Physiatrist - La Jolla, CA

"Dr. Hai-Yan Li is supposedly a "pain management" orthopedic doctor at Scripps Clinic. She is literally the worst doctor I have ever seen, and I've seen my fair share. I have several conditions in my lower back, including stenosis, degenerative disc disease and facet disease. The Scripps orthopedic PA sent me to Dr. Li and told me I could get spinal injections for the pain. Dr. Li has absolutely no bedside manner. She came in, looked and my xrays, and said I should go for a swim. When I explained the debilitating pain I endure, she said "if it gets bad, you can go to the ER." That's her idea of pain management?? The ER? I further explained that when the pain "gets bad," I'm bedridden for 3 days. She said, "Oh, just come in then." Come in?? Did you just hear me say I can't get out of bed? No, she didn't hear me say anything because she does not LISTEN. She didn't offer me any medication, no physical therapy, no spinal injections, no stem cell injections, no steroids, not a kind word ... NOTHING. She literally did nothing. She LITERALLY shrugged her shoulders at me and walked out of the room. The whole visit cost me $4 to park and a $50 copay - money which I don't have - to be told I should go for a swim. Unbelievable. Stay as far away as you can from both Scripps Clinic Orthopedic and especially Dr. Li. They have nothing to offer and do not care."

"I cannot say enough about Dr. Kasendorf. I have suffered with a pain issue for 15 years and I was passed around from doctor to doctor with no relief. Finally I found someone who took an interest in not only managing my pain but trying to find out what was causing it. He "phoned a friend" aka mentor doctor that offered a possible cause. This led to a referral that diagnosed me in 5 minutes. I would not be where I am today with a diagnosis and pending surgery if it was not for the efforts of this fabulous doctor. He is straight and to the point. He is not interested in wasting your time or his. If you are looking for a "feel good" doc who is just pushing pain meds, perhaps he is not the right doc for you. If you want real help for your pain issues, then he is an excellent choice. If he does not have the answer, he will do his best to find the answer. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Kasendorf."