I spent 3 years trying different therapies for relief from intense sciatic pain. After a failed laminectomy (authored by a different physician at a major NYC hospital), a Castle & Connolly physician recommended Dr. McCance. One month later, Dr. McCance surgically corrected the prior surgery. I was, within a few days following surgery, completely pain free for the first time in years. Now, 5 years to the month (almost) later after his surgery, I am still pain free. To everyone, he is Dr. McCance. To me, he is Saint McCance. read more

Dr Matusz has operated on me 3 different times for spinal stenosis and I think he is an extraordinary surgeon and an extremely compassionate doctor. He explained his procedures and my post operative care clearly and directly and answered all my questions quickly during recovery. I am grateful to him for the active life I still lead and for helping me to face the surgeries without fear . I recommend him to anyone with spinal issues l read more

I went to this doctor because I have suffered from chronic neck pain for 13 years. I realized he was out-of-network, but he appeared to have a a lot of experience doing these surgeries. When I made the appointment, I was told that the evaluation office visit was $600 and what the insurance covers, they would meet. This is not true. They did not honor this and sent me an invoice for $300 after the visit. Further, two weeks after I had the evaluation, someone called to tell me that normally this surgery (for Dr. McCance alone, not including hospital costs) would be $100,000 -- but that they were willing to do the surgery in my case for $35,000. Again, not even including the hospital costs. $100,000 -- and they came right down to $35,000! If I had not interrupted, they would have tried to charge me $100,000. And to top it off, Dr. McCance is not a very pleasant person. He seemed annoyed that I was even there. I had several questions and he answered them, but not at all a great feeling from this visit. AVOID THIS DOCTOR. There are many more options in NYC -- great doctors with better reviews, who also have impressive track records. read more

Dr. Mccance was cold and uninterested. Poor bedside manner. Barely listened to me. Was only interested in knowing the surgeon who did my prior surgery, the whole visit was weird and awkward. Sent me an outrageuos bill for the office visit. Money hungry to say the least. Angie from billing has an attitude problem, no customer service skills. Borderline nasty when I inquired about a professional courtesy. Huge mistake going there. I couldve just google treatments with a better outcome. First and Very Last visit. read more

Ask Dr. Mccance about the risk of adhesive arachnoiditis. He never mentioned it to me. I now have this incurable disease of the spine, in intractable, debilitating pain. I repeatedly went back to see him after my fusion surgery didn't improve my condition. I was dismissed by him and his staff and told to go home and take 2 advil. He never told me I had adhesive arachnoiditis. Early treatment is essential but I lost several years because it was never mentioned. Two years later at Cedars Sinai hospital in LA when I was diagnosed. Perhaps this brilliant surgeon didn't know. Be an informed consumer of medical care. read more

Dr. McCance is a magician in the OR i could not walk before the surgery and after he did a seven hour spinal fusion I am back on my feet moving again. His staff is wonderful. I cannot praise him enough. Thank you for your compassion and brillance read more

I got my first of 2 spine operations from Dr. McCance when I was 18 years old. 7 days later, he operated again to finalize the procedure. This was in 2001 (15 years ago), and yet I'm still as grateful as always for the stellar job he did on my surgery. Make no mistake about it -- my operation was a major one. I had severe curve in my spine and absolutely needed surgery. Through two procedures, his team corrected my scoliosis and fused my spine from T3 to L3, which is a 12 level fusion (thoracic to lumbar). In English, more than half of my spine was fused with metal rods! If you think that I'm living confined to a wheelchair, rolling around in pain, or bed ridden to this day, you're not crazy. The truth is, however, I was able to recover and live an active life as a professional circus performer. Although I couldn't pursue a career as a full time professional acrobat as I originally planned due to my spinal condition, I was able to continue juggling and have made a bigger name for myself as a professional in that field. Don't get me wrong. Recovery was grueling. I had to work my butt off and fight through countless hours of physical rehab to get back to normal activity. There are still things that I cannot do. I had to say goodbye to doing backflips, playing contact sports, and doing heavy manual labor. But the good part is that I did eventually return to a normal life, and at 33 years old, I'm in even better shape than my 18-year old, pre-surgery self. With Dr. McCance's great attention to detail when it came to my case, I felt like I was his only patient. When I tell people the type of operation that I got, they're in disbelief until I show them a photo of my x-ray. They see how fit I am and the career that I have, and they say "No way!" They then rightfully credit me for what they can imagine was a tough recovery, but I also make it a duty to bring attention to the incredible job that Dr. McCance did. I couldn't have had a better surgeon to do it, and I highly appreciate all of his hard work. If you're with him, you're in good hands. read more

Because of Dr. McCance I am living completely pain free after my spinal fusion. I had a spinal fusion in October and was back to work 4 weeks after surgery!! Dr. McCance and his staff are superb and truly care about their patients. I am forever grateful to Dr. MCCance and his staff. read more

TERRIBLE!!!! When I called to make an appt, I specifically asked about coverage. They led me to believe that I would not have to pay out of pocket, but I received an invoice anyway. They charged my policy $600 for a 15 min appt that wasn't even with the doctor! However, I was upset before I received this invoice for several reasons. I waited for 40 min to be examined by a phys asst who didn't give me any insight on what was happening to me. She gave me a script for x-rays, which the front desk kept pressuring me to go to a facility they recommended; even after calling to have a script faxed to a facility in my neighborhood. When I called about the invoice, the office mgr insinuated that I was lying. When I called today to follow-up, another front desk person spoke over me to tell me that they would never say anything like that concerning insurance & that I was the one that misunderstood. What I know for sure is that the staff at this office has the worst customer service skills. read more

This not only a success story, it is an accounting of how Dr. Sean McCance. through skill and incredible super-human patience literally saved my life with anterior cervical fusion surgery, for cervical myelopathy compression, replacing discs that were shot with a titanium cage... and burring away -- hour after hour -- a huge amount of dangerous life threatening bone spurs that were milliliters away from my spinal chord... changing my chord signal. One bad smack in the back of the neck or head on the street, and that would have been it for me. Adios. Dr. McCance went on for 5 1/2 hours -- slowly, hour after hour -- way past the timeline they had predicted my surgery would take. Many surgeons would have pushed to get done faster, and probably might have left some of that bone spur material where it was. But not Dr. McCance. He took his time, and made my health and my life the #1 focus, not himself or his schedule, or his next appt. And my life was threatened, believe me. Not the kind of life & death surgery I would trust just any surgeon with. Only him. It is very difficult to find doctors these days who really care... and who put your health above their career or their income -- but Dr. McCance does just that. He's a rare "healer" who puts your health, often life or death when dealing with spine surgery, as the #1 issue when he's working on you. And that focus and phenomenal patience literally saved my life. read more

Dr McCance saved my life. I am finally towards the end of my treatment with this brilliant kind doctor and his amazing team Ryan Adrianna, Joana, Doris . I came back from vacation with severe neck pain thinking this was just a structural issue . My chiropractor said best u get an MRI and find a good spine / orthopedic surgeon . I google spine and cervical surgery in Manhattan . My first google I found Dr Sean McCance website -after read the stellar reviews - learned of his position as director or co director ( can't remember) at Mt Sinai in the spine surgery sept. All the reviews from patients were stellar . I said to myself " Can all this be true? " it sounds so perfect and speaks to exactly what I am looking for . I know in internet marketing etc friends write reviews but these are actual real patients with successful outcomes and yes he sends you to alternative treatments if he feels surgery not needed - . I thought - I better Search more and not jump at the first good one that I found. I did so but kept coming back to Dr McCance . Long story short -I was seen by a PA At Dr McCance office and I had the MRI that same day .Dr McCance himself called me saying I had a bacteria infection in compromised cervical vertebrate that was very dangerous and I should check into MT Sinai - my problem could quickly devolve into paralysis or other risks. I trusted him - so did my husband who is a scientist and engineer . Long story short - this doctor saved my life - his team held my hand at every juncture . The treatment was the best treatment I have ever received from a surgeon . His team of PAs Held me in their hands and supported me : Ryan Gunther -in my case - who was As knowledgeable as any doctor I have ever spoken to and watched over me until my neck was stable . This is my last day of wearing a Neck brace and I am starting to exercise again. omg the unbearable pain and infection in my neck is ALL gone. My neck feels so much stronger . Dr M had an infectious disease doctor on the case and operated on the cervical discs (a cage And bone graft put in and was put on serious antibiotics for the infection after scraping it out n surgery) . It was an ordeal which has resulted in a stronger neck free of pain wher I could have been paralyzed ! .soon I will be able to be back to my 4 day a week Pilates regimen and 5 day a week cardio exercise I have never received such great care in my life unless I paid out of pocket . This is not so here . Medicare and my secondary insurance covered it all. A team of nurses recommended by Dr McCance came for home care for about a month . I have watched this doctor and his staff treat everyone - every patient in their office - with the same skill and equanimity . I feel blessed and grateful that I found this team of skilled kind caring professionals . The metal cage and pin in my neck looked like the precision of a great surgeon and artist . The PA Ryan made sure I did everything in correctly to heal and checked in on my progress with regularity . Today after my final visit I was told I don't have to wear the neck brace and I have no pain no bacteria .. it could have been very bad if I didn't pay heed to the opinions of this care provider . I have had a lot of surgery for different things . I have never found such precision in surgery and lost medical care in another doctor . Dr McCance abs team give 800 percent I felt a need to share this since I was so frightened about this surgery .i am forever grateful ... the mechanics and humanity of office staff mirrors that of this wonderful physician and skilled surgeon who shows equanimity toward healing all his patients . Very overwhelmed here as today I received such good news from the doctor and I feel so very strong . kindness and great skill in one . What could be better ! read more

Spine Associates of NYC: Sean McCance, MD - after successful cervical vertebrae surgery which saved my life - Spine Surgeons Near Me - New York, New York

Dr. Sean E. McCance performed surgery on my lower spine on June 26, 2103.When the anesthesia wore off the following morning, my consciousness was flooded with the awareness that "He did it! Dr. McCance and his colleagues, Drs. Frelinghuysen and Koller, along with neurosurgeon Dr. Chaudry had successfully and effectively eliminated the source of my pain." I was and remain extremely grateful. I needed spine surgery to at least reduce intense pain in my lower back, hamstrings, hips and calves. I hoped this would increase functioning of my lower body. One cause of my lower back pain was spinal stenosis. MRIs also revealed two additional diagnoses: lumbar spondylolisthesis and intracanal epidural cyst. This combination interfered with the spinal cord and major nerves that branch off from it. The result was that I sometimes walked haltingly, creakily, slowly or all of the above AND I WAS IN GREAT PAIN. Simple movements often required inordinate amounts of conscious concentration. I had to stop and allow the pain to subside after walking only ten yards. I have been an avid hiker and walker since I was ten or so years old. This condition forced me to make a huge lifestyle change. As I told Dr. McCance the day his staff scheduled the surgery, "Here I was supposedly in semi-retirement and I could not enjoy taking a walk along the beach." This stenosis was first diagnosed in 2000 when the pain initially affected my mobility. Most years since then it only affected me 10% of the time. That changed in May 2012. Between then and June 26, 2013 lower back pain plagued me 90% of the time. The persistent compression pain in my lower back was accompanied by throbbing pain in my buttocks, shooting pain down my thighs and lower legs, aching hips and tingling shins. The pain intensity was 7 on a scale of 10, and often spiked to 10/10 during certain motions, such as, sudden twisting to catch something, riding a jerky bus or subway or stepping into an unexpected pothole. These spikes paralyzed me. The pain made everything difficult. It was often nearly impossible to concentrate enough to work at the computer and I had to pass on one-man run and gun video work because I could not endure the pain of lugging around the gear. I could only take gigs that paid enough for me to hire a production assistant. Prior to surgery, I had tried many ways to reduce the pain: acupuncture, chiropractic, podiatry, medicines, massage, physical therapy and different types of shoe inserts and shoes. I consulted numerous orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, podiatrists, physiologists and pain management doctors. Many of them helped part of the problem, e.g. one chiropractor reversed the footfall that developed in September 2012. The other treatments provided relief for various lengths of time. Earlier this year, I became convinced that only surgery promised long-term relief and possibly a permanent resolution. That's when I became willing to find the right surgeon. The Universe created an opportunity. A friend of thirty years asked me to accompany him to a spine specialist regarding his very different medical condition. While helping my friend during his consultation with Dr. McCance, I realized I liked his professionalism, his relaxed yet confident manner, his attentiveness, and his use of Physician Assistants to maximize his time efficiency. Once my friend's situation improved, I consulted with his doctor. The rest is history. Spine Associates "fixed" my back. I walked the day after surgery. The staples were removed on July 9 and on July 14 I participated in a peaceful demonstration that included walking from 23rd and Third to Times Square. We advanced at a leisurely pace and there was no jostling. AND I walked back home afterward. I exercised my civil right of freedom of expression because medical science as practiced by Spine Associates made it possible for me to walk without pain. I look forward to the continued recovery. Follow up visit on August 27 - two months after surgery. That's when I'll learn about physical therapy to help me unlearn the compensatory walking habits I picked up from 2000 to 2012. I look forward to resume swimming, low-impact cardiovascular exercise and stretching and to getting my first post-surgery massage. Within months, I will return to my active lifestyle thanks to Dr. Sean McCance and Spine Associates. read more

Dr. McCance was recommended to my husband by a family friend who is a physician. Dr. McCance had operated on his wife and son with excellent results. My husband had broken his back 40 years prior in a car accident and had surgery at that time but was having major issues with his back again. The work that was performed by Dr. McCance could not have gone any better. Dr. McCance was exceptionally caring, knowledgeable and efficient. The surgery was a great success and the recovery was smooth. We have both sung Dr. McCance's praises ever since and have been remiss in not posting our heartfelt endorsement sooner. read more

I returned to Dr. McCance, having undergone a previous surgery (for a different issue) in 2000. This time, I had a large piece of herniated disk sitting on my Cervical spinal canal. Very painful, very debilitating. When we mutually determined that I needed surgery, Dr. McCance fit me into his schedule immediately. I awoke from surgery and instantly knew that the surgery had been successful. As I told one of the PAs, I feel 200% better -- beyond expectation. Dr. McCance, is both kind and a very straightforward person, which I appreciate. And of course, results matter above all. I would recommend him unreservedly. I also find his staff to be knowledgeable, respectful and helpful. read more

Dr. McCance is a top quality doctor. He is compassionate, reliable, highly intelligent, and truly one of a kind doctor. Highly recommended!

I just received an email from someone stating they were undergoing spine relate? what does that exactly mean at Mt. Sinai Hospital. I read all of Dr. McCance's reviews, I can't believe the 5*, he has no compassion, staff turn over like pancakes, The hardware he placed is loose and I am facing an even more dramatic surgery because of his failure. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone, not ever. This doctor is in the business of medicine, not healthcare. read more

I am an active individual whose life came to a complete halt early last year. I was experiencing excruciating, debilitating pain in the upper region of my back, just to the side of my spine. From March on, all I could do was sit up - either in bed (even to sleep, I couldn't lay down) or in a living room chair. It was a complete nightmare. My spinal doctor referred me to Dr. McCance for treatment, after 5 epidurals only gave me very temporary relief (a week or two at most). Dr. McCance examined me and scheduled me for a series of diagnostic tests, to be sure of what the problem was and to then decide on the most effective treatment. He proscribed quite a few tests, just to be sure of the correct diagnosis and treatment. I had a cervical disc fusion last November (2014), and had immediate relief - the terrible pain that I had suffered with was completely gone. The surgery performed by Dr. McCance was 100% successful. I have resumed my normal life, and can do anything that I could do previous to my medical issue. Dr. McCance gave me my life back, and I am very grateful to him for that. read more

Doctor McCance saved my life. I am a healthy 27 year old who had some bad luck. I was in a car accident and rear ended a year and half ago. Between then and now, I have had 4 epidural injections and physical therapy weekly. I didn't even want to consider surgery as an option, as I am sure most people don't. Doctor McCance was the third doctor I saw to get an opinion. I felt a degree of confidence with him, I hadn't felt with any other doctor. He was compassionate, understanding, and above all brilliant. It was an easy decision once I had my consultation. He made me feel comfortable and confident. I am currently 8 weeks out, and I am better than ever. I am already walking 5+ miles a day and starting physical therapy again. I got my life back and I'm looking forward to the endless possibilities that this doctor created for me. I can't imagine where I would be without him...and I don't really want to. Also, he has an incredible staff. They are reliable and there 24/7 for any questions or concerns. They never made me feel stupid for the questions I asked, and were always prompt in their responses. I am extremely impressed by this practice as a whole. I am beyond lucky. Thank you Doctor McCance, words cannot express my gratitude. read more