Dr. Tien V Le, MD

I’ve been suffering for 17 years with a failed surgery I went to Dr. Le he told me he could help me and he did and I would recommend him to anybody he is the best thank you Dr. Le

Dr Le performed my neck surgery in Dec 2020 (C5-C7 ACDF) and I am still living with chronic pain. I used to be a very active person, walking, bike riding, traveling and now I cannot walk more than 1 mile because I get horrible pain in my upper back. I have tried everything nerve ablations, epidural injections, PRP treatments and nothing decreases my pain. Pain is now impacting my left shoulder to the point that I cannot lift it. My life has been turned upside down. The only thing I can say is please get multiple doctors to review your condition before you decide on your dr.

My life was turned upside down after my C5-C7 ACDF surgery with Dr. Le. Almost 2 years later, countless doctors, physical therapy sessions, nerve ablations, cortisone shots, acupuncture, massage therapy, epediral injections, and most recently PRP treatments I am still in so much pain in my lower neck, upper back and my shoulder blades. In retrospect, I should have gone to multiple doctors prior to deciding to get surgery. I don't think all issues were properly identified prior to surgery. In addition, I never really appreciated how I was dismissed during my last visit with I hope you get better, knowing that I was still in alot of pain. I think doctors should have the moral responsibility to try to help their patients even if the results were not as expected. I used to be very active person, walking up to 30 miles per week, going on hiking vacations with my family, kayaking with my best friend, bike riding with my husband. All of that, all of it it's gone, and I am only 50! Please do… your research and talk to 3 or 4 surgeons before deciding to do your surgery. Surgery should only be for the most extreme cases.

Dr. Tien Le Review PLEASE get a second and maybe a third opinion. Please read my story and be sure you are satisfied that any surgery Dr. Le prescribes is absolutely necessary. I woke up one morning with a sore shoulder. Within 3 days, I was in excruciating pain covering half of my upper body and down my arm. I saw my group of general practitioners. The doctor ordered X-rays of my shoulder and upper body and neck spine. She saw it as a problem with my scapula but also stated that I have arthritis in my joints and vertebrae. In 10 days, I was still in pain and saw another GP in the same group. He couldn’t believe my shoulder was the problem so he ordered an MRI of my upper cervical. My neck was so stiff by that point that I thought that made sense. He also ordered a referral to an orthopedic doctor who specializes in the shoulder. The MRI showed three bulging discs but they were not touching the spinal cord. There was spinal fluid all the way around the cord in every section of… the cervical spine. The orthopedic doctor who specializes in shoulder problems took a look at the MRI of the cervical spine and the X-rays of my shoulder and said there is nothing wrong with my shoulder and sent me to an orthopedic who specializes in the spine. He also ordered physical therapy. The spine orthopedic nurse practitioner looked at the MRI, tested my strength and reflexes, and said I was too strong and healthy to warrant any further treatment. Granted, I had made some improvement by then. I am a very active senior. In the meantime, I had made an appointment with Dr. Tien Le thinking that, if this were to lead to surgery, I would trust a neurosurgeon over an orthopedic doctor. Dr. Le’s credentials were the deciding factor about which neurosurgeon I would see. By the time I had my appointment, it was three months since the initial incident. I was in no pain by then but I still had limited mobility in my shoulder. He looked at my MRI and told me I needed surgery and that I was not going to get better. Only surgery would help. Yet, the nurse practitioner did all the strength and reflex tests and I could tell by her puzzled look that she may not be seeing what Dr. Le was seeing. Dr. Le said he was going to remove discs from between 3 cervical vertebrae and fuze the three vertebrae together. I was shocked. He asked me if PT helped and I said, it helped my neck but not my arm. He replied that my arm had nothing to do with the “problem” in my neck. He repeated my words of “not really” (if the PT helped me) but he must not have paid attention to what specifically I stated about my shoulder not being helped. I just wasn’t at peace about the whole ordeal. My neck was not hurting and my shoulder was continuing to improve. I asked specifically for an MRI of my shoulder which was ordered. The result was a common thing that happens: frozen shoulder. There was no impingement showing at that time. I will never know if there ever was. In the meantime, I sent the MRI and X-rays to an out-of-state neurosurgeon who had no connection to the opinion that he would offer. He knew I would never be his patient due to limitations of my insurance plan. He said absolutely no surgery was necessary and that the cervical spine MRI indicated no reason for my shoulder pain. At least Dr. Le and he agreed on that! That “frozen shoulder” caused the muscles in my upper body and my neck to tighten up to the point of not being able to turn my head or raise my arm. I made another “pre-op” appointment with Dr. Le’s office, knowing I was canceling the surgery. I wanted to see what they would say. I saw a different nurse practitioner who proceeded to tell me that the next incident would be worse. There was a little pressure to proceed with the surgery but not oppressively so. That was good. I told him that the MRI of the shoulder indicated a “frozen shoulder” but that did not deter his confidence that I needed surgery. There never was a first “incident” involving my cervical spine. The sore neck was the result coming from the frozen shoulder. Instead of being relieved that I didn’t need surgery, I got angry. Angry about the whole ordeal. From my GP who didn’t believe my shoulder could cause that much pain to a well-qualified surgeon who wanted to perform an unnecessary surgery that would affect me for the rest of my life. If my GP had not ordered the MRI of the cervical, the fact that I have bulging discs would still be hidden. Although there really are three bulging discs, it’s not to the point that surgery is needed. I hope it never deteriorates to that point. Maybe it will but at least the surgery is delayed until I actually need it. My neck is better, movement is probably about 90%. I sought a deep massage therapist for my shoulder. His one-time session moved my ability to move my arm forward by an incredible amount. I have total mobility but cannot extend the stretch without a bit of pain. I am also in the process of changing GPs. They have failed me at other times, so this was the last chance of “hanging in there” with them. They are very convenient to my home. That made me wait until this time to go ahead and move forward with the change. Please, get a second opinion. Avoid surgery if you can. If you do need it, it looks like Dr. Le would be a good surgeon. Personally, I no longer trust him, based on my experience. I gave 2 stars instead of 1 because I did not feel overly pressured to proceed with the surgery and the staff did not act badly toward me for making that decision.

I cannot say enough positive things about Dr. Le and his team! Dr. Le is not only an excellent neurosurgeon but he is personable and has a great bedside manner! It has only been 1 week since my surgery and already I can tell the difference in the severe pain that I endured is now just some mild surgical discomfort. I am so hopeful for my future! His PA’s, especially Niraj are both excellent and very knowledgeable and kind. The entire office staff was so accommodating as to getting me moved up for appointments, cortisone injection & my surgery!! The surgical coordinator, Ieesha is absolutely the best I have ever dealt with. She is soo patient, efficient & caring. No matter how many times I called her, she was always sweet & positive and helpful..love her!!

Dr. Le is a gifted and compassionate neurosurgeon. He performed neck surgery on me involving a cervical discectomy and fusion procedure to relieve pain, weakness and numbness in my left shoulder and arm. The result was fantastic and immediate – I could feel my arm and fingers again with no pain or numbness. The strength in my left hand and arm was suddenly and noticeably better than that on my dominant right side as well. The office staff is first rate and I can’t say enough positive things about Dr. Le and his staff – accommodating, professional and personable … I would recommend Dr. Le to anyone without reservation

You are in great hands with these guys!

Doctor Le and his staff are amazing! I am so grateful doctors like him exist!

Dr. Le is the Doctor you will refer your friends & family to.

Exceptional, Gifted, Compassionate, Honest. Sets his standards to the highest mark. Cannot be compared to any one else. He is the BEST!!!! His team is right there with him.