Eric Klineberg

In 2020 Dr. Klineberg performed a cervical disk replacement surgery on me. The entire process from start to finish was outstanding. From my viewpoint, the surgery was a big success. In the pre-surgery period, Dr. Klineberg gave me excellent information about the pros and cons of alternative surgery options and enabled my own efforts to research the issue (which I chose to do on my own using Google Scholar). Dr. Klineberg left the final decision in my hands, which was empowering. Once I made my decision then he and his staff moved forward accordingly and everything was like clock-work, as they say. They handled pre-approval from my insurance company, hospital logistics, etc. The day of surgery everything was extremely well organized and carried out. Every person on the team was kind, helpful, and respectful. Post-op care was excellent. I imagine different people want different things from a doctor- for me, I want a more intellectual conversation focusing on the facts and vital… information I need to be successful; if I need to hear hard information, then I want it pretty straight up, so I can adapt to it rather than living in a fantasy. Every time I met with Dr. Klineberg up through my recent 1-year post-op check, he and his staff treated me as an intelligent person and gave me the kind of dialogue that I want and hope for. Their guidance on exercise modifications and progression was especially helpful. Overall, my experience was outstanding and the outcome has fundamentally transformed my life for the better.

Dr. Klineberg gave me my life back. I had a herniated disc and this simple surgery got rid of my sciatica. The scar is about 1" in length and is hardly visible. I love his personality! He's fun, scary smart, and so likeable. He's got these bright blue eyes that light up when he talks to you. I'm so grateful to him for taking such good care of me. I recommend him to anyone who is suffering like I was. Best surgeon ever!

I have had debillitating sciatic back pain for over 20 years. bay area doctors have treated the symptoms with cortisone shots and recommended continuing to do so. It never got get rid of the back pain. I went to uc davis with my mri and explained the problem. Dr. Klineberg and his staff fully explained what was happening with my back. for the first time in twenty years I had a clear understanding of the problem and solution. dr klineberg recommended treating the problem with a spinal fusion. I had surgery and was pain free immediately. Because this is not my first surgery, i can say the office staff, surgery staff and hospital staff were outstanding. maybe because it is a teaching hospital everyone involved is excited about medicine and my treatment and recovery. It definitely did not feel like I was part of mass production of medicine as in other office and hospital experiences. doctor klineberg and his staff did an outstanding job. I only wish I had come to uc davis… 5-10 years ago for treatment.

Dr. Klineberg is an excellent surgeon. He took perfect care of our daughter and made us feel at ease. Highly recommend!

I'm a new patient of Dr. Klineberg. I had my initial consultation for lumbar surgery with him last week. He is friendly and took his time to listen to all of my questions - while providing me with the long-term pros and cons of two possible treatment plans. He is knowledgeable of complex issues relating to dwarfism. As a person with Achondroplasia, I feel confident with having him perform my surgery. Highly recommend him to others.

I'm a new patient of Dr. Klineberg. I had my initial consultation for lumbar surgery with him last week. He is friendly and took his time to listen to all of my questions - while providing me with the long-term pros and cons of two possible treatment plans. He is knowledgeable of complex issues relating to dwarfism. As a person with Achondroplasia, I feel confident with having him perform my surgery. Highly recommend him to others.

I was involved in a car accident and have been suffering from a herniated disc with sciatica pain. ive tried therapy, acupuncture, injections, nothing has helped. i was referred for surgery. he was 30 min late. he starts off telling me i am extremely young and wouldnt want to do a surgery on me because ill be back multiple times over my lifetime and it will make him look bad. he then states his treatment plan is to proceed with pain management. he tells me "you need to loose weight, become a yoga queen, and tell your husband to quit his job or readjust his schedule to stay home to take care of you or help you with the kids". i asked if i was a candidate for surgery, that i thought it was elective surgery, he yelled in my face NO, i refuse to do the surgery. i am telling you no!" when i expressed i didnt want the surgery anyway, i just want the pain to go away if there was another treatment he told me there was a new procedure i can try, but he didnt know the name or the risks, details… etc. i tried asking, if this procedure doesnt work, do i then have to have the surgery? what is your ultimate plan of fixing me, so to speak. when i tried explaining, that i need to know my treatment plan down the road because of the insurance claim, i dont want to settle if i have to eventually have surgery, i rather keep my claim open because i dont want to have to pay out of pocket for a surgery down the road.. he basically told me hes not going to forge a document saying i need surgery when he doesnt plan to do it. i tried explaining that he misunderstood me. he kept looking at his watch, cutting me off was extremely rude. he cut me off as he was walking to the door and said he would write down the procedure.. he and the PA just exited the room and i was left sitting there not knowing what the heck was happening or what my treatment plan was, if i was to "loose weight" or if he was recommending me to a newly approved procedure.. i finally got dressed and exited. as i left the room, i noticed neither one of them looked at my pain/symptom diagram.. i was completely blown away, insulted that he insuinated i just wanted insurance $ and left in tears. do NOT go see this guy. he is not for his patients. he does not explain his treatment plan. he cares about getting through his appts and not actually consulting with them or helping the patients understand a clear conscious decision as to what is recommended. the most rude, jackA** and unprofessional doctor ive ever seen. i cant believe he still has a license!

I have never encountered a doctor such as Mr.Kleinberg. He does not listen or advocate for the patient. His arrogance keeps from listening to his patients. He became upset when I had to show him where the images were on the screen, and he ended the meeting in my face upset that I was upset that he said “ I’m not sure why you were referred to me, and the pain you have we may never have an answer for it.” Keep in mind, he was 45 minutes late, too. He needs to take the time to listen and review the patients medical records before deciding to accept an appt. Worse experience I’ve ever had with a doctor.

Dr. Klineberg operated on my back in Sept 2107, and I couldn't be happier. I now have rods and screws up my entire spine down to my hips. I walked for over 20 years bent over and now I stand up straight and am about 1 & 1/2 inches taller. I feel great, am in No pain anymore and I'm looking forward to a new fun filled life with my husband, kids, grandkids and great grandkids. So if you need a surgeon who will change your life, call UC Davis Spine Center and Dr. Eric Klineberg. Millie C. Carson City, Nv.

I was referred to Dr. Klineberg because of severe leg pain caused by a pinched nerve and scoliosis. Walking for me was very painful and I was badly bent over when I did walk. I am now fused from T10 to the pelvis. The pain during the recovery was terrible, but it was worth it. Now I can walk for as long as I like with NO pain at all! Standing or sitting is not a problem either. If I had to make the decision again to have the surgery, I would do so. Dr. Klineberg is a fantastic doctor, he cares about his patients, and I would highly recommend him to anyone!