Dr. Valone replaced my c7 disc in a procedure I am telling everyone was close to miraculous! All…read morethe pain and discomfort shooting down my arm due tp nerve impingement IMMEDIATELY AND COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED. His review and recommendation, based on MRI and physical review, was clear and concise. Setting up and preparing for the procedure was super easy and amazingly fast. I recommend Dr. Valone without hesitation and with great enthusiasm.

Dr Valone is kind and patient, and an excellent surgeon. He listened carefully to my questions and…read moreanswered them thoughtfully. Surgeons are sometimes thought of as not having a good bedside manner. Not true with Dr Valone. He's got your back. His team is also very helpful. Knowing I'll have future needs for a spine expert, I'm comforted knowing Dr. Valone will be there.

I am so grateful for the incredible care and caring I have always received at UCSF. Specifically,…read moreregarding my recent spinal surgery, Dr. Mummaneni and his team, Dr. Buckley and Jordan who handles patient scheduling and questions/problems, have been wonderful. In fact, every person I have encountered at UCSF has been outstanding. Dr. Mummaneni has been assiduous about ensuring I had all necessary tests and imaging before making any recommendations. My surgery was successful and I am recovering well. It is impressive that Dr. Mummaneni, a highly skilled and respected neurosurgeon who I know is incredibly busy, has taken the time to show me personal warmth and explain the source of and solutions to my back problems. Dr. Buckley has also been extremely patient and helpful about answering my questions and concerns. At a time of deteriorating quality of service in so many fields, including health care, I feel fortunate to have access to such a remarkable facility and exceptional professionals.

I never thought I would need a neurosurgeon, let along at the age of 35. Ironically, I was…read morescheduled to take a week of vacation because I was planning my to go to Disney Land and finally explore the new Star Wars Land and Tiana's Bayou adventure. Instead, I needed a neurosurgeon. See, I use my hands for my job and I am hypermobile. I think this makes me prone to literally being being out of shape, and apparently there is a name for this rare, but somewhat-common-in-Koreans, arthritis: OPLL. Well, I've had neck pain pretty much my whole adult life and constant cervicogenic headaches. I've learned how to maintain myself for the most part but on August 16, 2024, I woke up and couldn't really lift my right arm. It kinda hung there limply by my side, but I just thought my shoulder must be exceptionally stiff from being overworked. I reverted to my routine of resting, stretching and applying heat and taking NSAIDs. It marginally got better but five days later at work, I couldn't lift my arm at all and had to use my left hand to keep my right arm up at work. So I went to the Parnassus ER, where (although I was gaslit by a very grumpy nurse who is burned out and I just appreciate showed up to her thankless job in the ER so people like me could get care) the triaging NP diagnosed my sudden neuro weakness and consulted neurosurgery. As you can tell from the photos, my spinal cord was being squished by a herniated disc at C5/C6. For YEARS, I've been having chronic pain and increased neurological deficits, just thinking I was aging and becoming middle aged. After a course of medrol and a new C5/C6 artificial disc replacement, I have a new lease on life. New neck, new life! I am so appreciative to Dr. Tan and his team for explaining my condition (as thoroughly as neurosurgeon can lol) and treating it promptly. He took my job into account, as well as my personal health, and he chose the best route for me - which was to remove the destroyed disc and replace it at that one level minimally evasively but not fusing the posterior/back part of that neck that had OPLL arthritis. Although Dr Tan warned me I'd still have posterior pain since he went in anteriorly and didn't correct the posterior compression, I got much better sensation in that part of my neck so the posterior compression is actually a lot better now too with surgery, PT, personal training and strict personal ergonomic adherence. I just had my one year follow up with Dr Tan's clinical fellow, and I really appreciated the explanation and care. I am so grateful to UCSF ER, neurosurgery, and peri/surgical teams taking care of me. From the house staff who shared with me how she lost her sense of smell that devastated her when she was an aspiring cook, to the resident who was working over 24 hours and still treated me with dignity and respect - I will never forget the simple kindness afforded to me in the hardest of times. That was the worst night of my life, but I wouldn't have wanted to have it anywhere else but at UCSF.

I now know what needs to be done to correct my back issue. Dr.Kim is great! She is knowledgeable…read moreand empathetic.

I'm writing this review about a year after I met with Dr. Kim…read more I'm 30 years old and have been struggling with chronic lumbar pain for two years at that point. I do my research, and she also came recommended by a friend; so I was really looking forward to getting some valuable insights and hopefully solutions. Unfortunately, I left her office crying out of hopelessness. Since then, I have met with three other doctors who unlike her, gave me hope, provided actual solutions and recommendations to ease or eliminate my pain. Dr. Kim not only made me feel like a serious inconvenience to her day during our appointment; but she was also short, had terrible bed-side manner, got irritated and condescending when I asked questions, and provided really stupid solutions. As an example, she told me I should stop working out if I feel pain afterwards, eat my meals standing up since "sitting is America's downfall", or just fuse my spine if I was worried about further degeneration in my disc. I was devastated, vulnerable and didn't think to question how dire she made my situation sound since she came so well reviewed. THANK GOD I got other opinions. She might be the worst doctor I've ever seen. Could very well have been an 'off day' for her.. but it made a really huge impact on my morale, emotional and physical wellbeing for months thereafter. Did I mention I found out today from a different doctor that I'M MISSING A VERTEBRAE? Baastrupp disease. How could she have missed that, or thought it irrelevant to mention.. is beyond me. Never again.

Dr. Ames is one of the best spine surgeons in the world (no exaggeration here...). I had two…read moresurgeries with him, 2011 and 2017. Both were successful. I came at the second surgery in a wheelchair due to my scoliosis and degenerative changes in the spine. I left walking without any pain after 2 days in hospital. His team is is outstanding, Crystal Bravate is a great PA with lots of knowledge and understanding and the nurses at UCSF are the best. I am thankful.

Dr Ames completed a very complex surgery on my spine, fusing 16 vertebrae. The scoliosis curve was…read more80 degree with spina bifida (Diastematomyelia) lumbar area. My 3rd back surgery (two previous by different specialist) upon completion Dr. Ames told us that the degree of severity with my back was a 9 1/2 with 10 being the worst. Prior to surgery I took pain medicine around the clock, could barely walk, and mentally to a point of giving up. I am now 3 months post op, pain free (most of the day), walking 1 mile several times a week and learning to live with the hardware installation of rods and screws ; ) It's a great feeling to live relatively pain free, walking and enjoying my life again. Thank you Dr. Ames

Dr. Oshtory is a personal friend but I went to see him as a patient 2 years ago. I had a nagging…read morelower back pain for many years. He did an examination to check if there were any issues with my back. Fortunately the fix was simple which he recommended taking daily walks. The goal was taking an hour walk every day. He assured me this will alleviate the issue. 6 months after practicing his recommendation, I worked up to taking 15k steps daily. My lower back pain miraculously disappeared! In addition I lost 20 pounds and started to look healthy and feel healthier! It changed my life dramatically. Thank you so much Dr. Oshtory for recommending a simple and effective method to lowering my back pain. It is easy to give up after not seeing results in a week. But just like anything in life, it takes time and dedication. I'm so happy that I stuck with his recommendation.

Dr. Oshtory is the best orthopedic/spine surgeon in the Bay Area. He grew up in Stockton, CA…read more(Lincoln High School!), graduated from MIT with a mechanical engineering degree with a minor in biology, earned an MD/MBA from UCLA Medical School, then completed his residency and fellowship in Orthopedic/Spine Surgery at Stanford, where he taught for a few years. Dr. Oshtory towers over you at 6'3" tall and is both brilliant and kind -- he's quick and accurate, reads MRIs and diagnoses both common and rare problems like a superhuman AI with two decades of surgical experience. I was amazed that he only needed a 10 min read of my images and a basic test to diagnose the root cause of my complex problems. Dr. Oshtory has great communication skills and bedside manner and his office manager runs a pleasant and efficient office. His partner Konrad Ng, MD is an expert in physical therapy, so you will get the best full-service surgery experience from diagnosis to surgery to recovery. When you are in pain and need to have the most competent orthopedic/spine surgeon with impeccable CPMC, Stanford, UCLA credentials, Dr. Oshtory should be the first surgeon you call.

Dimitriy Kondrashov, M.D. http://sfspine.com…read more I've been seen by many spine specialist over the last 40 years. I presented Doctor Kondrashov with my most recent CD with the written report (within the last 3 years) of the MRI's of my spine. He felt he needed a more recent view and ordered a lower MRI which shows I'm a candidate for surgery. However, I was told if I can live with the pain then do so. He also ordered an upper one for the pain I'm having in this area and inquired what percentage is your concern between these two areas. He did a thorough intake and noted my areas of concern unlike the others I had been to just showing me the images of my spine on a monitor, suggesting I'm a candidate for injections. He then provided me with a seven page report. I will be seeing him soon to find out what my upper MRI shows and decide what options he may suggest. In closing, I also want to also thank his office staff Carla and Linda, plus his P/A for their kind and compassionate concern they have for us patients! http://sfspine.com

From the owner: San Francisco Spine Surgeons evolved from the work of Dr. Lloyd W. Taylor, who came to St. Mary's…read moreMedical Center in 1963. Dr. Taylor was the second-most decorated medical officer in the Second World War. He was Chief of the Orthopaedic Department at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., and Chief of Staff at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco. He was named to become Surgeon General of the United States Army, but he decided to come to San Francisco to start the San Francisco Orthopaedic Residency Program. Dr. James Zucherman and Dr. Ken Hsu were educated and trained by Dr. Taylor. In 1965, Dr. Gar Wynne joined Dr. Taylor and began doing spine surgery. In 1972, Dr. Arthur White joined Dr. Taylor and Dr. Wynne. He was sent around the world to work with the most renowned spine experts. He completed a spine surgery fellowship under Dr. Leon Wiltse. Dr. White was chosen to be the first international orthopaedic spine fellow. Dr. White developed the first back school in the U.S., realizing that patient education was key to success for maximizing results in spine care. This is an educational program that teaches practical information about care of the spine, posture, body mechanics, and conservative treatment and prevention of back problems. We believe that even if surgery is necessary, it is only part of the total rehabilitation program, which includes the education provided in back school.

Dr. Oshtory is a lifesaver…read more After having severe, disabling back and leg pain for many years, I woke up from ATEC surgery with that pain GONE. Sure, I still had to recover from surgery, but I was walking that night and was discharged from the Pacific Surgery Center 23 hours post-op. I had severe central chord stenosis, many arthropathies, and an L5 anterolisthesis. I had been through all kinds of physical therapies, with limited success. Pilates kept me going. Steroid injections, once effective for up to 6 months, no longer gave me relief. I had avoided surgery for years, after seeing the hardware that would be installed for L4-5 fusion. When I realized I couldn't avoid surgery any longer, I was referred to two different surgeons.Dr. Oshtory was my second opinion. The first doctor offered me a medieval sounding 6 hour procedure with surgery through the front and back. My stenosis would be fixed with laminectomies. Donor bone would jack up my L4-5 where my disc was basically gone. Transfusions were probable. Screws and a V-shaped plate would be installed on the outside of my spine. I could expect a 5-7 day hospital stay. I'd be wearing a brace after surgery. It sounded horrible. So, I got my second opinion. Dr. Oshtory was confident without being arrogant. He was kind and thoughtful in my initial consultation. He offered me a fantastic alternative: an ATEC procedure. Surgery was through my right side. The remains of my disc were removed and replaced with a box (full of a bone-growth stimulating gel) which was screwed in place. During surgery he pulled my L5 into alignment through a small incision in my back, and the whole thing was screwed together with hardware flush to the bone. And he did this in about an hour. He said in my initial consult that I didn't need laminectomies (which would disturb the micro-musculature around the spine) for the stenosis because once my spine was in proper alignment, nothing would be impinging my nerves or the central chord. He was right. I have two tiny scars. I needed pain medication regularly for about a week, then much less over the next week, and almost none by the third week. At 4 weeks and 4 days out, I don't need any. After what I endured for all those years, even the uncomfortable parts of healing are a pleasure. I can walk 4 miles a day without a problem, as long as I am mindful about my posture and holding my core. (I appreciate that Dr. Oshtory considers how much effort a patient can or will put into recovery. A few years of Pilates definitely helped.) I read all of the Yelp reviews of Dr. Oshtory before my surgery. I was struck that the great reviews were from those he operated on and the one-star reviews were from patients not offered surgical solutions. I think he'd operate if he thought he could help. Too bad all surgeons don't have that kind of principled restraint. Any time I had questions I just emailed them to his office and they were answered right away. Camila, who runs his office, is kind, supportive, and diligent. I am absolutely satisfied with the treatment I received from Dr. Oshtory. Highly recommended. P.S. I do suggest if you have this surgery you get a bedrail that slides under your mattress, to support getting in and out of bed properly. PSS. I originally wrote this review 8 months ago but I needed to edit so I'm reposting. I'm now 10 months out and feeling fantastic, never had any issues or complications. Totally satisfied.

I am a physician in SF and have the experience of sending patients to many different surgeons in…read morethe Bay Area. When it came time to have my own family treated for complex spine problems, I couldn't recommend anyone more highly than Dr. Oshtory. He performed a minimally invasive procedure to correct a complex problem left over from prior spine surgery on my father-in-law. My father-in-law has made a miraculous recovery. At three months since surgery, he is now enjoying a pain-free and fully functional life again! Dr. Oshtory has a brilliant career ahead, as he is rapidly becoming the surgeon's surgeon. Other spine surgeons that we consulted with admitted that they even send their own cases to Dr. Oshtory as his outcomes are so good. Dr. Oshtory, my family and I want to thank you for all the years of dedication to your art and practice that have made you such a great surgeon! THANK YOU!

My left knee needed replacement. I had a right knee replacement a couple years earlier, however…read morethat wonderful surgeon retired so this time I chose Dr. Barry. I have had an epically fantastic experience. Everyone involved has been professional, accessible & on schedule for appointments & any follow-up inquiries I had. I live in Marin so after the first appointment in SF, all other care, including the surgery occurred in Marin. Having had a prior replacement, which was relatively easy for me, I knew what to expect. If that was easy, this has been a breeze. I was standing without holding onto anything immediately after surgery. No trouble sleeping all night in a comfortable position. Followed all PT exercises as recommended. Now, at the 4-month mark I can walk 4-5 miles a day with no stiffness or pain & I'm walking up/down stairs the right way. Both of those took 7 months last time. I am extremely pleased. Highly recommend Dr. Barry. He's an excellent surgeon.

I will never go to this clinic ever again. There use to be a doctor there Brian feeley. He is a…read moreracists pig. He will only treat you with the utmost care if you are white. he neglected my torn pectoral muscle tear and refused to treat me after seeing me once. He pushed me to another doctor which was a non surgeon and the clinic refused to let me see any other doctor. i dealt with them several years after that and i finally refused to go see them. It turns out my pectoral muscle tear was never addressed properly and now i have lifelong pain. Had Brian feeley not be a racists pig and treated it properly ASAP the tendon tear could have been fixed properly ASAP. Racists pigs like him doesnt deserve any recognition at all. Let this be known as i am a clear victim of malpractice by this entire clinic and its staff. He gets level negative stars. Along with this clinic

We're so grateful for the wonderful care our mom received here while recovering from bilateral hip…read morereplacement. Everyone was kind, caring, and attentive, and the facility was clean, warm, and welcoming. DON, Ms. Ellen, and Administrator Mr. Basa were especially friendly and made us feel right at home. The food was fresh and tasty, with alternative options. Most importantly, we had peace of mind knowing our mom was treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. We truly appreciate the entire team!

My experiences at the Avenues is great. The staff are so helpful, have so much fun with the…read moreActivity Staff, a lots of activities. They serve a good food and alternate menu is available so resident can order food that they enjoy eating. Great place to stay. I have been a resident here at The Avenues. I'm grateful to tell you about my experience on our new Kitchen Manager/Supervisor Ate Monaliza D. She's a kind and very friendly. Every morning she will greet Good morning to the Residents and staff. Ask does the residents enjoy and how the food is. She makes the residents happy and smile. Brighten the day. Very happy to have her as a TA Staff team. Thank you Miss Mona keep up the good job. Ms. Dalielah J. She's spontaneous, friendly. When you need a friend to talk too I strongly recommend to talk to her. Lovable and warm hearted. I'm proud to have her on TA Staff team. Thank you Dalielah keep up the hard work.

Dr. Halbrecht is simply the best. LOOK NO FURTHER!…read moreHe operated on my right rotator cuff several years ago from a sports injury. My outcome was perfection. I did precisely what he said to do to ensure full recovery. I was back doing push-ups, weights, lifting, everything and more I did prior to surgery, and only with a magnifying glass can you see 3 pin scars, basically no scarring. Further, my right shoulder hurt, I had to see a shoulder doctor close to my location. He recommended PT 10 weeks 2 X a week said it was a complicated, rare injury intimating surgery if PT didn't work. I saw Dr. Halbrecht today, he gave me a cortisone shot, would Not recommend PT, said I may need another shot would be fine back to training! Thank you Dr. H!!

I have a fractured tibial plateau near my knee from being the pedestrian in a pedestrian vehicular…read moreaccident. I got an MRI at Dr Halbrecht's office and then went for a first consultation with the doctor. Dr Halbrecht seems like a perfectly competent doctor and I'm sure his medical advice is sound. It's his communication style and "bed side manner" that I didn't connect with. I asked about something the MRI technician told me and he responded "oh mri technicians don't know anything about this". While examining my knee he put a lot of pressure on it which hurt, without giving me a heads up saying "this might hurt a bit". He was incredibly brief and didn't share with me any advantages and disadvantages of recommended treatment options. Any one of these may not be a big deal, but all of these together was a signal to me that i'd prefer a different provider. If Dr Halbrecht were my only medical option, I would use him, since again his medical advice seemed sound. However since he estimated it'll be ~6 months for treatment, I chose to switch to see a different doctor for my treatment.