Alexander R Vaccaro, MBA, MD, PhD

The office visits with Dr. Vaccaro and his staff were professional, prompt, courteous, and caring. The surgery was an absolute success. I would recommend Dr. Vaccaro and his team, hands down. They really were amazing and I’m so thankful!! Submitted Jan 06, 2026

Had major surgery on October 22nd, 2025. Dr. Alexander Vaccaro and the entire team at Rothman Orthopedics fixed my back and exceeded my expectations - which, for those who know me, that's not easy! I was referred to Doc Alex by a friend who had a similar operation. If all goes well with PT (and it will) - I'll be spring skiing on April 22nd. I am in the hospitality industry, and for Unreasonable Hospitality Fans, what Dr. Vaccaro and his team delivered was akin to service at Eleven Madison Park. The best review is one that turns into a referral. If you have tried everything and surgery is the last option, sign up for a consultation with Dr. Vaccaro.

Last February I ended up in the E.R. At a local hospital. They wanted to operate in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Vaccaro came highly recommended, I made the trip to Philadelphia and was seen by Dr. Vaccaro. Dr. Vaccaro performed 2 seperate surgeries. I am very happy I made the trip! Great Surgeon and I highly recommend him!

Dr Vaccaro and his team decide the obsolete best top of the line service. I would not trust anyone else to touch my spine.

I had ACDF surgery with Dr. Vaccaro. From the initial conversation, in the first 5 minutes, I knew he was the doctor to use. Everything was successful and his staff was world class. If I had to do it all over again, I’d choose Dr. Vaccaro and his team. He changed my life for the better and I’m finally out of constant pain.

I chose Alex Vaccaro as my surgeon after a long journey of researching spine surgeons from around the country, as well as researching the different surgical procedures and new advances and their likely outcomes. I sought the advice of learned colleagues, friends and acquaintenances in the medial field, and was directed to Dr. Vaccaro almost exclusively. I have learned that he is not only known to be the best spine surgeon in the Philadelphia Region, but one of the best in the country. I realized this after scheduling appointments with at least 7-8 other surgeons in the Tri-state area— three from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, two from the University of Pennsylvania, and others from Lankenau and Paoli Hospitals. Dr. Vaccaro was one of the first I saw and he evaluated my MRIs, did a thorough physical exam, and recommended a discectomy with no hesitation. I then proceeded to seek second and third opinions and met with other well-known physicians. Without… exception, each one of those 7-8 surgeons recommended a spinal fusion- specifically an ALIF procedure (anterior lumbar interbody fusion), which involves a general surgeon opening up the abdomen and moving the organs and vessels out of the way so that the spine surgeon can access the disc space and insert a small cage to open up the space formerly occupied by the disc, thus giving the nerve some room and getting rid of the compression. It is a fusion from the front, and a much more extensive procedure than what was being proposed by Dr. Vaccaro. I went back to see Dr. Vaccaro on two more occasions, questioning him on why he was recommending a surgery different than the other 7-8 surgeons I met with. He stood by his original plan, simply stating “why would you get a fusion if I can most likely fix your issues with a lesser invasive surgery?” While this made sense to me, I was looking for a solution that had the most likely chance of success and certainly did not want to have a failed procedure and then have to get a fusion anyway. I would also note that Dr. Vaccaro was not annoyed by the multiple visits and endless questions, and treated me with respect and dignity at each visit (I certainly was worried he would not be so nice). Today, I am endlessly grateful to Dr. Vaccaro for giving me my life back. I am now about 4 1/2 months post surgery, and living a nearly pain free life. I am beginning to be more active again— I walk about 3 miles a day and I get in the pool for an hour each day and just move around. I live with a tremendous amount of gratitude, as only those who have lived through chronic pain can understand the toll in takes on a person both physically and mentally. I found that I was either talking about my pain and how awful it was, or lying about it so people would not have to hear about how all-consuming it was. I will never wish it on anyone. But … I am. a testament to the fact that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, hope, and a solution with surgery when all else fails. That being said, I will not paint an entirely rosy picture and will be honest that the first 10 weeks post surgery were very difficult for me. I was not one of those lucky surgical patients that woke up with “no pain.” I had nerve pain that was worse than pre-surgery, was on pain killers that basically did nothing to relieve the pain, took gabapentin and Lyrica (nerve meds) for months after, had several post-surgery epidural injections under anesthesia, and was miserable and unable to even start PT. I isolated myself from friends and family, and basically closed myself in a dark room and prayed that the hours would pass. There was definitely a feeling of despair, and a fear that the surgery did not work, and I would be facing another more complicated fusion surgery in the months ahead. That thought was devastating to say the least. Yet, something changed around week 10, and I began to experience some relief. I think the nerve has just

My surgery was a success

Very fortunate to have Dr. Vaccaro as my surgeon. Had 4 cervical discs fused in 2019. Honest dedicated and trustworthy. Thanks Dr. V

Dr Viccaro was very attentive and clearly on my side

Brilliant doctor! Very accurate diagnosis! Cares deeply about the patient. We are grateful to Dr. Vaccaro!