Hyun Bae, MD.
Recovery and return to activity reviews.

Wonderful staff and environment, from the time you walk in the door, very professional yet friendly and personable. They were able to answer all my questions and take care of me right away! Highly recommend Dr Bae and his team!

Hyun Bae, MD

I traveled from the east coast to see Dr. Bae on the recommendation of a friend in Los Angeles. I was so debilitated by spinal stenosis that I had take a wheel chair to the plane, fly in a lie flat seat, and be wheeled off the plane to meet my ride. By the time I saw Dr. Bae for my surgery, I had tried PT, shots, painkillers, prescription anti inflammatories--literally everything. I had missed family events including a wedding and hadn't taken a pain free walk in years. Dr. Bae performed micro decompression surgery. I walked out of the clinic and have been walking ever since. It's been a month and I'm averaging 11,000 steps a day. I am eternally grateful for Dr. Bae.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Hyun Bae’s Office is 100% about Customer Service and the patient. Starting on the phone until you walk into the door and then onto your assessment room, everything is Stream lined and easy.

Hyun Bae, MD

Thank you Dr Bae and Bernadette for the best experience I could have possibly had having lower back surgery . You and your staff were so kind and made me feel very comfortable and heard ! Thank you for getting me back to being able to walk again without pain ! The pre-operative care and after care I received was by far the best I’ve ever experienced ,and it was truly a miracle I found this clinic ! I can’t thank you enough wishing you and everyone there a very happy new year !

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bae 116 Cares, listens, takes a minimalist approach, for example let’s try this first before we move to the next step. He is very much aware of the patient’s concerns. Truly a pleasure and he instills great confidence. His PA Bernadette is also amazing! I changed my life seven years ago with back surgery. It was perfect and has enabled me to play pickle ball, walk, etc.

Hyun Bae, MD

I could not have asked for better care from Dr Bae and his staff. Traveling from out of state to see you was the best decision I made. I could hardly walk when I came in to see Dr. Bae. He did my spinal surgery and I feel like a different person I can walk without pain.!!

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Hyun Bae, MD

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the life-changing surgery you performed on June 17, 2025. As you know, I had emergency laminectomy surgery on May 30, 2024, in Wisconsin, which left me with significant numbness in both legs, limited toe mobility, and intense pain from my hip to my left knee. A specialist in California informed me that these issues could become permanent if they persisted for six months after the surgery. I suffered with this condition for a year, and it took me four months to even begin walking without assistance of a walker o cane after the surgery in Wisconsin. When I came to see you in Santa Monica in April 2025, you offered hope that you could correct my desperate pain and numbness. The results of the spinal surgery you performed on vertebrae 3, 4, and 5, where you also placed two screws in vertebrae 3 and 4, have been nothing short of incredible. Just ten days after surgery, I was able to walk without the help of a walker or cane. Now, two and a half months post-surgery, the improvement is profound. I can walk for up to an hour without any leg pain, and I experience only minimal discomfort in my lower back. I went from being unable to walk for more than eight minutes due to unbearable pain (level 8) to being able to walk for an hour without problems. Dr. Bae, your professionalism and that of your staff are truly extraordinary. I feel blessed that you performed my surgery and have changed my life from one of frustration and pain to one without pain at all. Thank you for everything. God bless your heart.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bae, his staff Bernadette and August are the most exceptional caring people. I can't express enough gratitude in the care they have given me during and after my successful spine surgery, C3, C4. I was able to function almost like normal the next day, minus not lifting anything heavy during recovery. Since then, I have another bulging disc in another area and that was painful and they've helped treat the issue right away. Dr. Bae is an incredible surgeon and he has a phenomenal staff!

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Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bae, his staff Bernadette and August are the most exceptional caring people. I can’t express enough gratitude in the care they have given me during and after my successful spine surgery, C3, C4. I was able to function almost like normal the next day, minus not lifting anything heavy during recovery. Since then, I have another bulging disc in another area and that was painful and they’ve helped treat the issue right away. Dr. Bae is an incredible surgeon and he has a phenomenal staff! !

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr.Bae is the 4 th surgeon I consulted with for my cervical and lumbar issues.He gave me the least invasive, cutting edge and advanced surgery options with the quickest recovery! Hopefully the results will follow 🙏🙏 very impressive Dr.

Hyun Bae, 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

Dr. Bae is very professional, yet down to earth, and comforting. Spinal surgery, in and of itself, is a rather daunting thought, but his expertise, thorough research of my case, and the way he explained the process, and recovery made my decision easy. Surgery has been scheduled, and I’m looking forward to having a healthy and working spine.

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

After a failed lumber decompression, I spoke with seven surgeons to discuss methods of a fusion (which I was determined to avoid if possible) or an alternative. Dr. Bae was the only one who suggested a revision and I am walking again.

Hyun Bae, MD

Excellent office personnel. Dr. Bae was extremely detailed and concise in his description of my issues and potential surgical fix. I will remain in touch and if we find that my epidural fix isn’t successful, I will return to have Dr. Bae for another pre surgery consult! Thanks 🙏

Hyun Bae, MD

Amazing surgeon and staff. We were able to get an appointment within days of calling. My husband was in really bad pain and unable to walk and Dr. Bae examined him and his MRIs and got him scheduled for surgery within days of our initial visit. The surgery was a success and my husband's on the way to recovery. Great follow up by the doctor and his entire staff. Highly recommend!!

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Hyun Bae, MD

Dr Bae is not only an exceptional surgeon, he is such a warm and compassionate doctor. I was referred to him and i am happy to say that i am now totally pain free, walking well, etc. My surgery was 2 weeks ago!! His staff is great, especially his PA Avital..She is absolutely wonderful.. I would highly recommend Dr Bae!

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Hyun Bae, MD

Incredible results from an incredible spine surgeon! Dr. Hyun Bae possesses a completely different level of understanding and surgical skill-set that elevates him well above his peers in his field of expertise. Just look at his resume, it's clear why he's considered the best spine surgeon in the U.S. by those who've had the pleasure of being repaired by him. It wasn't by chance that I went to Dr. Bae, I researched spine surgeons in the U.S. extensively and interviewed several before concluding Dr. Bae was clearly the most talented surgeon I could select. And he didn't disappoint me! The entire staff at The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration is very professional and highly efficient. This included scheduling my appointments, working with my insurance company, coordinating my surgeries and all follow-up appointments, including phone calls checking on my recovery progress. Tackling my complicated issue required two separate cervical spine surgeries. The first consisted of a posterior laminotomy, medial facetectomy and foraminotomy at level C7/T1, followed 3-weeks later with a complete 2-level anterior disc replacement at levels C5/C6 & C6/C7. State of the art titanium/polymer artificial discs were securely implanted, providing me with a full range of motion and pain-free use of my neck. Both surgeries were performed at the Advanced Surgical Center of Beverly Hills on an outpatient basis, which would have been unimaginable just 5-years ago. Amazingly, my disc replacement surgery began at 7am and I was in my vehicle being driven home at 1pm the same day, wearing only a soft neck brace for the ride home, which I never needed to wear again. My recovery and pain management has been way better than anticipated. In fact, the most difficult part of my entire recovery has been forcing myself to take it easy to give myself time to heal, simply because I feel so good. It's only been 7-weeks since my second surgery and I honestly feel like I can physically do anything without pain or limitations. I'm patiently waiting for Dr. Bae's clearance before returning to my regular workouts, active lifestyle, and pursuit of competitive golf. My recommendation to anyone in the U.S. searching for the finest spine surgeon available to diagnose and perform spine surgery on them is to include Dr. Hyun Bae on your list to interview. Resist the urge of selecting your spine surgeon simply based on geographical conveniences. Travel if necessary, your spine is too important.

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Hyun Bae, MD

In early 2017 I slipped on some ice and suffered a stable fracture of the L1 vert. Once the trauma of the fall settled and I thought I could return to normal, I soon discovered I'd never see normal again. The fall changed EVERYTHING, as most traumatic injuries do. I was also suffering from a bad knee I believe was exacerbated by the fall. About a year and a half after the fall, I went to see Dr. Bae on the recommendation of my Dr. He took a look at my MRI and noted I had a bone spur hitting the nerve someplace below the L1 where the break was, something others had missed (bulging discs, not much to do about it). He assured me this was easy to fix and I'd be good as new. BACK SURGERY!!! AHHHHH!!!! I was terrified. He noted that while I had some disc degeneration, he felt my spine overall looked no worse than someone else's my age, or his even, which made me feel good--he's young. Anyway, in November 2018 I had surgery to fix the bone spur. I've had several surgeries in my life and I woke up sick and out of it every time. This time I woke up like I just had the best nap of my life. I was up and going to the bathroom shortly after I woke up and I was home a few hours later. The office follow-up was great, and I thank Lisa Cano for her kindness and thoroughness during a small rough patch about three weeks post surgery. I'd been feeling a little blah and I could tell I was retaining water throughout my body. I just felt...swollen. I got a massage, and while the masseuse was very careful around the incision, she moved things around, as massage will do. A few hours passed and as I got up from the couch to go to bed, my back was wet. Long story short, the incision opened up and was leaking fluid. I immediately called the office (around 9pm, so it was the exchange I got), and Lisa called back immediately, asked me to take a picture, then told me how to cover it, etc. and had me come in the following morning. Dr. Bae was extremely concerned, said he'd never seen this so far out post surgery. He was NOT dismissive or cavalier, which I appreciated. His concern actually made me calmer about it (we can address the psychology of that another time) He swabbed for infection, then dressed it and sent me home with dressings and orders to take pictures after every dressing change. Within a day or two he called and said he wanted to go back in and surgically put a drain in. I finished a round of antibiotics he normally gives post surgery, and he put me on a second round. I was very against going under again, and within a few days the incision began tunneling. It was clear I had an infection but it wasn't bad enough to make me ill-no fever, no pain to speak of, just a little uncomfortable and a lot unnerving. He finally prescribed a different, stronger antibiotic and within a couple of days the tunneling stopped and the incision closed. These things happen. Drs work diligently to prevent infection, but it happens. The competency and care I experienced with Dr. Bae and his PA Lisa cannot be overstated. I was not worried for a second, and when I objected to going under again for the drain, Dr. Bae was firm that we shouldn't wait too long, but he didn't push. I sent Lisa gross pictures of the wound and the bandages every day, and it was enough to ruin the strongest of stomachs. Her communication was right on, and frequent. Saving the best for last, my back is good as new. The only negative was that with a repaired back my knee situation came to the forefront and proceeded to cause me suffering the back couldn't hold a candle to. I got that taken care of in September of 2019 (see my review of Dr Andrew Yun). I cannot say enough about Dr. Bae and his staff. He is just wonderful and he'll be my go-to if any future issues arise.

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Hyun Bae, MD

Dr Bae fixed my back pain! Thank you Dr. Bae. I had severe low back pain. Dr Bae installed the Pro Disc in my L4-L5. The surgery was very successful as I’m still living pain free after 19 years. If you’re a candidate for disc replacement I highly recommend Dr Bae and the Spine Institute.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bae Review I had surgery with Dr. Bae and it literally ruined my life. After seeing Dr. Bae periodically and trying some pain management procedures, Dr. Bae suggested a fusion surgery at the age of 27 due to an injury from a motor vehicle accident. Throughout my time seeing Dr. Bae I was deathly afraid because my condition was getting worse and worse and my quality of life was quickly deteriorating as a result. I was a very high-level athlete who was also attending grad school and working at the same time. I was afraid of the pain management procedures that were being recommended to me by my pain management doctor but had them done nonetheless. I kept Dr. Bae in the loop regarding the pain management procedures I had done and he said the lack of relief I had received from the different procedures indicated to him that it was time to go ahead and fuse my spine. Knowing what I know now, this was not correct and I feel he should have directed me to either try a different pain management doctor, or at least additional procedures, before fusing me at such a young age. When I woke up from the fusion surgery, I knew something was wrong. I have never felt such terrible pain in my entire life, even with all of the medications they were giving me to help ease the pain in the hospital. I don’t believe words can do that level of pain justice. I was supposed to be out of the hospital in 1 to 2 days. While I was discharged after 1 to 2 days, I got home and was there for about 30 minutes and then began having incredible difficulty breathing. My girlfriend took my temperature and it was over 102°, Which combined with my incredible difficulty breathing, led to the hospital insisting I rush back to the emergency room to be readmitted. The hospital insisted that someone from my family drive me because they believed an ambulance would take too long in light of the severity of my condition. The hospital kept me for observation for 3 to 4 additional excruciating days and during that time it was discovered I had an infection in my lungs as a result of the surgery and I had blood coagulating inside of my lungs and chest, causing the extreme difficulty breathing. I felt like I was drowning on land, I don’t know how else to describe it. About 4-6 days after the initial surgery I was rushed into an emergency surgery for a pneumohemothorax (I believe that’s what it’s called, not 100% sure). When I woke up from that surgery I truly wished they had just let me die. The pain was indescribable. Like nothing I have ever felt in my life and as an athlete I have had numerous acute injuries over the years. After completing a total of somewhere between 10 to 14 days in the hospital as a result of my “successful” spinal fusion, I was discharged back to my home. For the next 3 to 4 months I could truly barely function. I went from someone who could do well at any sport or activity my entire life to being almost completely unable to care for myself across the board. The way Dr. Bae had explained my recovery would go and the way it actually went were worlds apart. MY PAIN LEVEL NEVER IMPROVED. MY PAIN ONLY GOT WORSE AFTER SURGERY. Following surgery my pain sustained at a level of 8/10 to 10/10. I thought I could not live with the pain I was experiencing prior to surgery, but compared to the pain I feel now on an every day basis, even years later, I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO SOMEHOW GO BACK AND NOT HAVE ALLOWED DR. BAE TO PERFORM MY FUSION SURGERY. During my last appointment with Dr. Bae following surgery, he told me “I don’t know what to do for you. I think you need a spinal cord stimulator. And you will need to see someone else for that.“ Essentially telling me he was done with me....great. Since then I have tried countless additional pain management treatments and procedures to no avail. As any reputable pain management doctor will tell you, a spinal cord stimulator is an absolute last resort, especially for someone my age (27 at the time of surgery, 30 years old now). Length and content of this review were heavily edited to meet the character limit.

Hyun Bae, MD

Dr. Bae is a miracle worker. He’s a brilliant diagnostician and surgeon, ethical, empathetic and a wonderful person. He saved me from having 4 vertebrae fused after 2 other orthopedic surgeons told me it was necessary. Fast forward 2 years and my wife gets a horrible case of vertebral osteomyelitis. After 2 ER bungles, misdiagnoses by another another 2 doctors and 20 wasted days at UCI Medical center and a rehab, Dr. Bae came to the rescue.The 2 months of debilitating pain she endured was gone when she awoke from a 6 hour surgery. She’s now recovering at home. We will both be forever grateful to Dr. Bae.

Hyun Bae, MD

If you need back surgery, you cannot find a better surgeon than Dr. Bae!! My diagnosis was spinal stenosis. My symptoms were pain in my right hip and leg, plus muscle weakness. I am 78 years old and was nervous about back surgery, so I opted for steroid injections in my back, and this reduced the pain for a couple of months, but did nothing to help the weakness. Then, four months ago, I had been sitting on my couch and as I went to stand up, I leaned over to one side and must have twisted my back, when suddenly I was in immense pain and was unable to move my right foot! I went to the emergency room and had an MRI and was told I needed surgery! This is when I called Dr. Bae's office and was told to send my MRI disc and was given an immediate appointment after talking to Dr. Bae's assistant. I saw Dr. Bae on Friday, and watched him review my MRI - his comment was "wow, you need to have surgery, and we can do it on Tuesday!" I was sent nearby for an immediate second MRI and giveen my pre-op instructions for checking in to St. John's that Tuesday. I walked out the next morning with no pain. My leg weakness is steadily getting better with therapy and I was able to return to playing badminton in 2 months! Dr. Bae has literally saved my way of life. I could not walk without a walker when I had my surgery. Now I am walking my Border Collie and playing badminton!

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Hyun Bae, MD

Dr, Bae changed my life!!!!! After seeing several outstanding back surgeons across the country, I chose Dr. Bae for my decompression back surgery after he explained in detail all of my options. On my first appointment I was using a walker and in severe pain...for over 6 months. I was nervous to have back surgery but he gave me confidence it would all be successful...and it was! The day after surgery I was walking normally and pain free. Its now been three months and trusting Dr. Bae was the best decision I've ever made. This 70yr old grandma now feels like she's 40 again.

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Hyun Bae, MD