Nitin N. Bhatia's Online Review Report Card

Dr Bhatia is an incredibly talented surgeon and an amazing gentleman. His staff is courtesy and professional. I would highly recommend him if spine surgery is needed.

I was referred to Dr. Bhatia after excruciating back pain in my SI joint, fusion pain at L5/S1 and L3 pain. Dr. Kramer wanted Dr. Bhatia's opinion after years of pain and discomfort and it looked like additional surgery would be necessary. I was referred to Dr. Learned (he works in Dr. Bhatia's office at UCI) to address the SI, Dr. Bhatia suggested he would handle the L3 fusion and possibly do the two surgeries at the same time. Dr Kramer, Dr. Learned and Dr. Bhatia we're going to figure out what to do with managing my pain and upcoming suggested surgeries. I met again with Dr. Learned to hear the suggestion about moving forward with these two surgeries and I was literally dismissed after my boyfriend called and listened to our appointment. After questioning Dr Learned about what we would do next it really became uncomfortable, so much that I reached out to Dr. Kramer about my treatment. I made another appointment with Dr. Bhatia to follow up. I explained this to Dr. Bhatia's PA who meets with you before he comes in. Dr. Bhatia then comes in and tells me that Dr. Learned no longer suggests an SI fusion, I then go over the pain AGAIN and without skipping a beat he suggests I go back to my original doctor and have my hardware removed. That's it?!? I walked out and have never been so disgusted by UCI, these doctors, their lack of listening and professionalism. Good news is I went to DISC Sport and Spine and had the SI fusion, the limited version instead of the plate Dr. Learned suggested and am now pain free! Get other opinions because I almost had three surgeries with Dr. Bhatia and Dr. Learned and it could have ruined my life. I had an outpatient procedure and am doing great! After all of the tests, doctor appointments it was an absolute waste of time and insurance money I am so grateful that I was treated badly because it made me look outside their treatment.

Dr. Bhatia stung me along for almost 4yrs, 3 visits. The second visit he told my Wife and I he would enter the left side of my neck to correct my Cervical Spine issue. Then Covid hit and it was close to 2yrs since my last visit. He told my Wife and I there's was nothing wrong with my neck. Now after many painful months, I have 25-30 percent Atrophy in my right shoulder and arm. I have a appointment with Stanford next month to have my neck repaired in hopes of regaining the use of my shoulder and arm. Dr. Bhatia really just kind of blew me off that last visit and actually addressed my Wife more than I. First I had to see his Old Lady PA that went through the motions with her in room tests. Then she went in and talked to the doctor. I brought fresh MRI and Report from the Radiologist. He looked at neither and had a generic looking MRI on the monitor that he never showed me anything from. It was apparent he wasn't interested in performing surgery on me. After leaving my appointment and him giving me an order for a bone scan, I never heard another word. I wouldn't go see him again if the surgery were free. There are plenty of great caring Doctors out there other than him. My left hand and arm are completely numb now and ache all the time. I drove 235 miles each time to come and see him and had to spend the night in a Hotel to get there early enough to make my appointment. I'm a patient 67yr old man, but totally ran out of it with this Doctor. Actually, before my second trip down there, I was warned that Dr.Bhatia wasn't doing his own surgery and letting others perform them under his guidance. I called him out on it when he came in the room with a group of team members, and he didn't know quite how to answer me. My Pain Management office removed him from their list of preffered Doctors and no longer will reffer patients there. Stanford just removed a tumor from my employee's Thoracic spine that he couldn't see, it was the size of a large jaw breaker. Disgusted ! Richard Tomlinson

When an MRI showed a really scary black void where some cervical discs should be, my orthopedist recommended Dr. Bhatia. He said that he had a stellar reputation in spinal surgery. Although Orange is a long drive for me, I made the requisite appointment. Dr. Bhatia and his staff were great, and I made the decision to have a cervical fusion. There were many appointments that had to be made (another MRI, pre-op stuff) and the visits were smooth, professional, and informative. Dr. Bhatia called me the week before the surgery to answer any questions, which was a genuine surprise. He answered every last minute question with zen-like calm but genuine understanding. I was scared going in, since this was my first ever major surgery, but Dr. Bhatia and his team were fantastic. I have not completely healed yet - it's only day six - but I can't believe how well it's going. The afternoon after the surgery, Dr. Bhatia stopped by to check on me, the nurses were great, and I felt pretty dang good. It seems I was close to having my spinal cord seriously compromised, and I'm so happy that I chose such a skilled and knowledgeable surgeon for the work. I took a photo of the x-rays showing the hardware, (so to speak), and it looks beautiful to my inexpert eyes. It's a little weird to leave a medical review on Yelp, but when you look for a surgeon or a doctor, the site always pops up. Some of the reviews here are for cost or for appointment time screw-ups, which didn't happen to me - but know that Dr. Bhatia himself is profoundly talented. A great doctor.

I had a previous back surgery in 2007 and was referred to Dr. Bhatia in December 2020 as i was in excruciating pain 24/7. He is the most compassionate and patient surgeon i have ever met. Dr. Bhatia performed my surgery in Jan 2021 as I needed a multilevel fusion, spacers, two areas of severe stenosis, and several other issues. I can say 3 months later I am pain free and I got my life back. The nerve pain in my foot, right leg and sciatic nerve on both sides is completely gone and I feel 20 years younger. You will find that Dr. Bhatia's staff is as kind and caring as he is; what a wonderful group of healthcare professionals. He takes a conservative approach and clearly outlines your options as a patient and is candid / honest. I couldn't be more pleased with the care i received from Dr. Bhatia, his staff, and the whole UCI team. His goal is clearly to improve your quality of life and he's genuinely as humble a man as you will ever meet; no ego ! Highly highly recommend.....

Dr. Bhatia had a great reputation and I was excited to see him for my spinal injury. I had several previous surgeries and my back was still giving me a lot of pain. During my appointment Dr. Bhaita looked at my scans for about a minute and decided that there was nothing he could do and he referred me to a pain management doctor. Although he already knew that I had done years of pain management with minimal result. I admit that my case is complex but Dr. Bhatia was quick to dismiss me. If you have a simple and obvious case he may be a good doctor but if you have a complex case he probably isn't the doctor for you.

Dr. Bhatia had a great reputation and I was excited to see him for my spinal injury. I had several previous surgeries and my back was still giving me a lot of pain. During my appointment Dr. Bhaita looked at my scans for about a minute and decided that there was nothing he could do and he referred me to a pain management doctor. Although he already knew that I had done years of pain management with minimal result. I admit that my case is complex but Dr. Bhatia was quick to dismiss me. If you have a simple and obvious case he may be a good doctor but if you have a complex case he probably isn't the doctor for you.

Dr. Bhatia had a great reputation and I was excited to see him for my spinal injury. I had several previous surgeries and my back was still giving me a lot of pain. During my appointment Dr. Bhaita looked at my scans for about a minute and decided that there was nothing he could do and he referred me to a pain management doctor. Although he already knew that I had done years of pain management with minimal result. I admit that my case is complex but Dr. Bhatia was quick to dismiss me. If you have a simple and obvious case he may be a good doctor but if you have a complex case he probably isn't the doctor for you.

Dr. Bhatia did such a fantastic job on my back, I was in so much pain with my slipped disc L4 L5 then L5 S1 and he was so helpful, kind, careful to explain everything to me! He really takes his time with you! Treats you amazingly! I really highly recommend dr. Bhatia for spine surgery and day of the week or weekend! I feel brand new no more pain down my leg, no more pain through my back!

Dr. Bhatia did such a fantastic job on my back, I was in so much pain with my slipped disc L4 L5 then L5 S1 and he was so helpful, kind, careful to explain everything to me! He really takes his time with you! Treats you amazingly! I really highly recommend dr. Bhatia for spine surgery and day of the week or weekend! I feel brand new no more pain down my leg, no more pain through my back!