Joel D. Turtle
( out of 23 reviews )

Joel D. Turtle, MD, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Layton Pediatric Orthopedics

Layton Pediatric Orthopedics
Layton
801-546-8450
Directions

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Orthopaedics
Salt Lake City
801-662-5600
Directions

Primary Children's Hospital - Lehi

Pediatric Orthopaedics
Lehi
385-531-3600
Directions

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

University of Utah Pediatric Orthopaedics
St. George
801-662-5600
Directions

Shriners Hospital for Children

Salt Lake City
801-536-3500
Directions
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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

      4.8 /5
      ( out of 23 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.

      Patient Comments

      Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

      July 02, 2025
      PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

      I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Joel D. Turtle for his excellent care of our daughter. He was a very patient, attentive, and respectful professional at all times. He explained every detail with clarity and empathy, listened to our concerns, and treated our little girl with great care. His experience and genuine interest in helping us were evident. Thank you for making us feel understood and for guiding us with such respect. Professionals like this make a huge difference! [TRANSLATED]

      May 14, 2025
      PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

      Dr. Turtle was very kind and caring. He talked to my son and let him ask any questions that he had. He was relatable and positive. Honest yet encouraging.

      April 15, 2025
      PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

      Dr Turtle was very kind and knowledgeable. Highly recommend he and his staff!

      February 17, 2025
      EXTERNAL SITE

      Dr turtle himself was a great dr . But the x ray staff very un caring treated my child like ray doll like just another one get em in push em out

      January 16, 2025
      EXTERNAL SITE

      Joel Turtle was great! He listened to our concerns and came up with the best plan for our son.

      November 13, 2024
      EXTERNAL SITE

      Dr Turtle did a great job at explaining everything and helping us understand the plan to help our son heal.

      October 29, 2024
      EXTERNAL SITE

      Dr Turtle is very knowledgeable, caring and patient

      October 29, 2024
      EXTERNAL SITE

      Amazing and very patient in listening to and responding to any questions or concerns we had.

      September 28, 2024
      EXTERNAL SITE

      Dr Turtle is as knowledgeable as he is attentive. He takes time to explain, takes time to listen. He answers questions, provides quality post op care, makes sure that parents are informed about the surgery before, in the middle and after. Best surgeon we have met, from the patient's perspective

    • 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. 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. (Read full article)
      2. 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. (Read full article)
      3. 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. (Read full article)
      4. 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. (Read full article)
      5. 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. (Read full article)
      6. 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. (Read full article)
      7. 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. (Read full article)
      8. 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. (Read full article)
      9. 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. (Read full article)
      10. 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. (Read full article)

      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. (Read full article)
      2. Turtle J, Kantor A, Spina NT, France JC, Lawrence BD (2020). Hangman's Fracture. [Review]. Clin Spine Surg, 33(9), 345-354. (Read full article)
      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. (Read full article)
      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. (Read full article)