Kimberly Walpert is the best! 20 years ago she advised me to avoid neck surgery because she wasn't…read morepositive it was worth the risk, and I am happy I've followed her advise. During the last few months of 2025 I herniated the first disc above my tailbone, the pain got so bad that I couldn't walk, sit, drive, sleep and the pain pills became ineffective. Dr. Walpert motivated my insurance company to expedite an MRI, and Kimberly performed surgery mid December ... I walked out of recovery that same day! Everything she, her great staff and surgical team said would happen did happen. Book an appointment if your issues are related to her area of expertise and she will help you if she can... she will also be honest and tell you straight up if surgery won't help you and that it could actually make the problem worse. Also, you probably know someone that she has already helped, I have met many of her patients and all of them love her.

Took time, answered all my many questions. I'm confident she explored all options. I will continue…read moreto see her.

I had rotator cuff surgery on 1/16/25 for a full thickness tear of two ligaments, debriding, and…read moreother issues. The OR staff was wonderful, very attentive and kept me informed of everything that they were doing. HOWEVER: two issues that makes them less than "5" in this rating: 1) It took nearly two hours to be called to PreOp. This is many times longer than I have had to wait on any of my other five or so other surgeries. no explanation was given for the delay, no apology. I'm old, and this was major surgery and I resent being stressed to this degree; and 2) I was given a number to call with post op. questions, ending in -1663. On 1/18, I called that number, and could not connect to a person. After several attempts, I called another number, which said it was the "direct contact number" (3119) for the doctor's nurse. The call was routed to her answering machine, which explained that she would be away from her desk until Tuesday (!), and would call back then, quite uselessly. My understanding of 'direct contact" is different from this. I then called back the 1663, and, after a considerable time, was finally able to get someone to pick up an extension. I explained the issue, and he said he'd have to transfer me to the nurses' station. The next thing I knew, I was hearing the same recording from 3119, telling me I'd get a call back Tuesday. I called the 1663 again, and no one would pick up a line. Had I not had major surgery just two days before, and were not incapacitated from pain and narcotics, I might have kept trying; but I finally just gave up and Googled thus and another question that arose later. The nurse did call today, as promise. I explained my experience, and she said that she was in the OR with the doctor on Mondays, as if this somehow excused the fact that I had no person to answer my questions immediately following surgery. This is not okay, not acceptable, and should be addressed before someone is hurt. PostOp patients need 24/7 support, not lines that are not answered.

Ive been going to AOC for six years. Over the past two years something has changed. Appointments…read moreare extended out weeks, evens months. Long long wait times on phone to schedule an appointment. Scheduling online is the pits and if you need to cancel online, good luck figureing out where to cancel. Barbara is the biggest idiot of all. AOC has changed and not for the better. Who's manageing this company besides no one.

Dr. Bruner and the staff are all wonderful. I have had 4 surgeries with Dr. Bruner and each one has…read morebeen a success. The staff is always friendly, and I never have to wait long for my appointment. I highly recommend Georgia Neurological Surgery and Comprehensive Spine to anyone in need of a neurosurgeon.

Dr. Bruner and staff have been wonderful. Dr. Bruner did a neck fusion on me. I started healing…read morequickly and now I feel like a new person. Able to turn my head easily both ways and neck pain is completely gone. Takes time to explain what is going on and what to expect. Could not have been a better experience.

My problem began with pain from the left side of my lower back that radiated down my left leg. My…read moreprimary care physician did an x-ray and didn't see anything so he set me up for physical therapy sessions. The first session went well enough and the pain subsided but, within weeks it came back with a vengeance. I suffered through three more therapy sessions, each one with a different therapist. None of their efforts gave me any relief and I actually felt much worse after each session. When I went to my fifth therapy session, the therapist wanted to have me get on a stationary bicycle. I told her I could barely walk in, I sure as hell couldn't get on a bicycle. That's when I came to the realization that physical therapy was not going to work for me. The first orthopedic surgeon I was referred to looked at my x-rays and sent me to a sports medicine facility in Spartanburg where they injected my lower back with a medication that was supposed to relieve my pain. After the lidocaine that was included in the shot wore off later that evening, I was in as much pain as before the shot. When I called the orthopedic surgeon's office, I was told my only options for relief were hot or cold compresses, ibuprofen, or a pain relief patch, all of which I had already tried with no luck. I suffered unrelenting pain most days for about six months. I could barely put on my pants every day and it was very painful to walk, sit, or ride in a car. At around this time, my mother-in-law fell, broke her shoulder, and had to have surgery to fix it. My wife was telling my mother-in-law's surgeon's assistant about my troubles while the surgeon was nearby. The surgeon asked my wife to show where my pain was located and he immediately said that it was a back issue. They set me up with an appointment to see a colleague of my mother-in-law's surgeon at Piedmont Orthopaedics, Dr. Van Pelt. I went to see Dr. Van Pelt and he ordered an MRI. I went for a follow up visit after the MRI and Dr. Van Pelt didn't initially see the problem but continued to study the MRI. He finally located the pinched nerve. He took his time and explained the problem and his recommended treatment. He recommended ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) surgery. It has now been almost three weeks since my surgery and I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Van Pelt, his assistant Kimberly, the vascular surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and all of the nurses and staff at St. Francis Hospital. I always felt like I received the highest standard of care with excellent communication as to what was being done and what to expect, and I was discharged after only one night's stay. I have experienced a lot of relief from the pain I was having. To be honest there are some minor lingering discomforts but that was to be expected and truthfully, my recovery has been far easier and quicker than I anticipated. I am doing my best to follow Dr. Van Pelt's recommendations for limiting my activities but I fully anticipate a complete recovery in short order. I highly recommend Dr. Van Pelt and Piedmont Orthopaedics.

Excellent surgeon. Sometimes you have to ask for him. He has an assistant that doesn't always know…read moreif a surgery is possible. Dr van pelt can figure out how to get it done. Highly recommend him.

So I normally, don't have the time to write reviews. But I have to say that Dr Crider is absolutely…read more % Amazing. In today's world its difficult to impossible to find doctors that care and take a real interest in your well being. His team is absolutely amazing. And even though he is new to Athens I would highly recommend him. If you are suffering in pain, and you have dealt with other doctors that are not taking the time to diagnose the root problem then I suggest that you make an appointment and get in as quickly to his new state of the art facility. I have severe back problems with my cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar and I can say that I have got alot of relief. He has done Epidurals, Facet Ingections, RFA radio frequency Ablations to burn out the nervs causing pain. Whats impressive about his team, they have got approvals from my insurance company in 10 days. My other pain mgmt doctor took 2 yrs of absolutely not taking the time to fight for you. Dr Crider and his amazing team will fight for you. Give them a try I promise you will not be disappointed.

From the owner: At Origins, we provide the very best treatment for painful spine and joint conditions by utilizing…read morethe most advanced minimally invasive procedures, allowing a rapid return to a happier and more productive life. Patients have an individualized plan of care to treat the source of their pain rather than treating the symptoms alone. We exist to usher in a new innovative era becoming the definitive leader in interventional pain medicine right here in Athens, GA. We treat: - Spine pain - Joint Pain - Vertebral Compression Fractures - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Sacroiliac Joint Pain - Headaches

Dr. Betsy Grunch has performed spinal surgery on both myself and my wife with as good as possible…read moreresults considering the injuries. I personally had used another well respected surgeon previously with poor results and Dr. Grunch was able to get me back to a pain free life. Also, my wife had had a fall and completely wrecked her neck and upper spine. She also had a poor outcome with a previous Surgeon and decided to enlist Dr. Grunch for help. She was able to, after a seven hour surgery, stabilize my wife's neck and get her out of most pain and give her her life back. If you need a doctor with Dr. Grunch's skills, I don't think you can find anyone and better in the Southeast. She is very caring and concerned about her patience's and the outcome. Also our experience with her staff was always exceptional. Very caring and professional.

Dr. Grunch was one of 3 surgeons and 3 D.O.s a member of my family visited with and she was…read moreeventually chosen for the needed cervical spine surgery. Dr. Grunch was chosen because she was the only one who'd suggested a disc replacement surgery wasn't just possible but was the best option based on age and quality of life factors. She was attentive and thorough. Following the procedure Dr. Grunch came into recovery to speak with us. She stated that based on what she found while doing surgery, and was not obvious in the MRI and x-rays, she could easily have gone the disc fusion path, however she kept in mind our discussions, consultations, and the desired quality of life which disc replacement provides better opportunity for better results. Because of this Dr. Grunch took the extra time and effort to stay the course and perform the Disc Replacement surgery. I've no doubt my family member, now 2 weeks post-op and doing quite well, will be much better off as a result. Dr. Grunch is an excellent surgeon and anyone needing back or neck surgery would be wise to make an appointment with her. It took a long time for us to get into see her however it was worth the wait. As an FYI, the two other surgeons we'd seen both recommended fusion and stated disc replacement was not an option...when apparently not only was it an option, but the best path. Dr. Grunch must be an amazing surgeon because there were little to no pain issues whatsoever and zero mechanical issues within days of the surgery. We're very happy we listened to our friend who'd recommended Dr. Grunch!

The Team at Southeastern Neurosurgical is AMAZING!!! Dr. Charles Opalak is my neurosurgeon and I…read morewouldn't trade him in for anything in the world! He truly does care about his patients, all of the doctors at this practice care about their patients. Prisma Neurosurgicla & Spine is where you want to go for top-notch care and doctors, whose bedside manners are way above 5 stars. I would recommend this practice to everyone who needs help with their brain, nerves, and bones. You won't regret going here at all! I want to thank Dr. Opalak and everyone there, who took care of me, and are helping me get back to where I was before.

Dr James was recommended to me by another surgeon. From my first visit I could tell this Surgeon…read morecares about his patients. He reviewed my X-rays in the room with me. He explains everything. He sent me for an MRI. My second visit -he hugged me like I was an old friend and not Just a patient. I had multiple problems at the time of my visit. I chose to have my knees replaced before having any back surgery. In the waiting room - several patients remarked how "I Was in the right place. He Is the Best." They also told me that "He gave them their life back". One lady in her 40's or 50's told me that both she and her husband had back surgery - both successful!" I only have one problem- now that I am ready to have surgery- Dr James doesn't take my Insurance.

I was in extreme pain before going to Atlanta Spine Institute. Dr. James took his time and…read moreexplained everything to me two weeks later I had surgery and now I'm back walking and feeling so much better. I'm not 100% but I'm in so much better shape than before. I highly recommend Atlanta Spine Institue.

I used Anesthesia Consultants of Athens for a surgery that I had at St. Mary's hospital. Although I…read morehad no complaints about the experience in the hospital, their billing is not good. I received the claim on my insurance portal about two weeks later, and called them to verify amount, services, etc. Their office does not handle any of their own billing. This was inconvenient for me to have to call another company to discuss/pay my bill. They don't seem to care in the least about delivering good service to their patients over the phone after you've used them. I hope that they will put some practices into place soon that will continue to give good service to patients after their procedures as well. They have some area for improvement without a doubt.

They issue bills well beyond what your insurance will pay without any explanation or itemization,…read morethen threaten to sell your account to a collections agency which hurts your credit score. It's a scam. But posting here doesn't help -- If you have been harmed by this company, post a review of your surgeon who ultimately decides who will anesthetize you. Mention Anesthesia Consultants by name. They'll get the picture.