James E Mueller, DO

Biographical Statement

Jimmy Mueller is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery. He grew up in Macomb and went to the University of Michigan for his undergraduate training where he majored in Chemical Engineering. While at Michigan, he was a 4-year member of the Michigan Marching Band and played the tuba. After he received his degree, he worked in the engineering field for a few years before turning to medicine. He obtained his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA and then completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Garden City Hospital in Garden City, MI. While in residency he received training in orthopedic trauma at Detroit Receiving Hospital and pediatric orthopedics at Children's Hospital of New Orleans. He completed his training with a fellowship in Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH.

Dr. Mueller joined Henry Ford Jackson in August of 2024 and specializes in the management of foot and ankle reconstruction, trauma care, and sports injuries. He also provides general fracture care and treats upper and lower extremity trauma. Dr. Mueller serves as Vice Chief of Surgery; a position he was elected to by the other surgeons at the hospital. His medical interests include ankle replacements, foot and ankle limb deformity correction, foot and ankle trauma, ankle instability, ankle arthritis, tendon disorders, flat foot and cavus foot, foot arthritis and deformity, diabetic foot disorders, Charcot Marie tooth, bunions and hammertoes, Achilles tendon disease, and other disorders.

Care Philosophy

I chose this career to help improve the quality of life for my patients. I believe in shared decision making. I try to meet patients where they are and develop an individualized plan for their diagnosis. This may mean an earlier weight bearing strategy so they can remain independent or picking a different technique/procedure, so their recovery is not as difficult.