Dr. Gerhard Martin Friehs

I had a Medtronic pump implanted in 2001 for severe back pain. Have numerous back conditions including herniation at L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, severe disk degeneration, multilevel stenosis, to name a few. After short titration period of MSO4, level of medication was kept at the same level for over a year even though I was having severe pain and difficulty in ambulating. I literally begged either to go up on pump med or give me something for breakthrough pain. He outright refused even though MRI study showed definitive increase in damage. After finding a doctor, which is not easy once the pump is implanted as fear of liability, I found that the pump was not secured properly and caused damage to catheter allowing MSO4 to enter soft tissue instead of the intrathecal space. Had to have new pump implanted. I have been dealing with severe back issues for thirty years and by far he is THE worst overall of the numerous doctors I have seen for this condition. When I finally found a doctor who was… willing to treat me, he dragged his feet with my chart and history causing a three month delay. The doctor I found,in another state, was well aware of his poor patient treatment as the doctor had taken over many of his patients and all had very similar stories as I. The first time I walked out of my new doctor's office my pain level went from an honest 8 down to a 3 and is now almost nonexistent! I have two friends who have had similar results. Unfortunately I met them after my pump was already implanted. Stay away from this sadist!

Wonderful, professional doctor.

I was treated by Dr. Friehs for over 7 years because he was the only phsician who implanted pumps for reasons other than cancer. I was falling backwards - Dr. Fiehs told me to get a wheelchair. I was bent at the waist 60 degrees - Dr. Friehs diagnosis was Failed Back Syndrome - irreparable. I saw him at most 8 times over 7 years. I moved to Florida and found a new pain managemet specialist. The following are the results: After doing MRI's ad being put in touch with a extremely skillful orthopedic surgeon, Anthony P. Moreno, MD.the following, done in 4 surgeries, were peformed to correct my problems - 2 cervial fusions and 2 thoracic to lumbar fusions. My entire spine required fusing. I was told that I could have been paralyzed due to the neglect of Dr. Friehs. All he wanted to do was fill pumps - he had over 600. However, at pump refills, the pump was refilled by his Physicians Assistant and sent on my way - I never saw Dr. Friehs unless there was a problem with the pump.Dr. Friehs… did as many as 11 pump replacements in a single day - I was number 10 out of 11 done after 10:30 at night. How can a Dr. put a paient at risk after performing marathon surgeries.The Doctors in Florida had the problems diagnosed in one visit to each. Dr. Friehs cost me my livelyhood as respiratory therapist, loss of consortium in my marriage, and much pain and suffering. Dr. Friehs caused my family worry and fear that I would soon be wheelchair-bound or worse - paralysed.These things are not poor bedside manner or poor customer service. Dr. Friehs is a potential danger to any patient he touches and should be banned from practicing medicine in any state! Dr.Friehs is a disgrace to his collegues who practice caring and successful medicine. I was lucky enough to be in the care of Lynn R. Fassy, MD (pain managment specialist) and Anthony P Moreno, MD (Chief of othopedic surgery at Mease Countryside Hospital). I still have a long road to total recovery, but I am on my way!

He has moved to Texas and as a former patient of his, I would fly there if I had to. He is an amazing Doctor and a delightful man

After several surgeries by this "noted" neurosurgeon, he would no longer see our patient and offered no assistance; we have been seeking help for 5 years since the surgeries performed by this physican, Dr. Friehs, whom other Neurosurgeons used the words "barbaric" and "mindless" to describe procedures on our patient - - - he has placed us in a nightmare situation that is beyond words - - - "First Do No Harm" has no place in this man's vocabulary, practice, or work --- it is a sad that he represents himself to be a Godly and principled physician; I believe he should fear that representation, perhaps more than any other persona he puts forth. Be very careful - and get care OUT OF RHODE ISLAND!