Patient Stories
David Campbell 
Comments: “You can’t compare one to the other,” says David Campbell when describing his prior surgeries to the new minimally invasive surgical experience with Dr. Choll Kim and the specialized staff at Alvarado Hospital. Over the past ten years, Campbell’s degenerative spine had resulted in three difficult traditional surgeries, numerous titanium plates and screws and months of recovery time. Finally, he heard a radio ad for an Alvarado spine seminar. It was there Campbell met Dr. Kim, a leader in the revolutionary field of minimally invasive spine surgery and immediately afterwards set an office appointment. According to Campbell, three key factors set Dr. Kim and Alvarado Hospital apart:
1) The Diagnosis: “I had the best doctor,” establishes Campbell. “Dr. Kim did not rush into surgery. He went to great lengths examining my health conditions, reviewing my past surgeries and meticulously determining the right diagnosis, so that on the day of surgery there were no surprises. He knew exactly what needed to be done. He even removed some of the unnecessary titanium equipment that was interfering with my progress. The day after surgery, I was on my feet, the pain in my legs gone.” Campbell was amazed, “It was instant relief!”
2) The Staff: “It’s so different when everyone specializes in spine – they aren’t just generalists – and they know what they are doing,” Campbell adds. “The nurses were outstanding. There was a flawless transition from one shift to the next. Thank you, Sarah, Arlan and Andy.”
3) The Spine Zone: “The Spine Zone is a crucial element of long term care,” further explains Campbell. “You can’t find these types of machines at a regular gym. I was supervised by a spine therapist. I’ve learned body mechanics and life-long lessons I can take home.” Even after completing the recommended rehabilitation, Campbell still goes to the Spine Zone. “The follow-up care has made such a difference in my enjoying life again.”
Since his surgery, Campbell has referred several friends to Dr.Kim and the spine team at Alvarado Hospital. “I’m his biggest fan,” Campbell proclaims.
Lola Buie
Comments: “God blessed me with an introduction to Dr. Raiszadeh, Jonathan and all the Spine Institute staff,”proclaimed Lola as she reflected back on her experience. Not wanting to be sedentary, Lola had pushed through her aches and pains attempting to continue her daily activities as usual. But when the pain became too much, she sought help. “When I met Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh,” she recalls, “he was reviewing an MRI of my cervical spine which showed a leaning spinal cord with nicks.” What Lola had was severe spinal stenosis with discs bulging against her spinal cord. “We talked about the danger of doing nothing versus the danger of performing surgery,” Lola continued. “I opted to trust Dr. Raiszadeh and have surgery (an ACDF - anterior cervical discectomy, fusion – plus corpectomy). The results… I am back to normal without any pain or debilitating side effects!”
Jeanette Maggiore-Anet
Comments:“The minimally invasive surgery was amazing…to have the pain subside so quickly. I felt the difference immediately.” Jeanette is a wife and mother of two children. Ten years ago, she was in a car accident that threw her discs out of alignment. The pain and constant burning sensation in her legs made even simple tasks difficult. For a while, Jeanette endured epidural shots that enabled her to walk for a period of 24 hours per shot but eventually she underwent surgery twice and was told she may have pain forever. Luckily, Jeanette found Dr. Choll Kim, a minimally invasive spine specialist at Alvarado Hospital. Using leading-edge GPS-like Stealth technology, Dr. Kim was able to pinpoint the exact location of Jeanette’s problem and perform a corrective surgery through tiny incisions. Within a day Jeanette was able to walk!
WATCH A NEWS INTERVIEW WITH JEANETTE
Cynthia Poenie
Comments:“I injured my back while working with disabled children in 1999. I tried everything possible to find relief from the resulting and continually increasing low back pain. I was treated for long periods by more than four different doctors After many x-rays, MRIs, and almost every kind of therapy available, none of the doctors could determine waht the underlying problem was. It became harder and harder to just get by on a day-to-day basis. Eventually I was unable to walk or stand for more than five minutes at a time without being in unbearable pain.
Last summer I found the Spine Institute of San Diego online and quickly scheduled an appointment. Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh took one look at my x-rays and knew exactly what was wrong at my first appointment. He determined I had a two level spondylolisthesis slippage at L4/L5 and L5/S1. He carefully explained my options and I decided to go forward with a double level fusion using his minimally invasive surgery techniques. The surgery was a total success. I knew right away my back was repaired because I could feel my toes again immediately after waking up from anesthesia. My recovery progressed very rapidly with no complications. Six months have passed and thanks to Dr. Raiszadeh and his wonderful team, I am beginning to work out at the gym. I cannot express my gratitude enough for restoring the joy of free and unrestricted movement to do the things I love most."
Raymond B. Pelka
Comments: "I have to admin I was scared to have back surgery and had been warned by many that spine surgeries don't always necessarily produce the desired outcome. I was told that it's very painful, recuperation is quite lengthy and that many end up worse off than before the surgery. I didn't want the surgery, but the pain was so bad and so unbearable that I had no other choice. My only choice was to find the right doctor. It was through the recommendation of another physician that I contacted Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh for pioneering his extremely successful, minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Raiszadeh is amazing! He performed the Spinal Lumber Fusion and completely cured all my back pain and spine problems, leaving only two very small (about 6cm) incisions on each side of my spine. The procedure cuts through less muscle and bypasses nerves that run along the spine so recovery is roughly half the time of what it would have been for the "normal" procedure. I was back at work in 3 weeks form the date of the surgery and within a month I was showing signs of solid bone growth. By 3 months I was out of the brace, taking physical therapy 3 days a week and started to return to my normal daily activities.
I was very lucky to find Dr. Raiszadeh and have recommended him to anyone I know that is experiencing severe back pain and sciatica. From his expert knowledge and skill to his bedside manner, he and his staff (especially his PA Jonathan Wu), are top notch! I hope I never have to have another surgery, especially spine surgery, for the rest of my life... but if I do, it will be with Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh.
Thank you Dr. Raiszadeh!!"
Comments: I am a 32 year old woman who would be in great health if not for a recent back problem. I was diagnosed with a herniated L4-L5 disk, degenerative disk disease, and an annulus disk tear about 2.5 years ago. After managing the first two years through regular, sustained physical therapy and medicine, the situation deteriorated so much that I could hardly walk, sit, work, or function normally, and physical therapy was no longer helping. Unsatisfied with my prior doctor, who ultimately (and exasperatedly) told me that a traditional spinal fusion was the only other option besides living in pain, I searched extensively for another opinion from the best doctor I could find. I sought long and hard, and went to visit Dr. Choll Kim of the San Diego Spine Institute. I am incredibly glad that I found him, and that I am now under his care.
Dr. Kim’s resume is outstanding. He was trained at Harvard Medical School, did his residency at the Mayo Clinic, and is rated as one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the US & World News Report. Importantly, he also is a leader in the field of minimally-invasive, endoscopic surgery for spinal injuries. Minimally invasive surgery converts the barbaric and brutally invasive “old” technologies of back surgery to a version 2.0 which is much safer and makes healing much faster. The treatment is done through a tiny incision, using very advanced tools, so that your muscles and skin do not have to heal from being sliced through to reach the spine. This method reduces healing times and the rates of infection dramatically. Given the potential trauma of back surgery, I think it is incredibly important for a doctor to stay on the edge of technology, which Dr. Kim has admirably dedicated himself to...
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Scott Almond
Comments: Due to a traumatic injury to my back thirty five years ago, I was now at the point in my life where I could no longer brush aside the pain and associated symptoms. I was finally succumbing to the numbness, burning, difficulty ambulating, and difficulty with activities of daily living.
It became glaringly apparent that something had to be done. Knowing that surgery would likely be my only effective form of treatment, I did mot research and decided upon the right man for the job, Dr. Ramin Raiszadeh. His background and surgical record speak for themselves.
Living sixty miles from San Diego, my primary care physician was someone local. So the first thing I had to do was change my primary care physician and make it someone in the same medical group as the surgeon I chose, so I could get my necessary referral. This I did and then started making arrangements to have my very needed surgery. I have been an employee at Alvarado hospital for the past five years, so I know everyone there, and felt peace and comfort having my surgery there with friends and family.
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M.R.
Age: 45
Dx: Cervical stenosis, disc disease
Comments: I had a 4-5 & 5-6 fusion, due to a work injury and auto accident, everyone was very professional, friendly and helpful. Dr. Raiszadeh is a very dedicated experienced and caring person. I have and would highly recommend him. It was very helpful to be fully informed about the procedures and I felt very comfortable asking questions. I'm elated with my recovery and progress.
K.W.
Age: 60
Dx: Severe kyphosis, revision surgery
Comments: Treatment has been super. Dr. Raiszadeh is terrific. I was so bent over I couldn't look straight ahead. I often felt that all I could do was to count ants on the ground since I could not look forward. I gradually got worse and worse. That's when I came to see Dr. Raiszadeh. I'm very pleased with my outcome and progress. I can now walk normally, and have a normal posture.
M.D.
Age: 17
Dx: Scoliosis
Comments: I am truly thankful to God that I was able to find such a great treatment from a great doctor. Dr. Raiszadeh was the most helpful and compassionate surgeon we could find, and I would definitely recommend him for anyone undergoing similar treatment.
D.F.
Age: 49
Dx: Cervical and lumbar pseudoarthrosis
Comments: I believe that I'm receiving very good care from Dr. Raiszadeh and his office staff. I have no complaints. I am glad that Dr. Raiszadeh is my doctor. I would recommend him to anyone. Thank you, Dr. Raiszadeh.
J.B.
Age: 48
Dx: Spondylolisthesis L5-S1
Comments: I was unable to walk or stand w/o major pain down my left leg. I am very pleased with Dr. Raiszadeh's treatment. He performed a PLIF (posterior lumbar interbody fusion) with instrumentation, and this has (so far) resolved the pain. The Dr. was very professional and caring, and I would gladly recommend him to my friends.
E.S.
Age: 56
Dx: Lumbar stenosis, spondylolisthesis, pseudoarthrosis
Comments: Prior to surgery, I experienced excruciating pain in the lower lumbar area. The pain was so great, it was most unbearable on a day to day basis. The pain caused a great deal of agony and placed unbelievable stress in my life, I feel that the spinal fusion April 16th, has given me back my life, I am active and enjoying life again, with minimal limitations. Thanks: kudos and much appreciation to Dr. Raiszadeh and his team of assistants.
R.M.
Age: 48
Dx: Cervical disc herniation, Cervical disc disease
Comments: I had two herniated cervical disks, C5/6 & C6/7. I had been experiencing pain my back and upper back for approximately 3 years. My pain got in the way of the things I really enjoyed doing. In my left hand and arm I had numbness and loss of strength. It has been 7 weeks since my surgery and I am "very" pleased with the outcome. I received excellent and professional treatment from the medical staff & front office personnel. Dr. Raiszadeh is very knowledgeable and took the time to explain the procedure, so that I completely understood. I had complete confidence in Dr. Raiszadeh going into my surgery. He did an excellent job! I now can enjoy my active life, thanks to Dr. Raiszadeh & staff!
L.E.
Age: 55
Dx: Adjacent disc disease, Stenosis, spondylolisthesis
Comments: You may use any or all my comments, case and/or pictures. I have had severe lower spine problems since 1986 that actually began 1963 when I broke my neck. 1986 I had discectomy/laminectomy, 1991 I had bone fusion-both surgeries were at L4/L5 & L5/S1. I was off work & on social security for 10 years. In Dec. 1998 Dr. Raiszadeh performed surgery on my back at L3, L4 using a new technique. The surgery was rough, the recovery very hard. I was glad I prepared for the surgery by walking & swimming. Though the recovery was extremely difficult-learning to walk, sit & do many things all over. It was well worth it-I have no regrets. I'm post-op 2 years now- I work, I go to a gym & live a full active life. Prior to my surgery I could do nothing but crochet & knit.
R.K.
Age: 45
Dx: Lumbar disc herniation
Comments: Before surgery, my right leg was in constant throbbing pain radiating from my lower down to my right calf and foot. The surgery center personnel explained everything to me and how thing work going to happen. The procedure was done and my short stay was wonderful and virtually pain free. Both staffs were extremely professional & caring. A rather large disc herniation was removed. Other than some minor numbness, I am able to function normally again, without any pain or discomfort. Thanks for everything.
T.G.
This office is great as are the doctors. I would recommend them very highly. My sons care is excellent.
C.S.
I walk again!
R.E.
Best wishes always to you, Dr. Ramin Raiszadeh, and all the wonderful staff at the Spine Institute of San Diego. I will always be very grateful for my spine surgery! Your world class Spine Institute of San Diego makes the world a better place.
S.G.
Hello Dr. Raiszadeh, I have been working full time since I was released from medical care back in May 2010. Things have been very good for me since you repaired my back. I do have occasional pain, but it is usually caused by me over doing it at work. I have learned to know my limits while working, or doing things around my house. Sometimes I feel like I never had major surgery, but when I lift too much or twist too much I know it real fast. I do have pain once in a while, but I have learned to live with it. Compared to my pain before the surgery, I feel much better now and consider it a complete success. I wanted to thank you again for what you did for me and my family. I feel there are good and bad doctors but you are the best.