Robert Benz's Online Review Report Card

After a month of back and leg pain, I finally got in to see Robert Benz, MD at the Orthopedic and Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR) in Loveland, Colorado.  Simply driving to the appointment was excruciating with a pain level of at least 8.  In the reminder call, they asked me to bring a CD of my previous back issues including images from CT, MRI, etc.  When he came into the room, he said he didn’t have time to look at the information on the CD.  He was clearly annoyed that I was taking up his time because he was behind in the day’s schedule. Then he continued to argue with me about where my pain is located. Working in radiation therapy medical physics for treating cancer patients, I found this attitude of specialists all too frequent, especially in older physicians…one of the major reasons I left that profession. Also, the whole visit at OCR made me feel like a carcass in a processing plant. J. Regnald Curry, Ph.D. Nuclear Physicist

Dr Benz has a great reputation as a surgeon. My L2-S1 fusion did not go well. After almost 9 months I still have numbness & panerve pain in my legs w/increased foot drop. Multiple post surgery MRIs can not identify the causes. During my recovery, I was thankful my Primary Care Physician was responsive to my pain management needs since Dr Benz's office was not - beyond prescribing low doses of gabapentin & tylenol. I do not recommend Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies

not good. spent about 3 minutes with me. felt he was being bothered by my pain complaint. he could not wait to get to the next patent

My visit to Dr. Benz was really important after I had received a recommendation for cervical fusion due to stenosis and a bone spur severely compromising my spinal cord from two other surgeons. After driving an hour and a half, waiting in the lobby for an hour, Dr. Benz spent 15 minutes with me and it was quite obvious, he had not looked at my Mri images before I got there. Several doctors have said to me they are surprised Dr. Benz was not more alarmed at my Mri. I will never see him again nor would I recommend him. He may be a great surgeon, but consultations are just as important, and his was extremely disappointing and caused myself and my family added stress from his lack of care.

I'm giving Dr. Benz one star since this was my first appointment. I realize doctors are busy people, but that's usually because they over book patients. When I come in to see a doctor I expect some level of consideration and acknowledgement. If I had him on the clock I would say he spent less than 90 seconds with me. I spent more time with his PA and the x-ray tech. My issue is back pain in two locations. He took a quick look at my x-ray and said I should see a hip surgeon for surgery. Didn't look at anything the PA wrote down about my symptoms or issues. Yes, I probably need hip surgery, but I don't think that's the cause of my back pain.............I will get the MRI done and see him one more time, but I will probably end up getting a second opinion

my first appt with dr. benz was today for back pain. the first words out of his mouth upon coming into the door was....."what are you doing here, you don't need surgery!" I about fell off my chair. He never examined me or even touched my back which was the reason I was there, for back pain. He has the WORST bedside manner I have ever experienced!!! I have been an RN for 36 years and have never heard a Dr be so rude! DO NOT go see this guy! I won't even give him the satisfaction of calling him a Dr. Nobody should treat a human being the way he does!

I went to Dr. Benz after trying every modality short of surgery: chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and laser. He was recommended by two family members of a friend. He explained what he saw with my condition and made his recommendation. I elected to have him do the surgery, fusing of three vertebrae and clean up arthritis. Previous to the surgery I had pretty severe back and leg pain. Now, three months after the surgery I have no back or leg pain at all. Actually, the leg pain was gone immediately after the surgery and the back pain once the worst of the surgery recovery was past, about three weeks. This is the first time I have had any surgery. I wasn't sure what to expect and though I wouldn't want to go through it again without a good reason (which I had) I am glad I had the surgery. I feel it was the only fix for my condition and I am very satisfied with Dr. Benz's work. I recommend him to anyone needing surgery.

Couldn't have received better care end to end for a lumbar fusion. Great staff.

This dr will not return phone calls, emails or other correspondence. Total waste of a degree.

Best surgen I have ever experienced.