the doctor never showed. the had me wait in a gown freezing in the winter AND THE DOCTOR OR NURSE NEVER ENTERED THE ROOM. I did an MRI at Northshore and they couldn't find it either although I kept telling them. read more

OUTSTANDING spinal surgeon and human being. Dr Mirkovic has done back surgery on four of our friends (one was to fix another surgeon's previous work) and myself (discectomy 22 years ago and I've been fine ever since). Yesterday he operated for 7 hours on my 84 year old husband, 18 years after he did his first decompression and fusion. I can't recommend him any higher than "superb". read more

Well it's been about 5 years since I had surgery. I'm still completely pain free! I'm very glad I chose Dr Mirkovic to do the procedure, as I had read some serious horror stories involving L5-S1 microdiscectomies. I've had ZERO pain, not even a twinge, from immediately after surgery to this day. I've recommended Dr Mirkovic to other friends with spinal issues as well. Job well done!! read more

This review reflects only my experience. I can't speak for anyone else's. That said: Upon meeting Dr. Mirkovic, he comes across as an an arrogant, but knowledgeable surgeon with a thin smile. He was highly recommended as well, so I overlooked the arrogance in his voice and attitude. We agreed that, after a few rounds of PT, epidural steroid injections, and complete cessation of exercise, that surgery was my only option left. It was to be a microdiscectomy, a procedure that he apparently excels at. However, before surgery was finally decided, he had also suggested that I could learn to live with the pain. WHO SAYS THAT??? I would absolutely agree that for the two weeks, post-op, that I had 100% cessation of pain. Immediately after that, however, all of my pain returned and to a higher degree. When going in for my second follow-up and reporting my returning and more excruciating pain, he blinked a few times and said "What do you want me to do? I told you that there was a 10% chance that this would happen!" This second follow-up appointment only entailed an inspection of the incision site, a rubber hammer to the Achilles tendons as well as the knees. I am positive that he was more concerned with how the incision had healed up. PT was recommended again, or failing that, another MRI to see if my disc had rebulged. All other questions were met with derision, contempt, and flat-out denials of any other possibility of causes of pain. He wouldn't discuss any other options at all. All my questions were met with an attitude of "Why are you wasting my time with your ignorance?" I was flabbergasted! As a man, I find this hard to even admit. But when he left the office, I broke down and cried for a few minutes because I couldn't believe that he was so hard-hearted and unsympathetic. I've been dealing with this pain for 18 months. He offered no comfort of sorrow for my continued pain and suffering and was gone within five minutes. Bottom line is this: If you want a doctor and/or surgeon who will keep appointment times in a reasonably punctual manner, treat you as if you were an individual and actually listen to you and your problems and symptoms, Mirkovic IS NOT the surgeon for you. He is a complete @$$hole who is only in it for his cut of the surgery fee and could not care less about you. Thankfully, my insurance covered the entire $30,000 for the surgery and 14 hour hospital stay. Footnote: I'll get the damned MRI (my 5th since this whole process began), but he will not be my surgeon, assuming more surgery is necessary. I'd rather cut on myself and hope for the best. At least I'll listen to myself when I report any pain or ramifications from my own surgery. This guy sucks and should be barred from medicine. He reflects poorly on NOI and spinal surgeons in general. Yes, he's that bad. read more

The best! Did spinal surgery to remove cyst pressing on spinal nerves. Excellent care. Thorough in explaining options. Highly recommend. Had tried cortisone shots prior to going for surgery. We opted for most conservative approach - not fusion - and he was awesome throughout. read more

This orthopedic surgeon came recommended. He is located also at Northwestern Hospital. Went to see him for consultation for my back problem. After looking at my MRI, he explained what he saw and suggested that surgery was probably the way to go. After listening to his explanations, I agreed and had the back surgery. The surgery went fine, I felt almost an immediate relief. After the surgery, though, it was a case of Mr. Jekyll/Dr. Hyde. The congenial person who explained in detail what he thought prior to the surgery became cold, arrogant and condescending. At my post surgery follow up appoitnment (he was running over an hour late, by the way), I asked him some follow-up questions that I read on my post operative report. I was not challenging or threatening in anyway and they were what I consider normal questions regarding what he saw when he opened my back. He cut me short saying "I told you what I was going to do, I did what I told you I was going to do. The stuff on the report is doctor language." Also, he was very insistent that I go to the physical therapy place that he specified. I am used to physicians who act as your partner in your healthcare, not as a hostile, condescending snob. read more

It has now been three years since my back surgery. Prior to the surgery, I had dealt for several years with two severly herniated discs, a degenerated disc, and rampant arthritic growths. I have now been virtually pain free for three years. Dr. Merkovic resolved the physical issues. The Physical Therapist helped me to retrain my body which had become screwed up from compensating for years. I will not lie, the PT process was tough and painful. However, in the end, the surgery combined with good PT has given me my life back. As for Dr. Merkovic's bed side manner, I found him to be thorough, honest, and caring throughout. He does often run behind in his schedule. However, he often spent thirty minutes to an hour with me pouring over the data and options. For a science guy like myself, this was one of the best doctor experiences of my life. I never once felt like he brushed me off as the other reviewers mention. In summary, every person's situation and expectations are unique. For me, after talking to many medical professionals, Dr. Merkovic was my choice. I would recommend he be considered by anyone facing serious back issues! read more

Met him for first and last appointment at Glenbrook Hospital. Some of the staff? Bad attitude. Most of the exam was done by Dr. Mirkovics PA. When he finally came in? No questions for me, no physical exam whatsoever and rushed me out pretty much. Yes he is arrogant and rude. Will NOT return! read more

It's been almost 3 years, post surgery. My back is fantastic, no pain, have been able to resume activities, without any pain, for 2 years. Would be 2.5 but I was afraid! Doc assured me all was well. To the reviewers who think Dr. Mirkovic is arrogant I say no way. He a very talented surgeon, and knowledgeable physician. Thanjs again, Dr. Mirkovic, for changing my life!! read more

0 Stars if I could A total of 5 hours waiting for him past appointment times over 2 visits that totaled 5 minutes of face time and examination. Compounded by shady billing practices and unprofessional staff. I would NEVER recommend any see this doctor. Would give 0 stars if I could. Was referred by a former primary care doctor to see Dr. M. Called first to get quotes since he was out-of-network for my insurance. If it weren't for how they handled billing, I would not have bothered posting a negative review, thinking that anyone with half a brain would NEVER let this person operate on their spine, and they could just spend the small co-pay to find that out themselves. However, their billing practices are shady, and now I'm stuck with a $700 bill for getting an X-Ray done in his office, hence the review, just trying to save you from getting stuck like I did. As to insurance, they don't tell you that they bill their diagnostics (X-Ray) through the hospital, so when your out-of-network insurance processes it, you get 2 bills, one for a specialist, and a second from the hospital, and this is the pricey one. On my first visit. I went to his office, was in his office for a total of 3.5 hours and only spent 3 minutes with Dr. M. (Yes, I did spend 7 minutes talking to his nurse, and I assume he did spend some time reading my X-Ray, but only 3 minutes face to face.) He said nothing was obviously wrong based on X-Ray, gave me orders to get an MRI, and advised taking a break from physical therapy between that appointment and the follow-up MRI read. I stopped PT for 2 weeks while I scheduled the MRI and got the follow-up appointment. During that time, my symptoms got worse, and I needed to restart PT before seeing him for the follow-up appt. I then got my MRI done in-network, and went in for the follow-up. Again, spent about 2 hours there and only about 2 minutes face to face. In that 2 minutes, he told me that I am not a surgery candidate, I have advanced Disc Degeneration, and that I can likely not get better, gives me a list of Physical Therapists he highly recommends and gives names of two pain doctors that I should see to teach me how to live with the pain that can't be cured. After dropping the bombshell that a mid-30 yr old active male will now have to live with pain for the rest of his life, Dr. M walks out and sends in a resident to go over the two referrals (PT and Pain Doc). Needless to say, I'm a bit floored and can't really even think of good questions to ask, but I did go over the PT prescription, and found out that he left off a part of the prescription to work on my neck (his original prescription only authorized PT for my back). I then asked why Dr. M said it was so important that I only see a PT on his referral list, and the resident said that those are only PTs that are under the same umbrella as him, and that I can see anyone that I want. Since that appointment, I have seen two other MDs that disagree with his degenerative disc disease diagnosis, I am getting better under the new doctors care, and I hoped to never have to deal with this. I've also talked to a medical professional that works occasionally with this doctor, and that professional said they would NEVER have let me go through with seeing Dr. M if I would have told them about it first. They gave several reasons which I will not repeat as I don't want to post second hand opinions, but many of reasons I heard were corroborated by my own experiences with him (as brief as it was.) So, in sum of Dr. M himself: His recommendation to take a break from PT was wrong, I found an error in his PT prescription, I've visited two other MDs that disagree with his Disc Degeneration diagnosis and have gotten back on the path to recovery. His own PA contradicted him on why I need to only see his recommended PTs. He spent next to no time explaining what was happening to me (maybe because he doesn't know and I'm for the better anyway?), and cannot manage his time. Now, onto his office: They bill their X-Rays through the hospital despite the X-Ray machine being 2 doors down the hallway from the examination room. When you call in advance and state, "For the purposes of my insurance, what are you going to do so that I can get authorization and an estimate cost of services..." they do not give you the most important piece of information, that they will use an accounting trick to scam you out of money. My insurance won't pay because of how its billed, and I'm stuck with the choice of paying $700 or getting reported to collections. AWFUL read more

I have lumbar issues and had an appointment, at the suggestion of my doctor, with this surgeon. I was NOT expecting surgery, but rather a diagnosis and treatment plan. This ass was the most dismissive and arrogant prick. And, he brought his religion into the appointment which I thought was not only unprofessional, but completely inappropriate. There are lots of good healthcare professionals out there. DO NOT GO TO THIS GUY! read more

2 years ago I had a double spinal fusion. It failed. I then was recommended to Dr. Mirkovic. He immediately ordered an X-ray the day I was in the office and did numerous tests. We agreed on a methodical and conservative approach - injections, PT, etc. In two months when the pain had become excruciating, he did a triple spinal fusion. He was VERY clear that my pain would lessen between 75-80%. I am now almost a year and half out and everything he said was correct. Yes, his bedside manner is typical of a top notch surgeon, but I'm going there for the expertise, not to be his friend! At Glenbrook Hospital, the staff at the front desk and in his area were friendly, patient and responsive. read more

Had some questions for recovery (from a surgery that he did not do). He wanted nothing to do with me, very dismissive and not at all helpful. read more

1 year post surgery. No leg pain or nerve pain! Great work!

Arrogant and obnoxious. He is only interested in cutting and collecting a big fat surgical fee. I do NOT recommend him that is for sure.

I was very please with my experience with the office and Dr Mirkovic, arrived at the office in much of pain .I was given detailed questionnaires of my pain and then taken in for an xray.Later Dr Mirkovic arrived a half grin and a professional look and introduced himself.He explained what i have and why i have symptoms and that no surgery was needed at this time.The doctor also sent me for an MRI just to make sure everything is ok.Let me tell you the pain im in i thought for sure he'd say surgery that in itself tells me the doctor is conservative in his approach .I will remain his patient and will refer my mother and brother who have bad back problems.Doctor Mirkovic is knowledgeable and his kindness is seen through his smile even though it was a small grin hahaha. Maria Ress read more

I feel fortunate that we have top surgeons like Dr. Mirkovic. He successfully operated on me to fix my sciatic nerve and herniated disk. He thoroughly explained procedure. I would strongly recommend him . His staff was great too. read more

If I could give Dr. Mirkovic 0 stars I would. The office is completely unprofessional. They cancelled my appointment and did not notify me. Then they rescheduled me and made me wait over an hour to see him. The manager that I spoke to about it actually told me that he was passing me off to another manager because he didn't want to deal with me. If I could go back in time and not have had surgery with this doctor I would. I saw him on a Wednesday, had surgery on a Friday (not even enough time to let the anti inflammatory meds I was taking to get out of my system), and now 12 years later I'm in more pain than I was to start. If you see this doctor, get a second opinion or you may regret it later on. read more

An excellent surgeon. I was working with back doctors for over 2 years trying to figure out what was wrong and why PT and steroid shots were not working at all. Most of the other doctors would not even let me get an MRI. After visiting him I had an immediate MRI and almost immediate surgery as it was putting pressure on my spine. I do see all the negative comments about wait times and I can honestly say that this guy starts work at 5.a.m. and is often there late into the night. He spends a lot of time with his patients and explains everything. Yes I've had to wait for follow up appointments with him but I do not mind a 60 minute wait if I know he is attending to another patient as when I was the one in need I was most likely the cause of him running late for other appointments. He is very straight forward and I would recommend him to anyone with a major issue. His work ethic and follow up is top notch. If you have a major issue there is no other doctor I would recommend. That being said I also don't see him wasting his valuable time with someone only interested in whining as he is very straight to the point. read more

Dr. Mirkovic operated on my 22 year old college athlete who herniated 2 discs 19 months ago. 2 other neurosurgeon kept prescribing therapy and epidurals (3) and nothing helped even a little bit. I found him to be extremely caring, very very smart, and performed surgery 3 days after meeting my son and reviewing his 3 mris, and examination. He even called me and spent 20 minutes on the phone with me explaining his diagnosis, what surgery would entail, etc... He discovered the herniations were 100% calcified and pressing terribly on the nerve, which is why nothing worked. Its only 1 week post op, but I truly could not have been more impressed with this surgeon. Has called to check up on him, and spent an extra hour in surgery to get it right, after discovering the calcifications. BTW, an orthopedic surgeon I know from Barrington, IL told me to get my son to either Rush or Northwestern University hospital to get the most advanced care, since the other doctors were not helping him. I agreed, and asked for the best doctors at either hospital. He said Srdjan Mirkovic, and he was so right. I will always pick surgical skills over bedside manner...but we got both with Dr. Mirkovic !!! read more