Spine Surgeons - Marina Del Rey, CA

"For the last five years I’ve experienced lower back which had progressively gotten worse. It got to the point where I was taking pain pills and adjusting my sleeping positions during bedtime hours. In July of 2023 my back completely went out. I never knew that pain like that could even exist. I went to the hospital, where they infused me with pain killers and conducted numerous tests. I was diagnosed with a bulge in my lower lumbar, between my L3-and L4. Lucky I was able to find some relief with an epidural. The hospital had referred me to a surgeon in my area. This Doctor was horrible, he felt that my back problems were related to a hip injury or my pancreas? Go figure… He met with me for only 5 minutes and never looked at my imaging. I later met with another surgeon who wanted to insert a, “spinal cord stimulator,” which is an electrical cable in the spine. I conducted research and found that a spinal cord stimulator has very little to no affect. I saw another surgeon who did not provide me with a solution to the problem. I was completely frustrated with no hope in sight. My work colleague had suggested that I go visit the Marina Spine Center. I made an appointment and met with Dr. Gideon Blumstein. He took his time with me. Dr. Blumstein completed a physical examination of my hip and lower back (which no other surgeons did). Dr. Blumstein opened up my MRI and reviewed with me each of my vertebra in my lower lumbar. He identified the issues he saw and within 15 minutes he identified the cause of my back pain which was a substantial herniation between my L3 and L4. Dr. Blumstein felt the only way to remedy the problem was to remove the herniation with surgery. He said that he would do a Microdiscectomy which would remove the problem. Dr. Blumstein said that he and another surgeon (in my case it was Dr Watkins) would conduct the procedure. The staff at the Marina Spine Center was top notch for my pre and post op appointments. The surgery had been completed and the pain relief was immediate. Dr. Blumstein provided me with a postop plan, which included videos to watch, for my rehabilitation. Dr. Blumstein is head and shoulders above any of the other three back surgeons I saw. THIS GUY IS A WINNER! Trust me, I speak from personal experience. I would never write a positive rating unless I felt that Dr Blumstein had earned it based on merit. If there is anyone out there who is suffering from back pain? Dr. Blumstein is your go to doctor. Dr. Blumstein cares, is knowledgeable, and takes his time to educate his patients. As far as I’m concerned, Dr. Blumstein IS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!! "