Dr. Duncan Quincy Mcbride, MD

My life style (skiing, mountain/road bike racing) finally caught up with me in my early 70s. Too many crashes. I had been diagnosed years ago with arthritis in my neck that was bad enough to cause numbness in my hands. I ignored this until last year when weight lifting caused significant neck and shoulder pain. Following an MRI, my shoulder doctor said I needed to consult a neurosurgeon because it was a significant cervical spinal issue. I visited with three spine specialists, including Dr. Duncan Q. McBride, who all gave me the same diagnosis of multi-level severe cervical spine stenosis. However, they all said it was “elective” on my part. I appreciate surgeons who are not always ready to take up the knife; however, having seen the MRI, I decided the prudent course of action was to have surgery. I wanted to return to my active life style without pain and risk of severe injury. I chose Dr. McBride because he had achieved great results for a friend who had crashed on his… bike and severely injured his cervical spine. After 4 ½ months in a “halo” his then orthopedic doctor said he needed delicate surgery and Dr. McBride was the only surgeon he would recommend. Following successful C-2 fusion surgery, my friend has gone on to win two Masters World Championships on his bike. I am sure Dr. McBride’s skill contributed to his success. As soon as I selected Dr. McBride his assistant Camille promptly provided me with the information needed to complete the UCLA Orthopedic Medical Center registration process and answered all my questions. By the time my surgery was scheduled it had ceased to be “elective” as my condition had deteriorated to a severe pain level. From my arrival at the hospital and throughout the check in process, pre-op preparation, surgery, post op recovery and release, my wife and I were treated with exceptional care and professionalism by all with whom we had contact. The valet parking attendants, admin staff, volunteer escorts, nurses, anesthesiologist, and residents were great! And Dr. McBride was exceptional. From the moment we met with him he has exuded the quiet confidence that comes with performing literally thousands of successful spinal surgeries. He clearly and thoroughly described my issues and how he would correct them. Dr. McBride performed with great skill as my situation was more complicated than indicated by the MRI. There was enough damage close to the spinal cord to make for a very delicate procedure. The amazing thing was that this turned out to be an out-patient procedure! I went home that night and had a very good sleep. After some limited and well managed pain for three or four days post op and some expected swallowing discomfort, things are going exceedingly well after a little over a month post op. The extreme pre op pain in my neck and shoulder is gone and the post op tightness in my neck and shoulder is receding satisfactorily as time goes on. I started walking a day after surgery and have been walking 5 to 8 miles almost every day thereafter and am now riding my beach cruiser without any pain. I anticipate that I will be back on my road bike and will be skiing in a little over a month. I would have this procedure again and would definitely choose Dr. McBride as my surgeon and the UCLA Orthopedic Medical Center as my hospital!

I was not in the greatest of health, but I had so much back pain and leg pain that it crippled me. I couldn't sit very long without pain or stand or walk. Now, nine months later, I feel wonderful. Dr. McBride opened a door of new life for me. I would highly recommend him as a skilled physician.

What you want in a surgeon is great hands, experience, focus and flexibility. And what happens in the waiting room, etc., is all unimportant compared with what happens in the operating room. Dr. McBride had planned to do a certain procedure on my neck but found, when he got in there, that he had to sort of improvise. A "cookbook" surgeon wouldn't have recognized the need to improvise to get the best outcome, much less be able to figure out what should be done. It took Dr. McBride two extra hours to complete the operation , which must have messed up his schedule. The clinic he works out of, UCLA Spine Center, doesn't run as smoothly as it might. Oh well. It was worth any waiting I did to feel as I do. And to top it all off, he has a wonderful sense of humor.

The staff was on top of everything as needed. Dr McBridemade me feel reassured and comfortable from the start.I was kept updated continuously. Wonderful surgeon.Post surgery he called me personally when I had concerns. He genuinely cares for his patients. I can see thathe loves his job. I am recovering and feeling betterthan I ever have. This was the best experienceI could have considering the situation. He is at the top of the list for a neuro surgeon. I have also experiencedthe worst. That's why I am so appreciative for allhe has done.

I was a highly active mom of 4 who coached marathon teams and who competed in marathons and triathlons. Following rupturing my L5 disc in the trampoline with my kids I had a microdiscectomy with a different surgeon. This operation led to 2 additional back surgeries which left me with a drop foot and continued daily pain. I was told the drop foot and nerve pain I suffered from where mine for life. Nine months after the 3rd microdiscectomy I was in need of a fusion of my L5, S1. Dr. McBride performed the surgery. He not only cured my back pain, he returned mobility to my foot by removing scar tissue and finally freeing my sciatic nerve. Dr. McBride was patient, informative and compassionate. He has a great bedside manner and obviously knows his trade. I recommend him 100%. He fixed the mess my first surgeon made and gave me back my active life!

Other than trying to schedule an appointment directly with his Harbor UCLA office which is not easy I find him very good.

I had been having problems walking for about one year and was unsure where the problem was coming from. At first, I was told by different doctors that my problem originated from my lumbar spine. However, after consultation with a nuerosurgeon I became aware of a herniated disc in my cervical spine. Dr. Duncan performed my surgery and it was expertly done. I felt no pain at all after the surgery and even a few hours after the surgery I felt fine. My surgery was in the C6-C7 cervical spine. Dr. Duncan was referred to me by a close friend who also had a positive experience with Dr. Duncan. I must say I did not expect to feel so well so soon. But the surgery left no ill-effects and it did not even feel like I had been through a major surgery. He also spends the proper amount of time with patients in explaining there prognosis and what steps you need to take after the surgery. Overall he is an excellent doctor.

Seems to know what he is advising and tries to do just what is necessary. I consulted 3 neurosurgeons and got 4 opinions (LOL) but he seemed to be in between and really reduced the levels of decompression needed on my cerivical spine and felt one X spacer would solve the problem with my lumbar which is non invasive as compared to one that did not want to do anything and the other that wanted to do 5 levels as he felt the extra levels would not help and just destabilize the spine. Nice guy.

Very thorough and understanding. Takes his time with you. Pleasant manner. I would highly recommend this doctor. Seems to know his stuff and isn't so quick to turn to surgery like some other surgeons.