Michael L Gordon, MD

I saw Dr Gordon for an L5 — S1 fusion, nearly 2 years later i feel on top of the world and my back is as strong as ever. If anyone has doubts about have surgery, go see Dr. Gordon and dont wait, i put up with paid for over 5 years, debating whether i should have surgery or not. It was the best decision i made.
I was snowboarding again 6 months later and 12 months later back in the gym.

I visited this doctor for a C5 C6 herniated disc problem that has been ongoing and worsening over the last 7 years. Starting with the premises– at first glance look pretty; but the seats and bathrooms are disgusting (looking at detail). They herd you in like cattle and I didn’t end up seeing the actual Doctor until about an hour after my actual appointment time (I arrived on time with all paperwork filled out in advance). The doctor himself did a very quick evaluation and immediately pushed for surgery. I understand that my issues are not improving; but was hoping to actually discuss all the alternatives to surgery first. Say I actually wanted surgery (I don’t until I’ve tried all other options) I wanted to know more about what it involved (type of surgery he was suggesting etc). He was VERY condescending. I’m an intelligent person with enough medical knowledge and research to comprehend. Simply telling me (in said condescending tone) that it’s a «modern» surgery with «quick recovery and no death» just won’t cut it for me (pun intended). Seriously though, upon further questioning of Dr Gordon (for example what TYPE of surgery are you suggesting– disc replacement or fusion) he told me fusion. When I pointed out that fusion had longer recovery periods and a worse prognosis, he agreed and blamed «the insurance company» for his suggestion. He stated there’s «no insurance» these days that will cover the replacement. I looked into my insurance and I am under the impression it would. It leads me to believe he is pushing surgery for money and pushing the type of surgery he is most comfortable with (not necessarily what is best for the patient). I gave a generous 3 stars to him since I never had surgery and don’t want to slate what I don’t know about fully. If I simply reviewed only on my interaction it would’ve just been 2 stars. Beware.

Dr. Gordon is simply the best. So personable and just such a real doctor. I originally got sent to ivy green with an emergency case of disc pain. A shot and an MRI the day of in and out and feeling 50% better just when walking out. Doctor Gordon is now working to fix the herniated disc. But so far so good! Will return to Unilocal when I get deeper into my treatment.

Back in November, I had a micro discectomy on my L4.5 because of lower back pain, numbness, and tingling in my left leg. Well, my symptoms have not gone completely away (nerve damage from the compression can take up to a year to get better), my back pain has been greatly reduced, numbness has gone away, and there is only a little tingling in my leg. What I liked about Dr. Gordon, he didn’t push me to get back surgery right away, and I tried several rounds of PT before opting for my surgery. My only suggestion to him is to slow down a little, sometimes, I felt rushed when asking him my questions. But, I guess that is what happens when trying to see so many people in a day. I highly recommend Dr. Gordon!

Dr. Gordon is The best Surgeon! He fixed my back. As a mother of 2 babies I’m so grateful to have his care & a team like his to work hard at fitting me in quickly & making my back better before it got worse. I had surgery yesterday and am feeling great today! The scar is so minimal & is hardly noticeable. I’m so surprised at the end result. I remember back to when I had to drive to my mri and cried the entire time even just a 10 min drive because the pain was so bad. Dr. Gordon knew what was wrong right away and how to fix me quickly. He introduced me to his hard working team– huge Thank you to Jicky who worked hard at getting me scheduled (I know Dr. Gordon is very busy and I appreciate all you did to accommodate me). Everyone at the office was very wonderful. Dr. Gordon just called to see how I was doing & I said I’m going to write a review to let you & everyone else know how great you made me feel!!! Thank you!!!

I first used Dr. Gordon in 2012 for a discectomy revision from a prior surgery of the L5, S1 that had been done back in 2009. The best way I can describe my first results from Dr. Gordon work was I felt better after three weeks of Dr. Gordon doing the revision surgery than I did after 3 years from the first surgery. Seriously was a total different level of pain relief compared to the first surgery. Strength, movement everything was better than I had felt in over 3 years.
Speed up to 2015 and my disc at L5, S1 just had nothing left to it. The bones at one end were touching and there was no alternative but to do a fusion. This time Dr. Gordon recommended an ALIF as well as re opening the old incision on my back to make sure no disc material that could have been missed from the ALIF would be left in there. Dr. Gordon was very clear about this being a tough surgery. Think about it, he is cutting in the front to get to the back, and then also cutting in the back. My, my…
Recovery,
The back pain after the surgery was gone. 2 nights in the hospital and I was out. But it’s the recovery from actually doing the surgery that makes the first week pretty tough. After getting thru the first week, week 2 is all about walking and just walking. I was after the best results possible and felt I choose the right surgeon and right procedure, but it was up to me to do all the recovery steps just as directed. After following what is recommended to walk, ice, walk ice, lay down, don’t bend lift or twist. I WAS WALKING 2 MILES A DAY AT 2 WEEKS AFTER MY FUSION SURGERY. Sitting for any length of time took longer, and the motion of a car not a thrill.
The office also does a great job to stay in touch with you in the days after. They use an online system to check in with you by email to ask questions of recovery as well as answer any questions you have along the way. The email is nice so you can respond to it when the time is right for you not try to jump to a phone call. The email questions and answers to your questions, gives you a great no concerns or worries feeling during the whole recovery. This constant staying in touch lasted an entire month after the surgery.
Look a bad back is a bad experience, period. Using the office of Dr. Gordon makes what is always a bad experience in life as comfortable as possible while you wait for the procedures to get you fixed up. After the procedures, it’s up to you. You can’t lay around, you have to move, walk, ice, eat right, sleep lots, wait, and wait on getting back to regular activities. Dr. Gordon can give you the best procedure. It’s up to you to get the best recovery.
Thank you Dr. Gordon for getting my life back.

Best surgeon ever specializing in minimally evasive maneuvers which I really appreciate as a
Chiropractor!!!

Please don’t take the poor reviews seriously. This is one hell of a doctor! And to the contrary, his staff was great. I had a microdiscectomy last month and I now I feel great. GO SEE HIM!

Dr. Gordon & his assistant Ivey are the most caring and understanding.
I couldn’t believe the amount of pain i was suffering. The cyst growing on L2 & L3 had all but cut off my spinal cord pushing it between the 2 vertebrae. Stabbing, cutting pain numbness & weakness.
When Dr. Gordon & I reviewed my MRI together he turned to me and said this must be taken care of immediately. I was in surgery within 48 hours. Dr. Gordon is awesome!
He took the time and explained everything to me. The absolute benefit of having no more stabbing pain. The fact that I would have fusion hardware and that it would feel foreign. That the post-​op recovery will take a few months for the fusion to completely take hold. Yes, there is metal hardware screwed into the center of my back. Due to the nature of the cyst growing into the vertebrae. It was necessary to scrap away enough bone to ensure that it does not grow back. However, this weakens the bone.
The hardware is framework to ensure my spine heals properly and can withstand the weight and pressure of my body. A small price to pay.
I’m not the best patient to work with. Dr. Gordon an his entire staff are wonderful!!!
Patient, knowledgeable, understanding.
He is and excellent doctor & surgeon. I would recommend him to anyone suffering from extreme back pain.
Today is 1 month since my surgery. I’m back to work full time!
Thank you Dr. Gordon!
Michael Heil
Anaheim

The worst doctor ever he did surgery on my back and made me worse. DO NOT GO SEE HIM.

I can not say enough about Dr. Michael L. Gordon and his entire staff. The front staff is incredibly personable and professional.
1. Appointments made easily and appointments on time! CHECK
DR. Gordon and his medical staff eased my fears, explained the options other than surgery. When it was apparent that surgery was our best option, the knowledge and ability to explain the surgery process and Recovery was exemplary. Their were no surprises pre or post surgery.
Years later I am totally pain free and have resumed activities. Pain free… pain med free!
I highly recommend this health care professional to my family and friends.

Very good and skillful surgeon! When I was told I needed cervical spine surgery, I was very scared and freaked out because I never knew anyone who’d HAD it before. From my extreme pain, I knew that something had to be
, I had a second opinion, and a third, and they all said that at some point, if things got bad, I would probably need surgery. Then my pain got a lot worse. Because Dr. G. had worked on my husband and had done an excellent job on another, different problem, I decided to go with him. While I was recuperating at the hospital, I said to myself, «I was scared of THAT?» What sounded like a HUGE big deal, really was not, from this patient’s point of view. I realized how glad and relieved I was to have gone to Dr. G. I would recommend him to anyone not only for his skill at surgery, but also for his skill at diagnosis and explanation.
Now, keep in mind: this is a very popular and busy office, and the staff tries hard to keep things running smoothly and they are very capable and for the most part, awfully nice. Sometimes there is a wait in the waiting room, and sometimes not. That happens in any popular medical office. But it’s popular for a REASON: Lots of people recommend Dr. Gordon! Even my PCP said I’d be in very good hands… and I absolutely was.
(My surgery was last year and THIS year, I met a new friend who, coincidentally, praised him to the skies for the great job he had done on her 90-​something Mother.)

Good doctor butTerrible staff. No returned calls. Major billing discrepancies. Total crooks!!! Stay away!