David T Chang's Online Review Report Card

Dr David Chang operated on my back in the wrong spot and kicked me from a hospital saying I was making up pain and was a drug seeker in my files when he had in fact opened me up in the wrong spot did who knows what and closed me back up and said I was healed. I was back in the hospital traumatized within hours when I found the huge tumors still crushing my lower spine right there after the first surgery. At that point I was in agonizing pain and no other doctor would touch me or tell me why and I was forced to let this man reportage on me 3 days later. This was 6 years ago and I am still in pain and have been at a pain clinic every since. Please think twice before you let this man touch your back. He will lie to you in your face.

I seen Dr Chang for back pain in August 2020 after having and MRI done. I found out that I had a non cancerous tumor pushing on my spinal cord and was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. Edit May 4th 2020: On May May 3rd I was suppose to have a follow up appointment with Dr Chang from my CDI imaging that I had done back in March. His office called yesterday morning to cancel due to him not being in the office and did NOT and has NOT YET reschedule a telehealth appointment to let me know what my results are from my CDI imaging reults. Edit May 25th: I ended up calling Dr Chang's office to reschedule, they redirected me to my own clinic to reschedule they telehealth appointment. I had they appointment on Friday May 23 2021 and he did tell me that I have 3 bad disks T-2 through T-12. I will be having my 2nd back surgery in less then a year done by Dr Chang. I had my spinal fusion surgery on August 13 2021. My spine was pretty bad from Dr. Chang has told me. They put in a cadabra bone for extra support

I've been happy with my results with Dr. Chang. He performed a lumbar fusion at L4-L5 which brought stability back and pain relief. After a year now I have significant pain with sciatica and lower back. This I believe is from the arthritis. I am now 2 weeks out from a total disc replacement at C4-C5. I'm thrilled with the relief I've received immediately! My arms haven't gone numb since nor are my fingertips burning. Still early in recovery but surely happy at this time! Thank you Dr. Chang and to your team also!

Dr. Chang literally gave me my life back. I was in a severe car accident and spent nearly 3 years in constant pain. I couldn't use my arms without extreme pain, I couldn't stand or walk for more than 5 mins. I couldn't sleep for more than a a hour at a time because of the pain. I was uninsured at the time of the accident and it took two years to finally be able to enroll. Then I had to wait for surgery because of covid restrictions. After Cervical Disc surgery on 6-2-20 I could use my arms again. After lumbar surgery on 12-1-20 I am able to walk and stand again! It has been nothing short of a miracle, I got my life back! I was well on the road to alcoholism, depression, even suicidal thoughts before I found Dr. Chang.I saw another surgeon before Dr. Chang who left me completely depressed and basically said "you'er screwed son, All I can do is fuse you neck." Dr. Chang told me about the Mobi-c artificial disc and I was sold. I got my neck back working with no fusion, I can turn my head normally. I can't say enough good things about the team at Midwest Spine and Brain.

Dr. Chang was great. He took the time (a lot of time) to answer all of my questions and review treatment options. He steered me away from surgery at this point (and referred me to an excellent pain clinic for an epidural injection) but if I do end up needing surgery I will definitely trust Dr. Chang to do the job.

Our first appt with Dr Chang was cancelled by his office (after waiting 2 weeks for appt), made 2nd appt, waited 2 1/2 weeks. After travelling over 2 hours Dr Chang walked into exam room, flipped thru medical records and stated he couldn't do anything without an MRI. Something we addressed with his staff beforehand as my husband has a pain implant making an MRI impossible. No direction was given, no concern. On his own my husband lined up surgery with another clinic and had the implant switched out, got an MRI and made another appt. Again, waiting over 2 weeks for appt. Diagnosis was made, surgery recommended. For the first time ever we had a 2nd opinion. Found a remarkable Dr who scheduled surgery right away, whereas Dr Chang thought he might be able to fit us in by September. Our encounter with this Dr and his clinic was callous and disrespectful, a huge amount of time was wasted due to his office issues. And Dr Chang was very insensitive.

I had a cyst on my spine and had constant shooting pains down my leg. Marina Spine Center was recommended to me by a friend after I was told by a different doctor that I needed a spinal fusion. My friend had surgery for a disk problem from a different doctor in the office that was completely successful. Dr. Chang recommended a Laminotomy, which is minimally invasive, but because of Covid I had to wait a couple of months until the hospitals opened up for surgery. The surgery was done at Cedars-Sinai as an outpatient, and I experienced immediate relief. Over the next couple of months I did have a few times that the numbness would flair up but was told to give it some time. After going through several weeks of physical therapy to strengthen my core muscles, all symptoms were relieved. It is now 5 months later and I have no pain or weakness and have resumed all activities. Their office staff was very helpful and responsive from day 1 and I am so thankful that I found this office and Dr. Chang!

My surgery went well but everything leading up to that point was extremely difficult. Everyone I encountered in Dr. Chang’s office made errors in the process of getting my surgery authorized and scheduled causing a long delay. I almost did not get an ordered medical device for post surgery because no one submitted the orders to the device representative even after I asked them more than once if the device was ready. Dr. Chang is a great surgeon but be prepared to micromanage every step of the process to get to point of having surgery and receiving post op devices.

There are not enough words available to express my true appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Chang! We were referred to Dr. Chang from a friend who raved about his positive experience and outcome with Dr. Chang and his staff. My wife was admitted to the ER with horrific nerve pain down the entire left leg. When I paged Dr. Chang, he not only called me back within minutes, but he actually showed up to the ER in order to put my wife (and me) ease. This alone was huge! Dr. Chang is immensely smart, knowledgeable, conservative and HIGHLY personable. He is also not one to rush into surgery, unless it's absolutely necessary. Dr. Chang performed a Discectomy on my wife on a Thursday, and the following day, she was discharged from the hospital with NO PAIN in her leg (only surgical pain which was expected). Dr. Chang is now our hero and I would recommend him to anyone who is in need of a Orthopedist (spine). Dr. Chang's PA, Shawn, is also a CLASS ACT who also played an integral role in helping my wife!!!!! We are so fortunate to have found Dr. Chang! The entire office staff is a truly a cut-above!

Nine months prior to consulting with Dr. Chang, a surgeon at a different spine clinic, performed a lumbar fusion that left me with debilitating pain. The pain prevented me from functioning in my daily life and kept me from most social activities. I needed to find another provider after realizing this surgeon wasn't committed to finding and resolving the cause of my pain. At my first appointment with Dr. Chang he listened carefully, viewed the images of my previous fusion and asked clarifying questions. He laid out a preliminary plan and ordered additional imaging. At the next appointment he made his recommendation. He would remove all existing hardware, close and then do an anterior lumbar fusion. This means accessing the spine from the abdomen and involves teaming with a general surgeon. Dr. Chang clearly explained the risks and benefits, the surgery itself and the recovery details. The surgery was successful - the debilitating pain gone! The after care provided by Dr. Chang and his staff has been remarkable. It's been 5 months since surgery and I only have minor lower back aches. I started physical therapy to strengthen lower body muscles. Thanks to Dr. Chang my husband and I have our lives back!