Had spinal surgery 5 years ago, short and great recovery, I am like a new man at almost 83.

When did doctors lose their compassion for their patients? After many years of suffering debilitating back pain, I live everyday at a 9 out of 10 on the pain scale, another physician referred me to Dr. Alpesh Patel. Ive done years of physical therapy, and tried everything I could possibly think of only to get much worse. I had visited another spine surgeon at Rush a year prior, who told me my pain was coming from herniated discs, and I would need to do pain injections with an epidural directly into the spine, though she said she didnt think theyd actually work. I went to Dr. Patel hoping for more insight, and brought him a copy of my MRI from Rush. You are seen by a nurse and a doctor in training before you actually see Dr. Patel, and the student doctor is the only one who does an exam. Everyone spends maybe two minutes total with you. By the time Dr. Patel comes in, hes talked to his staff and viewed your MRI outside of the exam room, so hes already made a diagnosis before hes even seen you. He does not go over the MRI with you, or even try to do an exam. Mind you, what he had to say was the complete opposite of what the doctor in training told me. He comes in to tell me he thinks the herniated discs are probably just from age (Im 35), so they likely arent the root of my pain, and that I probably have a muscle strain somewhere. He never explains where exactly. Hes already rushing out the door as he says it. I stop him to ask more questions, as I dont think it explains why Ive been in this severe of pain for so long, but he says its certainly possible. He tells me a nurse will be in to refer me to a pain specialist, and he leaves, basically with me in tears because nothing was answered. I get it, maybe I am not a patient who immediately needs spine surgery, but I am a human being in severe pain. The fact that he never even pretends to care, and rushed me out the door, is unforgivable. I deserved better. Since then, I have gone to an AMAZING surgeon at Illinois Masonic who actually spent a half hour with me listening, caring, and talking about the things he thinks it could be. He has ordered additional tests to be done, and is on top of it. I truly wish I would have gone to him first instead of wasting my time and money with Dr. Patel.

I saw Dr. Patel about a month ago for severe leg pain radiating down my left leg, refractory to more conservative treatments. I was so impressed with his knowledge and demeanor and when he told me he could operate 6 days later, I was so relieved. I left his office feeling great about his knowledge and skills. I’m 3 weeks post-op and I’ve never felt better. Such easy recovery and looking forward to getting my life back.

Dr. Koski and his team gave me a new life! Had a complete anterior and posterior spinal revision due to flatback syndrome from failed Harrington rods placed when I was a child. I am now 98% pain free. They are truly miracle workers. The best!

Dr. Patel is a highly knowledgeable, skilled surgeon with a very kind and empathic understanding of patient concerns and fears. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of spine surgery without reservation. Dr Alpesh Patel performed 2 surgeries on me: a lumbar laminectomy and an anterior discectomy with cervical fusion at C 4-5 and 5-6. I am feeling very well; my body can engage in behaviors I havent been able to do in many years. Thank you to Dr Patel and his team.

I had two laminectomy done with him he and his NP Nancy are amazing. His admin Leigh is awesome. Best choices surgeries were 12/15 and 8/16

Had three infusion and 2 rods put in by Dr. Patel would highly recommend him

Alpesh and Dr. Theodore Elsaesser, MD decided to take advantage of me while i was anesthesia. To make it even worse, the device he designed and implanted failed and i had to get it redone.This hospitals threatens other hospitals that try to fix their screw ups, because they dont want evidence of negligence.

The best!!!