Neck and cervical spine reviews

Dr. Kamrava is extremely attentive to my needs and for that I am grateful. He’s come up with a game plan For me and moving forward. I would recommend his services to anybody who needs attention to their back or neck.

Evish Kamrava, MD

Dr. Bae is the best! I have had 2 lumbar surgeries and 1 cervical surgery on my neck. He is a pioneer in spine surgery and has invented several new parts to aid in the benefit of spinal surgery. I wouldn’t go to anyone else!

Hyun Bae, MD

I went to see Dr. Khurana to talk about the low back pain I’d been having but while I was there he wanted to get x-rays on the two cervical disc replacements I’d had done 3 years ago. He found that one of them was failing. He got me in within a few days, removed the replacement and fused that level, feels great now but could have been bad news had he not been on top of things and ordered the x-rays. His attention to detail is second to none and his team and staff are always incredible!! There is no one I would trust more with my spine!!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

After years of dealing with chronic numbness and tingling in my arms, I finally found relief thanks to Dr. Ortega and his incredible team. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed, heard, and taken seriously. I had tried everything—physical therapy, cortisone shots, rest—but the symptoms persisted. Dr. Ortega took the time to review my MRI in detail, explain my condition thoroughly, and walk me through all my options. Just weeks later, he successfully performed surgery to replace three damaged discs in my cervical spine (C4–C7). I’m now just two weeks post-op and already feeling a huge difference. While there’s still some soreness from the recovery process, the intense pain caused by spinal cord compression and disc herniation is gone. This review may be a little early, but I couldn’t wait to share my gratitude. Once I’m fully healed, I look forward to writing an update—but for now, I’m just excited to be getting back to the active lifestyle I’ve missed for so long. Thank you, Dr. Ortega, for helping me take my life back.

Brandon A. Ortega, MD

Dr. Brandon Ortega, my Orthopedic Surgeon, whom I love and respect, is a shining example of compassion and precision. In my entire life, I have never met a Doctor so genuinely caring and meticulous. He was a divine blessing in my life. In 2023, he performed a Lumbar fusion decompression on my spine. He performed an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) on my neck on 5-12-25, and I'm looking forward to feeling much better again.🙌 On 5-12-25, my surgery was a resounding success, he repaired the disc in my neck, and I'm now embarking on a transformative journey of healing, strength, growth, and freedom from pain!!!🦋 I'm ecstatic to share that Dr. Ortega has done it again, surrounded by his exceptional staff in a radiant healing atmosphere filled with light and professionalism! As I closed my eyes, I was serenaded by "Everything is going to be alright"! And that was uplifting vibrations. Again, thank you, Dr. Ortega, you're a blessing to the world! Ms. Sherry Pruitt 💛

Brandon A. Ortega, MD

My testimony is giving God all the Glory for Dr. Brandon Ortega and his team. Many days I wanted to give up but didn’t! I believed God would heal me someday! It was 2012 when I truly started feeling the spinal pain. I was also experiencing joint pain! It began getting worse throughout the years. It was 2023 when I first met with Dr. Brandon Ortega who is part of the Optum Group. Dr Ortega is a Dr who took the time in explaining my condition. Dr. Brandon explained my condition which was, Cervical Nerve Root Disorder. He explained MRIs, X-rays and so forth. Dr. Ortega is just one of the many Drs. left in the medical profession who takes the time with his patients! Thank God. This has been my experience in such short period of time. Prior to Dr. Ortega, I saw many Specialist regarding my medical issues.I tried every Conventional Medicine and Physical Therapy to help relieve the painful suffering, I was dealing with. Not to mention years of depression. Dealing with the fact, that this aliment had left me drained was not easy. My health was rapidly declining. It was sometimes difficult for anyone to tell unless, I was having difficult days which kept me indoors. I was a silent sufferer! Dr. Ortega was honest enough to let me know, the only medical solution to stop the pain would be surgery. He discussed the procedures. I saw and read all the necessary information I needed to know and see. I sort the Lord on this matter. It was then I knew in my heart, that Dr. Ortega was the right Dr. in performing this procedure! I had my surgery on April 8th 2025. It has been one of the best decisions made. I am feeling 99.9% better in my life today. I thank God everyday. If do cry, it’s tears of joy! Anyone who has ever suffered from chronic pain can tell you, it will rob you of whatever joy you had or have. I’m am far happier than I have ever been. I’m slowly but surely recovering and getting back to enjoying life once again! Thank you Lord🙏🏼🙏🏼Thanks to Dr. Ortega and his awesome team at the Institute and Memorial Hospital 🙂

Brandon A. Ortega, MD

Amazing surgeon, this is the man to trust your spinal health to. Staff is wonderful as well, Marineh was always so helpful. Had cervical disc replacement, 2 levels, and I'm about 16 months out now and doing great. Easy recovery especially compared to other procedures I've had. Dr. Khurana has more of a conservative approach which I appreciate, but he also has the knowledge to know when something will do better with surgery. His bedside manner is wonderful which isn't always the case with surgeons, and he takes his time to explain things thoroughly. Thanks Dr. K and team!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Bae and his team were amazing, start to finish. It’s hard to believe that something as complex as Cervical Disc Replacement surgery could be handled so smoothly, and the fact that it was completely an outpatient procedure made it even more comfortable. I’m going to be recovering for a bit but I just had the surgery a week ago and I’m already feeling 200% better. Would definitely recommend Dr. Bae to anyone in need of this kind of procedure!

Hyun Bae, MD

I was suffering terribly with neck pain for years and my last resort option was surgery. Prior to going to Dr. Bae my option was fusion of the discs in my neck that would limit my neck movement. Dr Bae offered another option that would give me complete mobility in my next that would not involve fusion. He spent a lot of time with me explaining the procedure and its previous successes. His staff was amazing as well. I am so happy with the results; no more pain or debilitating migraines and I now have complete flexibility of movement in my neck. Dr Bae has been a godsend and I would highly recommend him to anyone who is suffering from spinal issues.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr Kamrava really knows his stuff. Seems knowledgeable to me. Unfortunately I have stenosis in my cervical spine and we worked out a game plan as far as when we are doing the epidural. I also have issues with my low back that is next on the list. He gave me a lot of time on the initial visit, really listening. He even called me back after that visit to answer a few more questions. He also is kind.

Evish Kamrava, MD

Not enough room to say all of the great things Dr. Khurana and his staff have done for me in the last several years. Multiple lumbar fusions, decompressions, reinstumentations, revisions, cervical disc replacement, the continuing care to get me out of pain. It's an ongoing process with severe degenerative disc disease but every level, every surgery is done with extreme caution and care, keeping what's best for me always in mind. Good people here and I won't go anywhere else!!

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Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Bhalla is a wonderful spinal and neck specialist and surgeon. He's very skilled and extremely kind and caring. He's good about explaining your condition and his recommendations. The staff is very polite and very friendly and make you feel comfortable. You're treated with respect and a caring attitude. I highly recommend Dr. Bhalla. I would never recommend anyone that I wouldn't go to myself and find to be extremely thorough.

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Amandeep Bhalla, MD

I visited Dr. Khurana for a 2nd opinion and in the process was won over to a new spine specialist. When my physical therapist recommended Dr. Khurana as someone I should get an opinion from, his was a name I’d heard many times over the years. He had a reputation as one of the top spine surgeons in the country. This was something I’d heard touted numerous times over the years. Selecting a doctor with Dr Khurana’s prominence to render a second opinion on a surgery I was scheduled to undergo was comforting to my unsettled mind. I was seeking confidence that the surgery I was about to undergo was appropriate. Alternatives approaches hadn’t been discussed and in the absence of such, I was left to assume surgery was my only option. I just didn’t know the degree of necessity. Was it absolutely necessary? Unsure as I was, I was racing toward another double ADR surgery. I already had double ADR surgery some years ago. Following through with the surgery as planned would render the majority of my cervical spine artificial. Was this even prudent? How many quadruple ADRs exist in the universe? What are the outcomes? I had questions and needed confirmation from another spine specialist that additional ADR surgery was my best course of action. Dr. Khurana analyzed my cervical imaging and surgical history. He reviewed his interpretations with me and my wife, provided us ample time to ask all the questions that had remained unanswered and in the end, it was Dr. Khurana opinion that I didn’t need surgery. Dr. Khurana explained his diagnosis and other more measured alternatives available to treat my case. My visit to Dr. Khurana was as relieving as it was revealing. I feel very fortunate to have turned to Dr. Khurana for answers. It was, in retrospect, a very good decision. Dr. Khurana may be a highly regarded spine surgeon, but he’s a good doctor because he understands the importance of communication and through it, connects. By comparison, It’s now obvious to me what I was missing in my relationship with my previous spine doctor – a human connection. In better hands, C

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Khurana is excellent! As is his P.A., Brianna. I highly recommend them both. I have been seeing him for over 5 years. First for my neck and now for my lower back. He is conservative in his approach which I appreciate. He explains everything thoroughly and answers all my questions. His office is well run and everyone is friendly and professional. And they run on schedule, no long waits. 👍

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr Sanjay Khurana is the number one spine surgeon on the West Coast and top five in the country. If not the best he’s done two neck and two back surgeries on me and my experience at his facilities at the Commons was nothing short of a miracle. I was referred there by my friend Dr Gary Brazina i’ve had 100% recovery and have a new body to continue doing my extreme sports photos. Attached the efficiency of his office staff is incredible. I was terrified to have the surgeries done and now I would recommend him to anyone because he will fix your problems and take your pain away. incredible experience all the way around. With 100% success, my body feels like it’s 30 not 66 and I intend on continuing my extreme sports life. Thank you, Dr. Khurana and your office staff. After my first surgery, I was at a Laker game overall the results have been nothing short of a miracle. The facilities at the Commons are nicer than most five star hotels and his surgical team was incredible. The follow up is even better. If you’ve been waiting because you’re afraid of having your spine worked on, don’t wait any longer. This has been life-changing for me. The bulk of my injuries have been with me since my 20s from the athletics of the car. Accident didn’t help these injuries obtained through a life of incredible sports and I feel blessed to be able to continue although have retired from the pro water ski jumping, but we’ll still be doing the extreme snow skiing along with all my other sports paddle boarding ultimate frisbee pickle ball. The list goes on and on when I went into Dr Khurana’s Office I couldn’t walk unassisted.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Great office , got me into before xmas, really nice and very competent, helpful. Dr Bae has replaced with spreaders two cervical discs already. I was afraid I’d need another surgery, but he’s getting me a cortisone shot instead! Yay! I didn’t want another surgery so relieved for him to say “ shot!” Before I even asked him about it. Arranged in a few weeks.

Hyun Bae, MD

Due to an accident a few years back in 2022, I developed cervical and lumbar pain. This pain has disrupted my life, caused depression, anxiety, negated the quality of my life, where I’ve become withdrawn from participating in life, having lost my confidence and failing in getting daily accomplishments completed. A week ago, my lumbar pain was a 16, (on a scale of 1 to 10). Because of the accident, I need surgery on cervical and lumbar regions. I opted to have the cervical surgery first. However, the thought of having this surgery did not give me any peace of mind. With time my lumbar spine pain greatly increased in severity, affecting my daily life and ability to sleep for 8 hours a night; (the pain would wake me up several times a night). Last week I had the first of two surgeries by Dr. Vokshoor; with Dr. Kamrava performing a lumbar epidural. The epidural results have been absolutely and instantaneously amazing. I hadn’t known about Dr. Kamrava’s successful work; and had anxiety and negative thoughts about the procedure. However, I did know enough to listen Dr. Vokshoor’s advice in having his trusted colleague, Dr. Kamrava perform the lumbar epidural. Post-surgery, it’s been 1-1/2 weeks and I have not experienced any lumbar pain. Personally, being pain free in my lumbar region is a miracle and I should’ve had this procedure over a year ago, but fear had held me back. (When experiencing severe pain, one becomes fearful and of the following mindset: if something happens during the epidural, (or surgery), then my pain will only become worse - … and I can barely take it like it is….’). Long-term pain is accompanied by any or all of the following: depression, anxiety and fear, loss of hope, anger etc., and more. I hope I have chosen my words properly, in communicating just how grateful I am to Dr. Kamrava, (as well as to Dr. Vokshoor). The quality of my life is changing. I have a lumbar surgery with Dr. Vokshoor on the horizon; and I can see hope and light at the end of the journey of surgeries. I will be able to move forward being structurally sound, say goodbye to chronic pain and with the precious time I have on earth; take my goals off of the top shelf and focus on them again. Dr. Kamrava will be my pain management guru and help me to the goal of living a pain and medication free life. Thank you to my amazing doctors and to you for reading my honest truth and being vulnerable.

Evish Kamrava, MD

Dr. Bae is a wizard. I had 2 cervical discs replaced with artificial ones. It has gone completely smoothly. He made sure that I made it into his schedule. St. John's, where he performed the surgery, was terrific. His PA is great. I highly recommend him. We have recommended him to friends who have been similarly happy.

Hyun Bae, MD

All I can say is that I’ve now had. Dr. Bay put artificial discs in my neck 10 years ago and literally saved my golfing career. Before coming to him, I could hardly grip a club. Since the surgery, I’ve won seven club championships between two clubs in the last 10 years 6 weeks ago I had db Bae fix my back. I couldn’t walk or put weight on my leg. 4 hours after surgery I walked unassisted around the hospital wing. My sciatica on the left side was severe. Now on the way to recovery #2. Optimistic and can say with conviction that there is a difference in neuro surgeons he is worth every penny he charges. And newsflash he isn’t as expensive as some others. In summary all I can say is that if you have a spine issue listen to this man. He knows his craft. Btw I have the exact same feedback from everyone I e sent to him. He is the best that I know of.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bhalla is very thorough and kind. He did my neck surgery and he did a great job. I would recommend him and his staff to everyone.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

My back and neck have been saved by this compassionate and superb surgeon. Complete trust which is what I needed.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

I’ve had chronic neck pain with the occasional flare up that causes a little shooting down my arm, I’ve been working with Brett on and off for a while and my symptoms and flare ups have decreased. I’ve never felt better!

Brett Pugh, PT, DPT

Best Orthopaedic Surgeon EVER!!!! I wouldn't have had my most recent lower spine surgery if he wasn't available. He's the Best, and his staff is also. He has the best bedside manners, he pays attention to what your needs and concerns are, he thinks of you only when he's dealing with you. After my surgery and I went home the next day, he called me to check to see how things were going. At the time they were going well. The next day there was an issue. I had also received a text message from his office so I called in and they got him on the phone. He explained what was going on and called a prescription in for my issue. He always keeps the patient the priority and I personally appreciate that. Also, the day of my surgery, as he was heading to his prep area he looked at my son and told him "I'm going to take good care of your mom", that sealed the deal for me. He has always been an exceptional doctor for me. And his office personnel are awesome and special. You cannot write a review without mentioning them. They set the tone for the visit and the office and then Dr Bhalla completes the visit. % exceptional in my opinion. And I can't close this out without mentioning Dr Bhalla wonderful smile . Thank you Dr Bhalla for all you have helped me with, in regards to, my cervical and lower spine. You are the BEST.

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Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Dr. Khurana saw me and my wife for neck & back issues. He was just wonderful. He spent time with us. He told us both, "Don't let anyone tell you that you need neck surgery." He told me that my pain was coming from L4/L5. He said, "See a pain Doctor, try everything that he or she recommends. Try Physical Therapy. If nothing works, call me back and we'll talk about a minimally invasive surgery to resolve your pain." My wife and I both felt that Dr. Khurana was absolutely the surgeon we would use for any neck or back issues. He is knowledgeable, professional, and has a compassionate personality.

Sanjay Khurana, MD