Despite some of the repetitive criticism of Dr. Jho (including those who have never seen him) he did a great job for me. I can't recommend him enough IF you have the type of condition that he specializes in correcting.

The front office IS a little weak and slow but they get calls non-stop. Once I established a relationship with them the communications were no longer an issue.

I flew to Pittsburgh thinking that I was going to have a 3 level cervical surgery based on MRI films only. After I met with Dr. Davidovitch, (Jho's assistant until 9/1/08) and went over my actual symptoms, we re-thought the idea. After reviewing the MRIs and symptoms with Jho and Davidovitch we decided to stay conservative and only do one level. The reasoning was that he might be able to open the canal enough on one side to relieve subsequent compression. The downside was that I might have to come back. That fit my philosophy in advancing slowly and hitting the big spots first.

Dr. Jho IS very brief but that's because he doesn't need to ponder what he's doing and he's not paid to hold hands. I know others don't appreciate that approach but I certainly do. I could tell he was someone whom I needn't question.

I was concerned about intubation side affects do to a GERD/LPR issue. I was told to discuss it with the anesthesiologists, which I did, and they added a little more steroid to the mix. I really had minimal intubation issues - I ate the pork chop that was served for dinner as testimony!

In fact, after surgery, the main problem was urinating which is side effect of the anesthesia. I really had to go but I just dribbled.... It resolved itself the next day. Just drink lots of fluids to flush it out of your kidneys - stupid advice if you can't pee but eventually it does work. ( My sister's take on this was "you had spinal surgery and your main complaint is that you dribble...? Must have been good drugs! (Except I NEVER took a Percocet even though they gave me a jar of them. ))

Anyhow, the surgery was a success and I could sleep on my right side for the first time in years. I never had great pain, just nasty paresthesia, and it's going away. I also feel my muscles are waking up as the re-innervation continues. I was up and walking right after I recovered. Each day gets better and there's no bed rest - NONE! (Just no swimming for couple of weeks to keep water from soaking into the incision.)

I AM SO GLAD I NEVER HAD A FUSION or a laminectomy! I'll do this procedure over and over if I have to. Eventually I might have to have a fusion or an ADR but I'm sure I bought myself years of relief before I ever have to do radical surgery. Since I'm an active old guy that means a lot to me.

Also, Allegheny General Hospital treats Jho's patients with TLC. He and Dr. Jannetta are like rock stars there. Jho's patients get private rooms as part of the contract he negotiated with AGH when they wooed him away from PITT. That's a nice perk that he didn't have to do. It's more than just statistics...

I do agree that it's too bad that more docs don't know the technique. As younger deans come in to the med schools I think we'll see a jump in scope procedures and a slide in knife procedures. These young docs grew up with scopes so they're comfortable with what they're doing. Let's hope it spreads quickly.

My post began this thread and described my positive experience in a 2-level cervical microforaminotomy with Dr Jho. This is literally the first time I've logged on to this site since October 2007, and I'm now 5-1/2 years post-op and feel that I'm doing even better. The fact that I so infrequently visit sites like this is a reflection of how little I ever think of myself now as a cervical patient. I feel compelled to add a post to this thread because of all the Dr Jho bashing that has ensued since then. It is not my intention to minimize anybody else's direct experience with Dr Jho. But I do find some of the negative posts from those without that experience both questionable and potentially unhelpful. I understand that no doctor is perfect and every doctor will have some percentage of cases with a negative outcome. But I am convinced beyond a doubt that the negative posters in this thread have skewed the facts resulting in a misrepresentation of an excellent neurosurgeon offering a pivotal minimally invasive spinal procedure.

Some folks mentioned that they couldn't get answers from Dr Jho and my experience couldn't have been more different. In all my discussions with Dr Jho, I always felt that he was giving me all the time in the world to ask whatever questions I had in mind and he patiently gave me complete, detailed answers. I have somewhat of a medical background, and in my pre-op consultation I felt reassured and confident that I was in the best of hands.

I think all the various surgical procedures have their place. For some conditions, an ACDF or laminectomy is the best approach. But based on my experience, for herniations like I suffered, it makes no sense to use such invasive procedures that drastically change your anatomy and entail a much more extended/involved recovery. When it's a more mature procedure, artificial cervical disc replacement is the only invasive option that I would consider for this condition.

Wishing everyone a successful, pain-free outcome whatever you decide!

I may print this and take it to my NS appt coming up.

I had cervical stenosis surgery with Dr. Jho in May of 2008, and my experience was tremendous. He cleaned bone spurs/ disc material out of two of my cervical levels on the left side --- C5/6 and C6/7 (or C4/5) --- and my left side of my neck now functions completely normally. Before, it would not turn to the left too easily and had incredible stiffness in that direction. I NEVER have had pain on that side since the surgery, or tingling (which I had before the surgery --- even going into the left arm/ hand!). Since I am bilateral at C5/6, I may need to go back to Jho for the right side at some point (which was never as bad as the left). If the stiffness and / or pain on that side increases, I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO GO BACK TO JHO! I am 34, and would not want a fusion or even ADR if I can preserve motion so well, and eliminate pain, with the Jho procedure. All the local NJ/NY/ Philly docs had wanted to do the fusion or ADR at either 2 or 3 levels! I am so glad I flew in to Pittsburgh for this procedure,which compared to all of my other orthopedic surgeries (2 left knee surgeries, torn ACL), was a piece of cake. Sorry, but anyone complaining about side effects from this minimally invasive procedure on 2 neck levels (one side) really needs to re-think things! yes, there may be those rare cases BUT everyone I had surgey with that day was singing Jho's praises, including myself!!!!

Chris

I had a two level cervical foraminectomy 6 years ago. I am still happy with the outcome. Granted, he does not have a warm and fuzzy personality, but he did answer my questions. After the surgery, I stayed at a local hotel for two days. I did have a slight amount of blood on the bandage one day post op. I called and they got me right in. It turned out not to be a problem. Six weeks post op, I got an rx for another mri and flex x-rays. Dr. Jho called me personally to discuss the results. I already had the written report in my hand. The results of the Mri indicated that decompression was accomplished and the flex xrays showed that my spine was stable. The recovery time was not bad at all. I was off all rx pain meds within two weeks and back to pretty much all activities within four weeks. Before the surgery, I was unable to go to the movies because I was unable to sit for any period of time before spasms began. I was beginning to loose coordination and strenght in my fingers and got that lovely tingling. Those symptoms were relieved immedietly. My husband is having lots of pain and shooting pain down his arm due to bone spurs. He is starting PT. If he does not respond to the conservative treatments, I would definitely drive him the 6 hours to see Dr. Jho

January 2008 I underwent the Jho procedure. the hospital experience was fair, and while I was in the hospital, Jho and Jeff, his assistant came to see me post op then release me. It was the last time I saw either of them. I had an order to call if I had burning, numbness etc. I packed my overnight bag and left. Within a week of being home, I had a stabbing pain in my arm that was new to me; constant numbness and severe axillary pain. I called the office and reported these symptoms to Jeff, he had no answer for me except to say we needed to wait for the 6 week MRI. Another week passed so I called again and spoke with Jeff. I reiterated my symptoms . Again, Jeff had no answers except to offer me a refill of medication. I asked him why I would be told to call the office if the office didn't want to hear my problems, or real plan to do anything? I sufferred along with the pain, and numbness. three weeks later I returned to work, unprepared to sit at a desk let alone exercise or have any other activity. I called Jeff one last time--never spoke to the doctor--just to make sure I was being fair to the practice. again, story--Jho's office can't do anyhting until the MRI in March.I returned to work in worse pain than before surgery. I struggled along. In March, I receivedthe order for the MRI. I have it done and a week later I call the offce for the results. the receptionist (a very kind lady) takes my name and tells me jeff will call me. another week goes by and I call again since my call has not been returned. No one calls me back. In early May 2008 Darryl, dr. jho's new assistant calls me and tells me he wants me to come in for an exam. I just want to know what my MRI says. darryl tells me that Dr. Jho has been so busy --on vacation--traveling lecturering etc. he'll return in late May.
My C5-C6 decompression collapsed according to the MRI JHO ordered but never read. Nerve impingment is as severe as it was prior to surgery.

I am seeing one of the top ten neurosurgeons in the U.S. at this time and he is less than impressed with the work and practices of Dr. Jho. The institute and the staff are too busy to care for patients. The procedures are not for people who have serious long standing issues that require major surgeries. Although I was recommended to this practice, I do not recommend the Jho Institute to any one. Patients do not need warm fuzzies from their doctors, but they do need and deserve follow up and courtesy.

QUOTE=GJZH;248002]Dallaskibby,

I have not posted anything that is not true...Others have posted their stories about Jho to this thread and to other forums...I think if Jho were as good as the few people that post to a few threads say he is we would see more stories about him on the Internet...I have done a search and just do not find that many people singing his praises...There are as many good stories as bad...

The fact that you were back to work in 12 days and playing sports in 4 weeks tells me that you did not have extensive problems before the surgery.

I think you can tell by my signature that my spinal problems are extensive. I would never waste my time by contacting Jho. I sought only the best surgeons at the best hospitals in the world. I started at Johns Hopkins and then went into NYC. I admit my laminectomy failed...We knew it might at the onset...I wanted to try something that was not as extensive as a fusion at first...The problems with my spine start at the top and go to the SI joints...I doubt that Jho would ever entertain the thought of helping me...or could...He does not have the expertise or the time. He is in and out of the operating room with most patients in hours. My lumbar fusion was 16 hours and took two days...It took the skill of a highly trained OSS....Someone who had done many multi-level fusions..Most spinal surgeons have not done more than a three level or will not do more than a three level fusion....There are not many of surgeons in the US that can do a multi-level fusion and do it with success....I am not pain free, but my spine is stable and my pain is better that it was before my surgery.

I am glad that you had a good outcome with Dr. Jho...I do not know how far out from surgery you are...but I think you should read some of the testimonials at Healthboards...There seemed to be more people there that posted about failed surgeries. I do not know if those posts are still archived because the last time I searched for info was probably in 2004/2005....At that time there seemed to be many more posts from people that were disgruntled and unhappy about their treatment and surgeries. It also seems that about one year after the surgery is when people started to have difficulties, so please do be careful with your activities, no matter how well you feel now. Good luck with your surgery....and I do hope you are getting regular follow-ups...I saw my surgeon at four weeks, eight weeks, three months, six months, nine months, one year, fifteen months, eighteen months, two years, ...and now about every six months...I see him now for my cervical spine...and thoracic spine as well...You can see as I said...I have extensive problems...Jho would never see me as a patient...I would mess up his statistics...[/QUOTE]

I am reposting my January 2007 surgery story (below) as a warning to patients thinking about Dr. Jho! In addition, never let give an MRI primary weight, when determining what is causing back pain. The story below, explains why. Lastly, I had always been extremely skeptical of chiropractic, but before any major surgery try to get the opinion of chiropractors that treat professional athletes. That is what I did and today, I am about 85% recovered. If a chiropractor is treating those with wealth, you know they have to be among the best! My Dr. Jho story below, I wrote this in January 2008....

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In January 2007, I had L5-S1 , for foraminotomy related to lumbar spondylolisthesis.
I bought into the Dr. Jho story! Simple endoscopic procedure and 80-90% have immediate and significant pain relief.
After surgery, my pain was much worse and I developed foot drop instantly and lost my achilles reflex. Dr. Jho's surgical team came out after surgery and told my family member that they had to "manipulate the nerve" to complete surgery, and it took longer than expected as a result. The next morning they told me the same thing... but at that time, I thought little of it. The pain was the worse thing about the experience, and it lasted at a high level for about 7 weeks.
I went back to my home, out of state, because Dr. Jho was certain that after a course of Medrol Dosepak, I would fine. In initial phone conversations, he could not believe I was in that much pain. His statements were of extreme disbelief (almost like, you must be crazy). The percocet Dr, Jho prescribed, would not touch the pain. My wife called for me on a Sunday, and had Dr. Jho paged. He was extremely rude and critical for paging him on a Sunday. He had little to say that was helpful. He insinuated that I must be crazy and he has never had a patient with this degree of pain after any of his surgeries.
I went to a local pain doc and was put on a fentanyl patch. There was little improvement in pain. After a few days, the fentanyl patch was increased to 50mcg. At that dose I has some pain relief, but no where near complete relief.
I called Dr. Jho (although he always would try to pass off phone calls to his PA, who was nice, but not helpful with my issues), and he suggested we drive back. I told him that I would like to, but my pain was so extreme, I could not handle the drive. Again, he talked down to me, suggesting I could my level of pain was not possible. I mentioned the "nerve manipulation", and he shot back "I never manipulated your nerve!". I told him that his surgical team told me and my family member (seperately) that he did manipulate the nerve. He said, "I don't care what they said, I did not manipulate your nerve."
I went to my local primary care doc, a neurologist, and a couple of orthopedic surgeons. After several weeks, the pain was so bad, that I contemplated another surgery (fusion), with a local orthopedic surgeon. I resisted, since one particular surgeon told me 2 surgeries on the same area within 12 weeks was too risky. And the 2nd surgery was extremely invasive...
so I declined the surgery.
I was torn about what to do. I was in alot of pain (lost 15 pounds), and could not sit or stand for very long.
At around 9 weeks, I started to a little better. I proceeded with a nerve block (which I had tried a few times prior to surgery), and that also had helped. Since I did not want to go on disability, I went back to a moderate work schedule after 10 weeks.
I had a about a 50% improvement (vs. my post surgery low point) in early summer) so I went through physical therapy for about 12 weeks. I thought this would keep the progress moving. It did not work.
Hesistantly, in the fall, I went to a chiropractor (I had tried this once before, unsuccessfully), and he immediately spotted a significant leg length discrepency. Over the next 4 months, I procreeded with 1-2 chiro visits per week. Today, I am at about 75% and I believe the chiropractor (and a diagnoses only he made) are the reason for my success. I hope to get this up to about 90% on a consistent basis.
Although I know a few people have had some good experiences with Dr. Jho, mine was quite the opposite. I would encourage everyone, to think closely about any procedure that they think will help their back, based upon Dr. Jho's work on my back!!!!!

I had surgery with Dr. Jho 5 years ago. I had an anterior microforaminotomy---he reamed out my neck at 2 levels---stenosis.

HIs front office leaves much to be desired, but I found him to be professional and engaging.

I recovered very well from the surgery. Within a couple of hours of the surgery I was up and walking. My throat was sore, but otherwise I was great.

I went home by car (5hrs) the next day and I drove part of the way, with my wife driving the balance.

I babied myself more than I needed to, but I was back playing sports within a month.

I was and till am very pleased with every element of Dr. Jho's services.

I realize that every professional has clients or patients who are not pleased with the services rendered. I'm sure that the negative experiences mentioned on this board are true. I can only relate my experience. It's not a warranty for others that they will have the same experience. It is simply information for those considering what course of action they should take to resolve their problem.

I recall reading a series of posts by a doctor (opthomologist) who encountered one negative setback afther the other, despite being a doctor and despite doing all of the traditional things to resolve the problem. I think that the bottom line is that the body is a work in progress and there are no guarantees for any medical procedure.

good luck to all.

Dave Edwards

I posted earlier in this thread about my great experience with Dr. Jho back in 2004. I want to reiterate, like Dave, that my neck is still fine and I am still extremely happy with my decision to have Dr. Jho perform my procedure.

I too recall the threads by the opthamologist (Eyeguy) who had a number of procedures with few positive results.

Everyone needs to think through their decisions for themselves. Spinal surgery is never an easy choice in my view, but my experience with Jho's surgical skills has been nothing but positive.

The "repetitive criticism" about Jho, that is mentioned in previous post does not originate in vacuum! I would say wholeheartedly that I DO NOT TRUST this person. Never in my life had I encountered a physician that has so little compassion, kindness, patience, or interest in his patients. On the other hand, he certainly has more then just excessive mounts of ego, marketing skills and rudeness. Note: there is an exception, and it is if you are a “celebrity” wrestler. In such a case Jho will take a photograph of you and him., and even smile… The large number of negative remarks one can find in various web sites and forums come from many other that share the same personal experiences and impressions I had. I read a post that blamed it on his ethnic origin. Nonsense, any normal person that lived in our country for so long has some minimal people skills regardless where they came from. The wait time is his office was usually more then 2 hours, and no one would ever explain or appologize for this. The courtesy of the staff competes Jho's attitude. Jho did not examine me seriously (and his PA that helped him was realy inexperienced and with very little medical and clinical skills). In most cases Jho will basically only look at you MRI and will usually offer to operate (if you want it) - even in cases when most other surgeons would advise conservative managment. There is NO post surgical care, and Jho practically dumped me and instructed to follow with my primary physician. You do the math. Overall, the results I had were way below my original (naive) expectations.
He is yet to publish a serious peer reviewed article showing the value of his “technique”. Until then, his surgeries might help you or not, depends on your specific clinical problem, as well as your luck. I suggest you meet with at least one other neurosurgeon or spine surgeon before you make any decision.