good.
July 12, 2024
5
The staffs were awesome and Doctor priola is a professional I thank him a lot.
June 13, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have come across. He is extremely patient and kind with my child. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He will be the only provide I will book with from here on out.
June 6, 2024
5
I would like to say that the office staff as well as the provider were professional, compassionate, and very informative. And I am happy that I chose this practice and will recommend this practice if ever needed to anyone and look forward to the assistance and care that they're going to provide.
May 19, 2024
5
I have no issues with the Dr. But the process to reach him was so difficult and highly frustrating. If I can't reach the doctor through message also then it does not make sense to suggest wellstar.
May 4, 2024
5
Dr P was thorough, organized and explained everything very well during a very concerning time for me as a parent due to my child's injury! I was very happy with the excellent care received and would recommend this care to my family and friends! Thank you
May 3, 2024
5
The gentleman that was doing the check out was a little snarky when asking about the earliest appointments available. Overall we had a great first experience with a Wellstar provider.
April 25, 2024
5
We adore Dr. Priola. He is always great with the girls. He's very understanding, very caring. I love him as a doctor.
March 27, 2024
5
Dr. Priola was amazing!
March 14, 2024
5
Dr. Priola was amazing!
March 14, 2024
5
We adore Dr. Priola. He is always great with the girls. He's very understanding, very caring. I love him as a doctor.
March 27, 2024
5
The gentleman that was doing the check out was a little snarky when asking about the earliest appointments available. Overall we had a great first experience with a Wellstar provider.
April 25, 2024
5
Dr P was thorough, organized and explained everything very well during a very concerning time for me as a parent due to my child's injury! I was very happy with the excellent care received and would recommend this care to my family and friends! Thank you
May 3, 2024
5
I have no issues with the Dr. But the process to reach him was so difficult and highly frustrating. If I can't reach the doctor through message also then it does not make sense to suggest wellstar.
May 4, 2024
5
I would like to say that the office staff as well as the provider were professional, compassionate, and very informative. And I am happy that I chose this practice and will recommend this practice if ever needed to anyone and look forward to the assistance and care that they're going to provide.
May 19, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have come across. He is extremely patient and kind with my child. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He will be the only provide I will book with from here on out.
June 6, 2024
5
The staffs were awesome and Doctor priola is a professional I thank him a lot.
June 13, 2024
5
An absolute delight, in a time when I as a mother truly needed it, when it came to the care of my baby girl. Dr. Priola was everything I could have asked for and more. His bedside manner, compassion, thoroughness, I can't say enough good.
July 12, 2024
5
always an excellent experience here.
July 13, 2024
5
Great staff great attitude.
July 20, 2024
5
Great Dr. And staff.
July 26, 2024
5
Excellent care and very professional in their diagnosis, they explain very well. I congratulate you.
July 27, 2024
5
Our doctor and attendant were wonderful and listened to our concerns. I know they have no control over other departments.
August 1, 2024
5
Check in was smooth and efficient. I was welcomed warmly and did not wait long after arrival. The doctor was knowledgeable and professional with great bedside manner. Dr. Priola addressed my concerns and provided reassurance. I left the appointment a lot lest concerned and confident in the monitoring plan going forward. Will definitely return and recommend Dr. Priola.
August 22, 2024
5
Dr. Priola is by far the best doctor we have ever come in contact with! He went above and beyond for my child. He is extremely professional, the best bedside manners, and handled my son's anxiety well beyond our expectations. I will never ever go to another doctor again!! He is simply the best in the business.
August 22, 2024
5
Thank you for everything, Dr. Priola.
August 31, 2024
5
So fast! Thanks for being on time and not wasting time!!
September 4, 2024
5
The whole team was great and full of energy!
September 19, 2024
4
It was good!
September 27, 2024
5
I was thankful I could get in quickly!
September 28, 2024
5
The front desk personal was not friendly at all. Also not willing to help me in getting all the information I needed almost bothered by having to do her job
October 4, 2024
5
Everyone is amazing. The scheduler is a blessed soul. She got us a last minute appt. I called everywhere else and no one could get us in. She performs Magic and I love her! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You turned my chaos into something I could manage.
October 5, 2024
4
Excellent
October 11, 2024
5
It was good one
October 12, 2024
5
Dr Priola is awesome he cares, he listens and he discusses everything in great detail
October 17, 2024
5
Dr. Priola and the office staff are very friendly and professional. Dr.Priola was honest with his concerns and attentive to our concerns and as a mom his openness to my calls with questions makes it all the more the reason I do not mind traveling 2.0 hours for him to continue to be my daughter's provider
October 19, 2024
5
The doctor was top notch and so were his assistants.
October 30, 2024
5
It was very good and excellent service.
November 1, 2024
5
The staff and the service is fantastic!
November 10, 2024
Publications and Articles
Compassionate Care for Clubfoot Tailored to Your Child
When an injury or health condition affects your child’s quality of life or keeps them from doing what they love, your family can rely on Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. As your child grows, so do their bones and joints, and they need specialized expertise—whether they’ve broken a bone on the playground or have a congenital condition present at birth.
One in 1,000 babies is born with clubfoot, a condition in which one or both feet are turned inward and downward. If your child is affected by clubfoot, our pediatric orthopedic specialists provide expert care for this condition—supporting your child at every step of treatment.
The pediatric orthopedic team at Wellstar understands that medical procedures can be stressful for both young children and their families. Your child’s care team will personalize treatment to their individual needs, and they can answer any questions you have about clubfoot or managing the condition.
Care for clubfoot usually begins when the child is a few weeks old, with the goal of correcting the foot position before they learn to walk—minimizing the impact of the condition on the child’s long-term mobility.
“We use the Ponseti method, a nonsurgical approach that uses a series of casts and then bracing to gradually reposition the foot,” said Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Michael Priola.
With this method, most patients wear a series of casts on their foot for about seven weeks, and the cast is switched out weekly in order to correct multiple deformities at once. Following casting, about 90% of patients require a minor procedure that releases the Achilles tendon, allowing further correction. A final cast is then worn for an additional three weeks. Once corrected, a brace is used to maintain the alignment. The brace is typically worn for two to four years to prevent the condition from returning.
“This method boasts a high success rate and avoids the need for extensive surgery,” Dr. Priola said. “However, in more severe cases or if the Ponseti method fails, more extensive surgical intervention may be considered.”
With timely and appropriate treatment, children born with clubfoot can experience significant improvement, leading to a bright future that is not limited by the condition.
