Louis George Jenis, MD

This is my opinion, I don’t believe he is well liked by staff or other physicians at Newton Wellesley So I didn’t want to have him for family’s potential spine surgery, he might be a good doctor but not a likable person. Bed side manner is important through these times.

Here is a summary of my experience with Dr. Jenis. He performed a minimally invasive XLIF surgery on 3 levels L3, L4, L5 in 2009. I ended up with a permanent foot paralysis (foot drop) and worse pain that before I underwent surgery. Dr. Jenis failed to inform me of his financial ties and interests with medical device manufacturers. I never had "informed consent." I found out later from the web site, DollarsforDocs, that he received $200,000 in licensing and royalty fees from NuVasive and Stryker, the two companies that manufactured the devices he implanted in my back. He never informed me that three representatives from these two companies would be present in the operating room. He never informed me that the medical literature on XLIF stated that, “Even a cursory look at the XLIF data demonstrated the greater danger posed to neural tissue by this newest addition. Clearly, the MIS (minimally invasive) XLIF approach inherently places major neurological structures at risk, and the… multiple studies developed to limit these risks have not succeeded.” The day after my operation I learned that I had a permanent foot paralysis (foot drop) and severe and intractable leg pain. A CAT scan on day 3 read, "there is a XLIF interbody fusion device on the left side of the disk space with position also somewhat relatively posterior and is resulting in narrowing of the subjacent exit neural foramen." I was never told about the CAT scan findings until after a 2nd revision surgery by Dr. Jenis. In his revision surgery he did not remove the malpostioned cage and I had to undergo a third surgery by a different Dr. to address the nerve compression caused by this posteriorly placed cage. I sued Dr. Jenis, but the case was dismissed 10 years later in summary judgement because I did not have an expert witness. My malpractice attorney, Gorovitz and Borten, fabricated expected expert testimony from Dr. Brantigan. I contacted Dr. Brantigan. He said he never saw my case and never wrote any expected testimony. He never signed any documents. Beware of Dr.'s with financial ties to medical device companies who put their financial interests above those of the patient. Beware of company representatives in the operating room. Read the medical literature before agreeing to any new type of operation. Beware of malpractice lawyers and make sure they get signatures from "expected expert witnesses. I'll never trust another Dr. and never trust another lawyer.

I like to deal with docs who are more self assured and confident. Not a leader.

I had a broken vertebrae and the same vertebrae was out of alignment due to any bad fall and degenerative spine disease/spinal stenosis. Dr Jenis performed a spinal fusion on my lower back, L5 to S1. Prior to surgery, I was having A great deal of pain sciatic nerve pain running all the way down to my foot. This all went away after the surgery. He has a great bedside manner. He is not quick to rush you to surgery, only if its the last means of resolving your issue. He is a great guy and sn extremely experienced and talented surgeon. I trusted him so much that I highly recommend him to my Mother who was in great pain snd he performed my mothers spinal fusion surgery as well and he did a wonderful job on her also! Highly recommend Dr. Jenis!!

Dr. Jenis operated on me about 7 years ago . L5-S1. I have nothing but great things to say about him in all areas.

Dr Jenis did not push surgery. He actually recommended that we delay it and get another opinion form someone that specializes in non surgical options. After confirming my diagnosis and waiting almost a year we talked over my quality of life, risk/reward, and likelihood of meeting my goals. Its been 5 days and most of my original symptoms are gone. I walked my daughter to school on Friday and walked 3.5 miles today (planned on 2 but got lost in the woods). I think he fixed the impingement!

Outstanding doctor. I have referred him to at least a minimum of 8 more patients. Truly a one of a kind for his profession.

Dr. Jenis comes with a fancy title, impressive surroundings and he is affable and glib. I was about to sign up with him for a standard laminectomy and fusion. Fortunately, I went to the Baptist for a second opinion and another surgeon actually listened to my symptoms and examined me carefully. His verdict was that those procedures would have left me fine for the short term but would gradually result in more pain and disability. I was stunned but at the same time grateful that I looked elsewhere. I have no doubt that Jenis would've done the procedure competently but he did not have the time, interest, or inclination to really probe into my problem. Please consider getting a second opinion. And for the person who has had 5 surgeries by Jenis, did you ever stop to wonder if all of them were required? Or could another, more thoughtful surgeon tackle the problem in a less cookie-cutter way?

Love Dr J. Only one I trust over 15 yrs ,5 surgeries and counting

Waited 3 1/2 hrs. for post op. visit and he never showed. Left arm paralyzed.