Mark C. Nelson's Online Review Report Card

My husband Ron G. had surgery with Dr Nelson and we are beyond grateful and immensely impressed. I’ve worked with orthopedic surgeons almost my entire career (in another state) and Dr Nelson is spectacular in all respects. We are so grateful for him and restoring movement for my husband. Excellent bedside manner, very humble and an excellent surgeon. What more could you ask for? Thank you!!

I absolutely recommend Dr. Nelson to anyone who is looking for an orthopedic spinal surgeon specialist. He is a skilled spinal surgeon with a pleasant bedside manner. I have been a patient under the care of Dr. Nelson for a number of years for neck and low back conditions. With Dr. Nelson I had a lumbar epidural injection and a recent neck fusion surgery. He is a single practitioner with a small staff. His staff is very knowledgeable and always responsive to my questions and concerns with quick replies. The staff was especially helpful to me prior to my surgery. In his office, he runs on-time and I rarely had to wait more than 5 minutes to see him. During each office visit, he always took the time to listen to me and was very thorough with the examination. My experience with the lumbar epidural injection was really good considering that I have some apprehension with needles. He made me feel comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. Regarding my recent neck surgery, Dr. Nelson completely explained the surgical procedure as well as all the options and also let me know what I should expect during the recovery.

Dr. Nelson is the very best spinal Surgeon in San Diego! He is a very professional, compassionate, experienced, patient and friendly person! Look for him if you are looking for the best Surgeon. Daniel Ruiz

I saw Dr. Nelson for a bulging cervical disc that was pinching the nerve in my neck all the way down my arm. He was very straightforward and explained everything in ways that I could understand it. I was grateful that he did not immediately resort to surgery and understood I wanted to try everything before doing that. While we did up end needing to do surgery I felt very comfortable having him do the procedure. It turned out great and even after a very short time after the surgery a lot of my constant nagging pain is gone!! He has such a wonderful bedside manner which is very important in doctors. He truly listens to you and your concerns and make sure you understand everything before moving forward. I highly highly recommend him. He's a wonderful doctor!

I truly feel that Dr. Mark Nelson saved my husbands life! My husband almost died last year from an infection that started out as excruciating back pain. He was in the hospital 3 different times ( 2 different hospitals) where they did CT's and MRI's . They kept insisting that he had degenerative disc disease . No one would really listen to me until we saw Dr. Nelson . He actually looked closely at the MRI and read the radiologist report. He also really looked at my husband and saw that he was truly sick! He sent us straight to the hospital ( Scripps) and was diagnosed with discitis ( an infection in the disc space). The infection had spread to his blood and heart . He had to have an aortic valve replacement . Thank God that we went to see Dr Nelson when we did. He really listens and he is very caring . Our family will never see any other orthopedic doctor again!!!!

Dr Nelson listens is very thoughtful and caring and acts quickly! From first appointment to surgery and totally pain free was 28 days. I can’t thank him enough. He actually calls you at home and checks on you. He is simply the best and I can’t thank him enough. Highly recommended!

The first word that comes to mind for Dr. Nelson is COMPASSION! I am an RN with many years of long ER shifts and abuse to my own body and spine. In the early Spring I suffered from a neck injury that sent a pre-existing condition spiraling out of control, and I had herniated my C5-C6 and C6-C7 cervical discs. Causing tremendous pain, and numbness and tingling in my left arm. After failed PT, two epidurals, and trigger point injections, I researched for the SD areas best spine specialist and Dr. Nelson's name appeared at every turn. I was mostly focused on finding a surgical solution that allowed for me to keep an active lifestyle or decrease my range of neck motion. Thankfully he is also associated with Scripps, who has been nationally recognized for their patient care.Dr.Nelson is one of the very few in San Diego that is highly specialized in the Mobi-C artificial disc replacement device for the use in more than one cervical disc replacement. When I met Dr. Nelson my wife and I were blown away by his compassion, his attention to detail, his ability to empathize, and to listen. He answered all of our questions and proposed possible solutions from livijg with what I had with medication management to having surgery. I opted for a two level Mobi-C disc replacement over the old school cervical fusion, after careful research into the pros and cons, and finding that my condition met the criteria for the implants.I had surgery last week and could not be any happier!!! All of my pre-operative pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of motion has since been resolved. Outside of some post surgical pain and sore throat, I am back on track! I cannot speak enough to Dr. Nelsons abilities to be one of the few to do multiple level disc replacements in San Diego, and his dedication to his patients shows every time I have spoken with him. Take it from an RN who has been around almost every type of doctor (good, bad, and the worst), Dr. Nelson is and would be again my first choice for any spine related injuries.

I couldn't recommend Dr. Nelson highly enough. He is so knowledgeable, considerate, thorough, and personable. He understands how to establish true rapport and empower his patients to make the best choice for their personal situation. He will take the time necessary to ensure all possible options are considered in painstaking detail before a path is chosen.If you are currently struggling with severe back pain and want to have the greatest possible advocate capable of ensuring your return to a pain free and healthy lifestyle, Dr. Nelson is your man. I am so grateful to him and his terrific staff and couldn't thank them enough for taking such great care of me and my loved ones.

I saw Dr. Nelson for my lumbar spine after continued leg pain post Laminectomy by another surgeon. Dr. Nelson is a great listener and knows his craft. I asked if pain could be related to my hip rather then back. He listened and ordered MRI of hip even though his specialty is the spine. As it turns out I have some back issues but leg pain is related to hip tendon. He referred me to LA specialist and I will have hip surgery soon. Thank you so much Dr. Nelson for your great assessment of my back and that a spinal fusion would most likely not fix my symptoms. You are a great doctor

Dr. Nelson and his staff are outstanding. My sciatica ran from my back around my right knee and to my foot. It keep getting worse and all other form of treatment either didn't work or make it worse. Dr. Nelson went through my options and was very patient, understanding and not the least bit "pushy". I elected surgery as my condition was so bad I couldn't work, exercise or enjoy life. I had never been in the hospital much less had surgery so I was apprehensive. The surgery went exactly as he described and my sciatica pain is completely gone! I've regained my life and can't thank Dr. Nelson enough. I'd give him 10 stars if I could - highly recommended!