@@My Journey With Knee Pain -- And an Unexpected Alternative to Knee Replacement…read more Good morning, everyone. I wanted to share my personal journey with knee pain and the treatments I've tried, in hopes it might help someone going through the same thing. The Beginning of My Knee Pain About 10 years ago, I began experiencing serious knee pain. I'm now 67, so it wasn't exactly a surprise, but it was still life-changing. My orthopedic surgeon diagnosed me with bone-on-bone arthritis and recommended a knee replacement. Instead, I started with cortisone injections every three months. For years, those shots worked like magic. Along with physical therapy, knee braces, topical creams, and supportive orthopedic shoes, I was able to manage the pain and live my life. When the Injections Stopped Working Unfortunately, this year everything changed. The cortisone injections only gave me mild relief, and the pain returned long before I could get the next one. I tried: * Hyaluronic acid injections - no improvement * PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections - mild relief for about a month By June, my surgeon and I agreed it was time for knee replacement surgery. He also advised me to stop cortisone injections to reduce surgical risks. I scheduled the procedure and began preparing. A Setback I Never Expected Around this time, I joined this online knee replacement group for support -- but reading story after story of months-long pain and slow recoveries honestly scared me. Still, my pain was unbearable, so I was ready to proceed. Then, the unthinkable happened. I fell off a ladder and suffered a severe injury to my right leg -- the same one scheduled for surgery. I had an 8-inch skin tear, all the way to the bone. My surgeon immediately canceled my surgery, saying I'd need to wait at least a year for the skin to fully heal. The worst part? No more cortisone shots, ever. My skin was now too thin, and the risk was too high. My daily pain level was a 7 or 8 out of 10. I couldn't sleep, walking was torture, and my quality of life plummeted. Searching for Another Option Desperate for relief, I kept researching and came across Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) -- a procedure that blocks inflammation by targeting the tiny arteries around the knee. I asked about it on social media, and a few people shared they had tried it years ago but only got short-term relief. However, the procedure recently received FDA approval, so I decided it was worth investigating. I contacted the San Francisco Vein and Vascular Institute, and Dr. Nathanson was incredibly helpful. After discussing my situation, he encouraged me to give it a try. The Procedure On Monday, I went in for my GAE procedure. The facility was beautiful, the staff welcoming, and the equipment state-of-the-art. The entire procedure took less than an hour. I limped in with a cane... and walked out normally just a few hours later. No sharp pain -- only a dull ache. Over the next couple of days, I experienced mild soreness when standing, but it was nothing compared to before. Today, three days after the procedure, I am 99% pain-free -- no pain medication, not even Tylenol. Looking Back What I once saw as a disaster -- my fall -- turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It forced me to seek an alternative to knee replacement, and I am so grateful I did. I know GAE may not be permanent, but it can be repeated if needed, and by then, there may be even more options available. Today, I am deeply thankful to Dr. Nathanson and the San Francisco Vein and Vascular Institute for giving me my mobility and my life back. If you're struggling with knee pain and looking for alternatives, it may be worth exploring GAE. I'll continue to update my journey in the weeks ahead. Good luck everyone.

The SF Vein and Vascular team have been excellent from start to finish. Scheduling, billing, and…read morethe care team are professional, caring, and supportive. Dr. Nathanson performed three procedures for me with great skill and an excellent bedside manner. I experienced no pain, and my recovery was almost immediate with no downtime. The Bay Area has many options for vein care, but in my opinion, this team is the best. I traveled 90 miles for my appointments, and it was well worth it. The facility is easy to find, modern, and welcoming. I highly recommend SF Vein and Vascular.

I just want to say this man is a saint. My mom went in for a shoulder surgery she was in so much…read morepain and was so scared. Dr. McGahan worked his magic and she came out brand new! ( for an old lady ) . Her recovery should've been probably a few months but since Dr. McGahan was such a great surgeon she was pretty much healed up after 2-3 weeks and she doesn't even need her cast/arm sling anymore. 5 star I recommend this doctor for all surgery that he performs! He also treated my mother with utmost after care and shows a lot of respect to elders. I cant say that to a lot of doctors i met after they got their money already. This man is a amazing

I am 12 days post total right knee replacement and I couldn't be happier with the result, the…read morecommunication and the overall professionalism of Dr. McGahan. On my pre-op I brought along a friend who is a physical therapist, and Dr. McG answered all her questions without feeling threatened in any way (that told me a lot) My pain is being managed now by only OTC meds, I am walking with just a walking stick, and PT is very happy with my range of motion. A very successful surgery.

Long story short, my wife and I are eternally grateful to Dr. MacDougall for his skills and talent…read more The surgery went well. Not only he's a very talented brain surgeon, among other things, but he is also a down-to-earth mannered guy, pleasant to talk to. He answered all the questions clearly and patiently and told us everything that we needed to know. Spine surgery is nerve wracking, needless to say that it helps a lot, when your surgeon is clear, confident, calm and collected, on top of talented and experienced.

I am impressed when see Dr. MacDougall, he showed me the pictures of my brain MRI, and he also see…read moreit again carefully. Most neurosurgeon other facility just showed me the 1 picture in 1 second, and seems like rush. Dr. MacDougall let me asked questions & not hurry on my appointments. His nurse and medical assistant also very good, professional, nice. Front desk also very helpful. I really like this neurosurgeon department.

Lewis Leng's scheduling practices are a joke. I mean how do you end up canceling an appointment…read morethree times in a row last minute?? Do you know how frustrating that is to re-arrange your schedule three times to try to make one appointment? He was supposed to see my mom for a tumor. (Thankfully, it was benign, which we already knew, but protocol is to have the diagnosis confirmed by a neurosurgeon.) But our appointments were triply postponed because of so-called emergency surgeries. When we finally were able to see him, I questioned him about his scheduling, and he simply stated that it was the nature of neurosurgery. If he doesn't operate on a patient right away, "that patient will die." (His very words.) He never followed that assertion with the only statement which could possibly justify this urgency: There is a shortage of neurosurgeons (either in the Bay Area or his medical group). I pressed him again, and he never said it. So I suspected it wasn't the case. One of my best friends is also a surgeon in the Bay Area, so I'm pretty familiar with the demands on a surgeon's schedule. True he isn't a neurosurgeon, but he obviously knows those who are and the field as a whole. When I told my friend what my mom had to endure and asked him if this were typical of neurosurgery, my friend immediately answered, "He shouldn't be scheduling patients to be seen in clinic by him and being on-call in the hospital at the same time." Exactly! Just have one of your fellow neurosurgeons cover the ER, while you take care of your appointments, like other surgeons do! My friend also brought up another valid possibility. He said that since my mom wouldn't require surgery and Leng's insurance reimbursement would be minimal compared to a surgery, it's not unreasonable to believe that he was uninterested in seeing her...and that Leng "probably has his practice workflow designed to max income" to quote my friend. I was appalled by this possibility. But it makes tragic sense that this is how some doctors operate (pun unintended). And it makes total sense to me that that's likely how Lewis Leng operates. Maybe if you are "fortunate" enough to require neurosurgery, Leng will see you at your appointed time. Otherwise you are probably "out of luck." I asked to meet the manager of the department to make a complaint. To my surprise, she not only listened to my complaint, but asked if I could put it in writing because she was tired of having to deal with all the patients who had the same complaint! (And I did exactly as she suggested.) So if you have a choice, I highly recommend you seek another neurosurgeon. Even if you do need surgery, you have to wonder whose best interest would Leng have in mind. Yours...or his?

This is a long overdue review for Dr. Lewis Leng, who performed my cerebellopontine angle…read moremeningioma surgery. When I first met Dr. Leng, I was overwhelmed and anxious after discovering a brain tumor in an incredibly delicate area. right beside the nerves for hearing, balance, and facial movement. From the beginning, he explained everything clearly, answered every question, and guided me through the options with patience and respect. When the tumor grew and surgery became necessary, I felt confident I was in the best hands. During the operation, Dr. Leng worked millimeter by millimeter near critical nerves, preserving my hearing, facial function, and long-term quality of life. His skill, judgment, and care made all the difference. Today I am healing, hearing more clearly, regaining sensation, and living fully, a result I credit to his expertise and thoughtful decision-making. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Leng and recommend him with the highest appreciation and respect.

I underwent a procedure with Dr Mark Ignacius and everyone there was outstanding!! Incredibly…read moreprofessional and really excelled in safety and privacy (I am an RN who participated in regulatory surveys - this place gets an A++. I highly recommend them for safe and personal care that will get you back on your feet quickly!!!!

This review is long overdue. Shoutouts to NURSE AMY and NURSE LAURA for being AMAZING during my…read moremother's hip replacement surgery (it was done last year in March and my mother is walking great now). Especially with Nurse Amy, she went above and beyond the call of duty as a nurse. She not only stayed in great communication with us, but also did everything she could to make my mother and my family (we visited as much as possible after her surgery and for discharge) to feel comfortable, heard, and taken care of. Also, the surgeons, MA's, front office assistants, and other nurses were wonderful, welcoming, and very kind. Pre-op we were nervous about the surgery and several surgeons and nurses talked us through it. Post op, my mother puked from a reaction (I think the meds or just post-op surgery response) and the nurses never once got upset with her or us, instead they did their best to help her through it and recover. These people are truly MIRACLE WORKERS and my mother is now in great shape (for years (before this surgery) she could not walk without pain or limping). THANK YOU!!! :)

Last time I reviewed Dr David Segars was nine years ago and at that time been a patient for 15…read moreyears. Im pushing 25 years with Doctor Segars and have had excellent care. He has a great personality and explains everything. I think his experience as an Air Force Flight Surgeon is part of the reason he's an excellent MD. Keeping fighter pilots physically fit means he has a vast amount of knowledge about medical conditions. Still five stars for both Doctors and the front desk.

I have been a patient of David Segars for at least 30 years. He is attentive, caring, listens,…read moredoes a fine physical exam and directs my overall health care with the proper specialists. I am able to make timely appointments and my prescriptions are promptly forwarded to the pharmacy. He recommends ways to improve my health. His office staff is friendly and welcoming. I fear the day he retires because I will need to find another doc as good as he is. He also treated my mother for many years before she passed. She actually enjoyed going in to see him, go figure.

Great doctor! Smart, good judgement, good technique…read moreGreat surgeon , patient, understanding

Worst physician I have ever seen. Broken ribs and never…read morelistened to my lungs....never examined me Totally ignored my complaints Doesn't know how to manage pain Ignorant of how to use non steroidal antiinflammatory meds Cavalier attitude. Jerry rosenbaum md Board certified internist and rheumatologist.

Listen up folks back pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, stenosis, sciatica, tingling in the fingers & toes,…read morenumbness in legs and buttocks are all nasty symtoms of our collective ill. We hope we find a surgeon with the skill to tackle that which others ran from. We want that surgeon to see us, hear us and have that feel for us when we are open and on that table, or at home recovering and or spending that awful healing hour with the physical therapist. I am starting that journey with Dr. Berven and his team. I only can tell you I feel heard, I feel seen and I have faith in his skill to improve my life greatly. I cannot say enough good things about this surgeon. And it seems most of us on here have a similar experience. See him for yourself - I am glad I did...the long appointment wait and all! K

Referred by my primary care physician after having Cervical spine disc surgery by another surgeon…read more That resulted in severe post op pain and numbness to both arms hands and fingers. Headaches vision loss and loss of balance. As bad as vertigo. Nerve Study completed, mri completed, CT scan completed and x-rays completed prior to seeing Dr. Berven. Thinking my problem was carpooltunel on both sides. Surgery was performed prior to seeing Dr Berven. No change. Finally got an appointment and spent an hour with his assistant asking a ton of medical related questions directly related to my neck surgery and pist op symptoms. Dr. Berven walked in sat for 5 minutes and said everything looks to appear ok. There's nothing I can do. But I'll refer you to a neck and nerve specialist here at UCSF. After a year of waiting and contacting UCSF. I finally get a call back that says Dr. Bervens office didn't complete the referral process correctly and did not return ANY calls or emails. And that this whole process would have to start all over again due to the referrals being expired and the test being to long ago. Now imagine being in so much pain you can't walk without falling and completely dependent on pain meds just to get out of bed. With a new born at home. To be told after a YEAR. We're sorry your going through this but we need everything updated to get you to the next step. The only reason I'm still alive is because of my wife who had to deal with my declining physical and mental health. And having my newborn handed to me in bed. I feel completely ignored pushed away and laughed at by this process as if I was garbage. All I wanted was to feel normal and pain free. To live a life as best I could with the circumstances I'm facing. And to enjoy my child free from anxiety depression extreme pain and the inability to use both arms hands and fingers. I feel like the brotherhood needed to protect its own and not get me the help I need that UCSF stands by.