Dr. O'Brien Testimonials
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Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
I have been a patient of Dr O’Brien for several years. I was very impressed with his kindness and patience. What truly told me he was the right one, is when he gave me his email address and told me if I had any questions to please email him. After we scheduled my back surgery, I was scared. I sent Dr. O’Brien an email, stressing my anxiety level and my fear. I received an email back telling me he definitely understood, and assuring me everything was going to be okay and he would be with me every step of the way. He takes his time in explaining things to you…. And, always walk in the room with a smile and a sweet greeting. I thank God my rhumatologist sent me to him, and I put my fear aside and saw him. In my opinion he as well as his office staff at Virginia hospital center gets a 10 from me. Thank you Dr.O’Brien
M.H. - M.H.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
I saw Dr O’Brien as a 3rd consult for my spondylolisthesis and L5S1 herniation. My condition had worsened over the last decade and I was headed for a dead nerve and drop foot in the near future. I’m a career fireman so this would have been a condition that would have retired me. I had put off back surgery for many years under the impression that once you have one back operation you will need to have more and you will not be able to do the same things you did previously. Dr O’Brien pitched an anterior fusion with posterior hardware to stabilize the vertebrae and described in detail why this procedure would give me a cleaner evacuation of the disc space, faster recovery time, and less likelihood of nerve complications after the fact as opposed to a pure minimally invasive posterior fusion. He told me I would be back to full duty in operations at my job in 12 weeks. He was honest and delivered on all fronts. My nerve pain was gone when I awoke in the recovery room. After a few hard initial weeks of recovery, gradual improvement in mobility and strength over the first few months, I was back to work at twelve weeks and five days. We went to a first due working fire my second shift after returning and I didn’t even think about my back. Seven months post op I have no restrictions on activities and do not feel physically limited at all. I wish I fixed this issue sooner and didn’t deal with years of pain unnecessarily. If you are in public safety or another labor intensive job and have put off back surgery my advice would be to at least consult with Dr O’Brien. Everyone’s condition and situation is different but everything he told me he delivered on; including returning any questions via email promptly before and after the operation. Could not rate my experience with Dr O’Brien more positively.
B.C. - B.C.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
After a very long, painful journey I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Joseph O’Brien perform an ACDF Level C5-6, C6-7 in February 2018, and Microdiscectomy Level 4/5 | May 31st.
He is an outstanding Spinal surgeon, the absolute best. His level of expertise demonstrates that he has spent years perfecting and researching this particular field.
He is compassionate and really cares about communicating with and helping his patients and their families. His Medical Assistant Ashley is extremely responsive along with OrthoBethesda staff. Thank you!
R.P. - R.P.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
Dr. O’Brien, Upon a short time ago, I realized that I did not give you a complete or accurate report of how I was feeling, because I had not stood up yet. Because I had focused on that, the fact that I slept through the night without waking up with the stabbing pain on my spinal cord. I slept through the night for the first time in 3-4 years. When I got to my feet later, for the first time, the feeling of pins and needles, electrical shock and severe muscle strain did not present. I can also walk erect. I’ll be singing your praises and sending all who have back or neck problems to you. If the hand and knee doctor(s) in your practice are as good as you, I’ll be on to see them. God bless you, that brilliant mind of yours, your skilled hands, and your awesome clinical and bedside manner.
J.R. - J.R.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
Late last year, I was told I would need knee surgery. I visited Dr. O’Brien, and he examined the MRI and concluded that all I needed was PT. He was right! I had one steroid injection and PT and now walk 5 miles with no knee problems. THANK YOU for your good advice and a conservative approach. You are seriously good!
R.E. - R.E.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
I’m going to start by saying that Dr. O’Brien has given me my life back. I started having problems about 7 months ago. Initially, it was back pain but it quickly progressed to a horrible nerve, groin, and buttock pain on the right side. I saw one neurosurgeon who suggested epidurals. 4 epidurals and one diagnostic block later, my symptoms were only getting worse. My husband and I knew surgery was needed so we started looking for doctors. I was suggested to go see Dr. O’Brien by someone and since we had already seen 4 docs I made the appt to see Dr. O’Brien at 5 pm on my birthday. I figured that way my husband couldn’t complain too much. Shortly after meeting Dr. O’Brien my husband and I looked at each other, both of us knowing that this was our doctor. I have never looked back. I had a minimally invasive triple fusion and laminectomy 6 weeks ago. Dr. O’Brien told me I would hate him for a week but after that, I wouldn’t. He was right but after that, the pain wasn’t even really bad. The hardest part of the recovery has been the no lifting, no twisting or bending, but that’s for most back surgeries. At 6 weeks I can say my nerve pain is probably 95% better and Dr. O’Brien assures me it will go away. The numbness and tingling in my leg is completely gone. Not only is Dr. O’Brien a fantastic surgeon, but he is also a really nice guy. You never feel rushed and believe me, I went in with tons of questions written down today and he didn’t hesitate to sit with us and answer them all. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM and God forbid I need any more spinal surgery, he would be my one and only choice.!
M.B. - M.B.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
Dr. O’Brien – I just returned from our family trip to Kenya…I wanted to personally thank you for making it possible for me to take this trip of a life time with my children and grandchildren. It was, at times, physically demanding with the very bumpy jeep rides—climbing up and down — and 16 hours of flying to and from Nairobi. My back was 100% fine the entire time. It really feels like a miracle that I could fully enjoy this experience and I am so grateful that your surgical skill allowed it all to happen. Five months ago I couldn’t walk without pain and now, I have my life back. Given my spine, I’m quite sure we’ll work together again. But for now, I’m back to my full life. Thank you so much.
S. W. - S. W.
Dr. O'Brien Testimonial
Dr. O’Brien, Just a quick note to again thank you very much for the terrific surgery you performed on my back this past [month]. I feel confident that you have put me back on the road to good back health. I truly appreciate your time and effort and for your being able to do everything that you did for me.
C. H. - C. H.