Dr. Yuri Falkinstein, MD

Dr. Yuri Falkinstein saved me! I honestly don’t even know how to describe the happiness and relief I am feeling right now after suffering from lower back pain for pretty much half of my life (p.s I am 30 years old). Since my teenage years, I suffered from sciatica. I had been under years of chiropractic care and physical therapy but I continuously got worse. It took one sneeze and I was unable to walk, sit, stand or lay for about 2-3 weeks. I was terrified and upset that THAT had become my reality and I couldn’t continue living like that. When Dr. Falkinstein saw my MRI’s, he carefully and thoroughly explained the condition my spine was in and why surgery would be the only and appropriate solution. My L5-S1 was bone to bone with Grade 2 slippage and severe impingement of my L5 nerve root. No amount of muscle relaxers, therapy, stretching or injections would aid my situation. I appreciate and trust Dr. Falkinsteins honesty and decision because he truly and genuinely cares for the… well-being of his patients. He listens and explains everything so well. My surgery took about 4 and a half hours and it was done through an anterior (with a vascular surgeon) and a posterior approach to completely stabilize my spine. Yes! So they flipped me during surgery (mind blown)! I walked the following day and stayed 2 nights at the hospital. I was off pain meds a few days after I got home and every day everything got easier! Just remember to breathe and take it slow. Thank You Dr. Falkinstein for giving me my quality of life back! I am so appreciative of you and I recommend anyone suffering from spinal pain to only trust Dr. Yuri Falkinstein!

I went to see Dr. Falkinstein and he was very nice taking the time to explain my condition. I was so overwhelmed that I made another appt this time with my husband. Although he was very sure of going in from the front of neck, I couldn't understand if I needed a fusion what was holding my vertebrae in order for it to be successful. I did get many opinions, one wanted to go from the back and another said it was my hands to see a hand specialist. I was lucky to find Dr. Wang (international professor and UCLA/USC) spinal specialist that I made my decision to go to. I am grateful however to Dr. Falkinstein.

Dr. Falkinstein performed spinal fusion on one location in my lower spine just over one year ago, and I could not be happier with both the surgery, and the experiences before and after the surgery. He went over all of my tests and images with me to show me what was going on, and always had time to answer my questions. He made me feel very calm and confident the day of my surgery, and was always prompt and available for my follow-up appointments. I highly recommend him to anyone who is suffering from spinal issues - for the first time in over 12 years I have no back pain, for which I will forever be grateful to Dr. Falkinstein!!

Doctor Yuri Falkinstein is simply the best! He is extremely knowledgeable in his field. He is a very attentive, patient & caring doctor. He takes time to explain how the surgery will be done, he shows the steps by using a model of the spine, and he explains what to expect after the surgery. I came to Dr. Falkinstein with excruciating pain in my back that radiated into my left leg. When Dr. Falkinstein examined me, he did not go beating around the bush suggesting therapy, which was too late in my case. And yet, he did not automatically go to the other extreme of suggesting surgery right away as well. We tried epidural injections twice, but when that did not work, which he did warn me was a possibility, he said that surgery is the next step. I felt very comfortable with this excellent doctor and trusted him completely, and I did not even seek another opinion, even though I was very scared. My intuition was right, I did not need to waste time and money for the second opinion… because 3 weeks after the surgery, the original pain is gone. Yes, I have the after-the-surgery pain, and it will take time to recover, but this is a temporary pain, and I definitely can handle it. I'm forever grateful to Dr. Yuri Falkinstein for giving me my life back. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Dr. YURI FALKINSTEIN! I also would like to thank the outstanding staff at Orthopedic Surgery Specialists in Burbank for your professionalism and compassion.

Dr.. Falkinstein may be a brilliant Surgeon, but I'll never know. After stalling my recoverory for months he said " I don't know what to do" referred me to another expensive Surgron out of my network and discontinuing my Disability insurance before I could get an appointment . He requested a cervical Spine fussion without viewing my MRI films. I was uneasy because he mumbled what he was going to fuse and I asked for another meeting. Then he ordered an additional MRI and while reviewing those images, muttered "You have a bad neck. You have a really bad neck... I don't know what to do". It was clear that the only time he looked at my tests was while I was in his office. He went from Scheduling a fusion without making it clear where, to saying he didn't know what to do. When I said "it's a good thing we didn't rush into that fusuion, he said "I would never do that"...... He doesn't appear to remember his patients from one appointment to the next. While waiting for apporoval and… appointments for a neurve block and to see another specialist that takes insurance, I was informed that Dr. Falkinstein was no longer treating me and would not sign off on the renewal of Disability Insurance claim. I would have been back to work months ago if Dr. Falkinstein payed propper attention to my case from the beginning. This Dr. appears over overworked, Distracted and Mumbles important imformation while sending you off to his surgery scheduling assistant, who can't answer your questions either. He just may be a great surgeon, but for me, he waisted 5 months of my life, my carrer and is leaving my family in a financail crises after dropping my case, before I could find anther Dr. that takes my excellent insurance. To my IATSE Union Brothers and Sisters who will have the same Neck and Spine issues....If you want to return to work, I suggest you pick another specialist from the list.

Explains everything in detail, excellent surgeon. I recommend him whenever I get a chance.

I had a previous surgery several years before I had my surgery with Dr. Falkenstein. I had back pain for 30 years. I couldn't walk a 100 yds without back pain. Now I walk 5 miles. I haven't felt this good in years and I am probably 6 months from completely healing. He is also the nicest surgeon and most considerate I have had and I have had 6 surgeries. You can trust dr. falkenstein.

I am currently a patient of Doctor Falkinstein and I cannot say enough about him. I had been in pain for the last two years. I had previously seen two other Orthopedic specialists and was told that I needed surgery on my back and it would a very complicated and difficult surgery. I was so scared that I decided to wait. The pain became so bad that i could no longer walk anywhere without pain. I was housebound for over a year. My regular doctor gave me doctor Falkinstein's number and told me to get another opinion. On my first visit they took x rays and showed me my problem and explained how he could fix it. His main goal was to relieve my pain. He told me I would have no more than a two inch scar on my back and I would have a quick recovery with no more pain. I scheduled my surgery that day for a week later. Within two weeks I had no more pain and I could walk normally. He is a great doctor who made me feel comfortable and reassured me that all would be fine. He gave me back my life.… It has been seven weeks since my surgery and I have not stopped walking since. Thank you doctor Falkinstein for making me whole again I would urge anyone who has any kind of pain in their neck or spine to make an appointment as soon as possible. He can change your life too.

I was in bad shape, Insurance CO denying surgery for Spinal fusion which anyone in there right mind would know I needed. Once surgery was approved he and his staff Barbara made it happen fast! His crew was incredible and they got me through the surgery in amazing shape. Yuri spent 4 hours working to bolt me back together and to make sure all the rest of my fusions were in good shape. He made repairs to old hardware and straightend my back out. My legs are back and I feel ad if I have my life back! I love him!!! he did an amazing job...Do not have anyone else do your fusion but him! I had 3 different doctors and he was the best! His anastiziologist was also amazing...she kept me alive and recovery was so easy with no issues! Thank you all!

Staff laughed at me when I asked to be moved from unemployment to disability after I fractured my spine. I tried getting them to put me on disability they said reasons from we don't do that here to it is now too late. I am still in pain 4 months after surgery, Went to another doc to have him put me on disability for backpain.