Dr. Josef E. Gorek, MD | Oakland, CA | Orthopedic Surgery

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Dr. Josef Gorek is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery who has practiced for 37 years. He earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed his residency at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Gorek speaks English and focuses his practice on helping patients with complex spinal conditions.

Dr. Gorek practices at multiple locations throughout the Bay Area, including Oakland and Redwood City. He treats patients with spinal stenosis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and back pain. His practice includes comprehensive patient care through metabolic testing and virtual consultations when appropriate. Patients have given him an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Vitals.

AI-generated from data on this provider profile.

4.1

51 Ratings
37 years of experience
17 insurance plans accepted
speaks English
Ucla Medical Center
17 written reviews
2 specialties
4 areas of expertise
2 board certifications
4 office locations
Male

51 ratings & reviews

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Showing 1 to 10 of 17 reviews

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Dr Gorek is an exceptional surgeon and the best I have ever seen. Skilled, knowledgable, attentive and empathetic (a rare quality in a surgeon). His engenders an excellent work space environment. You will be in good hands.

June 21st, 2025

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He gave me a new life! I was 75 with 3 levels of lumbar stenosis and one with a collapsed disc. I couldn’t sit, couldn’t walk. Had numbness and pain from feet to waist. 1 day outpatient surgery and 2 weeks of recovery with moderate pain. Now I feel like a 4 year old who never had back trouble. He gave me my life back and I am forever grateful. I know 3 people older than I who had the same result from Dr. Gorek.

September 2nd, 2024

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This is a first rate surgeon. Before he did surgery on me I could barely walk or stand. Now I am so much better.

August 15th, 2019

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Dr. Gorek did my C3-4 fusion and my L1-5 laminectomy. I got immediate relief from all the symptoms of pain, paraesthesia, and foot drop. Incredible bed side manor. I highly recommend him.

February 26th, 2019

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Dr. Gorek and his Team did awesome work twice on my neck issues !!! I am soo very Blessed to have had him help me !!!! I am 100% better !!! God bless you Dr. Gorek !!! :)

February 21st, 2019

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I had my back surgery years ago and it was the best decision of my life!!! Dr. Gorek was amazing !

February 19th, 2019

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I went to Dr. Gorek for relief of back pain after a fall. He encouraged me to have surgery and re-assured me at three different pre surgery visits that my prognosis was excellent. Nothing could have been further from the truth. My back pain is as bad as it was prior to the surgery. Either his diagnosis or his technique was wrong. Would not recommend him as a surgeon.

January 22nd, 2019

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Dr. Gorek performed a 3 level lumbar decompression surgery without any complications. I am very thankful for his excellent work. He gave me my quality of life back. Thank you Dr. Gorek

April 28th, 2018

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Dr. Gorek diagnosed me with Spinal Stenosis and “strongly advised” the spinal surgery. Woke from surgery and was told I was paralyzed from my T4 and below. Nobody expects to walk in for an operation and learn they will never walk again. I was told my spinal cord did not receive blood flow for 15-17 minutes. A patient should have a reasonable expectation to leave a hospital in better condition than when he or she entered. It is unfair that Dr. Gorek continues to live his life as he did before and what happened to me had devastated my life. Dr. Gorek destroyed my life.

November 26th, 2017

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He is very thorough and kind and answers all your questions. He did a great job on my first back surgery.

September 5th, 2017

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

3600 BroadwayOakland, CA 94611

Tel: (510) 752-1000

Mon8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Tue8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Wed8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Thu8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Fri8:30 am - 5:30 pm

SatClosed

SunClosed

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center

1100 Veterans BlvdRedwood City, CA 94063

Tel: (650) 299-2000

Highland Hospital

1411 E 31st StOakland, CA 94602

Tel: (510) 437-4800

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus

350 Hawthorne AveOakland, CA 94609

Tel: (510) 655-4000


Dr. Josef Ernst Gorek, MD	Dr. Jason Marengo, MD	Dr. Marc R. Safran, MD	Dr. Raffi Avedian, MD
Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic Surgery
	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients
4.1 (51 Ratings)	4.6 (5 Ratings)	3.3 (28 Ratings)	4.9 (22 Ratings)
37 Years of Experience	25 Years of Experience	39 Years of Experience	24 Years of Experience
No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option	No Virtual Visit Option
Speaks English	Speaks Spanish, Russian	Speaks English, Spanish	Speaks Spanish, English
Oakland , CA	Vacaville , CA	Redwood City , CA	Redwood City , CA
Med School: David Geffen School Of Medicine At Ucla	Med School: Keck School Of Medicine Of The University Of Southern California	Med School: Duke University School Of Medicine	Med School: Univ Of Chicago Division Of Biological Sciences Pritzker School Of Medicine
Current Profile	View Profile	View Profile	View Profile

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Hip Osteoarthritis
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MEDICAL LICENSE

Medical Doctor, California, 2026, Active

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Residency

Ucla Medical Center

Medical School

David Geffen School Of Medicine At UclaGraduated in 1989

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Dr. Donald Pang, MD
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Dr Shirley X. Wu, MD
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Dr. James Lyman Shively, MD
Orthopaedic Trauma
55 Years Exp | Oakland, CA
(0)

Does Dr. Josef Gorek accept my insurance?: You can see the insurance plans that Dr. Josef Gorek accepts on their Vitals profile.
Does Dr. Josef Gorek accept virtual/telehealth appointments?: Dr. Josef Gorek has not indicated that they accept virtual/teleheatlh appointments. Contact their office through their Vitals profile to check for availability.
How can I make an appointment with Dr. Josef Gorek?: You can find contact information for Dr. Josef Gorek here on Vitals.
Is Dr. Josef Gorek accepting new patients?: Dr. Josef Gorek has not indicated that they accept new patients. Contact their office through their Vitals profile to check for availability.
What languages does Dr. Josef Gorek speak?: Dr. Josef Gorek speaks English.

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