I cannot say enough about how amazing the care is at Hoag Orthopedic Institute. I have congenital…read morehip dysplasia and was in debilitating pain when I met Dr. Gorab. I'm also about 35+ years younger than the average hip replacement patient, so I had a lot of questions and concerns. As of today7/27/26, Dr. Gorab has replaced both of my hips within 2 years time. I feel incredible. No more pain. Zero. Every person involved in my care at HOI was top shelf. Like I said, I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Gorab and team. Simply the BEST!!!

Dr Michael Hunter, MD and his staff (especially Madison Graham) at Newport Orthopedic Institute,…read morehave been amazing through a very difficult time when I needed a total knee replacement. They were thorough, detailed, kind, and provided a Get Well Loop portal with checklists and check-ins leading up to and post-surgery for easy daily check-ins. With Hoag Medical Group, the surgery was at the main Hoag Orthopedic Institute hospital on Sand Canyon and I felt well monitored and cared for through the entire process. The nurses were great!! I am just 2 weeks post-op today and grateful for my beautiful new knee and a new lease on life. Thank you, Dr. Hunter, Madison and everyone at Hoag who has provided excellent care for me throughout this difficult journey!

When I was in a state of anxiety and trying to see as many doctors as possible to get different…read moreopinions, I found Dr. Melikian at DISC. I had generally good experiences with doctors I had seen there in the past. He is more of a spine specialist, focusing on the neck and back. When I came in, I was having issues with both my neck and shoulders. After looking at my neck X-rays and MRIs, he noted that my shoulders were likely the bigger issue at the time. I could move my neck up and down without too much trouble, but my shoulders had difficulty rotating. Despite that, he was able to refer me to another DISC doctor, Dr. Shore. More importantly, I never felt like I was being rushed out the door, unlike many doctors who seem to just want to get patients in and out for a paycheck. In fact, toward the end of my appointment, he made sure I did not have any more questions before we parted. To me, that is a sign of a doctor who actually cares, which feels surprisingly rare given the number of doctors I have seen over the last several years. While he was great, I also have to give a special shoutout to his assistant, Joanna. She might be one of the best doctor's assistants I have seen. The assistants I have known generally get a good idea of what is going on and log your symptoms so the doctor can look at you more efficiently, but Joanna went above and beyond. She did more than a typical assistant would by checking the multiple issues I was having, including rotator tests, hand-grip strength, shoulder rotation, and various sensitive points. Similar to Dr. Melikian, I felt like she genuinely cared about what was going on and wanted to make sure I was receiving the right treatment. She was the first person to make me realize that I needed to focus more on my shoulder. Of course, she still told the doctor about everything just in case, but it says something when an assistant does more thorough checks than some actual MDs I have seen. It also says something that, even though I did not receive treatment from Dr. Melikian and he ultimately referred me elsewhere, he was one of the few doctors who was very assertive about making sure I scheduled a follow-up appointment. Even when I was in a rush to leave, his assistant reached out and emailed me to schedule an appointment, making sure I was okay with it. That is the sign of a doctor who really cares. Overall, in a weird way, I am kind of sad that my issues were not more related to my neck, since both Dr. Melikian and his assistant, Joanna, were great. Based on the reviews I have seen on Yelp and Google, many people seem to have had similarly positive experiences. If your issues are more related to your neck or back, I would consider getting an opinion from Dr. Melikian.

I had an artificial disk replacement with Dr. Melikian on my L5-S1 back in September. Compared to…read morethe other surgeons I met it seemed to me that he was clearly the most knowledgeable and it was nice to talk to someone that had a clear solution for me that didn't involve fusion. He answered every question I had, the operation was well prepared and everything went smooth. Over the past six months I've had multiple follow-up appointments ensuring I was doing well and now I'm fully recovered . I've got my active life back so I really couldn't be happier with his support.

I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and at 32 years of age, I had already endured ten…read moresurgeries in ten years; these included two multi-level spinal fusions at C4-T3 and L3-S1, and a kyphoplasty to repair a fractured vertebra at L1. When I needed a third fusion to stabilize both SI joints, my insurance denied it, and my previous doctor was unwilling to appeal on my behalf. After two years of fighting for approval on my own, I found Dr. Jankowski through a Southern California EDS Facebook group. I was physically and emotionally exhausted, and honestly desperate -- I'm so grateful I found him when I did. From my very first appointment, he was kind, efficient, and genuinely knowledgeable about my rare and complicated condition, and it meant so much to finally feel understood. He assured me he was on my side and would fight for the surgery I needed, and he meant it. His office manager, Paritash, got to work immediately, submitting appeal after appeal and keeping me updated with such care every step of the way. Dr. Jankowski personally advocated for me by writing a detailed letter to my insurance company on my behalf, and again during an extensive 40-minute peer-to-peer review phone call. Thanks to his persistence, my surgery was finally approved after several rounds of appeals. He was so reassuring and compassionate heading into surgery, and he stayed in touch throughout my hospital stay, even when my pain proved harder to manage than expected. My incision healed beautifully, and he went out of his way to order collagen-based bandages, knowing EDS patients often heal poorly after surgery. Paritash arranged my home health care and physical therapy right away and was always warm and quick to respond to my calls and texts. When managing my drains turned out to be more complicated than planned, she even came in on her day off, when the office is normally closed, just to remove them and change my bandages. Despite Dr. Jankowski being out of town for part of my recovery and my surgery falling right after Christmas, his team made sure scheduling follow-ups was never a hassle. It's been three months since surgery and two months of physical therapy, and the chronic back pain caused by my hypermobile joints has almost completely disappeared, dramatically improving my quality of life and allowing me to return to in-person work after being practically bed-bound most of the day. I could not be more grateful that I found Dr. Jankowski and Paritash when I did. Dr. Jankowski gave me my life back when I had all but given up hope of salvaging any remaining pieces of my youth, and he has opened up a world of possibilities to me. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude. I cannot recommend him enough, especially to fellow patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

I first met Dr Jankowski in 2021 2 days after a chiropractor visit. I went into the ER with…read moreexcruciating pain in my upper neck, back and arm. I expected a cortisone shot and some pain meds but my spine was much, much worse than I'd know. He performed a cervical fusion in C4-C6 - creating a very small incision on the front of my neck. (You can no longer see the scar.) He was very careful with the survey, doing what was necessary without anything unnecessary. He was thorough and explained what he did (I'm sure he did prior to the surgery but I was too medicated to remember) but he did explain to my family. This past March, 2026, I felt a mild strain in my mid back and awoke the next day to unimaginable pain which dictated another ER visit. As I was quickly (within 10 minutes) being pushed out of the ER (like someone seeing drugs) because that attending Dr "does not image backs in the ER. Go home and call a specialist" I was finally able to get the attending to reach out to him who said to do imaging. Turned out I had MULTIPLE discs that had calcified against my spine. Had it not been for Dr Jankowski I would have been sent home and may still, 3 months later, been seen for my pain. Prior to the 1st of 2 surgeries he has to do this visit, Dr Jankowski shared with me how serious the surgery and was clear, upfront and candid about the potential negative outcomes of the surgery. He was clear that moving forward with surgery was completely dependent on my decisions. He had a very good bed manner and I could tell he was sincere. He ended up putting 9 screws and 2 rods in my mid spine. There isn't another doctor I would have trusted to do this surgery and I am thankful every day for his amazing skills! He performed 2 surgeries, one week apart which have allowed me to still be able to walk and (once I'm healed...) have use of everything. He continued to check in on my progress while I was in the hospital as well as did his Nurse Practitioner who was also amazing! She was just lovely! She checked in on me every day and was clearly an expert and very respected (as well) within the hospital. He is hard to get time with - don't expect to be seen same week you call as he is good and he's busy but his office manager is great and texts which is really helpful!

I can't say enough about this Doctor. My husband George had been to 3 other surgeons that all…read morewanted to do MAJOR CERVICAL SURGERY from the back. It was depressing. Dr. Taghva was the last opinion and he felt confident he could achieve good results doing a single disc...from the front! He was amazing he was right! George no longer is in pain, no burning, tingling or numbness up and down arms no sleeping upright, pain free and active! Brian his PA also wonderful. I beg you, if you have seen surgeons saying they need to cut you stem to stern, please see this doctor for an opinion. He's the REAL Honest DEAL! Similar experience with our daughter. He refused to operate on her he said her problem was muscular. He was RIGHT! Thank you Dr.Taghva you were a Godsend to our family!

Dr. Alexander has performed two different complex Laminectomies on me in the past. I'm extremely…read moregrateful to him for his kindness, extraordinary professionalism and excellent care. With sincere gratitude, Carolyn Zalta

Dr. Hamid Mir and his team were absolutely essential throughout my entire process--from evaluating…read moremy neck injury, guiding me through recovery, performing two fusions and a disc replacement, and continuing to support me after surgery. Dr. Mir's expertise helped me recover to the point where I am now able to manage my daily life with minimal effects from my car accident. I am extremely happy with the results. Even my physical therapist said he has never seen someone recover so well after the level of surgery I had. Before choosing Dr. Mir, I interviewed five different surgeons. I chose him because of his kind manner, knowledge, expertise, and the way he clearly communicated with me throughout the process. I never felt alone or unsure about what I needed to do to get back to good health. Another thing I truly appreciate is how careful Dr. Mir was with my neck incision. My scarring is minimal and hardly noticeable. Friends and family members have even commented on how great it looks and how well the incision was placed. It is clear that Dr. Mir was very thoughtful and cognizant about where the incision would be in order to minimize visible scarring. I truly appreciate all of the effort, hard work, and continued support from Dr. Mir and his team. I highly recommend Dr. Mir to any

Knowledgeable, very focused, down to earth. No God complex. I trust his opinion and abilities.read more

The night of my surgery, Spinal fusion, I asked to have my daughter with me so I wouldn't be alone,…read moreand I was not allowed to have anyone there to advocate for me. That same night, while I was heavily sedated, I was served soup that was scalding hot and sustained burns inside my mouth, including damage to my tongue. My tongue tie was burned off. I reported this that night and then at my first post-op appointment and was told by the PA that I was not the only complaint that night. I was told they were short staffed and that it would be reported after our meeting. It was never documented. My dentist later told me I was fortunate the injury did not become infected. I have photos documenting this. The morning after surgery, I reported my pain as 10 out of 10 and asked them not to discharge me because I did not feel safe to leave. I was discharged anyway and told they needed the bed for incoming patients. In my records it states the nurse called my Dr with concerns. I was not seen prior to discharge and told to get dressed. Since April 10, 2024, I have been left with bilateral nerve damage, neuropathy that makes it difficult to walk, and muscle damage, all confirmed by EMG. I am now disabled. I have attached a photo of me on January 2024.Two months prior to surgery. I have since sought multiple medical opinions, and I have been told the damage is permanent. L4 Sequela (Post op damage) Remember: This hospital is owned by the Dr's I am sharing this so others understand the level of care I experienced and can make informed decisions.

Dr Grant Shifflett is amazing! The whole experience could not have gone better. I followed…read moreeverything he told me to do and five months later I'm back to playing golf twice a week with zero pain. Thank you!!

Completely archaic in his approach to DBS. Wanted to prolong the operation into three surgeries…read more Very deceitful about being in our insurance network. They weren't. "That changes hourly" they said. Seemed as though they were just in it for the money. Would not recommend for my pet.

My chronic pain journey began in 2021, just two months after I gave birth to my son. I used to…read morebounce on a yoga ball to help him fall asleep, and one day when I stood up from the sofa, I suddenly couldn't walk. That moment started a long and painful 3 1/2-year journey filled with countless doctor visits, over seven orthopedic surgeons and several pain management specialists & yet no one truly believed or understood the pain I was in. Everything changed when I met Dr. Iqbal. He was the first doctor who really listened and took my pain seriously. After working with me and understanding what I was going through, he referred me to Dr. Binder for surgery and that referral changed my entire life. Dr. Binder performed a microdiscectomy on my lower back, and within months, I went from being in constant, debilitating pain every single day to being completely healed. His precision, skill, and confidence gave me hope, and his kindness and bedside manner made me feel safe and understood. I am eternally grateful to both Dr. Iqbal and Dr. Binder, two truly exceptional doctors who not only treated my condition, but helped me reclaim my life after years of pain. If you're struggling and starting to lose hope, please know that the right doctors do exist and for me, that was Dr. Iqbal and Dr. Binder.

​I cannot thank Dr. Jeremy Smith and his PA, Josh Phillips, enough--they have quite literally given…read moreme my life back. After my C3-C6 spinal fusion in 2023, I was unsure what my future would look like, but thanks to their expertise, I have just completed an incredible year-long retirement journey. ​In the past year, I've traveled through over 20 cities across Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and China, walking thousands of steps daily and fully embracing my life. While recovery is a process that requires patience, Dr. Smith and Josh were the support system that made these adventures possible. ​My only request? Dr. Smith, you are not allowed to retire--at least not while I'm still around! I have too much travel planned and I need the best team behind me. If you are looking for a surgeon who can help you reclaim your life and keep you moving, I give Dr. Smith and his team my highest recommendation.

As a paramedic and ER nurse, I've seen the full spectrum of surgical outcomes and surgical egos…read more Dr. Smith is the rare spine surgeon who combines technical excellence with genuine patient-centered care. I had my L4-L5 lumbar fusion in April 2024 and just passed my one-year post-op. The outcome has been outstanding -- appropriate expectations were set pre-operatively, the procedure went exactly as planned, and the recovery support was consistent and thorough throughout. For anyone weighing a lumbar fusion and wanting a surgeon who will treat you like an intelligent adult and deliver results: look no further. Five stars.

Dr Michael Hunter, MD and his staff (especially Madison Graham) at Newport Orthopedic Institute,…read morehave been amazing through a very difficult time when I needed a total knee replacement. They were thorough, detailed, kind, and provided a Get Well Loop portal with checklists and check-ins leading up to and post-surgery for easy daily check-ins. With Hoag Medical Group, the surgery was at the main Hoag Orthopedic Institute hospital on Sand Canyon and I felt well monitored and cared for through the entire process. I am just 2 weeks post-op today and grateful for my beautiful new knee and a new lease on life. Thank you, Dr. Hunter, Madison and everyone who has provided excellent care for me throughout this difficult journey!

Overall, good experience, friendly people very efficient got me in on time one thing I remember…read morethey do some automated check-in so be sure to bring your cards with you if it's a first time visit and they'll scan them in this machine that seems to go a little quicker

Dr. Peters was the 4th surgeon I met with regarding my cervical disc replacement. 3 out of the 4…read moresuggested disc replacement over fusion because I already had a 2 level fusion 6 years ago. Dr. Peters is a great surgeon. He always answered all my questions and explained things to me. I was nervous about having permanent swallowing issues and he was always honest and upfront with me. I had my surgery on 3/25/25. I was very impressed with the whole experience, even the Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine. They are very on top of infections and avoiding them at all costs. It took me 3 reschedules due to some medical stuff I had going on and Dr. Peters was very insistent that I could not have any type of possible infections going on anywhere in my body before surgery. Plus a big thing to know is DO NOT shave or get any cuts before surgery because they will send you home. One of the biggest reasons I went with Dr. Peters besides him being a good surgeon is that every time I called his office, his assistant Kailey got right back to me. It is important to me that I can get answers after surgery if something doesn't go right and I wanted a Doctor that I would get answers from right away. His assistant Kailey is the best!! She was with me the whole way from the beginning to the follow up. She helped me through the whole process. I am 2 weeks post surgery now and I feel pretty good. I am eating regular foods and sometimes I feel I am still swollen inside, I remind myself I am only 2 weeks out. I am very happy with my choice of surgeon and how everything went. I highly recommend Dr. Peters.

Dermatology..good experience..referred by a friend. Nice office staff. All around a good experience.read more