Empowered Athletics Physical Therapy

Should have done this procedure 2 years ago. I had nerve pain in my legs for quite a while before…read moreI finally went to see Dr Burdi. Diagnosed as spondylolisthesis but he didn't want to do surgery right away. We tried PT for awhile but when that didn't work, surgery was the only answer to fix my issue. I was hesitant but I shouldn't have been. Both Dr Burdi and Dr Tyler did amazing work and my nerve pain is completely gone.

I had surgery to fuse L4 and L4 on October 9, 2025. I've…read morewaited until now (9 months) to write my review because I wanted to be sure how good my outcome is. My surgery was done by Dr. Burdi who I've determined has done a very good job. Prior to my surgery Dr. Burdi and Tyler Waldron, his PA, did X-rays and MRI's, and also treated my back pain with non-surgical methods such as physical therapy, home exercises, pain meds, and injections. I had severe instances of back pain and sciatica going back many years often times going down my leg, and I was originally treated by Dr. Evangelista. Since the many years of therapy and medicines had not resulted in significant or lasting improvement, Dr Burdi determined that I was a good candidate for surgery because X-ray and MRI images showed L4 and L5 were offset and would pinch on nerves. There were many times that I had to cancel my golf because of lower back pain. Dr. Burdi's surgery coordinator, Pat Weber, was excellent coordinating everthing and helping me with any questions. So how was surgery? I was surprised that I did not have any severe pain after surgery either from my back or from the surgery. I did have some pain, but it was not severe at all. I only took oxycodone and muscle relaxants for 4 days. Then I switched to extra strength tylenol and anti-inflammatory pills. Stitches were removed after 1 week I think. I did have a problem witih the steri-strips coming off every day because of the friction of the back brace on my shirt which kept rubbing against the steri-strips. That caused me some anxiety, but the skin healed fine. I went through physical therapy for 5 months, was careful to avoid bending, lifting, and twisting, but still had some moderate lower back pain and sciatica, although nothing severe. Dr. Burdi said it could easily take 6 months to heal, and he would order another MRI at 6 months if I still had pain. I still had some pain at 6 months, and was still taking anti-inflammatory pills 3 to 4 days/week so I did have another MRI. Dr. Burdi and Tyler evaluated the MRI and were certain the surgery was completely successful; there was adequate room around the nerves. Dr. Burdi explained that not only could it still be healing, but that I do have arthritis among the vertebrae above and below the fusion that can cause some pain, but that it was not a candidate for surgery. He referred me to Dr. Washburn for further evaluation and non-surgical treatment. In the meantime, since my MRI showed the surgery outcome was excellent, I started golfing again. I found that as long as I continued taking an anti-inflammatory pill 3 or 4 days/week, I could golf with just minor pain during and after. I was amazed and happy that I was golfing again. I did see Dr Washburn. He evaluated me and the MRI images. He said that it appeared to him that I was still healing, and some people take a year to completely heal. He recommended no further treatment, but rather to wait a couple more months to see how I feel. So since then, I have continue to feel better. I now take an anti-inflammatory pill only 1 or 2 days per week, primarily when I'm practicing golf or golfing. I still get some lower back pain at times but nothing severe. Usually after twisting by back or lifting relatively heavy stuff. I've found I also get upper back aches which I guess is a result of compensating for the reduced flexibility at the L-4/L-5 fusion and the arthritis. I am feeling good enough that I can do pretty much anything with only minor aches and pains. I am going to wait the full year, and if I'm still having pain, I will go back to Dr. Washburn for injections or ablations which are the likely next steps if needed. I am glad I had the surgery and I would highly recommend Dr. Burdi, Tyler Waldron (PA), Pat Weber (Surgery Coordinator), Dr. Washburn, and the rest of the staff at Community Orthopedic.

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Tiva Hanjan MD

4.6

(10 reviews)

I was recently diagnosed with cancer on my spine and pelvis. Tumors were pressing on nerves causing…read moreincredibly debilitating pain. My oncologist recommended an epidural along with radiation to shrink the tumors but I could not find a doctor to do it especially with the holidays. I went to see Dr Hanjan and he thoroughly analyzed my scans and miraculously told me he would fit me in for the procedure same day! He did it within a few hours. It's not often a doctor demonstrates such empathy along with intelligence and skill. He is an angel and his office assistant , Bobbie, very kind and quickly responsive. Going there was an excellent choice!

Honestly, this doctor set a new low bar in medicine. He was over an hour late to a 9 am…read moreappointment. Didn't say hi or introduce himself on intake. Was super rushed, asked questions and interrupted both my husband and myself when we provided answers. He disregarded other doctor's diagnoses and dismissed my pain complaints. He only looked at my scans and provided a diagnosis. When my husband said that was unsatisfying, I also said that it seemed inappropriate to diagnose without any physical exam. He then did a perfunctory physical exam with no gloves, no hand wash, no hand sanitizer. I literally cried through the physical exam the. He told me that things that had helped in the past (injection) were not actually helpful. His poor bedside manner, poor interpersonal skills, and terrible time management made this the worst doctor I have seen in over 40 years. At the end of my appointment my husband said he wouldn't have believed how bad this doctor was unless he witnessed it himself and that we would never let him anywhere near my spine ever again.

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Fitzpatrick Michael J MD

4.4

(25 reviews)

0.8 mi

I'm a post operative patient. From beginning to end it was…read morean excellent experience. I highly recommend Dr Fitzpatrick and his team.

I had a shoulder that kept falling out. I already had a previous shoulder surgery prior. That ended…read moredislocating again. It was a very complicated procedure and Dr Fitzpatrick fixed me right up, My shoulder feels great ! I highly recommend seeing him.

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Morris John R MD

3.7

(9 reviews)

If this doctor had any compassion, it would shock me. Ages ago it was recommended for me to see…read morehim. Obviously he graduated at the bottom because he didn't know how to take care of me. So he pushed me off on one of his associates that gaslit me. It was a lifetime ago, but my goodness I don't forget. And I know what he has done to his other patients. It's shameful that he doesn't know how to say. I'm sorry I don't know how to take care of you instead of gaslighting them. His office is incompetent as well. They pretend that they don't know why the prescription wasn't sent in when it actuality there were too lazy to call it in the first place. Avoid this office like you would the plague. I don't know what side of the aisle he is on, but it's only about what suits him.

Dr Morris is a no nonsense, here's the problem & solution professional. I'm well on the way to…read morerecovery. I've already recommended him to another patient who feels the same way. AND the office personnel & support staff are first rate & all treated me with compassion & care.

Marked atrophy of thumb due to nerve injury at surgery

Lobby

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Thomas Tom D MD

3.0

(6 reviews)

Don't care for patients. He doesn't listen to patient 's symptoms and thinks he knows what the…read moreproblem is. After his surgery didn't resolve my painful shoulder, he didn't see me and only saw his PA. The PA recommend I do trigger point injections that I already had done prior to the surgery. I never did see him again because they said that there's nothing more to be done.

The staff and scheduling at this office are the worst. I have never experienced such…read moreunprofessional intake. They have no idea what they are talking about. Sorry Dr. Thomas. If you read this review you should really pay attention. I called several times to schedule a consult for shoulder surgery with you and your staff kept transferring to voicemail at 10 AM on a Thursday.

Burdi Michael D MD

4.2

(102 reviews)

I was originally referred by my primary care physician to Dr. Burdi after months of back pain…read morewithout any relief. Dr. Burdi ordered physical therapy and an MRI that showed that the L5-S1 joint degeneration was causing my pain. When physical therapy and cortisone shots were found to be ineffective, surgery was explained as the best way to address the pain. I was hesitant at first due to the lengthy recovery and time I would need to take off from work (I am a kindergarten teacher). However, I decided that surgery would be the best option for me and I am so glad I had the procedure. Dr. Burdi did a great job explaining the procedure and recovery. The pain after surgery was minimal and I was off pain medication by the second day. Getting in and out of bed took some help for the first few days until I was more mobile. I didn't realize how tiring daily activities would be after surgery and how frequently I would need to rest. Each week after surgery I noticed great improvement. I never completely understood how involved your back is in every day to day activity. I am stronger now than I was for years prior to my surgery and I am pain free. Make sure you utilize physical therapy and keep up your exercises at home. It makes a world of difference. Now being one year post-op, I am so glad I had the surgery. I would highly recommend Dr. Burdi and his team to anyone that is struggling with back pain.

My wife recently had a two-level cervical disc replacement at C5-C6 and C6-C7 with Dr. Michael…read moreBurdi, and it was truly outstanding. From the start, he was thorough, direct, reassuring, and incredibly skilled. She woke up with no pain, no numbness, and felt dramatically better right away. That kind of immediate relief is amazing. Dr. Burdi and his team made us feel supported every step of the way. If you're looking for a spine surgeon who combines top-tier expertise with genuine care, we can't recommend Dr. Burdi highly enough.

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Stephen Gardner, MD

3.9

(11 reviews)

Dr. Gardner did my knee replacement. He's a great guy! Spent time with me explaining the…read moreprocedure and the recovery process/time period. Everyone in the office was so supportive, caring and encouraging.....the X-ray tech, his PA, the nurses...just amazing. The worse part of the knee replacement was the staple removal. However, the nurse that did it was so sympathetic during the procedure and really cared about the pain level I was experiencing. I never had to wait any length of time to see Dr. Gardner. He was right on schedule every time I went in. I love this place. Dr. Gardner did tell me eventually my other knee would need replacing. I'll be back.

If the receptionist can be ruder and most hostile, I have not met any. Their attitudes makes Jim…read moreCarey skits look more friendly. Not only were they rude and condescending on the phone, their in person behaviors out does the most outrageous farces. Furthermore, they are ignorant. Not only do they know what their doctor does, they demand that you be their errand boys. They also expect you to enter the same data in multiple forms while they demand information that they didn't notify you were needed. All with a sneer and a belittling tone. The main receptionist on the first floor was courteous. The medical staff was attentive and understanding. I am specially calling out the second floor receptionist.

James B. Chen MD

(9 reviews)

I had a complete knee replacement with Dr. Chen. Having him perform a knee or hip replacement with…read morehim is a no brainer. I would never see anyone but Dr. James Chen, ever. My experience was fantastic and I had a great recovery, to the point that I was able to walk around Europe within two monts with NO problems. My good friend had a hip replacement and was back teaching ballroom dancing at two months.

I went to Dr. James Chen for a second opinion on my hip. Although the diagnosis was confirmed, I…read morehave never had a doctor that explained things so wonderfully if I had to have a hip replacement trust me it would be him. He a superb and wonderful doctor caring I have already recommended someone to him and will continue to do that with people who have hip problems. Cynthia Nerison

James B. Chen MD. Hip and Knee Replacement Specialist dedicated to serving the Orange County community.

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Stephen L Tocci, MD

4.3

(53 reviews)

I am writing this to encourage anyone considering surgery here to strongly consider getting a…read moresecond opinion, as my experience felt more like a sales pitch than a thorough clinical evaluation. Clinical Findings: During my initial visit, the Physician Assistant indicated that my symptoms were very likely hamstring-related and that a meniscal cause was very unlikely. Notably, my meniscal tests during the physical exam were negative. However, during the follow-up, the surgeon focused completely on a horizontal meniscal tear identified on the MRI--a finding that is usually degenerative and often incidental or asymptomatic in nature. Omitted Information: Other relevant MRI findings were not disclosed. After requesting a copy of the MRI report myself, I learned there was also a semimembranosus (hamstring) tendon tear. This issue is not treated surgically, and it aligned perfectly with the PA's initial clinical assessment. This lack of disclosure regarding alternative explanations left me feeling that the focus was more on scheduling a procedure than on fully exploring the correct diagnosis. I would strongly encourage others to review their imaging reports personally and obtain a second opinion before proceeding with surgery here

The Best Foot Doctor…read more Knowledgeable About Bunion Excellent job what he did to my Bunion

Dr. Tochi figured out the issue with my foot whereas another Podatrist kept injecting foot with cortisone.

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Waldman Jerald P, MD

2.3

(3 reviews)

Dr. Waldman runs a tight ship and the Community Orthopedic Medical Group is a top notch facility…read morefor your medical needs. I came down there for an MRI on my ankle and answers on how to rid myself of what seemed to becoming a chronic injury. The MRI was painless and I got to keep the disposable shorts from the scan as a souvenir. The true difference came down to Dr. Waldman's game plan for preventing my ankle from further injury: Physical Therapy. Two words that hadn't been uttered by the three other doctors I had visited previously and will hopefully make it so I never make another appointment regarding my ankle again... I'm not sure if this is the difference between the OC and LA, but this is one of only a few practices that have been to that host a free private lot. Bonus points there...

He is always running late. For his appointments He is quick in and out, not taking the time to find…read moreout, or caring about what is really wrong. He did my surgery, left 2 broken screws, a broken drill bit in me, only fused 1/4 of the joint when the surgery was to fuse the entire joint. The screws were to go into the bone not through the bone with room to spare, catch, click, rip... And cause damage to nerves and other structures. When you tell him there is something wrong he doesn't care, just wants you out the door...... I would give Dr Jerald Waldman a -5

Adventure Lagoon

The staff was very helpful and friendly. It was not crowded. We had lots of space between families…read more We ordered a pizza and that with the obstacle course were our favorites! We will definitely be back soon!

My family (family of 4) had a blast here! We stayed there for about 6 hours. We did the obstacle…read morecourse twice and rented 2 kayaks while we were there. Bought 3 food items and a gatorade. But we spent alittle over $300 there on everything! There is a $35 or $45 entrance fee depending on when you come. It's just to come inside the lagoon. If you want the obstacle course it's an additional $10 per person for 55 mins (super short). If you want to kayak, use the aqua bike or use the paddleboard it's an additional $10 per equipment/item. There is a kiddie area for small and young children. They DO NOT allow outside food or drinks except water! There is a small shop that sells misc. items, snacks & drinks (overpriced). They also had a foodtruck inside that was expensive and the meals didn't come with drinks. They do have plenty of staff and lifeguards there. The entrance fee should of been $15-20. The obstacle course atleast 90-120 mins instead of the 55 mins. Wish the foodtruck came with drinks and was a bigger portion.

Obstacle course !

The park

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Badlands Park

4.7

(46 reviews)

4.9 mi

Oops my secret is out! This is probably one of my most favorite spot to go for a walk or a mini…read morehike! Even better, if you're there when it's sunny because the ocean views are breathtaking!! This is also dog friendly since there are poop bags provided at intermittent part of the trail. Please keep in mind that this is in a neighborhood so there will be houses really close to the trail (almost like we're in their backyard) and private property that you can't enter. There are signs to guide you so just stick to the signs and you'll be ok.

Hidden gem in LN. Quick hike around the area to the park area to see the interesting…read moregeology/history. Hike also wraps around the mountain side, giving you a view of the ocean.

Top of the hike looking out to the ocean

Hiking on one of the trails

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Crown Valley Park

4.6

(59 reviews)

2.6 mi

We came to this park specifically for the splash pad. It's open from Memorial Day to Labor Day…read more It's a long park. Just keep driving on till you see the signs for the playground and splash pad. The splash pad has smaller splashers on one end good for younger kids and bigger slashers more in the middle and the other end. I was worried about my toddler going under the buckets because the water comes down with pretty heavy force. My kid accidentally went under it and he shockingly didn't get splatted down. It's convenient that the playground is right next to the splash pad. The kids had a great time and my son has asked to come back already. We didn't have issues with parking mid week but I can imagine it may be tight on the weekend.

Crown Valley Park has evolved over the past 30 years. What was once a simple building with a basic…read moregym has transformed into the modern age with updates that were needed. The summers are filled with summer concerts that allow families to come together and the community to enjoy music, foods from foos trucks. Fall welcomes the halloween haunts where kids make memories that last a life time. I really love hidden spots in the botanical gardens for flower lovers like me can go and just enjoy mother nature. The added butterfly garden and its butterfly chairs make it more special. The soccer fields are filled with kids and adults playing sports. The community center adds that final touch with rooms that can be rented for special events, meetings, and downstairs is access to the heated pool. 5/5 I have attended a few private events at the community center and its a great addition to the area.

Titans of Rock st the park, July 4th 2025

Lovely

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Empowered Athletics Physical Therapy - physicaltherapy - Updated August 2026

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