Joel D. Turtle
( out of 243 reviews )

Joel D. Turtle, MD, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Orthopaedics
100 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-662-5600
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Layton Pediatric Orthopedics

Layton Pediatric Orthopedics
201 W Layton Pkwy
Layton , UT 84041
801-546-8450
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Primary Children's Hospital - Lehi

Pediatric Orthopaedics
2250 N Miller Campus Dr
Lehi , UT 84043
385-531-3600
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Show 2 more location(s)

Primary Children's Hospital Outpatient Services at St. George Regional Hospital

University of Utah Pediatric Orthopaedics
1380 E. Medical Center Drive
St. George , UT 84790
801-662-5600
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Shriners Hospital for Children

Fairfax Road & Virginia
Salt Lake City , UT 84103
801-536-3500
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Dr. Joel Turtle is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Primary Children’s Hospital with a focus in pediatric spine surgery. With a robust background in both engineering and medicine, Dr. Turtle brings a unique and comprehensive perspective to his practice.

Dr. Turtle began his academic journey at Texas A&M University, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This technical foundation provided him with a deep understanding of biomechanics, which is essential in addressing complex spinal conditions. His pursuit of knowledge continued at Texas A&M, where he obtained a PhD in Neuroscience. His research focused on spinal cord injury and the biochemical processes that impair recovery, contributing valuable insights to the field and demonstrating a commitment to advancing medical science.

He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Utah, where he developed his surgical skills and grew to love the great state of Utah. Following his residency, Dr. Turtle honed his expertise with a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at the prestigious Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Here, he gained extensive experience in treating a wide range of spinal conditions in children.

Dr. Turtle’s multidisciplinary training and extensive research background make him well-qualified to address the complex needs of pediatric patients with spinal conditions. His approach to care is both compassionate and meticulous, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their specific needs. Dr. Turtle aims to create a warm and approachable environment which allows for better understanding of what can be complex medical concepts.

In his free time, Dr. Turtle enjoys spending time with his wife, Faryal, a family medicine physician. They enjoy a variety of athletic and outdoor activities, which they often share with their dog, Milo. His love for the outdoors and active lifestyle underscores his belief in the importance of overall well-being, which he brings into his practice by encouraging his patients to lead healthy and active lives.

Dr. Turtle prides himself on being not only a skilled surgeon but also a compassionate and dedicated individual who is committed to improving the lives of his patients. Families can feel confident in the care and expertise he provides, knowing that their children are in capable and caring hands.

Specialties

Board Certification

National Board of Medical Examiners

Patient Rating

Patients consistently describe Dr. Turtle as knowledgeable, skilled, and caring, with several families reporting positive surgical outcomes. Reviewers emphasize his clear, patient communication and thorough explanations that help both children and parents understand the care plan. Many also highlight his empathetic, personable bedside manner and that he listens and answers questions without making families feel rushed.

Generated via Patient Reviews

4.9 /5
( out of 243 reviews )

The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers. The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Dr. Joel Turtle is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Primary Children’s Hospital with a focus in pediatric spine surgery. With a robust background in both engineering and medicine, Dr. Turtle brings a unique and comprehensive perspective to his practice.

Dr. Turtle began his academic journey at Texas A&M University, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This technical foundation provided him with a deep understanding of biomechanics, which is essential in addressing complex spinal conditions. His pursuit of knowledge continued at Texas A&M, where he obtained a PhD in Neuroscience. His research focused on spinal cord injury and the biochemical processes that impair recovery, contributing valuable insights to the field and demonstrating a commitment to advancing medical science.

He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Utah, where he developed his surgical skills and grew to love the great state of Utah. Following his residency, Dr. Turtle honed his expertise with a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at the prestigious Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Here, he gained extensive experience in treating a wide range of spinal conditions in children.

Dr. Turtle’s multidisciplinary training and extensive research background make him well-qualified to address the complex needs of pediatric patients with spinal conditions. His approach to care is both compassionate and meticulous, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their specific needs. Dr. Turtle aims to create a warm and approachable environment which allows for better understanding of what can be complex medical concepts.

In his free time, Dr. Turtle enjoys spending time with his wife, Faryal, a family medicine physician. They enjoy a variety of athletic and outdoor activities, which they often share with their dog, Milo. His love for the outdoors and active lifestyle underscores his belief in the importance of overall well-being, which he brings into his practice by encouraging his patients to lead healthy and active lives.

Dr. Turtle prides himself on being not only a skilled surgeon but also a compassionate and dedicated individual who is committed to improving the lives of his patients. Families can feel confident in the care and expertise he provides, knowing that their children are in capable and caring hands.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Orthopaedics -Assistant Professor
Board Certification
National Board of Medical Examiners

Education history

Fellowship Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Fellow
Residency Orthopaedic Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
Graduate Training Neuroscience - Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience Ph.D.
Professional Medical Medicine - Texas A&M University College of Medicine M.D.
Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Neuroscience - Texas A&M University B.S.

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Smith AC, Bellaire LL, Speirs JN, Turtle JD, MacWilliams BA, Makarewich CA (2026). The Reliability of Photograph-Based Digital Measurements for Assessing the Pediatric Elbow Range of Motion-A Pilot Study. Children (Basel), 13(3).
  2. Turtle J, Randell Z, Karamian B, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2023). Response to Preoperative Steroid Injections Predicts Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(13), 914-919.
  3. Turtle J, Miller S, Yang A, Hurley RW, Spina N, McCormick ZL (2022). Considerations for Lumbar Medial Branch Nerve Radiofrequency at Spinal Motion Segments Adjacent to a Fusion Construct. Pain Med, 24(2), 165-170.
  4. Hoy KC, Strain MM, Turtle JD, Lee KH, Huie JR, Hartman JJ, Tarbet MM, Harlow ML, Magnuson DSK, Grau JW (2020). Evidence That the Central Nervous System Can Induce a Modification at the Neuromuscular Junction That Contributes to the Maintenance of a Behavioral Response. J Neurosci, 40(48), 9186-9209.
  5. Reynolds JA, Henwood MK, Turtle JD, Baine RE, Johnston DT, Grau JW (2019). Brain-Dependent Processes Fuel Pain-Induced Hemorrhage After Spinal Cord Injury. Front Syst Neurosci, 13, 44.
  6. Turtle JD, Henwood MK, Strain MM, Huang YJ, Miranda RC, Grau JW (2018). Engaging pain fibers after a spinal cord injury fosters hemorrhage and expands the area of secondary injury. Exp Neurol, 311, 115-124.
  7. Turtle JD, Strain MM, Reynolds JA, Huang YJ, Lee KH, Henwood MK, Garraway SM, Grau JW (2018). Pain Input After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Undermines Long-Term Recovery and Engages Signal Pathways That Promote Cell Death. Front Syst Neurosci, 12, 27.
  8. Baumbauer KM, Turtle JD, Grau JW (2017). Fixed spaced stimulation restores adaptive plasticity within the spinal cord: Identifying the eliciting conditions. Physiol Behav, 174, 1-9.
  9. Turtle JD, Strain MM, Aceves M, Huang YJ, Reynolds JA, Hook MA, Grau JW (2016). Pain Input Impairs Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury: Treatment with Lidocaine. J Neurotrauma, 34(6), 1200-1208.
  10. Lee KH, Turtle JD, Huang YJ, Strain MM, Baumbauer KM, Grau JW (2015). Learning about time within the spinal cord: evidence that spinal neurons can abstract and store an index of regularity. Front Behav Neurosci, 9, 274.
  11. Garraway SM, Turtle JD, Huie JR, Lee KH, Hook MA, Woller SA, Grau JW (2011). Intermittent noxious stimulation following spinal cord contusion injury impairs locomotor recovery and reduces spinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin-receptor kinase signaling in adult rats. Neuroscience, 199, 86-102.

Review

  1. Turtle JD, Mehta JS, Parent S, Xiong GX, Cheung JP, Welborn MC, Vaccaro AR, Cahill PJ, Pellis F, Hu SS (2024). Guidelines for returning to activity after spinal deformity surgery. [Review]. Spine Deform.
  2. Turtle J, Kantor A, Spina NT, France JC, Lawrence BD (2020). Hangman's Fracture. [Review]. Clin Spine Surg, 33(9), 345-354.
  3. Grau JW, Huang YJ, Turtle JD, Strain MM, Miranda RC, Garraway SM, Hook MA (2016). When Pain Hurts: Nociceptive Stimulation Induces a State of Maladaptive Plasticity and Impairs Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury. [Review]. J Neurotrauma, 34(10), 1873-1890.
  4. Grau JW, Huie JR, Lee KH, Hoy KC, Huang YJ, Turtle JD, Strain MM, Baumbauer KM, Miranda RM, Hook MA, Ferguson AR, Garraway SM (2014). Metaplasticity and behavior: how training and inflammation affect plastic potential within the spinal cord and recovery after injury. [Review]. Front Neural Circuits, 8, 100.