Dr. Jocelyn R Idema, DO

I went to see Dr Idema for back pain, she looked at my MRI & said I had Ankylosing Spondylitis. She said go see a Rheumatologist, which I did. Rheumatologist said you don't have Ankylosing Spondylitis, you get that at a much younger age, I am in my 70's. She said do you get pain when you are sitting, I told her only when walking, she said Don't waste you time going to Dr. Idema.

I was treated by Washington Orthopedic for five months for a work injury. On my last visit they put me on light duty before I thought I was able to go back, so I went to Dr. Idema of Steel City Spine to get a second opinion with the hopes that Dr. Idema would recognize the amount of pain I was in due to a recent setback and allow me two more weeks of rest. Dr. Idema after talking to me for about a minute and a half determined that I didn't need light duty and that I should return back to work on a full-time basis with no restrictions. I was devastated. Dr. Idema acted as if she couldn't care less about my pain, and I've never felt more betrayed and disrespected by a doctor in my life. If you are reading this because you are considering Dr. Idema as your health care choice...I'd seriously consider looking somewhere else. I suspect the office will just delete this review/comment...but there are other places that I can post this and intend to do so. I won't forget Dr. Idema any time… soon.

A friend suggested I see Dr. Idema. She later retracted that recommendation as she felt Dr. Idema did not provide good care following surgery while hospitalized. Dr. Idema sent me for multiple x-rays of my entire spine. She said to go to a heritage valley location, which I did, so they could access images. At my follow up appt to get results, she said they could not view the x-rays for some reason and she did not give results based on reports, that she needs to see the images. While waiting for my results as her nurse tried to contact heritage valley, she notices scratches on my arms from our newly adopted 10 week old kitten. I had a bandaid on my thumb & near my pinky. She questions me in a very uncomfortable way about my bandages & I honestly had no idea how to respond to the bizarre questioning. This changes her entire demeanor for the rest of the appt. She now is treating me like a drug addict who is seeking pain meds. I already see a pain doctor who treats my pain so we never… even discussed pain medication. A simple database search would show her I’m a long term very responsible chronic pain patient due to a chronic incurable neurological disorder that caused damage to my spine. She again returns to room to say she only has reports & there are no issues at all with my spine. I asked her how numerous doctors over the years have told me about my issues & I’ve seen testing results myself that state otherwise. She kept insisting it wasn’t true & talked down to me for rest of conversation. Me: So I don’t have have disc issues? Her: You never did. Me: I don’t have spondylothesis? Her: You don’t. Me: My bones aren’t fused? Her: No Me: I don’t have arthritis or bone Spurs? Her: You don’t. Me:My hip bone isn’t curved abnormally? Her: It’s not. Me: I don’t have sacroiliac disease? Her:You don’t. I start crying cuz I’m so confused why she’s treating me this way & saying all of the issues I’ve been diagnosed with over the last ten years were false & I had zero issues. She leaves the room. Her very kind nurse sits with me in waiting room while I cry for a little bit. I request a copy of my x-ray reports at the desk & am told they can not give it to me. When I tell my pain doctor what Dr. Idema told me, he said she is full of crap & shows me on one of his live imaging machines some of the very real issues I suffer from that she claimed I don’t have. Fast forward months later when my neurologist has imaging done of my entire spine. Boy did Dr. Idema repeatedly lie to me. Here are just SOME of my results (yes, doctors are supposed to give you copies of reports if you request them): -Bones in my lumbar area are sacralised (fused.) -a TUMOR (hemangioma) -Multilevel of disc disiccation is seen in many areas of my spine from top to bottom -Retrolisthesis is noted in many areas -Multiple disc protrusions are noted, some with annular tears -Multiple disc bulges noted -Facet hypertrophy noted -Neuroformaminal narrowing -Disc-osteophyte complex is noted -Effacement of anterior subarachnoid space -Central & right paracentral disc protrusion is noted. -Because of my curved spine, my right leg is shorter than my left. -Bone Spurs -Degenerative disc disease in multiple areas Yet Dr. Idema repeatedly told me I had no issues with my spine at all. She looked at surface scratches on my arms from a kitten & two band aids on my hand & treated me like a druggie because of it. Her ridiculous assumptions say a lot about her. So does her many lies to me based off of reports she would not give me copies of. I have multiple reports I would gladly show her along with discs of all of the imaging. I have no idea what made her decide to lie to me repeatedly, but don’t doctors take some kind of oath? Worst doctor I’ve ever seen.

I was referred to an external practitioner for lower lumbar injections.

They did everything right, they made feel very comfortable and like I was the only patient they had. The overall experience was fantastic.

Very friendly

Best doctor, best spine care around, period! She took the time to actually listen to my issues and was able to correctly sort out my neck issues rather than my shoulder which was previously misdiagnosed by a different doctor. So many others don't spend the time.

I highly recommend Dr. Idema for back surgery as my own experience has been excellent and my recovery is going well. I liked her energy and positive demeanor and confidence she exhibited in accessing my spine issues pre-operatively that help me decide to proceed with surgery...never an easy decision. I would label Dr. Idema very efficient, direct and to the point. However, she will take as much time as you need, answering any and all questions and match the level of interest you yourself have and demonstrate about your own treatment, options as well as post operative concerns. The surgical team was top notch, I choose their facility over another hospital and would do it again (hopefully not having to). I had previous experience with this practice which helped me find Dr. Idema and I am thankful she was recommended to me and that I am able to also highly recommend her with total confidence. I or no one from my family would consider anything else.

Please please PLEASE save yourself the time and money. I searched and found Dr. Idema specifically to talk to her about my MRI and the condition of my back for peace of mind and for the guidance of a professional based off of her credentials and the reviews that I had read here. My last doctor that had ordered my MRI did not specialize in back problems and wasn’t able to give me much guidance, hence looking for and finding Dr. Idema. Not only did I wait 3 weeks for my appointment with her, but I waited a significant amount of time in the office for the appointment for her to literally spend less than 5 minutes with me. No explanation or guidance of MRI results, she did not ask me if I had a single question or even give me the opportunity to ask any. It was a completely impersonal experience that left me in tears and with little hope that there is a single doctor that will educate you on your own dysfunction and not treat you like a number. Please look else where if you are looking for… a doctor who will take their time with you and cares about your well being. I cannot stress it enough!!! I am currently in the physical condition that I am due to numerous let downs from health care providers like Dr. Idema. There is a lack of patient education and the lack of drive on the doctors part to find out what the problem may be. 6 years of disc issues with misdiagnosis to JUST now be finding out that is what has been happening all of these years. If you are looking for REAL care, once again Dr. Idema is not the doctor for you. Please do not waste your time or money!!!

Had spinal cord implant, shes fabulous. Awesome bedside manner, super surgical team. She made me feel so comfortable. I reccomend her highly and will go back for my next one.