I had an appointment scheduled for more than six months with Dr. Karen Jones in Duke Neurosurgery. I traveled from Hawaii at very significant financial, physical, and emotional cost for this consultation. Prior to the visit, Duke had access to over 40 pages of medical records, imaging summaries, neurological evaluations, and supporting documentation regarding my medically complex condition, including genetically confirmed CMT2A2, prior cervical and lumbar fusion surgeries, severe chronic pain, and progressive neurological decline. Despite this extensive preparation and the length of time the appointment had been scheduled, I never actually saw Dr. Jones. I was seen only by a nurse practitioner, who informed me that based primarily on the most recent MRI imaging I brought with me, there was "no surgical target" and nothing Neurosurgery could offer. At no point during the six months leading up to this visit was it clearly communicated to me that the entire consultation outcome would depend almost exclusively on direct review of one recent MRI disc rather than the extensive records already submitted. I repeatedly expressed concern before traveling that I did not want to come all the way from Hawaii if my case was not considered appropriate for the department. I was never told that the consultation might effectively be ruled out based on the interpretation of a single MRI study. I was later told that this had supposedly been communicated through MyChart, but I never received such a message. The interaction itself was deeply distressing and lacking in compassion. I was already emotionally overwhelmed due to repeated referral difficulties within the Duke system and the extreme burden of navigating complex medical care while in severe pain. Rather than receiving guidance, continuity, or referral assistance, I felt abruptly dismissed. No meaningful next-step referrals were offered during the visit despite my medically complex history and the fact that multiple physicians in Hawaii, including my neurologist and primary care physician, believed further neurosurgical evaluation was appropriate. I was particularly distressed that nerve conduction studies and neurological findings from my treating physicians appeared to be brushed aside without serious discussion. My understanding from my neurologist was that chronic nerve compression below my lumbar fusion remained a significant concern, especially given the limitations of imaging interpretation in the presence of spinal hardware. I also found it upsetting that my BMI was highlighted prominently in the chart despite being only slightly above the "normal" range. In the context of a patient presenting with severe chronic pain, neurological disease, prior fusion surgeries, and significant functional decline, this felt unnecessary and shaming. By the end of the encounter, I was emotionally devastated. I had already requested a social worker before the appointment because I feared how emotionally fragile I had become during this process. The social worker who later met with me witnessed the severity of my distress. My concern is not simply that surgery was declined. I understand specialists may disagree on treatment options. My concern is the way this process was handled: the lack of transparency before travel, the absence of direct physician consultation after such an extensive wait and preparation process, the dismissive tone of the interaction, and the complete lack of coordinated transition planning or compassionate referral guidance for a medically vulnerable out-of-state patient. read more

Care is wonderful! Very sympathetic staff. Quality experts and worth the trip. Need to use valet parking or you will be walking a mile. Flat price of $16 but worth it. read more

The staff at this location are very nice and create a good initial experience. However, my issues are mainly with the doctors. I have seen two different doctors, and both seemed more interested in referring me elsewhere than addressing my concerns directly. Referred here by my primary doctor, my first appointment started well. The nurse manager was understanding and professional, promptly arranging for me to see a new doctor that same day. The initial appointment went smoothly, with an MRI and X-rays ordered to confirm findings. However, the problems began at the second appointment. After messaging Dr. Carter about my pain spreading to my upper back, I was advised to go to physical therapy. Today, when I called seeking advice for pain relief since over-the-counter medications weren't helping, I was again told to just continue physical therapy and wait for my next appointment. I reached out to the patient advocate, who informed me that Dr. Carter would provide something for the pain, but his assistant later said I needed bloodwork before any medication could be given. While I understand the need for thoroughness, I asked if there was any interim recommendation for pain relief but received no response. My advice: try to get everything addressed while you're at the appointment, as it's challenging to get help in between visits. read more

I am having chronic pain after spinal surgery from last August. Fusion because of spinal stenosis. Surgery done by Dr Crutcher. I had no pain before, since the surgery Ive been really suffering. My original pain doctor ;doctor Runyon, tried a procedure that didn't work. That was after a lot of time waiting. The procedure didn't work he told me there was nothing else he could do for me and gave me opiates. He left for a few months so I got a new pain PA Mr Carr.lHe gave me more opiates but didn't try anything else it wasn't until then that I got an MRI all that time they didn't know what was wrong with me. I did some research online and discovered other things that could help me. After that I went to see Dr Liu. She strike me as being very smart and helpful she read my MRI which had just been done after all that time! , She said I had a pinched nerve and bulging disks. She advised me to get an epidural at my upper spine area injecting steroids. I have just had the injections at the upper spine and am waiting for the pain to go away. It may take up to 3 weeks. Im feeling like im getting quick results with Dr Liu and I don't understand the bad reviews. I had given up until I went to her! All iin all, I feel like it was ridiculous to have me me endure such terrible pain for so long. Im hoping that my procedure from yesterday will be successful. My take: if nothing is working and you're kept waiting, immediately find a new doctor until you're satisfied I learned about the epidural online I suggested it to my PA and he kind of brushed it off. Then I went to doctor Liu. She was extremely receptive about the epidural and I had it right away. If you're not getting results take it into your own hands and research! Be your own advocate! read more

I've had a very negative experience at Duke Regional Hospital Spine and Neurosciences to date. I was referred to the facilitate by my rheumatologist after my PT advised me to get a referral to a neurosurgeon because I had numbness in my left arm and was frequently dropping things. The PT said the symptoms could suggest nerve root damage. My initial appointment was with a PA, who ordered X-rays. The X-rays showed 8 thoracic fractures; however, there is some question as to whether the fractures are new or have been there a while. The PA ordered an MRI, which is scheduled a few weeks from now. My complaint is against the poor patient care and communication skills. Initially, the computer system was down, and the PA told me she would call to go over my X-ray results and send them to my patient portal so we could go over them together. She did not. I sent a message through the patient portal asking whether I should restrict my activities. I work a 10-acre farm, take Pilates, and engage in other activities that can frequently result in a fall. I also asked about an MRI of my cervical spine since that was my presenting problem. She didn't answer my question, and said no MRI of the cervical spine was required despite the numbness in my arm and a previous MRI in 2017 showing cervical stenosis. I wrote a second email asking again if I should restrict my activities. She wrote back saying it was hard to say at this point and gave me no guidance as to what I could or should refrain from doing, at least temporarily. Yet, everything I have found from the Mayo Clinic and other reputable medical facilities indicate that even after a fracture is healed, you should not engage in certain activities: those with a high risk of falls, twisting motions of the spine, and more. I do all of these activities on a daily basis. The level of patient care I experienced was poor at best. After getting the MRI and obtaining the results, I hope to experience better. If not, I will be getting a second opinion outside of this facility. So far, I'm not impressed. I've worked with many other specialists at Duke to date, and this is my first negative experience. At this point, I cannot recommend this facility. read more

So happy I came here 4 years ago after a nightmare in Virginia. Now here with a friend who's surgery did not go as planned and they are fixing another doctors mess. First time I have seen my friend happy and without pain in a long time. Never disappointed when it comes to duke! read more

Saw Dr. Sergio Mendoza for a chronic lumbar spine injury. He seemed compassionate and capable leading to the day of surgery. Once I was partially sedated, he came into the pre surgical suite and was in a very irritated state for whatever reason. It was obvious he wasn't in a good mental state for surgery but I was already sedated mildly. When I awoke from the procedure he was still irritated and upset that I was in pain from having metal screws and rods fixated in my spine! He wanted me to leave that day apparently because he didn't want me there through the weekend. Because I had to stay, he ordered pain management to place me on hallucinogenic drugs and I didn't see him again until Monday. I had no idea where I was and had to get a family member to plead with hospital staff to take me off of these drugs. They did, and when he arrived on Monday I confronted him and his staff about it. they ignored me, discharged me and that was it. after several weird post surgical interactions over 60 days including complications that he refused to be attentive to, I tried to see other surgeons at Duke. They also we're dismissive due to their allegiance to Dr. Mendoza. Now 18 months later and with some peripheral nerve damage and permanent disability after this procedure, I am left without anyone at Duke willing to properly assess my spine. read more

Horrible experience and a huge waste of money. I can't speak to the other doctors at the Duke Spine Center but my experience with Dr. Guo was horrible. After being in physical therapy for 6 weeks and getting no relief from my pain, my primary referred me there, saying they would be able to address my pain so that my PT would hopefully have a more positive effect and my life can get back to normal. Dr. Guo is not the least bit interested in my discomfort or the effects of the pain on my life. He only suggests I continue PT and it should get better albeit slowly. This has been going on for 3 months now. Stay away from Duke Spine Center. read more

They were great pre-procedure and convincing you of their credentials to do your surgery, but after care is fairly non-existent, especially if no improvement or other issues-then they just keep making excuses on why not to see you and give a different answer everytime you ask the same question. read more

Do not trust Duke's grading system. It is extremely hard for me to believe Dr. Erickson has earned 4 1/2 stars! She is the last person I would trust as a spinal surgeon or someone to give spinal advice. She is extremely arrogant, rude, and was very late to an early morning appointment. Beyond that, she had absolutely no concern for the patient. I have no idea why she went into this field of work when she clearly does not care about patients or helping to lessen spinal pain. The referral to her was a waste of time and money. Our second opinion was heads and shoulders above her. Don't waste your time. Go elsewhere. If you have a Duke physician refer you here, insist that your referral is to a decent specialty clinic with a doctor who knows what they are doing. You'll be glad you did. read more