Once upon a time, in the not-so-fairy-tale land of Chronic Painville, lived an adventurous soul…read more(that's me!), who, following an automotive misadventure that would make even a stunt driver wince, ended up with a neck and back more twisted than a mystery novel plot - think C6/7 and L5/S1 playing the lead villains in this spine-tingling saga. Picture this: a disc replacement at C-6 and 7 became my immediate quest, as I was in such excruciating pain that moving my neck felt like I was auditioning for the role of a non-flexible robot. Now, disc replacement surgery at the time was the new kid on the block in the US, strutting down the medical runway with its shiny new potential. Lumbar spine, though? Not so much on the VIP list yet. And fusion? Oh, I'd heard the tales of woe and stiffness - a motley crew of friends still in agony or moving like vintage robots post-fusion had me saying, "Thanks, but no thanks." So, there I was, waiting in the wings, pain as my constant companion, for years, dreaming of the day when lumbar disc replacement would hit the mainstream. And let me tell you, the idea of doctors rummaging around the front of my torso gave me the heebie-jeebies - like, serious "Are you sure you don't need a map?" vibes. But then, as the pain crescendoed to a level of unbearable that had me contemplating a career as a human pretzel, I embarked on a quest to find the Merlin of spine surgery. Enter Dr. Khurana - a wizard, a magician, a veritable rock star of the OR. Initially, he was like, "Hmm, your disc has left the building, and we're talking bone-on-bone - wanna see the MRI to prove it? Might have to go the fusion route, but let's give it a whirl." D-Day arrived, and guess what? Dr. Khurana pulled off the impossible with the panache of a maestro conducting a symphony - no fusion, just pure, unadulterated surgical genius. His team? Angels in scrubs, each more caring and considerate than the last. And Dr. Khurana? A man so passionate about his craft, he could probably perform surgery with his eyes closed (not that he did, mind you - just saying, he's that good). Sure, a year later and I'm still on nodding terms with some residual pain, but it's nothing - a mere whisper compared to the cacophony of agony I endured for years. So here's to Dr. Khurana and his crew - the rock stars of the medical world, who gave me back a semblance of normalcy and taught me that, sometimes, the best fairy tales don't involve princes or dragons, but gifted surgeons with the power to change lives.

I am 4 days post-op from an XLIF performed by Dr. Khurana at the Commons Clinic. I am totally…read moreamazed how little discomfort I have following this procedure. From the time I started shopping for surgeons to address my spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, Dr. Khurana was my favorite. His style is personal, concise and thorough. He reviewed my images with me, explained what the problem was and gave me several options (all with corresponding pros&cons) to help me make the final decision. I never once felt pressured or intimidated into moving forward. Once I agreed to the surgery his team took care of everything. Each team member has a role and they all excel at communication. There was not one surprise or miscommunication. The surgical facility itself is top notch, super clean and the team of nurses are compassionate and experienced. They took such great care of me following my surgery. Once home and on my own I had checkins from the post-op coordinator and Dr. Khurana himself calling to check on me. Each day of recovery is better than the day before, which is far and away better than how I was prior to this surgery. I cannot recommend Dr. Khurana any higher, he is a first class surgeon!

I can't explain how incredible my experience was at DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey. I truly…read morewish other hospitals and surgery centers would model themselves after this place. The facility itself is absolutely stunning, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and being able to have my family there with me brought so much comfort during such a vulnerable time. Every single nurse, staff member, and provider who walked into my room treated me like family. As a nurse myself, I know firsthand how rare it is to encounter a team this exceptional. The level of compassion, professionalism, and attentiveness here is unmatched. My CRNA listened to every concern I had, and this was by far the best I have ever woken up from anesthesia -- minimal nausea, well-controlled pain, and genuine comfort throughout recovery. Honestly, it made me emotional because you could truly feel how much these people care about their patients. Going into spine surgery could have been such a frightening and nerve-racking experience, but this team turned it into something truly special. I will never forget the kindness and care every person showed me. Thank you all so much for taking such amazing care of me. You are all extraordinary.

Dr. Steven Girdler performed my L5-S1 ALIF surgery at DISC in Newport Beach, and I truly couldn't…read morehave asked for a better experience. I see him at his Marina Del Rey office for follow-ups, and from start to finish, his care has been exceptional. Not only was the surgery a success, but my recovery has also amazed everyone--from other patients to physical therapists and even friends who've had similar procedures. People can't believe how smooth and steady my healing process has been. The incisions were minimal, and the overall care before and after surgery was top-notch. What really sets Dr. Girdler apart is his approach: he doesn't push surgery as the first option. He listens, takes his time, and builds a genuine connection with his patients. You can tell he cares deeply and takes pride in his work. I felt heard, respected, and cared for every step of the way. If you or someone you love needs an orthopedic surgeon or spine specialist, I can't recommend Dr. Girdler enough. He's the one you want in your corner.

I met with Dr. Melikian yesterday regarding a bad car accident I was in, and what a JOY this man…read moreis!!! He doesn't act like your typical stuffy doc spewing all his degrees, and he is NOT "cut happy!" He will actually TELL you if you don't need surgery, rather than doing it unnecessarily just to get money!! And, he takes the time to LISTEN to you, which is rare! Such a NICE guy! It was the the most refreshing doctors appointment I've had in a long time!

I initially met with Dr. Melikian about pain that was shooting down my leg after my chiro had me…read moreget an mri that showed some concerns. Dr. Melikian met with me 3 days later (my in network spine surgeon was 3 weeks out). He was kind, answered all my questions, explained everything in detail, and explained all my options. A few days later I had an Epidural. I emailed Cecilia a few questions and she and Dr. Melikian always responded really quickly. After seeking advice, i decided to schedule my L-5 S-1 fusion with Dr. Melikian even though he was out of network and was going to be much more expensive than if I went in network. They were very flexible on the date of the surgery. They not only told me exactly what to do to be ready for the surgery, but also helped me schedule some of the appointments (GP visit for physical, imaging, etc). They were awesome at communicating with the other doctors to get everything they needed prior to surgery. Because of the type of surgery, I also had to have a vascular surgeon perform some of the surgery. They introduced me to the vascular surgeon and set up a consult. That surgeon was also awesome. Super thorough consult with a great description of the entire surgery. Surgery day was a breeze. The surgery center and all the staff there were amazing. I was REALLY scared going in, but after the surgery I was amazed at how I felt. I have heard horror stories of this particular surgery from family and I didn't experience of those things. I am 9 days post surgery and I feel great. Don't bargain shop for spine and vascular surgeons. That's stupid. Get the best. It's way important than a car, house, or private school. You get what you pay for, pay for the best. Dr. Melikian is hands down the best. I will update this review in a few months.

It's not an exceptional business but Dr. Macyszyn is an exceptional, brilliant even, surgeon…read more Would have remained in a wheelchair if left up to the previous, less confident surgeons, that finally sent me to him. Today I not only walk again, I run, I swim, I dance...

I am a physician with over 30 years of experience. I've helped train lots of other physicians too…read more This review was not easy to write but I feel it is necessary for the good of medicine. Neurosurgeons have an extensive 7-year residency program, and many are very proficient at surgery. But being a physician is a lot more than just being able to operate on someone or inject someone or give them medication. It's about caring, compassion and understanding. This is where the doctor fails. Read the other reviews and you will agree. Comments such as "I have never been treated so poorly by a physician than with this doctor". Or "he always seemed rushed and acted like he needed to be somewhere else". These are their words, not mine. Dr Luke first operated on my lower back. And although he did call me a few hours after I was discharged that day, it took him another 2 1/2 days to call me (no one from his office called me either) to see how I was doing. He said it slipped his mind and apologized. Subsequently, I had another procedure done on my cervical spine. This time was even worse. Once I was discharged, it was over 72 hours / 3 days later before I initiated a call to his office. No one called me. Again, he apologized for this slip-up. And I told him that I was shocked that after cervical surgery no one would call and that the same thing happened with my lumbar surgery. When I tried to make contact with him a few times after that, I was given the runaround and told to make an appointment and come into his office when all I had was a simple question. I even asked for a copy of my records to be sent to me, and his office said I had to send postage first. Really? As a fellow physician, I would have expected a little courtesy. But outside of that, as a patient, one deserves better treatment. He's young and this is his first foray into a private practice. Yes, he works for a "group", DISC Sports and Spine Center", but that is just a group of independent offices under one big umbrella. Everyone's on their own. I have spoken with several other neurosurgeons (some that know him) and they were all appalled at his behavior. He would do better with more caring, understanding, compassion, and understanding what it takes to be a good physician. He should think about this. Hopefully, this review can save someone from having the same experience as I did. PS I did try and contact him several times many months after my procedures, to talk physician to physician. He did not return my calls or emails, so this review became necessary.

He's a skilled surgeon. His office is completely unorganized. No consistent process for patient…read moreon boarding. No emails addressed. Calls not usually returned unless they're from over seas answering services. I've needed an MRI/ CT since Sept 2024... ALL failed. No solutions. Occasional response from nurse practices. It's all so unclear, I may have to start over w another surgeon. Of course, I suffer excruciating pain while waiting for communication

I saw Dr Shifflet & his staff in July of 2024 after a hospital stay for back pain & loss of the…read moreability to walk. I went to him based on a recommendation from my GP who was concerned b/c I am a fit & active person with a severe issue with my lower back. The appointment went well & a plan was put in place. Why 1 ? It is b/c next steps were 2 very expensive & hard to book scans to be able to determine what type of treatment/potential surgery may be needed & that my insurance company needed medical necessity review approval. After call, after call, after call & waiting 2 months to get into the only hospital performing this scan, I needed to know if both scans were necessary to be done. My insurance company could not confirm they would pay for this without this review. I asked his staff to please just coordinate this review call, I provided them with the number & just asked to please communicate back. They said they called but didn't have any clear answers. I asked again, can Dr S confirm & need both scans? That call never came & I had to cancel scans I waited months to try to get. To say the staff has zero concern or care about their patients is an understatement. I am now back to square one & needing to find another Dr.

Dr Robert Watkins Jr is by far the absolute BEST spine surgeon ever! He is not just the best in…read moreMarina Del Rey and the greater Los Angeles area, but he is the only spine doctor to see if you live anywhere in California (or even anywhere else in the US as far as I'm concerned!). I've had three spinal surgeries with him over the past 15 years or so, and all three went without a single issue or any complications at all! Being a patient with several pre-existing conditions, it is nearly impossible for me not to have any post-op problems (even for the smallest of surgeries, much less for two cervical spinal fusions and one cervical spinal disc replacement surgery!). Dr Watkins Jr is the best in the field, and as far as I'm concerned, the ONLY orthopedic spinal surgeon to even consider. If I could give him 20 stars, I would, because a 5 star rating just doesn't do him enough justice! He's by far the SMARTEST , most CARING, distinguished, TALENTED, highly SKILLED, reputable, and most highly respected spinal surgeons in the country (if not the world). Even with all his fame, talent, and esteem, Dr Watkins Jr. still treats every patient equally, takes his TIME with each and every person he sees, and truly CARES for every single patients' well-being over his own pocketbook (which is a rarity these days to say the least!). And most shocking of all is that this comes from one of the highest acclaimed, top-level, world-renowned surgeons, who is most famous for being the go-to spinal surgeon to the world's top athletes. He's most well-known for when he performed the spinal surgeries for two of NFL's most notable football players, and arguably the best quarterbacks of all time, Peyton & Eli Manning, both of whom sing Dr Watkins Jr's praises for the care that they received from him. Dr Watkins Jr is now the go-to orthopedic spine surgeon to each and every one of all the world's top athletes from all major sports/sports teams, now being the surgeon to not just the NFL, but also to the NBA, NHL, and so on. HIGHLY recommended would be an understatement! Trust me on this one.

I was referred to Marina Spine Center by my orthopedist. I value recommendations, so I went into my…read morefirst appointment feeling confident. And I met Dr. Blumstein. He wasn't what I expected -- though I'm not sure what I expected. He was quiet. No oversized ego. Thoughtful and calculated in his questions. He actually took the time to understand what was wrong with me. I didn't feel rushed. I didn't feel like a number. My husband was with me, and Dr. Blumstein patiently answered every one of his questions too. He was kind, measured, and thorough. He has set the bar for how doctors should be -- and it's a high one. I've spent my entire adult life dealing with back issues. I had reached a point where walking was becoming difficult. In clear, straightforward terms, he told me I was a candidate for surgery and that he was convinced he could fix me. He explained the risks. He explained the rewards. But it was his quiet confidence that swayed me. I swore I would never have back surgery. Dr. Blumstein spent an hour walking me through everything. I left that appointment a convert -- and booked my surgery that same day. It was the best decision I could have made. The surgery itself? He's a wizard. There's no other way to describe it. In three hours, he corrected 35 years of damage. And it wasn't as though it was "just another procedure" to him. He takes pride in his work. You can see it when he sees you at follow-ups -- walking normally again -- and he shares in your progress. The walls of Marina Spine Center are lined with memorabilia from major league athletes. But the real MVPs in that office wear white coats and take care of people when they are broken and most vulnerable. Dr. Blumstein is my MVP.

In my upcoming novel Broken Melody, my main character Terri faces significant health challenges…read morethat test her resilience and force her to make difficult decisions. Like Terri in Broken Melody, I have faced some health challenges. Recently I underwent anterior cervical foraminectomy, discectomy and fusion from c3 to c6--surgery to remove bone spurs and damaged discs that were pinching nerves in my neck, then fusing four vertebrae together for stability. I resisted the surgery at first. At age 40, I had walked away from Western medical practices after being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with increasingly harsh NSAIDs--anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen--that gave me an ulcer, and facing options like methotrexate, a cancer treating drug with side effects like mouth ulcers, hair loss and frequent nausea and vomiting or gold treatment, which is no longer used and causes side effects like kidney damage, bone marrow issues and liver problems. Instead, I embraced yoga, energy healing and Blair method upper cervical--a specialized form of cervical chiropractic care that focuses on the precise and gentle misalignments in the upper neck. Alas, I felt great on the outside, nobody even suspected that on the inside my body was fighting a battle. But the bone osteophytes--bone spurs that developed to stabilize the degeneration in my spine--began to impinge on my nerves, pressing against them. Pain, tingling, muscle weakness. Then I no longer could lift my arms to pass a creamer across the table. I researched and found the best spine surgeon. Based on my x-rays he recommended extensive revision surgery. My heart protested, but my brain recognized that if I don't do something, the outcomes were more dire. He was patient with me, answering question after question. He even agreed to talk to my upper cervical doctor, the person who understood my spinal anatomy most intimately. Then the insurance caused roadblocks, insisting I go to an in-network physician who would not be available for months, causing increasing nerve damage. Dr. Verma worked with me, figured out a solution, caring more about me as a patient than mere reimbursement. Before going into surgery, I grabbed his arm and told him that I envisioned him going in with his meticulous care and I loved his confidence. He laughed and said he always brings his A game. Before putting me under, he asked what kind of music I liked, because he likes the OR to have uplifting songs when they are working as a team. I closed my eyes and knew I was in the right place, at the right time, in the right hands. I am 3 weeks post-op and I lifted both arms above my head for the first time in months. Thank you Dr. Verma.

Dr. Verma is a kind and compassionate physician. He listens to his patients and goes above and…read morebeyond to ensure patients get the treatment they need. He's excellent at explaining procedures and making patients feel comfortable and he is an amazing surgeon. His office workers are very responsive and I couldn't be happier to have met them all. I would trust him with my own children should they need care in the future.

After years of basketball and I guess just gettin older I started having pain in my neck and back…read more I don't really like taking medicine and stuff, so the idea of back surgery scared me. When I went to see Dr. Rabbani, he took his time checking me and looking at my MRI. I really appreciated his honesty and him listening to me when I said I wanted to avoid surgery. He said that I have some nerve issues that I probably will have to deal with in the future, but he gave me some exercises and ways to help my back without surgery. I was skeptical at first, but I am actually feelin way better now. I am extremely grateful that this Dr doesn't just jump to surgery like most of the others. I will continue to trust Dr. Rabbani for anything I have to deal with in the future, and I appreciate him giving me an honest opinion.

After I was in an automobile accident, I was in constant pain for almost two years until I was…read moreintroduced to Dr Rabbani. He performed a spinal fusion on my lower back and I've been pain free ever since. I'm able to walk upright for the first time in a year. If you want the best, I highly recommend Dr Rabbani.

My wife and I brought our son Bryce Perkins to Dr. Watkins as a second opinion and he carefully…read morediagnosed his conditioned. He bedside manner is top notch and is a straight shooter she it comes to his diagnosis. My son suffered 2 fractures in his neck during football at ASU and the dr that supports ASU wanted to perform surgery immediately. Dr. Watkins took a slower approach to his treatment. The results of Dr. Watkins treatment and care was awesome. Bryce is playing football again, and he is the starting QB for UVA. Not to mention lots a prayer as well....God's Plan

Dr Watkins did a spinal fusion on my lower back L4/L5 in 1998 and It changed my life in a good way…read more I feel like I went back to being normal instead of being in pain all the time

Dr Enna did a wonderful job on my left shoulder. He was upfront and explained my surgery…read morethoroughly. My shoulder feels great. No restrictions at all. Thank you Dr. Enna for your kindness and professionalism. God bless you.

Dr Enna is amazing, he is very patient and truly cares for his patients. Dr Enna goes above and…read morebeyond with his care for my arthritis. The office staff is happy and helpful, this to me shows they have a wonderful Dr to work with.