Charles S Cobbs, MD

I was dealing with pretty bad back pain that started with a hike and got aggravated by playing cricket. I visited Dr. Cobbs who did MRI and all kinds of tests (which were super expensive btw). Looking at the reports he said nothing was wrong with me structurally and asked me to go home. I asked him what should I do about the pain and I don’t remember what he exactly said but the answer was not very helpful. I wish he looked into my vitamin D level which I later realized was very low (no surprise living in Seattle). I wish he gave a more directive answer. He might be a good surgeon for someone who has structural issues but not for someone like me. Later, I visited a Sports Orthopedic doctor who was first to notice my low vitamin D. I would highly recommend Dr. Maxine Weyant instead.

Dr. Cobbs is a first class surgeon of whom I could not list all his attributes in this small space. I was a San Francisco Police Officer in 2006 when my back was seriously injured at work attempting to break up a gang fight. One disc had ruptured (literally exploded) and two other disc’s were also ruptured. The first time I met Dr. Cobbs I saw that he had a bedside manner that was practically unheard of. Friendly, genuinely caring and a great personality. Dr. Cobb’s performed this complicated surgery (he found other disc problems during the surgery) and my recovery was practically pain free. Over the next five years Dr. Cobb’s performed three other back surgeries and two neck surgeries regarding ruptured disc’s. One of the neck surgeries required a very invasive operation from the front where three disc’s in my neck needed to be fused and bracketed with a metal brace. I have had no problems as a result of Dr. Cobb’s surgeries, only relief from the initial pain. The problems in my back will require a lifetime of surgeries due to the numerous injuries I sustained as a police officer for 26 years. Sadly for me and his patients, Dr. Cobb’s left for a position in Seattle, Washington, a position which he highly deserves and is qualified for. I have had two more back surgeries since Dr. Cobb’s left (other surgeons) and I am awaiting another surgery in a couple of months. San Francisco’s loss of Dr. Cobb’s is definitely Seattle’s gain. If anyone reading this is considering a surgery with Dr. Cobb’s I would tell them do not worry, you are in the best hands possible. Thank you Dr. Cobb’s for everything and God bless you and your family. Sincerely David P Bardoni, retired S.F.P.D.

It seems a bit common to be recommending an internationally known, highly skilled neurosurgeon on Unilocal.But if it helps one person make a decision about seeing Dr. Cobbs for surgery, it is a good use of this social media. Dr. Charles Cobbs and his physician’s assistant Michelle Smith made my husband’s brain surgery way less scary than it could have been. Dr. Cobbs explained exactly what he would be doing and why. He answered all our questions in clear, easy to understand, yet precise language. On the day of surgery, Michelle Smith was with my husband as he went into anesthesia and Dr. Cobbs had nurses make two calls up to the waiting room to let us know how things were progressing. After the operation, Dr. Cobbs came out to the waiting room to tell us how the operation went, answered our questions and let us know a time frame for when we would be able to see him.
Dr. Cobbs did an amazing surgical procedure on my husband. He went into the center of his head and removed a benign tumor which was beginning to press on his brain stem. He did this with such precision, that after only three weeks, my husband’s physical and mental capacities are almost totally normal. There remains only a slight bit of double vision and the inability to wiggle his left toes, both of which Dr. Cobbs maintains will return to normal with time.
My husband and I recommend Dr. Cobbs to anyone considering neurosurgery. His expertise is the off the charts and his easy-​going manner is a calming reassurance for the family. Between Dr. Cobbs, Michelle Smith, and the nurses at Swedish, you will be in very special, caring and expert hands.

I want to share my views of Dr. Charles Cobbs with the world. The man is a true miracle worker. I was in San Francisco for a conference and was in a desperate way because of the pain I was experiencing. After arriving in San Francisco and during a visit with a cousin, he suggested that I go for «one more» consultation with a surgeon. Fortunately, Dr. Cobbs had time to see me on April 30, 2013. In short, he took the most amazing care of me. For months and months I had suffered with unrelenting back and leg pain. I had seen many doctors, all of them quite able, but had received so many mixed and conflicting diagnoses and treatment plans that I was truly confused. In some ways, I do not think that the doctors themselves knew how to proceed with my tricky and complicated problem. Well, when I saw Dr. Cobbs he immediately diagnosed my problem (synovial cyst on the spine which was pressing on the nerve root) which was followed by surgery to remove the cyst that day. When I woke up from the surgery the pain was gone. I could have just cartwheeled down the hall of the hospital. Yes, the surgery was successful but that only tells part of the story. Dr. Cobbs’ diagnostic skills were superb, his interpersonal skills were outstanding, and his post-​operative care was second to none. He recognized that I was a bit nervous to have surgery by someone I had just met but he inspired confidence and explained the problem and surgical procedure in the most gentle and accessible terms. I am now back in Toronto (my home) and cannot fully express my gratitude to Dr. Cobbs and his team. His admin staff were gentle, informative, and helpful. Thank you to the entire team for giving me back my life. If you are looking for an outstanding neurosurgeon with great interpersonal skills then book an appointment with him. You will find a surgeon who truly takes an interest in the personal well-​being of his patients. When you look in Wikipedia for a description of the perfect doctor, there should be a picture of Dr. Cobbs.
Clare from Toronto

I had been suffering from numbness in both hands for almost two years, and tried every non-​surgical option imaginable. If only I had met Dr. Cobbs two years ago to avoid all that wasted time, energy and discomfort. Dr. Cobbs has an incredible bedside manner, incredibly patient, and so thorough in making sure that I understood everything wrong with me and what it would take to fix it. Dr Cobbs removed two discs in my neck three weeks ago today, and other than a little time to be 100%, I am already 95% improved than prior to surgery. It’s the first time in 2 years that I have been able to sleep through the night. I am so happy that I traveled from southern California to the bay area to have him perform my procedure. I wish he operated on ALL parts of the body, so that he could be my general practitioner! An incredible experience and I am truly indebted. Thanks again Dr. Cobbs.

Ever since September 21^st, I’ve been looking forward to writing this review — but I wanted to wait until I’ve had the full experience with him as my lead doctor /​neurosurgeon.
The experience kicked off in incredible fashion with him being called at 11pm at night from the ER doc to fit me in the very next morning — he answered and I was at his office by 11am.
Background: I woke up with the loss of using my left arm & hand. Couldn’t grip. Couldn’t lift. Infinite pain. Endless tingling in my hand & fingers.
Dr. Cobbs captained the ship to chart a course through all the different doctors I had to see and tests to conduct (spine mri, brain mri, structural doctor, and neurologist with an EMG).
He was the one doctor I saw through it all that was really hands on in testing, and a thorough explanation of the situation — including going over each mri result with in laymen language.
He fielded all my *neuro*tic questions: «Is it MS, is it MS?» «What about ALS?» «I can’t feel my face, what’s going on?»
Oh, and his staff — bless his staff! — would take my calls in between meetings:
«Hey, I can’t feel either of my feet or hands now, and the pain is throughout my neck.»
They took all the notes & it was proven when I got a call from the MRI department to schedule a brain MRI, which today we went over and proved to be negative on all brain possibilities. And, he dictates his notes of each meeting in front of you, then prints you out a personal copy.
Final diagnosis: «Transient Neuropathy.» What causes it? Well, if you ever show all these symptoms, you should see Dr. Cobbs and if it’s determined «transient» read: who knows then you should ask him what his mnemonic device is to remember all the possible causes of TN.
I didn’t have any surgery done by him, and that’s the plan going forward.
Straight forward, persistent, clear answers, conversational, and goes through all possible scenarios & takes those extra measures to make you feel complete (e.g. he took the initiative to have a final meeting today to go over everything & close the book on this!).

Dr. Cobbs has performed three spinal surgeries on me in the last few years. Two of the three went beautifully. The last though has been problematic. Although I feel that Dr. Cobbs is a superior surgeon, he nicked something while working on my lumbar spine that was no big deal and completely understandable considering the chaotic mess that is my spine.
For whatever reason, Dr. Cobbs stated on the surgical report that there were no complications, nor observable spinal fluid leakage. And yet the following morning while doing rounds, he was confronted with me exercising at his physical therapist’s behest, by walking up and down the stairwell. Rather flustered, Dr. Cobbs explained to me that because of the spinal fluid leakage, I should be on my back for at least 48 hours, and would tell all staff members of this situation.
While in the stairwell, I took, what was to be the first, of numerous falls due to my right leg giving out without warning. A month later, with the falling a significant issue still, and ER Doc, Alex Lam, ordered a post-​operative MRI in order to determine what was going on with my spine. This STAT MRI showed that my disc at the L3/​L4 level had re-​herniated and was extruding. Making matters worse, there was a pool of spinal fluid that directionally was putting extra pressure the already extruding disc.
For whatever reason, no action was taken (which was questioned as to why by an orthopedic surgeon that I have seen) and I have been left in limbo, with two probable spinal surgeries still to undertake.
Dr. Cobbs is a nice enoogh fellow, but I often got the feeling that when he was talking to me that he was actually looking past me, mentally picturing his next surgical procedure. Because of this awkard situation, I don’t feel comfortable returning to Dr. Cobbs. I do want to reiterate though, that I feel Dr. Cobbs is a superior surgeon, and that when I was at my lowest, he showed me several kindnesses that showed true caring and kindness on his part, and I am eternally gratreful for those actions.

As a healthcare worker treating post operative spine patients, I never thought I would become one. The constant intractable nerve pain, the arm weakness and feelings of despair turned my life upside down. My husband, a physical therapist, recommended Dr. Cobbs because of his outstanding reputation and successful outcomes. I recommend him and his staff for the following reasons:
1. Excellent communication skills
2. Responsive to questions/​requests
3. Patient. You do not feeel rushed
4. Personal outcome following two-​level cervical fusion.
Like any medical practice, optimal patient satisfaction depends on the skill of the support staff. His is second to none.

I was referred to Dr Cobbs by my chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, and epidural anesthesiologist — highly recommended! As he should be.
I saw Dr. Cobbs for my second L4−5/S1 microdiscectomy. I didn’t want to have surgery — I wanted to ‘fix’ the problem without another one! However, Dr. Cobbs walked me through his reasoning and got me to understand why he recommended another surgery and after consulting my other physicians. He was thorough, professional, kind, compassionate, and realistic. I appreciated his direct approach yet I never felt pressured. I am now pain free and recovering like a champ. Thanks to him, I have my life back. I was immobile before this procedure.
I have been to a lot of doctor’s in my life and was raised by a physician and I consider Dr. Cobbs one of the best. So many thanks! Go see him!

Dr. Cobbs did WONDERS for my moms back– she had lower back pain for years.
We came in the office and I have to say that I LUV Keely the receptionist, she is a sweetheart and truly cares about the patients.
So we got in to see Dr. Cobbs right away and he saw what was going when he read my moms MRI– and he got her in to surgery the following week. Thank god for that– she was in so much pain.
Right after the surgery my mom didn’t even need any pain meds. I couldn’t believe how fast she has recovered and its only been a little over a week.
Thanks Dr. Cobbs I have my mom back :)

After a horrendous experience at St. Mary’s Spine Center, my doctor suggested I get a second opinion from a neurosurgeon. I had a spinal fusion in 1984 for a ruptured L4−5 disc, was fine for about 24 years but for the past few years I’ve been having increasing back pain, stiffness, and sciatica.
I saw Dr. Cobbs and found him very easy to communicate with. He has an expansive personality and he quickly put me at ease. He did a very thorough history and neuro exam and I did not feel rushed at all. He answered all my questions and did not talk down to me. He explained my MRI to me and showed me what is causing my symptoms.
Dr Cobbs gave me a referral for a facet joint injection in the interim. He told me to see him again 2 weeks after the injection so he can see how I’m doing. I was pleasantly surprised at this, in stark contrast to St. Mary’s where no one seems to care about follow-​up.
His office staff is top notch too. Very pleasant and extremely efficient. They scheduled my MRI for me and got the authorization in under 5 minutes.

After being told by one surgeon that I needed an ACDF with a hemi-​corpectomy (removal of half my vertebrae at C6), I went to see Dr. Cobbs for a second opinion. After he examined me I told Dr. Cobbs what the other surgeon had said. Dr. Cobbs told me that the hemi-​corpectomy was an aggressive procedure and did not recommend it. He showed me in a diagram how he would perform the procedure. I felt much more comfortable with his recommendation.
Dr. Cobbs performed the procedure (ACDF C5-​C7 and cleaned up other stuff); everything turned out great! His bedside manner is wonderful. You never feel hurried even though Dr. Cobbs is extremely busy. I am 8+ weeks out now. I’m working out and just started jogging lightly. Dr. Cobbs has given me my life back! I highly recommend Dr. Charles Cobbs!

Do not put off surgery any longer. Dr. Cobbs has been my neurosurgeon since 07′. GREAT doctor, great advice and very good sense of humor. Glad to have him on my side. I have had L5-​S1 fusion on Sept 2011 and feel great. Hope this helps.

I broke a disk in my back in 2006 and went to Davies Emergency where they sent in Drl Cobbs after doing an MRI of my spine.
He said I broke a disk in the L¾ area and highly recomended a mcrodiskectomy immediately.
I asked for a second opinion and he sent down Dr. Brian Andrews who was the head of that practice and all CPMC neurosurgery. He agreed with Chuck as he called him and I then asked Dr. Andrews to do the surgery. He declined stating his specialty was brain surgery where Dr. Cobbs was spine.
I didn’t have a computer there so I had no idea he was famous for spine surgery and lied so his younger associate could peform the surgery.
I agreed to go thru with it and had the surgery the next morning. It has been all down hill ever since and now I can barely walk.
I just saw Dr. Bobby Tay at UCSF who stated in the following MRI’s after my surgery showed a bone spur left in mys spinal cord which could have been the cause what has happened to me post-op.His expertise and bed side manner are excellent and he recommends surgery as a last resort.
I will most likely have another minor disk surgery by Dr. Tay but I highly warm anyone reading this that Dr. Cobbs just doesn’t have the skills it takes to do spine surgery. He also never visitied me one day in the hopsital which is where his practice and any physician who has such little concern for his patient shoud stay as far away from him as possible.

Love Dr. Cobbs. He won’t operate unless theres no other option, he is always there when you need him, (with personal phone number) is friendly, funny and will work with you and never make you feel like some doctors do, unimportant.

This man is my hero. Amazing surgeon, researcher, communicator, and person. If you ever have a reason to see him, DO! His research into the causes of brain tumors has led to treatments that are lengthening the lives of patients with aggressive glioblastomas, and may lead to treatments to prevent even low grade tumors like mine. Oh yeah… and he saved my life.

Dr. Cobbs is an EXTRAORDINARILY gifted neurosurgeon, and has always treated me with concern, consideration, and respect. He brilliantly executed a surgery that other surgeons described as «formidable,» which has almost totally relieved the horrible pain I was in and restored most of the neurological deficits I was experiencing.
This surgery was a followon to a surgery performed by another neurosurgeon 20+ years ago. The MRI showed a lot of damage in my neck above the 20 year old fusion. Dr. Cobbs was clear from the first that surgery was warranted, clearly explained why, what the choices were, and why he selected the one he recommended (it was the most technically challenging and had the highest probability of a good outcome). He fully supported me in my need to become fully informed by seeking multiple other opinions and trying alternative therapies, and he explained — without being an alarmist — the possible risks of waiting.
In August, he performed a very technically challenging surgery, and I could tell from early in my recovery that it had taken away the pain almost completely. Unfortunately, the incision became infected while I was in the hospital. Dr. Cobbs moved quickly to definitively identify and remedy the problem, which involved a second challenging surgery, again brilliantly performed. I continue to have about 98% pain relief, and the preexisting deficits with my balance and fine dexterity are slowly but surely improving.
Dr. Cobbs is a partner in a very busy practice, one that routinely handles very challenging cases. The pace in the front office can be very brisk, and even so, they’ve ALWAYS handled my every request or question promptly, competently, and completely. And, that brisk pace stops once Dr. Cobbs ushers you into the exam room (yes, he comes out to take you back), and I never felt rushed or unheard during any of my numerous consultations with him.
Not only would I recommend Dr. Cobbs, I have recently done so to a good friend who is strugging with his own terrible neck pain.

I was in terrible pain and called Dr. Cobbs office and got their greeting which included Dr. Cobbs cell phone # in the case of an emergency. How many times have your tried to hunt down a doctor and end up with nothing but an answering service! Lucky timing or what but Dr. Cobbs answered my call and this was before 8:00am and had me come down to his office. THE SAME DAY BEFORE NOON — again how many doctors can you see the same day or even within a week? He prescribed pain killers and set me up with a cervical injection. And the thought of surgery, he was really clear, only as the last resort.