Dr Samer Ghostine is quite possibly the best spinal surgeon in the State of California. I joke that I think he uses some kind of magic, because his skills have drastically improved my life for the better.
I was in a devastating car accident in 2018 when I was rammed from the back while at a stoplight. Disks in my lumbar and cervical spine were herniated, and I have since had extreme pain and progressively growing levels of physical disability.
I came to Dr Ghostine initially for a spinal cord stimulator in 2021 because of my high-level lower back pain. The representative for Medtronic told me he has never seen a surgeon place the paddle and leads with as much precision as Dr Ghostine did. I was unable to walk for very far (often not even a full block) and was having many falls prior to this surgery. And when I had complications during my recovery due to preexisting scar tissue, Dr Ghostine was kind, caring, and compassionate. I have since had a stark reduction in sciatic and lower back pain, as well as improvements in mobility and a decrease in falls.
About a year ago, the problems with my cervical spine became more advanced. I had a 10mm herniation to my C6-7 disk, and was having increased pain in my head, neck, shoulder, and arms, as well as numbness in all the fingers of my hands and a growing tremor in my right arm. Due to extenuating circumstances, I needed surgery to happen urgently, and Dr Ghostine and his surgery scheduler, Lekisha, worked ceaselessly to get my surgery scheduled and approved during February 2025. I was initially getting frustrated when the answering service failed to effectively communicate with my doctor's office, but once Lekisha found out I was trying so hard to contact she made other arrangements for communication, and she was instrumental in helping me get this surgery. Lekisha, thank you so much for your hard work and all the prompt communication via email!
My surgery was two days ago, and I cannot believe how much better my symptoms are in such a short period of time!! Immediately after I woke up, I noticed that the tremor in my right arm had completely disappeared. Much of the numbness in my right arm has resolved, and though I still have numbness in the fingers and the back of my left hand, the numbness has decreased from the level it was at prior to surgery. I still have some pain in my shoulders, but nothing close to what I was experiencing prior to surgery (aching versus stabbing/shooting pain, and at a much lower pain level), and that should be getting better with time, as well as the post-operative swelling decreases. I have also noticed that pain I have been experiencing in my legs and lower back have gotten far better, and I have strength in my legs and arms that I haven't had in many years.
At age 18, I was in a 6-car pileup, and that resulted in my cervical spine lacking any degree of curvature. Not only did Dr Ghostine perform the discectomy and fusion I needed at C6-7, but he also rectified that problem, somehow giving my c-spine 10 degrees of curvature, which will help me with pain and function over time. I was told by a number of doctors that this was not possible to fix. I am elated!
Dr Ghostine and his staff members, especially Lekisha, are amazing and kind people who genuinely care about their patients. I have possibilities in my future that wouldn't exist if not for them and their dedication. I cannot even find the words to express the depth of my gratitude to them for both this life-changing surgery as well as all the hard work that got me to that surgery. Thank you all so much. read more