Shah-Nawaz Dodwad

I had a lumbar spinal fusion done by Dr Dodwad, his PA Lexi (whom I love) and resident/intern Dr Park. I was originally supposed to only be fused L5-S1 but on my consents it stated they may need to go up to L4. What was supposed to be a 6ish hour surgery turned into almost double that and I woke up in the ICU, intubated and in extreme pain. Dr Park came to see me first and told me that they had nicked the dural layer of my spinal cord and so I had a spinal fluid leak, they patched it but I had to lay flat. I was in the hospital for 5 days, I saw Dr Dodwad ONE TIME, the morning after my surgery; Neither my surgeon nor his team advocated for my care in the ICU. Dr Dodwad told them they should put me on IV pain meds but apparently didn’t order it or however it works and I never saw him again while I was in the hospital. Dr Park would come by every morning for like two minutes. I also found out that not only did L4 get fused, both of my SI joints did also. The only explanation I got was… that my spine was just that unstable. The care after hasn’t been great. I’m currently seeking a second opinion because the screws that are holding my SI joints can be felt thru my skin and I think they’re working they’re way out. Don’t have surgery at Memorial Hermann at the medical center unless you want to be treated like a drug addict for needing pain meds after a very long, very major surgery!

I could not be more pleased with the care, focus and surgical skills of Dr. Dodwad, and the excellent support and follow-up of his team PA Lexi Aldridge and scheduler Manny! There competence is tremendous and their attention to detail is what you would desire! - Jerald E. Smith

I had recently visited Dr. Shah-Nawaz Dodwad's office for a follow up on back and neck surgeries that he and his team performed on me at the Memorial Hermann Orthopedic and Spine Hospital. The first in the cervical area of the spine and second the lumbar area. Both were done on the same day. Before the surgeries I could hardly walk using two canes, my legs were throbbing with unbearable pain that prescription medicine couldn’t help at all. On top of that, my cervical spine was pinching my spinal cord in half causing me to lose all sense of balance, my legs would give out and I would fall to the ground. These surgeries were suppose to take about 5 ½ hours, however, they lasted over 9 hours due to unforeseen complications in both the Cervical and Lumbar regions of my spine. Bones growing in my tendons, bones pinching nerves tighter than first thought, bones having to be rebuilt more than first thought, I am certainly glad that Dr.Dodwad had a team in place to address all of… these complications and the foresight to expect the unexpected. My stay in the hospital was wonderful. First the first time in at least 2 years, I did not have any pain in my legs or thighs, and slowly, through physical therapy I started getting my balance back and could walk without the fear of falling. So a little over a year after my surgeries, I called Dr. Dodwad’s office to make this appointment. Mannie, Dr. Dodwad’s medical assistant, answered the phone and remembered me, asking about how things were going for me since my operations. We talked a little bit, like old friends, and said that he would schedule a follow up visit to get me on the schedule. A short time later, less than 2 weeks, I was in the office waiting to be called in to an examination room. An X-ray technician led me to take new X-rays for Dr. Dodwad to review and took me back to the waiting room. Moments later, Mannie came out and took me to an examination room to wait for Dr. Dodwad. We chatted briefly and then Dr. Dodwad came in with his assistant. He went over the X-rays, asked about my pain, and asked what troubles I was having getting around and if I needed anything from him. I told I was doing much better after the surgeries he and his team performed, and the only real problem I had was still some balance issues. Even though they improved immensely, I was still having some sporadic issues. We talked and decided on a plan to help address this issue. Over the last 18 months, my experiences with Dr. Dodwad and his team have always been great! Whether it is a phone call or office visit, it has always been a pleasure to deal with people who genuinely care about you and how you are doing. I have dealt with many doctors and hospitals due to all the medical issues that I have had over the last 70 years and I am happy to say that Dr. Dodwad and his team are the absolute best!

In May 2018, our daughter was involved in a one vehicle rollover. She was ejected from her jeep and broke her neck and back. We were taken to Herman Memorial Hospital where Dr. Shah-Nawaz Dodwad was called in. He did a phenomenal job on her surgeries. We are a year out and she has been released. She has no aches and pain. We will forever be grateful for all Dr. Shah-Nawaz Dodwad has done for us and would highly recommend him. He and Alexandra Aldridge, PA-C have always been so patient and kind to us. We would defiantly give a higher rating if we could.

I was recommended to Dr. Dodwad by my pain management physician after being a passenger in two car accidents within 4 months. My pain dr was out of options and said PT nor injections would help at this point and that not treating my low back first would potentially leave me at risk for permanent nerve damage as well as bladder and bowel control issues. Dr. Dodwad did not go over the films with me or the reports. He point blank said I did not have “foraminal stenosis to cause your symptoms” when I quickly pulled out my own copy of the reports to show him where it stated I have moderate foriminal stenosis in an area of my neck, he claimed it wasn’t severe so surgery wouldn’t help. I asked about the spodolythesis several reports and doctors have been monitoring for many years, he said I didn’t have it. I was so frustrated and disgusted by this point I didn’t continue to confront him but later reread the reports that clearly state I have SEVERE FORIMINAL STENOSIS at L5-S1, among others.

I had a great experience with Doctor Dodwad. He answered every question I had before my surgery. He was very professional and made me feel at ease with my decision to have the surgery. His staff was great also. They where friendly and helped me out with my paperwork before and after the surgery. I am so glad he was the surgeon that worked on me.

Dr. Shah-Nawaz N Dodwad's confidence made me feel comfortable and cared for. He provided me with excellent care and I went through a successful surgery.

I had to have 4 vertebrae fused with 3 inserts. Dr Dodwad was very professional and friendly. He reviewed my potential outcomes and problems several times. In his office and before surgery. He showed the confidence that one needs to feel comfortable. Surgery went great. His PA's Lexie and Manny were great. I will recommend him to my friends and you.

Dr. Dodwad is a very talented Surgeon. He is very passionate about his job, at the same time he is very humble and truthful and will never operate on patients unless he knows it will benefit them 100% .

Good bedside manner. Competent and caring.