Short Version: Dr. Wachhorst is incredible at what he does; his skill entirely resolved my debilitating back pain stemming from a herniated L5-S1. I highly recommend him and his team. Long Version: I came to Dr. Wachhorst for a surgical consult in early 2021. I was 29 at the time and had been experiencing debilitating back pain since late 2019. I was an active person and found myself reduced from trail half marathons to ginger walks around the block. I was in a bad place. From the day I met him, Dr. Wachhorst instilled a sense of optimism and hope. He clearly and kindly walked me through my options, giving me his (very logical) perspective but never once pushing me towards one decision or another. I met with three other surgeons but felt most comfortable and confident with him to carry out my microdiscectomy. I would make this decision again a thousand times over. Dr. Wachhorst and his staff are highly competent and made me feel like I was in the best hands. After waking up from my surgery, my pain had entirely vanished. I was even able to go for a mile-long walk the day after. The delicate procedure left me with a 1" scar, which has healed beautifully and is barely detectable. I am now sitting here a little over a year after my procedure, still completely pain-free, writing this long overdue review. Thank you, Dr. Wachhorst, for giving me my life back. I have my first half-marathon in 4 years scheduled thanks to you, and I am just so grateful to be able to run, jump, and play again. You are very, very appreciated. read more

Dr. Wachhorst recently performed a microdiscectomy on me with success! He was extremely skilled and thorough, taking the time to go over my individual details and risks, and he only recommended surgery when it was really needed. His care team, Yvonne and Jessica, were also always kind and responsive. read more

Honestly can't say enough about Dr Wachhorst and his team! My husband ruptured 2 of his discs about a year and a half ago and has been getting injections since to ease the pain/repair the area. Unfortunately, while the injections he was receiving helped to ease his pain, they did not help in bringing back the strength lost in his foot/leg...in fact it seemed to be getting worse. After consulting with Dr Wachorst, my husband decided to go ahead with surgery to hopefully reduce the chances of losing any more strength and feeling in his foot and so far so good! Just over 2 weeks later, he is is doing great! Healed quickly, is in great spirits and so very impressed with Dr W and his team. I would absolutely recommenced him, his team and the nurses at El Camino to ANYONE. What a great experience. read more

Great doctor! Great DOCTOR! GREAT Doctor! I can't say it enough... I've seen a couple of neurosurgeons and Dr. Wachorst is simply the best. He took a lot of time to explain things to me & listen to my concerns. He answered all my questions and gave me a realistic outlook on my situation. It's never fun to think about the prospects of surgery, but at least I know I'm in good hands. read more

Dr Wachhorst is truly one of the best neuro surgeons you could ever hope to work with. He's smart, thoughtful, experienced and seems to truly care about his patience. He helped our family with a serious chronic back issue and we've referred him to two close friends, including one that had a tragic run in wiht a brain tumor at the age of 37. He's the best. read more

Dr Wachhorst saved my life. I'm a pretty healthy person in my early 40's. Worked out 4-5 days a week, eat healthy, have a positive attitude. But one day I started to have pain in my left arm. It radiated from my upper back to my fingertips. Over weeks it became worse. I was in the worst pain of my life, no medications were working, PT was not working, I could not sleep, I could not work, no position relieved my nerve pain; all I did was cry and try to distract myself day in and day out. Then my hand started going numb, reflexes were being lost, strength in that arm disappearing. I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis C5-C7. Dr W spent an hour going over my MRI's, explaining why I was experiencing the excruciating nerve pain that I was. Another visit spent another hour discussing all the options and which he thought was best. Ultimately I decided on surgery. Of course I was terrified! No one wants their spine operated on! But I could NOT live with this pain. I have friends that have worked with his patients post op, or have heard of him in the medical field. All of them assured me he is the absolute best. I had surgery on 12/17/19. I woke up and immediately felt a thousand times better, the worst part was super sore throat from being intubated. Within 12 hours of surgery I did not need any pain medications, was walking around and feeling so glad that I made this decision. 2 months later, I am still limited on the things that I am allowed to do (no working out or hiking), still have residual numbness in my fingertips (which may disappear over the next 4 months) and occasional very mild achey pains down that nerve, but I am living life and loving it! When you experience pain like this, it really gives you a different perspective on life. I have so much gratitude for Dr W and his entire care team. Yvonne and Morgan are a part of his team and are just as amazing, patient, warm and helpful as he is. Thank you is inadequate when I truly feel he saved my life! read more

Dr. Wachhorst is simply the best. My brother was having back issues and his foot was dropping and loosing feeling, causing him potentially not to walk. He went to a Stanford doctor and another doctor highly recommended. I did my research on the web and found Dr. Wachhorst. I told him to get his opinion. His advise and knowledge made us feel comfortable. He is very knowledge. He was spot on with his diagnosis. My brother had the surgery and instantaneously felt a difference. He is an amazing doctor. Can't say enough good things about him! read more

I had terrible spinal stenosis in my neck and lower back (cervical and lumbar). Dr. Wachhorst performed decompression and fusion on both my neck and lower back. It's been over a year now, and I am 100% pain free. I cannot thank Dr. Wachhorst enough. If he's not in your insurance network - switch insurance companies. He's that good. read more

My mom (84) had been suffered from sciatic pain due to herniated disk of the spine. We interviewed three surgeons and decided to choose Dr. Wachhorst (from Camino Medical Group) because his explanation of the problem and the approach to fix it is the clearest. He was not pushy at all but he did gave his opinion that the success rate of the surgery was very high in my mom's case. Dr. Wachhorst perform minimal invasive spine surgery on my mom and it was very successful as he indicated previously. The sciatic pain is gone completely right after the surgery, and the incision was small and healed quickly. The surgery is life changing for my mom, so we are really thankful for Dr. Wachhorst's excellent work. read more

Years later and I am completely recovered like I never had a back problem. Dr wacchorst and his team did a great job

Best. Doctor. Ever. I had a Cervical fusion with a few other issues. I had seen 6 other surgeons. I have never had a more patient, thorough, thoughtful and dedicated Doctor. If you need a neurosurgeon, you've found who you are looking for. Not to mention the PAMF team he has along with the care at El Camino Hospital. He's a 10! Thank you Dr. SW! I don't know what I would've done without you. Wendy Allard read more

I am so fortunate to be a patient of Dr Wachhorst. I had an acutely ruptured herniated lumbar disc. Dr Wachhorst has a very professional manner and explained condition and necessary surgery clearly. His team at PAMF clinic as well as at OR El Camino Hospital were also very kind and helpful. I had a lumbar laminotomy with decompression of the nerve. Surgery was in the morning, I was walking and out of hospital by early evening. Two weeks post surgery, my leg and foot symptoms are already improving. i am very relieved and grateful! read more

Dr. Wachhorst delayed his vacation by one day to do surgery on severe pain in my back. The surgery was a success. However he nicked a nerve going to my foot and years later I have tingling in my foot that started immediately after the surgery. However I have to say that his ability to keep appointments on time is lacking. When I was in pre-op he was late and I asked the nurse when we would start. She said, "Oh, Dr. Wachhorst is ALWAYS late." No problem, I can live with that. But later, on follow up office visits, he was typically a half an hour to an hour late. On one occasion I had the first visit to him in the morning. Several other people came in after me. Then a man dressed in a nice suit and with a sample bag (phamaceutical rep???) came in and walked to the receptionist. He went in immediately. My appointment was more than an hour late and I was the first person in the morning!!!!! If his tardiness was an occasional situation I could understand. Doctors do have to deal with emergencies. But he is perpetually late. That's why I made the appointment for first thing in the morning. Be ready to wait when you have an appointment with him. read more

I was referred to Dr Wachhorst by my excellent Physiatrist, Robert Millard at SOAR, for possible lumbar spinal decompression, after exhausting treatment options that were less invasive... I have had 20+ years of lower back pain and sciatica mostly in my left side, from doing sports over the years. My ability to do the activities I love had come to a standstill from back pain. Dr Wachhorst was listened to me carefully, reviewed all my records and tests, ordered a new MRI scan because i had new symptoms, and carefully explained what he could do for me. I liked his careful approach and the fact that he will always try for the least invasive procedure for the best outcome. i didn't want any hardware in me, and didn't need it... Surgery to decompress my L3-4 and L4-5 was scheduled for a few weeks later at my request (due to family wedding). He visited me before the surgery, and after and was wonderful. His Nurse, Susan Morgan was great, as was everyone at El Camino Hospital Mountain View. The more i ask around, the more wonderful things I keep hearing about dr. Wachhorst. Surgery isn't fun, but two and a half weeks afterward, i am feeling much better and even walked a half mile yesterday. I will update as I heal, but would highly recommend Dr. Wachhorst to anyone. He's meticulous, careful, kind and and excellent surgeon! read more

I ruptured a disk in my back and my primary care doctor sent me to a sports medicine guy for steroid injections. Each injection was about $4,000 and after the second one I was in such pain that I asked for a referral to neurosurgeon. When I went to Dr. Wachhorst with my MRI's the first thing he asked was where was I being injected. I did not know so he call and asked. Turns out the sports medicine guy was injecting me in the wrong place. Dr. Wachhorst suggested I try another injection before trying surgery. He made a lot of points for not pushing surgery. I elected to have the surgery ASAP. It was minimally invasive surgery with about a 1" incision. It was a wonderful choice. I checked in to El Camino Hospital at 7:30 am and WALKED out the next morning at 11:30 am pain free. Dr. Wachhorst is the best! read more

I was referred to Dr. S. Wachhorst by my great neurologist, after they thought an MS lesion on my MRI looked strange and perhaps I needed a brain biopsy ("they do these all the time!" -- easy for docs to say). He is well-respected here n the SF bay area. After looking at me and my scans and talking with my doc, Dr. W said he knew he was talking himself out of a customer, but a biopsy probably wasn't needed. That was well over 10 years ago, and I am still fine. I'd trust him any day. I might add he is affiliated with the generally terrific El Camino Hospital, with which my family has had lots of good experiences. read more

I had a very serious back problem and Dr. Wachorst provided me with a thoughtful and smart approach to getting better. He was always available and very personable. This guy is as good as it gets. read more

I went to Dr. Wachhorst for a consultation and he did give a thorough explanation as to why I wasn't a good candidate for surgery. However, he made a major mistake with me and didn't apologize. He did an exam and concluded from it that I had a serious neurological condition. He was very insistent about it and said that I needed to see a neurologist immediately to figure out what was causing it. I was very surprised, as no doctor has ever said this to me and I've been to several following my original neck injury. I was very frightened, and shaken up. Luckily, my husband and I pieced together what had happened - he apparently was showing me what he wanted me to do with my hands but because of my injury I'm unable to look down. He knew this but he didn't think of that. I have to say that any doctor that would make a mistake like this is not someone I would trust. I might have hesitated to write this review if his response had been apologetic and perhaps asked me back at no charge to confirm. But instead he just conveyed to his assistant that he was very relieved to hear that I did not have the condition. His assistant did tell him how upset I was but he did not even think that it might be worthwhile to make some kind of apology or amends.I will say that his assistant, Yvon, was very nice and helpful - even getting back to me to relay his response and explaining to him that I was very upset. read more