Very nice guy but did not solve my problem I went to his brother Hoyman Hong who did solve the problem read more

Dr. Hong seems wonderful as a person, but he hasn't treated me. He mentioned that he was referring me to UCSF Pain Management Center, but they haven't received the referral and I am having trouble getting any calls/emails/texts answered by the office. I will updated this review later to see if anything changes. read more

Dr. Hong is not only a great listener, but he is a good observer. I was originally sent to Dr. Hong in regards to a mangled foot that was going to require surgery. As I stood up to leave his office on my first or second visit when he noted my hips were crooked. This is not the easiest thing to see, especially when he was looking at my foot. Instead of writing it off, he also started to treat my hips, something I had truly given up hope on. For my foot, I am currently undergoing prep to have another operation (hopefully the last), and having Dr. Hong on my team definitely makes me feel a lot more confident. I am encouraged to see what other treatments are out there for my hips. And the man is a PRO at shots and injections--so fast, and nice and funny to boot! read more

ROCK STAR ALERT!!! I first saw Dr Hong in 2017 for ablation on lumbar spine. Fast forward to 2022 and my spine has deteriorated significantly. Had spinal surgery (cervical fusion) in March 2021. While successful, since then, my lumbar spine and shoulder (frozen shoulder) went to hell. My spine is complicated with a host of issues so my surgeon recommended me to UCSF Pain Management. As a teaching/academic hospital, she felt they might be better equipped to deal with the complicated nuances of my spine. I started treatment with them at the beginning of 2022-- and have been bed ridden since then (very difficult for a lifelong athlete). I contemplated going back to Dr. H -- but he was no longer on my insurance. But after 8 months in bed, I decided I would simply pay out of pocket in order to get help from Dr. H. (Kicking myself for not doing this sooner). After 8 months in bed. Dr. Hong ablated the nerves in my lumbar spine, adeptly navigating all the problems that seemed to befuddle UCSF. After 8 months being completely disabled, I am almost pain free (MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!!!) He wasn't just my doctor, he was my advocate to the insurance company (which made expeditious and effective treatment an incredibly long and cumbersome process). I know he spent hours on the phone with them at different intervals-- pushing for the authorizations I so desperately needed. Doctors simply won't do that. UCSF certainly did not. Despite the fact that he's not on my insurance, I will be seeking treatment from Dr H for my frozen shoulder. And, my husband is now seeing him for herniated discs. Frankly.... to hell with insurance. I am still incredulous at how difficult they made this whole process. Simply put, Dr Hong is a very seasoned, extremely experienced PRO. He is patient, extremely well spoken (explains everything in layman's terms), and frankly, a nice person. He and his staff (Arnold and Celeste) feel like family. Arnold and Celeste are PROs themselves -- patient with cranky patients experiencing excruciating pain, stellar schedulers (I"ve never waiting more than 5 minutes for my appointment), and genuinely nice people. read more

This is an exceptional doctor by ANY measure. Some doctors are knowledgeable and intelligent, some doctors have a good bedside manner and take the time to explain things in enough detail and with appropriate alternatives presented to make a truly informed decision, some doctors take the time to actually listen and engage with the patient. I've never had a doctor that has all these traits, and so strongly in each category. I believe this is an exceptionally rare combination that makes Dr. Hong on a level far above a "good doctor". I consider myself blessed to have crossed paths with this healer and I am so very happy that he shares his skills with me and my wife. read more

Had the worst experience with Dr Hong and his office - absolutely advice you to find an alternative given they were no help in any way, ended up costing me money that should have been covered by insurance do to how they bill and took up significant time and effort resulting in nothing but a bill. First appointment I was left in waiting room for 90 minutes, then another 30 in the room before speaking to anyone. Dr Hong was to have RX's called in that day. I checked with my pharmacy repeatedly and left voicemails - took them 2 weeks to call them in. When I asked what the delay was... "I forgot, sorry!" Dr Hong's office was also supposed to contact my insurance to get approval on a MRI as he wanted to get that asap to help determine the course of action. After a week I contacted the office to see how it was going, they said they would call me back. Nope. So at 2 weeks I called again, was told again they would call me back. At week 3 I called again and they said they were waiting to hear from my insurance - I called my provider and they said they had not been contacted yet. In the end it took them 5 weeks to even contact my insurance! And then, they called me to tell me it was declined. So I contacted my insurance company to understand why and it turns out that Dr Hong had ordered the MRI for the incorrect reason, that is why it was declined. When I contacted Dr Hong I was told I would have to come back into the office to get re-examined in order to order the correct test - even though nothing had changed - but he couldn't get me in for another 6 weeks. When I asked why he needed to see me again, can't he just correct the order, I was told that is the way it is. Lastly, they submitted the wrong codes for my appointment, so insurance won't cover any of it. Ridiculous waste of money and time with absolutely no results. Horrible. read more

Dr. Hong has been an amazing doctor for me for the last seven years. I went in with chronic back pain and he really took the time to figure out what was wrong with my back and also what we could do to alleviate the pain. We tried a combination of physical therapy, procedures, and medications, and my pain has become much more manageable thanks to him. At each appointment, he takes time to find out how I'm doing, never rushing me to move onto the next patient. If an emergency ever came up, and I needed to see him sooner than my next appointment, he always found a way to fit me into his schedule. When I decided I wanted to try to manage my pain without any medications, he was there to support me. I know that he truly cares about my progress and finding resolutions to my pain. read more

I've been working with Dr. Hong for well over a year in the treatment and management of two herniated discs in my lower back. I've been dealing with this injury for about 10 years now, as it's progressively gotten worse, but Dr. Hong has been the first doctor to accurately diagnose the problem and treat it. Earlier I said that I've been "working with him" for a reason: he involves you in your treatment, asks you questions, and readily answers your questions. It feels collaborative. I know I have control over my treatment, as opposed to him telling me what's wrong, how it feels, and what to do, then throwing pills at me. I've found him to be very responsive as well, answering calls personally (when appropriate) in a reasonable amount of time. Last but not least, he's really good at his job. When I describe my symptoms (pain here, here, and there) he knows the probably causes and how to treat them effectively and efficiently, taking both long term and short term solutions into account. Simply put, Dr. Hoyland Hong is an incredible doctor. I have recommended him without hesitation to friends, family, and colleagues, and will continue to do so. I only wish he could be my GP as well. read more

Dr. Hong is a wonderful doctor. He was the first doctor in years to take my back pain seriously and not just give me pain killers and tell me to "rest". The experience has been great; I really feel like he genuinely cares about helping me get better. I did an MRI and then a cortisone shot and start my physical therapy in a couple of weeks. I feel like he really listens to me unlike other doctors I've had in the past. My situation is not a quick fix and I'm thankful to have a doctor who's trying to fix the root of the problem and not just cover the pain. Thanks Dr. Hong! read more

Dr Hong is very good. Very difficult to get an appointment at both locations and office staff is rather indifferent in their scheduling appointments. Dr Hong is great, office staff has yet to meet my expectations. read more

December 2017 i've been asked by folks "...and so what happened?" Here goes: First of all, and most important, listen to yourself, and if your doctor seems like an idiot - he probably is. Try to find a doctor like Hoylond Hong who will actually listen to YOU and YOUR ideas and thoughts about YOUR body. Because of this, and the unfortunate failure of all other known treatments for piriformis syndrome, with worsening pain - we (yes, WE!) decided that surgery was the only remaining option. Simply - surgery would consist of breaking the constant pressure on my sciatic nerve that was caused by the constant spasm of my piriformis squeezing it. This can be done with straight forward surgery - open the side of my thigh, find the tendon of that troublesome muscle and cut the f^&ker. Easy, right? No. Not a single hip surgeon in San Francisco that Dr. Hong or i questioned would do it. Some actually said they didn't believe "piriformis syndrome" existed! Others said i should see a doctor like Dr. Hong or do one of the gillion things i'd already done. Dr. Hong gave me the records he thought were relevant and wrote an OPEN referral - so if i found a surgeon anywhere - i could use it. We started a huge project reviewing the literature, and everything from blogs to chats - and found - finally - the "best orthopedic surgeon in New York City" (voted this by other doctors, as well as patients repeatedly) - Dr. Jacob Rozbruch. He called me, i flew out, and after another evaluation, agreed to do the surgery. He said that, after 42 years of doing surgery, mine was the worst, thickest, most scarred, grottiest pirifomis tendon he'd ever seen. Furthermore, my Greater Trochanter bursa was scarred with weird little sacs of fluid - apparently the deposits from my previous pain Dr. (before Hong) who couldn't find a piriformis to inject if it had flashing lights - all the time Dr. Bartoli said he was injecting my piriformis, the reason it didn't help my pain was that he was actually injecting my Greater Trochanter bursa!! (Not even close!). (Other times Dr.Bartoli's sloppy, tremulous injections would put my entire leg to sleep - meaning that he injected my sciatic nerve!!) Anyway, my bursa had to come out, too, because of Bartoli. This - in contradistinction to Dr. Hong who has never missed. He (Hong) is so good, he has even taught my partner to identify the muscle on ultrasound! Anyway, after the surgery?? i woke up from anesthesia...with NO PAIN!! (beeeeg smile). After years of debilitating horrid nerve pain, i had zip, zero none. i thought i was dreaming. Prior to finding these two doctors there was little reason to live, only to feel pain and create work and cost for my loved ones. Now that is all turned around. Last weekend we went out 3 nights in a row! We went dancing! i can work! Dr. Hoylond Hong and Dr. Jacob Rozbruch literally saved my life. i recently saw Dr. Hong for a shoulder bursitis- i asked for an injection because the pain had lasted over a month. The injection was so painless, i thought he had only given me the pre-anesthesia when he said - "No, we're done." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ a review below reminded me of another amazing Hoylond Hong moment - there was some concern after a MRI done in NY, that there might be a small herniation in the L5-S1 interspace (the one below my fusion) and a ? about that being the cause of my pain as it maybe sort of kinda could cause some of my symptoms (Good God!!! It Is PIRIFORMIS!) anyway - this MRI was shown to Dr. Hong. he was not intimidated by the hoity-toity radiologists at NYC's fancy Mount Sinai, Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell medical centers - he pointed out the artifact, the shadow from the hardware left in from my fusion - that caused this, NOT a herniation between L5 and S1 - saving me spinal surgery! And allowing the correct, pain relieving resulting procedure immediately. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ again feel free to private message me if you have any questions! read more

Dr. Hong is a really thoughtful and caring Doctor. I've been his patient for approximately 5 months and each visit with him solidifies his pain management knowledge and concern for his patients. He is very smart and devoted to making patients comfortable. He is not a mill Doctor which is significant to me. He takes his time with his patients and really, REALLY listens. After listening he then takes his time to thoroughly explain his medical roadmap. He is very open with his concerns and sets parameters. The latter I think is crucial for instilling patient/Doctor trust. In all honesty I trust Doctor Hong's knowledge and care with my medical issue. I feel in good hands and trust him impeccably. I wish he was a GP for all my medical needs because I'd definitely trust him with mine and my family's well- being. read more

I was in San Francisco with another doctor that had done hip surgery for me. When getting the xrays my feet kept getting a numb feeling. That Dr. told me it was my back and referred me to Dr.Hong. The best decision ever made! Dr. Hong listens to his patients, and tries to find the best solution. He knows I am not one that wants to be on pain meds so he goes out of his way to find other options to break through my back pain. I have had epidurals and rhizotomies that have helped. He did not make me feel it was in my head. He told me he understood I am not making up this pain. I have been dealing with this for many years now. I had a previous Dr that said I needed to lose weight ( mind you I am close to target goal) exercise and I will feel no pain. I highly recommend this doctor to anyone. Even if it is not easy to get in right away it is worth the wait! read more

Hoylond Hong md came to my room soon after my knee surgery at St Francis hospital..He inquired if I wanted to take more morphine. Hong never mentioned or offered alternatives to morphine and I knew nothing about opioids. I suffered several days of constipation due to the morphine and Hong never prescribed anything to relieve this additional pain. At the time of release, 10 days later, Hong did not tell me how to taper off morphine,and did not offer other medications to ease this transition. I stopped the morphine without instruction from him, became violently ill with massive diahhrea, an electrolyte inbalance and excessively low potassium levels forcing me to be rehospitalized at St.Francis. Once I was ambulatory with a cane, I went to see Hong requesting a medication override for lidocaine patches since Aetna did not cover this prescription. Hong say"I am too busy to call," though someone from his office tried to reach Aetna. The Aetna line was busy so I asked Hong 4 days later if he had tried to reach Aetna and again he repeated how busy he was and that he had not called. My entire treatment by Hong was unkind, irresponsible and unprofessional. For a "doctor" who has taken the Hippocratic oath not to mistreat or harm his patients, he failed me miserably. read more

When I think of Dr. Hong, I immediately think of the "Magician." He takes an innovative approach to medicine and displays a passion and verve unlike any other medical professional I have ever worked with in my lifetime. We began our journey almost a year ago and in that time I have gone from barely being able to walk due to debilitating and excruciating pain from bi-lateral SI Joint dysfunction as well as a very stubborn disc at L5-S1 which causes terrible sciatica along with unrelenting spasms, to a fully functioning and now somewhat sane human being about to embark on a cross country move from San Francisco to Nashville in just a few short days. Dr. Hong mapped out my magical healing plan last October which included epidurals, facet injections, Rhizotomy procedures, physical therapy (with Melissa, the best physical therapist in the city), pharmaceutical pain management (without turning me into a doped up addict) and listening to me bitch and complain about one thing or another on almost a weekly basis for the last 10 months. God bless his heart for not cauterizing my tongue. Dr. Hong has been more than a doctor throughout this journey, he has been my shoulder to cry on when I thought I couldn't carryon, he has lobbied on my behalf against my PPO to get them to cover procedures in an effort to get me back to my very active lifestyle (and not have to take a risky surgical route), he has been a pillar of support and showed he cared when I felt like nobody else in my life did. He even came back early from his Christmas vacation to perform a procedure for me! Dr. Hong humanizes medicine in a world where all too often people are made to feel dehumanized by medical professionals. Dr. Hong embodies all the virtues Hippocrates set forth in the Hippocratic Oath. Dr. Hoyland Hong is a true healer and while I am happy to be me again, I will miss him with all my heart as I love him to the moon and back. Eternally grateful... read more

Dr Hong is a good Doctor. He listens, knows he doesn't have all the answers, and is willing to experiment with treatment solutions that are right for you. If I were only evaluating the medical care I received from him it would be 5 stars. But this is reality, and part of any relationship with a doctor is also the relationship with scheduling/admin and billing functions, and here his practice falls very flat. - By office policy, you have to fill out forms every time you come in. WTF? Literally no other doctor's office I've ever been to (and been to plenty) makes you do this. A ridiculous and annoying waste of time - Office staff are terrible about returning phone calls. When I complained about this to one staff member (that the individual responsible for helping me schedule my MRI hadn't called me back), I was told "oh, you really need to try to call her at 6 in the morning to reach her."....I honestly don't know how anyone can say things like this to a paying customer with a straight face - Billing has been accurate (for me), but no option to pay online or pay by phone. What century is this?? Who pays by check anymore and why is this my only option with your option? Dr Hong, customer service is part of patient care. Please upgrade your practice's procedures and billing so they can be best in class and commensurate with the care you provide. Right now they are sub-par. read more

I have been having significant sports injuries for the past 5 years now in my feet, ankles and back. After several surgeries and no real long term improvement, I was finally referred to Dr Hong to investigate my lower back. Several months later, I feel as good as I did 5 years ago! Well...minus some of the fitness. :) Dr Hong has been great to work with, even in addition to the results. He knows how to treat the spine, and how to treat people. He has picked up on the fact that I am interested in knowing what he's thinking and whats going on, and he has explained everything I could care to ask. He also is friendly and respects my input. It's always great to find a Dr. that not only is great at his trade, but also cares about you as a person and treats you as such. Thanks Dr. Hong! read more

I wrote this review a few years ago and thought I posted it, it was sitting here waiting to be posted. The first part is from 4 years ago. Second part is from a month ago. Today I experienced the second of two procedures from Dr. Hong. I had Two Rhizotomies, first one left side second right. I was married to someone that decided the path to no pain was taking pain meds. He's since passed away and when he had cancer, he had been on pain meds so long for back pain that nothing would help him when he REALLY needed the help with cancer. Dr. Hong has given me hope, I work out every day to stay fit but facet thinning and lower Lumbar issues and protruding discs had me in pain every day. Not anymore. I thank you Dr. Hong for giving me a new lease on life. You have allowed me to spread my wings and fly!!! I might sound nuts but no pain for the first time in 7 years is really meaningful. The rhizomes were not really long lasting as much as I had hoped. Jump to 2019, since the rhizomes I had one epidural 2 years ago, wasn't really sure it helped much but definitely better then taking pain meds. A month ago I was in extreme pain for months and decided to try another epidural. This time Dr. Hong got the mark on the nose! The body is tricky, on the MRI where my spine looked the wonkiest it might seem like that was the place to inject but nerves play an important part. I woke up and had NO pain. NON, 0. It is now a month later and I am cautious about movement and lifting, but I've resumed my normal activities, which consists of Dailey Method most days. I've modified down but, I feel I'm still 85% better. I can live like this. All of those people out there that think pain meds is the way to go, stop and think about it. There's handfuls of other problems that go along with pain meds. There are other options and Dr. Hong is the person to discuss that with. He is knowledgeable, efficient and a pleasant change for a physician he's authentic, which I find these days is a really hard quality to find in a physician. I don't blame him for discouraging people from pill popping it's a bad road to take. read more

Dr. Hong has been the best doctor I have seen for pain management in a very long time. I have had injuries from the past and doctor Hong assessed my old ones and my current one. I was pretty nervous about getting a cortisone shot and doctor Hong along with his staff had put me at ease. I will forever be grateful for what they did and I look for forward to a pain free life thanks to doctor Hong! read more

I have been seeing Dr. Hong for 4 months now and I cannot sat enough good words about him. Due to a herniated disc, I was suffering from extremely painful and debilitating sciatica in my left leg. Thankfully I was referred to Dr. Hong. From my first visit to the present, Dr. Hong has been amazing. He has a wonderful bedside manner, takes the time to listen to you and shows a genuine compassion to help you get better. I am now on the road to recovery and if it had not been for Dr. Hong, I would still be suffering today. read more

Dr Hong has helped me through the toughest stage of my life. I first saw Dr Hong when I could barely walk, suffering from severe lower back pain caused by a herniated disc. The reason I have confidence in Dr Hong and made it through the worst pain in my life was his approach and thorough analysis of my problems. He sat down and listened intently as I described my symptoms and ordered tests to accurately diagnose what was happened inside my body. He took the time to explain every detail of what the tests were designed to do and what the results were. Dr Hong is up front about everything in my treatment - risks, expectations and follow up. More than anything I feel that Dr Hong is my partner and cares about helping me. He always gives me options and I feel he is 100% focused on helping me to heal, get rid of my pain and return to an active pain free life! read more