Dr. Michael Eugene Tjarksen, MD

Absolutely the best surgeon out there! I wouldn't recommend anyone else. I had back surgery on 4/14/25 and Dr Tjarksen was my surgeon. Him and his staff are the kindest most caring healthcare physicians I've ever met. The help you through the toughest times. Mike was amazing in every sense of the word! I trusted him from day 1. He's so smart and so experienced with so much knowledge. Working with him was a pleasure and I'm so blessed to have him so my procedure. If you're in severe back pain of any kind, see Michael Tjarksen! HE IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST IN THE FIELD!!! He changed my life forever and I am more grateful than he will ever know. I've been given a new lease on life at 40. His communication is perfect and his empathy is unmatched. Do not hesitate to see this man... YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

I have never in my life been treated as poorly as Dr Tjarksen treated me on my initial visit. He was rude, condescending, demeaning, and his overall bedside manner was so poor. I left in tears.

My appointment with Dr. Tjarksen was excellent, it was what I was hoping for with a conservative approach to the issues I have in my low back. I feel I’m in very good hands as we move forward. I really appreciate his knowledge of where I’m at with my age and challenges that come with that. Looking forward to working with Dr. Tjarksen.

Wow, had I seen all Dr. Tjarksen's reviews prior to my visit with him I would never have shown up. However, I experienced absolutely none of what was described in the one star ratings I read, in fact it was quite the opposite. He did run late, but I have found that to be the case with many physicians who are in high demand and who are trying to render care to as many of those as possible. But upon his arrival he spent as much time as I felt necessary to address my problem. I saw his PA Jordan Krause initially who spent considerable time with me and was able help address my chief complaint quite comprehensively, His findings were related to Dr. Tjarksen prior to his making an appearance in the exam room, allowing him to be well apprised of the situation upon his arrival. He was matter-of-fact but extremely personable and spent considerable time discussing in detail all of the options possible for treating my chief complaint. Surgery was one of the options, but not necessarily… the only one. But if it does come down to needing surgery I would happily put the fate of my spine in Dr. Tjarksen's hands.

This doctor is EXTREMELY RUDE. I saw him for hip pain a year ago and he was rude then, but I really thought maybe it was that I caught him on a bad day. Saw him again today, he was 45 minutes late coming in(apt was at 1030 and he didn't come in until 11:15am!)for a follow up after over a year of constant pain. I sneezed due to allergies and was wearing a mask, but he refused to even do an exam or come near me despite access to a mask because he "had family coming in" and "people lie about what they have and don't know". He then told me my spine "looks completely healthy" despite MRI results that show the opposite. When I tried to explain that my primary doctor who referred me asked to do an MRI of my HIP, NOT BACK, he RUDELY interrupted me and said "CAN I TALK??". I started to tear up and didn't say anything. He referred me to pain management and left the room. He spent about FIVE minutes with me and didn't even do an exam, despite saying he did in the physician notes. I left this… clinic in tears. This is the second time I have left in tears due to the rudeness and callousness of this doctor. Do NOT RECOMMEND!!!!

I saw Dr. Tjarksen about 6 years ago from having bone on bone at L-5/S-1. He was very knowledgeable about the spine and was very professional. He and Andy did a fantastic job on my surgery and I was finally able to live a pain free life.

This doctor was a complete Jerk. He was rude. During our visit he told me there was no one who could help me. He said many of my symptoms were impossible even though they were physically verified such as with an EKG. By the end of the visit he was literally yelling at me cutting me off in the middle of sentences. His only recommendation was to see a psychiatrist. I think he really needs to see one to deal with his anger and pride issues. He was literally no help.

Went to him on referral from PT. if your back pain is not cut and dry case don't go to him. My husband couldn't even stand due to severe pain and tjarksen told him he wasn't sure what was causing pain, even though MRI showed two bulging discs, one of which was pinching nerves causing extreme leg pain. He told us to try to go walking, swimming or bike riding-hard to do when you can't even stand long enough for a X-ray. Went back again due to pain in leg and hip, did another X-ray this time of hip and said"there's no structural damage, it's a mystery what is causing such pain" and gave him Tylenol 3 and said come back in a month. Found a orthopedic surgeon who actually knew what he was doing, he read the MRI and immediately knew what the problem was. What's really sad is our new surgeon went thru all of tjarksens notes and said that tjarksen made mention and notes of the bulging discs, noting one was sitting on nerves into his leg. So after wasting four months with Tjarksen and… getting no answers we left. Best decision we could have made. Saw new orthopedic surgeon and have surgery scheduled , he is part owner of Milwaukee orthopedic hospital on Port Washington Road in Glendale. Would not recommend tjarksen , unless you want to waste your money on someone who really doesn't care about his patients

About 12 years ago I went to see Dr Tjarksen for a torn rotator cuff that needed to be repaired. He told me he was about a month out for surgeries. I told him that wouldn't work because my wife was having a knee replacement in 2 weeks and I had to be able to help her. He said "how about tonite at 9:30?" It was his night on call and he could do it after his rounds! I had it done and all went well. Now , about 3 weeks ago I had a bout with sciatica. I went to see him and he took care of me right away. One follow up office call to see how I was doing and he said if I have any more problems , call him. He was very concerned about me and very pleasant to deal with. Don't listen to the other reviews, as I had a great experience.

Horrible doctor!!!! Appointments were an hour behind all the time. Very cocky, does not listen to patients. I had ACL surgery and 2 years later my knee is still very screwed up and painful. I wish I would've known how horrible he was before my surgery and 10,000.00 out of pocket--- stay away!!!!