He's an predator of healthy black men. Be carefull letting this dude cut on your spine. He will…read morehandicap you for life and plus do not sign the waiver because you can't get financially compensated for him hurting you. Lastly, he abandoned me after he paralyzed my legs. It took five spine surgeries to even get me on my feet. I'm in pain 24/7...

Dr. Paquette did fusions and I believe discectomy on cervical and lumbar. He used my own stem cells…read moreto help replace a disc. Can't get better than that. He's very thorough has a wonderful bedside manner answers questions to the extent that you understand it and he's always there for you. I was amazed that he used my stem cells. That technique was amazing. He's the best neurosurgeon I've had and I've had 3 including Dr. Paquette. His staff is knowledgeable and helpful. He is amazing and doesn't do levels that don't really need it as another surgeon did my last cervical surgery. Went through the front then flipped me and went through the back of my neck same surgery. I'm in pain 24/7 now. I have degenerative disc disease. His office doesn't accept my new insurance or I would have had him do my 3rd cervical surgery for sure. He's the best. Dr. Paquette did my last lumbar surgery L-4, L-5 & S-1. My lumbar felt so much better after my physical therapy which is extremely important, I still do therapy in the pool on my own which helps my entire neck, thoracic & lumbar plus my osteoarthritis. I highly recommend him if you need any spine surgery.

Very professional!!! Dr. Sasan Yadegar and his staff are so welcoming with excellent interpersonal…read morecommunication skills. I feel blessed in his office. The quality of care is excellent!

I wish I would have at least read these reviews before coming to this doctor. I understand that…read moreevery person will have a unique experience, and mine was definitely discouraging. I had two concerns, one of which he completely dismissed and did not want to discuss further. I waited a long time to see him which I understand that is common in any office but the appointment itself was about 3 minutes long. He ordered 2 tests (CT & MRI) to be done for one of my concerns and when I was scheduling to get those tests done I realized that he ordered the wrong ones. When I called, the front office couldn't do anything to help and even suggested that it is unlikely that he ordered a CT & MRI together. I decided to call my primary doctor and get a new referral for another neurosurgeon. If you do come here, come prepared with your questions and advocate for yourself, & make sure that you document everything.

I am 4 days post-op from an XLIF performed by Dr. Khurana at the Commons Clinic. I am totally…read moreamazed how little discomfort I have following this procedure. From the time I started shopping for surgeons to address my spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, Dr. Khurana was my favorite. His style is personal, concise and thorough. He reviewed my images with me, explained what the problem was and gave me several options (all with corresponding pros&cons) to help me make the final decision. I never once felt pressured or intimidated into moving forward. Once I agreed to the surgery his team took care of everything. Each team member has a role and they all excel at communication. There was not one surprise or miscommunication. The surgical facility itself is top notch, super clean and the team of nurses are compassionate and experienced. They took such great care of me following my surgery. Once home and on my own I had checkins from the post-op coordinator and Dr. Khurana himself calling to check on me. Each day of recovery is better than the day before, which is far and away better than how I was prior to this surgery. I cannot recommend Dr. Khurana any higher, he is a first class surgeon!

Once upon a time, in the not-so-fairy-tale land of Chronic Painville, lived an adventurous soul…read more(that's me!), who, following an automotive misadventure that would make even a stunt driver wince, ended up with a neck and back more twisted than a mystery novel plot - think C6/7 and L5/S1 playing the lead villains in this spine-tingling saga. Picture this: a disc replacement at C-6 and 7 became my immediate quest, as I was in such excruciating pain that moving my neck felt like I was auditioning for the role of a non-flexible robot. Now, disc replacement surgery at the time was the new kid on the block in the US, strutting down the medical runway with its shiny new potential. Lumbar spine, though? Not so much on the VIP list yet. And fusion? Oh, I'd heard the tales of woe and stiffness - a motley crew of friends still in agony or moving like vintage robots post-fusion had me saying, "Thanks, but no thanks." So, there I was, waiting in the wings, pain as my constant companion, for years, dreaming of the day when lumbar disc replacement would hit the mainstream. And let me tell you, the idea of doctors rummaging around the front of my torso gave me the heebie-jeebies - like, serious "Are you sure you don't need a map?" vibes. But then, as the pain crescendoed to a level of unbearable that had me contemplating a career as a human pretzel, I embarked on a quest to find the Merlin of spine surgery. Enter Dr. Khurana - a wizard, a magician, a veritable rock star of the OR. Initially, he was like, "Hmm, your disc has left the building, and we're talking bone-on-bone - wanna see the MRI to prove it? Might have to go the fusion route, but let's give it a whirl." D-Day arrived, and guess what? Dr. Khurana pulled off the impossible with the panache of a maestro conducting a symphony - no fusion, just pure, unadulterated surgical genius. His team? Angels in scrubs, each more caring and considerate than the last. And Dr. Khurana? A man so passionate about his craft, he could probably perform surgery with his eyes closed (not that he did, mind you - just saying, he's that good). Sure, a year later and I'm still on nodding terms with some residual pain, but it's nothing - a mere whisper compared to the cacophony of agony I endured for years. So here's to Dr. Khurana and his crew - the rock stars of the medical world, who gave me back a semblance of normalcy and taught me that, sometimes, the best fairy tales don't involve princes or dragons, but gifted surgeons with the power to change lives.

had a great time at this hospital. i went into the ER at around 9pm for a high fever, side flank…read morepain, and insane headaches and was taken in very quickly. I ended up staying overnight for 3 nights bc of my condition. Not realizing I would be spending the night I had parked on the street which was okay to park until 7am. I told one of the nurses I needed to move my car and he went and moved it for me into the hospital parking lot. All the nurses were so kind. If I wasn't in so much pain or so exhausted I would have definitely made some new nurse friends. Miss you guys! Wish we exchanged instagrams at least ‍

Erica RN TELEMETRY(dayshift) who started my IV with humor, patience , and expertise because I…read moreabsolutely refuse to have it in my hand I have lived in the Los Angeles area for years and have heard quite a few unpleasant things about Centinella Hospital. When my doctor wanted me to go to Centinella ER because that's where he would see me for a procedure I was hesitant. I was admitted to the hospital and I must say I have been pleasantly surprised as I have received excellent care. All the staff has been professional and kind.

The therapy was superb. I wish I would have come here 6 months ago when I broke my arm in a car…read moreaccident . But I went for my leg pain this time My doctor referred me here and the staff is very professional. Dr. Johnson may have a lot of patients in the physical therapy treatment area, but trust me, he has a system that is amazing. 1st. The dr talks to you to find out why you're here without rushing you. Then he tells you the plan, and each person seems to have a job. 2. He sent a lady to do muscle stimulation, and everyone has a pleasant attitude and introduce themselves and say what their going to do. 3. Then, a different lady does an ultrasound, which is some sort of massage with an apparatus. 4. Another lady does massage 5. Another lady does icing. 6. Then, doctor returns ask how that goes and put therapeutic tape on the treated area Next, visit the same but added the lady stretching me. Boy, I could get use of them doing all the work, then she said, "Now it's time to go to room for you. You do some things on your own." I'm like, wait, I like you guys doing it. Lol But anyway I feel so much better

This is my first time ever doing physical therapy and it was such an amazing experience from the…read morestaff, to the environment, all the way to the music. Dr. Danielle assisted me and she is so educated, kind, funny, and she's amazing at what she does. This is the first time in a long time I've been to a facility where I've been treated this well. The cherry on top is that many of the people there are much older and they all encourage each other to keep going despite all our disabilities being different. I recommend this place if you need a physical therapist. PS: who made that playlist, I need it!

Dr Robert Watkins Jr is by far the absolute BEST spine surgeon ever! He is not just the best in…read moreMarina Del Rey and the greater Los Angeles area, but he is the only spine doctor to see if you live anywhere in California (or even anywhere else in the US as far as I'm concerned!). I've had three spinal surgeries with him over the past 15 years or so, and all three went without a single issue or any complications at all! Being a patient with several pre-existing conditions, it is nearly impossible for me not to have any post-op problems (even for the smallest of surgeries, much less for two cervical spinal fusions and one cervical spinal disc replacement surgery!). Dr Watkins Jr is the best in the field, and as far as I'm concerned, the ONLY orthopedic spinal surgeon to even consider. If I could give him 20 stars, I would, because a 5 star rating just doesn't do him enough justice! He's by far the SMARTEST , most CARING, distinguished, TALENTED, highly SKILLED, reputable, and most highly respected spinal surgeons in the country (if not the world). Even with all his fame, talent, and esteem, Dr Watkins Jr. still treats every patient equally, takes his TIME with each and every person he sees, and truly CARES for every single patients' well-being over his own pocketbook (which is a rarity these days to say the least!). And most shocking of all is that this comes from one of the highest acclaimed, top-level, world-renowned surgeons, who is most famous for being the go-to spinal surgeon to the world's top athletes. He's most well-known for when he performed the spinal surgeries for two of NFL's most notable football players, and arguably the best quarterbacks of all time, Peyton & Eli Manning, both of whom sing Dr Watkins Jr's praises for the care that they received from him. Dr Watkins Jr is now the go-to orthopedic spine surgeon to each and every one of all the world's top athletes from all major sports/sports teams, now being the surgeon to not just the NFL, but also to the NBA, NHL, and so on. HIGHLY recommended would be an understatement! Trust me on this one.

I was referred to Marina Spine Center by my orthopedist. I value recommendations, so I went into my…read morefirst appointment feeling confident. And I met Dr. Blumstein. He wasn't what I expected -- though I'm not sure what I expected. He was quiet. No oversized ego. Thoughtful and calculated in his questions. He actually took the time to understand what was wrong with me. I didn't feel rushed. I didn't feel like a number. My husband was with me, and Dr. Blumstein patiently answered every one of his questions too. He was kind, measured, and thorough. He has set the bar for how doctors should be -- and it's a high one. I've spent my entire adult life dealing with back issues. I had reached a point where walking was becoming difficult. In clear, straightforward terms, he told me I was a candidate for surgery and that he was convinced he could fix me. He explained the risks. He explained the rewards. But it was his quiet confidence that swayed me. I swore I would never have back surgery. Dr. Blumstein spent an hour walking me through everything. I left that appointment a convert -- and booked my surgery that same day. It was the best decision I could have made. The surgery itself? He's a wizard. There's no other way to describe it. In three hours, he corrected 35 years of damage. And it wasn't as though it was "just another procedure" to him. He takes pride in his work. You can see it when he sees you at follow-ups -- walking normally again -- and he shares in your progress. The walls of Marina Spine Center are lined with memorabilia from major league athletes. But the real MVPs in that office wear white coats and take care of people when they are broken and most vulnerable. Dr. Blumstein is my MVP.

Dr. Shifflett is a wonderful surgeon, I'd been putting off lumbar fusion surgery for 15 years, but…read moredecided to do it because of Dr. Shifflett and his team. Dr. Shifflett explains everything in detail and has a great bedside manner. I had complete confidence in him and his team. The office staff and PA's have been great. Nadine always gets back to me quickly, Giselle has been a God send in helping me with Short Term Disability and Brooke and Allie have helped so much with my concerns, prescriptions and moral support. The Newport Beach Surgery Center staff was amazing and the building is beautiful. Overall, I think I would have done surgery years ago if I'd have met Dr. Shifflett earlier

He's a skilled surgeon. His office is completely unorganized. No consistent process for patient…read moreon boarding. No emails addressed. Calls not usually returned unless they're from over seas answering services. I've needed an MRI/ CT since Sept 2024... ALL failed. No solutions. Occasional response from nurse practices. It's all so unclear, I may have to start over w another surgeon. Of course, I suffer excruciating pain while waiting for communication

I'm not sure why my doctor keeps sending me here, but if I have to return, I may seriously consider…read moreswitching doctors. I really do not want to come back. They either overbook or constantly have emergencies, because every visit takes far longer than any other clinic I've been to.

I got a pet scan at this location and it took them almost 4 weeks to send the results to the doctor…read moreand I still haven't received the results. My oncologist said they put the wrong coding and info on the PET scan. I don't trust the results and I don't know if I have to get a new PET scan. Very frustrating

Simply put: Thank You, to Dr. Luke, Jenna, Andrew, Darlene, and the entire team at the UCLA Spine…read moreCenter. Four months of unmanageable back and leg pain forced me to spend days and nights on the floor, counting the hours until my next dose of meds. I wrongly attributed this to a herniated disc, signed up for PT, and found that exercise and stretching made the pain worse. Determined to get a cortisone shot, my primary doc ordered a lumbar MRI, which returned a diagnosis of an intradural schwannoma at L2/L3. Reading the MRI report, looking up the terminology, I suddenly realized I was in bigger trouble that I ever imagined. I have enjoyed tremendous good health my entire life. I was in denial about this diagnosis--I thought it was a mistake--surely it is not a tumor in my spinal cord causing these symptoms! Maybe it was a guardian angel or something . . . sitting at the computer one day, trying to learn as much as possible about this condition, reflecting that UCLA (my alma mater!) has one of the world's best medical programs, I simply decided to do a google search for the terms "UCLA + spine." That search saved my life. I had never heard of the UCLA Spine Center, nor of Dr. Macyszyn, and had no idea of the good fortune that had just come to me. The MRI report was sufficient to get Andrew's immediate attention, and within a week I was scheduled for a consult with Dr. Luke, who communicated that he could do a procedure that would result in complete recovery and restoration of normal function. He displayed humility and ease, and assured me this procedure while dramatic was entirely reliable and proven. I was scheduled for surgery just two weeks later. The procedure was a minimally invasive surgical resection of the tumor and laminectomy that took three and half hours. Gross total resection was completed on July 30, 2020. The next day, I was walking the hallways. The day after that, I was recovering at home. It wasn't easy but every day got better. Six weeks later, it's a complete transformation. There is still some healing going on, and I'm physical therapy to repair and rebuild the muscle and nerve damage this tumor has been causing for years. My life and body and day-to-day activities are totally transformed. Only gradually have I come to realize the tremendous accomplishment this surgery represents. No spinal fusion, barely even a scar. It's a huge miracle wrapped in smaller miracles, thanks to the skill and art and medical genius of Dr. Luke and his team. Every aspect of my experience at UCLA RRMC was first-rate. The office staff, post-op nursing staff and admin team are second to none. This is a profound, life-saving service to me. I can't thank everyone enough. Thanks to Dr. Luke for performing and perfecting such a high-level procedure; to Andrew for making the process so clear and straightforward; to Darlene for consistently checking in and being available with counsel and assistance; to Jenna for recovery planning, a helpful perspective and a confident, comforting manner. And go Bruins!

I am a physician with over 30 years of experience. I've helped train lots of other physicians too…read more This review was not easy to write but I feel it is necessary for the good of medicine. Neurosurgeons have an extensive 7-year residency program, and many are very proficient at surgery. But being a physician is a lot more than just being able to operate on someone or inject someone or give them medication. It's about caring, compassion and understanding. This is where the doctor fails. Read the other reviews and you will agree. Comments such as "I have never been treated so poorly by a physician than with this doctor". Or "he always seemed rushed and acted like he needed to be somewhere else". These are their words, not mine. Dr Luke first operated on my lower back. And although he did call me a few hours after I was discharged that day, it took him another 2 1/2 days to call me (no one from his office called me either) to see how I was doing. He said it slipped his mind and apologized. Subsequently, I had another procedure done on my cervical spine. This time was even worse. Once I was discharged, it was over 72 hours / 3 days later before I initiated a call to his office. No one called me. Again, he apologized for this slip-up. And I told him that I was shocked that after cervical surgery no one would call and that the same thing happened with my lumbar surgery. When I tried to make contact with him a few times after that, I was given the runaround and told to make an appointment and come into his office when all I had was a simple question. I even asked for a copy of my records to be sent to me, and his office said I had to send postage first. Really? As a fellow physician, I would have expected a little courtesy. But outside of that, as a patient, one deserves better treatment. He's young and this is his first foray into a private practice. Yes, he works for a "group", DISC Sports and Spine Center", but that is just a group of independent offices under one big umbrella. Everyone's on their own. I have spoken with several other neurosurgeons (some that know him) and they were all appalled at his behavior. He would do better with more caring, understanding, compassion, and understanding what it takes to be a good physician. He should think about this. Hopefully, this review can save someone from having the same experience as I did. PS I did try and contact him several times many months after my procedures, to talk physician to physician. He did not return my calls or emails, so this review became necessary.

Amazing doctor. Amazing care Had a very involved surgery and doctor took his time as patient saw…read moreme many times and did a great job

From the owner: Welcome to UCLA Health Downtown L.A. Orthopaedic Surgery! Combining the best in orthopaedic…read moremedicine and surgical care, along with strong rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging programs, we offer world-class care for musculoskeletal disorders, with outstanding customer service. Book an appointment today and see for yourself what makes UCLA Health one of the most dependable names in health care.