Mark C Nelson, MD

Well, It’s been over two yrs. since I saw Dr. Nelson & nothing has really changed so I am really glad that I listened to him & did not have surgery! :-)

I went to Dr. Nelson when I developed sciatic nerve problems. Over the course of a few years we tried various options, but the sciatica stuck around. Finally, in November, Dr. Nelson operated on my back. He did an excellent job, and I felt relief from the sciatica as soon as I stood up from my hospital bed. Now I’m back to paddle boarding and taking long walks with the dog-​I feel great.
Throughout the whole process Dr. Nelson did a thorough job of explaining my condition and my options for treatment. He made me feel confident that the surgery would go well, and he must have done a good job– I was out like a light when that was happening.
Summer, Dr. Nelson’s assistant, was helpful and friendly and even forgiving when I screwed up appointment times.
If you have back problems and are even considering surgery I recommend that you see this guy.

I wish I could give Dr. Nelson TEN stars! He gave me my life back! I had spine surgery in 2011 and have been active and healthy since. Although he is a little nervous that I am mountain biking again ;) if I hadn’t had the surgery, I am not sure I would be able to ride my bike anymore. It was very scary to think about having my neck cut open, but Dr. Nelson is very confident and made me feel relaxed. He was very conservative and we decided on surgery as a last effort after more conservative options were not working over the course of a few years. I am very young for the type of surgery I had, so he was very conservative. Also, Summer is very sweet and professional (and never gets a vacation!), always calling back if not available immediately. Thank you Dr. Nelson and Summer!

Absolutely the most WONDERFUL Surgeon with a spectacular staff! Summer (his assistant) is on the ball and gives you the best experience ever! Such wonderful bedside manner and we have a great relationship after 7 years… :)

Dr. Nelson gave me my life back. I had very bad pain from my hips down to my toes due to a herniated disc. After trying just about every thing it was time to have surgery to repair the problem and I could not be happier with the results. His staff is very friendly and professional. I have referred friends and family to Dr. Nelson and will pay his office a visit if any problems should ever surface again.

I’ve seen Dr. Nelson for two different issues: a lower back problem and a more recent issue with my neck. I saw a number of different doctors for my lower back, and Dr. Nelson was able to diagnose the probable cause.
The neck: I woke to shoulder pain last year and within a week I had shooting pain down my forearm and tingling in my hand. Dr. Nelson diagnosed the issue and instead of pushing surgery, he outlined my options and his recommendations. We pursued a non-​surgical approach but that did not resolve the issue. It was my choice to proceed with surgery instead of waiting to see if the issue would clear. He performed a discectomy and fusion C6/​C7 and as he predicted, when I woke from the surgery, the tingling /​loss of feeling was gone. Despite the potential for loss of motion in my neck, I suffered no such loss. The surgery was 100% successful and I am fully mobile and have had no adverse side effects.
Dr. Nelson is a fantastic combination of patience, great communication skills, extraordinary intellect and experience. I highly recommend him and know from personal experience he is top notch in his profession.

I highly recommend that you see Dr. Nelson for back pain, or any type of back problem. He demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, caring, and skill. He worked with me to resolve my intense back pain and leg spasms, and after trying a variety of less radical methods, including therapy, shots, etc., we agreed upon surgery as the best approach. Ten months after surgery I am pain free and grateful to him for his expertise and dedication to his profession. A good man and good at what he does — what else can be said?

My first appointment with Dr. Nelson was mid January. I went to see him because I had horrible sciatica and had tried every other form of treatment.
Dr. Nelson is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, and in my opinion, one of the best in San Diego.
He listened to my history, asked important questions, evaluated me and had me into an MRI the very next morning.
After the results of my MRI came back, he gave me a lot of important information on the treatments available for my herniated L5, S1 and Sciatica and made a few recommendations.
I took that information, researched, spoke to friends, googled and ultimately decided to take it slow and proceed down the conservative treatment path step by step.
I then booked 2 follow up meetings to talk about additional questions I had and some of the research I had done. I greatly appreciated him being available to simply discuss treatments with me and ease my nerves.
This past Thursday, Dr. Nelson performed a Microdiscectomy on my herniated disc — my very first operation! Needless to say I was extremely nervous, and a little freaked out.
After the surgery was complete, he reassured me it all went well, and would check back on me in the morning.
I am now 4 days into my recovery, and feel almost 80% better! He really is a fabulous doctor. He has current up to date relevant treatment information, involves you in your health care decisions and I really would not trust another doctor with my spine.
If you have any back problems, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Nelson.