MIchael Tseng's Online Review Report Card

I was sufffering from incontinence and a 10 level, stabbing leg pain in my right and left thigh. I presented with all the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. I was diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and Dr. Michael David Tseng performed a Bilateral lumbar decompression L3-4, L4-5 laminectomy to resolve my lumbar stenosis. During the procedure, Dr. Tseng made a 1 cm. dural tear on my spinal cord, and it was later confirmed in my lumbar revision 1 exact year later that he repatched/repaired over a nerve root. Upon awakening, I was prescribed a three day hospital stay of complete flat bed rest without bathroom privileges during Covid. My recovery at home continued with a three week modified bed rest. My pain and incontinence continued throughout the year and was repeatedly ignored by him. Before my 1 year post-surgery appointment, I demanded a new MRI as my 10 level pain continued with my incontinence. He reviewed my MRI and remarked what a wonderful job he had done! I told him there was a huge disconnect going on here as I was still in considerable, constant leg nerve pain. I was unable to do basic things of self care such as tie my shoe, get dressed and make a bowel movement at 51! He said my incontinence wasn't his department. He suggested a wild goose chase and suggested numerous tests that my gastroenterologist could perform to try to figure out my incontinence. I told him I spoke repeatedly with my gastroenterologist who insisted it was Dr. Tseng's department. He also presecribed PT and Tylenol and told me to return in 3 months. I decided then and there that he was a very inept and incompetent surgeon that didn't have a clue how to help me and had no business to ever operate on me! I stood there in complete disbelief thinking of how he had made my back pain and incontinence worse! I decided it was it was in my best interest to seek care with Dr. Vikram Talwar. He was a wonderful, caring surgeon where I finally felt seen and heard for the first time. He thought he could help and fix my incontinence and said my surgery was an emergency because now it had been going on far too long. He performed a total revision lumbar spinal decompression at L 3-4 , L 5-6 central decompression and L5-S1 right decompression. He was unable to revise the dural 1 cm dural tear because Dr. Tseng repaired it over a nerve root!! Revising this mess would make my situation worse. I am on my road to making a full recovery with my incontinence and leg pain with zero thanks to Dr. Tseng's total incompetence. I am so thankful for the full revision Dr. Talwar has made. Every patient should be seen and heard and be able to make a bowel movement and tie their shoes.

Dr. Tseng discovered the relationship between my foot weakness and the condition in my lower back, which others had failed to recognize. He then performed surgery which went extremely well. At no time did I ever have any pain whatsoever in my lower back.I had originally gone to see him about pain in my arm and hand. He ordered an MRI in my neck, found a ruptured disc, and prescribed a Cortizone shot. This produced a great improvement in my condition and I'm now able to function normally.I highly recommend seeing him for any spinal issues.

I am currently 8 days post op, so I totally plan on updating when I have more time under my belt. Dr. Tseng and his staff were absolutely amazing from beginning to end. I met with Dr. Zucherman at Saint Marys, however, doctor Tseng was a much better fit for me. When I arrived at my first appointment with my MRI he reviewed it with me. Dr. Tseng was able to explain to me what I was seeing in the MRI. He reviewed my pain meds provided Dr. and made recommendations. He provided my options, statistics on outcome, and addressed my fears. I left undecided about surgery with a follow up appointment in two weeks to discuss. During the two weeks I decided to do surgery, so my follow up because my pre-op.The scheduling process: When I called Dr. Tseng's scheduler late Friday the same week of my exam, I informed her that I wanted to proceed with surgery. She let me know that we would have to get some sort of clearance from doctor Tseng, once received she would give me a call the following week with available times. Normally when I hear "Next week", I think OH GAWD, this is going to take forever. I received a call from the scheduler on the following Monday morning at 10 am with available surgery times, and instructions on my pre-op appointment with my PCP to clear for surgery. She IMMEDIATELY faxed all the information my PCP needed to clear me for surgery so I was able to get in with my PCP a.s.a.p.Pre-Op appointment w/Dr. Tseng: When I returned for the Pre-op appointment, which was scheduled at 1pm, I was seen ON TIME, this appointment required x-rays, which were completed in 15 minute. During the appointment I expressed that I was now experiencing pain on both sides. I was able to get an MRI authorized with my insurance company, paid my out of pocket percentage, and completed within the hour. My MRI's (I had two) were very painful, I cried in both. The Tech was phenomenal, he was so kind, and he let me know exactly how long I was going to have to stay in the machine. I also met one of the nurses that worked in the surgery center who was attending an appointment with a family member. She was supportive, gave me recommendations for dealing with low back pain, and told me she would be there on the day of surgery. All and all - I had my pre-op appointment was x-rayed, had my MRI and was out of the office by 3pm (two hours total).Surgery day: I arrived at the surgery center, was quickly registered and met with all of the processionals. Everyone was SO kind. Surgery went well. Surgery center nurses were awesome. And the nurse from the pre-op appointment really did come check on me. It meant the world. I was released with both verbal and written instructions, and headed home without incident.The next day: Dr. Tseng called to check on me, answered all of my questions, and told me the result of the surgery. The surgery center called me, to check on me and answer any questions.When I started this process I was terrified and I wasn't sure surgery was the right choice. I am currently pain free, without complication. I would highly recommend Dr. Tseng to the patient that needs hand holding,

This is a repost of my review for Webster Orthopedics because I noticed he still has 3 stars here somehow:I went to this place for the first time last week to get some advice for a back issue (herniated disc) that has started to become debilitating for me.I was anxiously awaiting this appointment and really hoping to develop a plan to fix the issue.Dr Tseng entered the room (more than 90 mins past appt time), doesn't even look at me, and asks me to start doing heel lifts. Then points out that it appears harder to do it on the left side. No shit Sherlock. I can barely walk on my left leg.He then reviews the MRI with me, shows me the herniated disc, and is very pleased that his diagnosis matches the one from the MRI facility. Then he tells me that he doesn't recommend surgery, won't prescribe any pain medication because "things don't work like that anymore," can't give me an Epidural because he doesn't do that and I have to come back and sit through the same shit with his colleague, and suggests taking time off of work to deal with the issue if it is debilitating before stating that this "likely wouldn't be good for my profession."I had one of the worst, most depressing weekends after this visit. Dr Tseng clearly has no empathy for his patients and is only interested in bragging about how smart he is in front of them. Screw him. Steer clear.BTW, since this visit I have spoken to multiple medical professionals in the East Bay and all of them know of his reputation. I don't understand how he is still practicing.

I was referred to Dr. Tseng for cervical fusion at 3 levels. It has been 11 months, and the results are phenomenal. I had been experiencing severe nerve pain and progressive loss of mobility in my left arm. I realized that the pain was gone when I woke from the surgery. It has been 11 months and all of the previous symptoms are gone. I have my life back and I owe that to Dr. Tseng. I would recommend him to anyone that is suffering from similar symptoms. Thank you Dr. Tseng.

Hi,I was injured lifting boxs of supplies from a dollie, when i filt pain up my leg to my hip, suffard, a lot of pain,i had physical therapy, ac upunctur, seen a dr, for Injections, nouthing helped, I seen DR Michael D. tseng . he updated my xrays mri, found i mite need surgery I agreed to the surgery, and now i am on my way to a pain free life. I still have a ways to go . but so far,I am verry Happy with DRMichael D TSENG , and his staff, yours D.....

Great spine surgeon, thanks Dr Tseng. Also liked to say thank you to his staff, Nam his scheduler and his NP (whose name I forget). Made me feel like I was a person and not just a condition. Just be aware his office gets busy because hes in so much demand.

I was in pretty bad shape before I met Dr Tseng. I've seen a chiropractor and acupuncturists for at least 6 months, I've had 2 steroid injections and decided to go with spine surgery on 12-23-16. I literally couldn't walk without pain or stand up straight and the problems kept on getting worse. It was tough especially with 2 kids running around and when you wake up in the morning with pain going down your legs. 10 months later after hopefully my last visit, I've had no real issues. Any doctor you go to would have lines and some appointments will be pushed back but going through what I went through for a whole year, it's more important to go with someone you trust that will help you get through your problems. I just wanted to say thank you