Steven Zielinski's Online Review Report Card

I don’t usually write reviews but felt I had to on Dr Steven Zielinski. This doctor’s 5 star reviews must be bogus. My 85 yo mother fell and fractured 2 vertebrae’s. She is in a lot of pain. It was 30 days before his staff could get her in to see him!! That should have been my first clue. Once he saw her, he reviewed a CT scan we brought with us but he said she needed an MRI. I called his office back 14 days later and he STILL had not written her report so that her MRI referral could be approved and scheduled!!(Remember this 85 year old is STILL in A LOT of pain) This is unacceptable as a doctor. He did absolutely nothing for her and KEPT her CT scan that we took with us and their office wouldn’t give it back. They said their “policy” is it becomes “their property” even though they did nothing for her and they don’t need it now because we won’t be back. They also said they had no way to make copies so how do you get a copy of your own records from them if you need them? I would NEVER recommend this doctor for anything NOR his staff. A very poor experience.

Always clean, prompt, and in-and-out visits with no waiting.

Staff was useless on helping us figure out what the issue was in why we couldn't get a call back from his nurse to ever get an appointment

I can appreciate the fact that, unlike other doctors I have visited, Dr. Z acted quickly in ordering testing/imaging to find out quickly where my pain was coming from. Dr. Z listened to my complaints and proceeded to find answers for me which was helpful. Dr. Z took my symptoms seriously and then Dr. Z recommended an appropriate treatment plan to get me back to feeling normal.

This doctor wanted to do his "new and improved" (so he touts) spinal fusion; he was really excited about it. Kind of like the used car salesman. That was until I refused the fusion. I believe that IF a surgery will be needed (which I am desperately trying to avoid) it should only be a discectomy (not my first time dealing with this type of injury). Start with the least invasive and see how it goes. That is how I like to treat my body, not go all out to the final and most invasive option first. His attitude immediately changed. (And I mean on the spot. His tone, his facial expressions, body language.) I needed to schedule an appointment to discuss further my injury, next steps for treatment and recovery and the potential surgery. I take my spine as serious as my heart or brain. (as everyone should) I have a lot of questions that even after 2 appointments have NOT been addressed. I don't even know the extent of the injury other than his questionable “professional” diagnosis of (wow, that looks bad). How many millimeters is the disc protruding, is the nerve impinged by the disc and bone, or just disc material? are there bone spurs? There is disc degeneration. How bad is it and is the vertebrae completely collapsed? So, many questions and zero answers. I have been refused to schedule an appointment to discuss anything further with this doctor because they want me to do physical therapy. I am all for PT and I am actually the one that originally requested PT because these doctors just move too slow for me. I had previously attempted PT all ready. But at the time, I was being refused medication due to the faulted state PMP and some misinformation. I could not get through a session due to the severe intense pain. (That part has been resolved by another doctor) Now I am not being allowed to talk to this doctor. I am being refused an appointment to discuss anything further. (Is it even legal to refuse treatment to a patient that is under your care?) I actually purchased all the PT equipment for my home, costing me several thousand dollars. A nu step, PT table, inversion table, bands, balls, etc. Everything I need, everything we used at the PT clinic. I need a doctor to take my healthcare as serious as I do. After all, it is my body and my dime. I am in charge, he is not. He does not see it that way (God complex?) He treats his patients as if he owns them, as does the staff. If you don't do as he says, or question him, you are dead in the water and refused treatment. Honestly after my experience with this doctor I wouldn't trust him not to intentionally botch the surgery just so he could do his special fusion. (I have read other reviews of people that believe this may have happened to them. (Don't know the details, but no way am I willing to risk it) Based on my experience, I would question if this guy should be investigated by the state, something is just way off about him, his staff and the whole circus show that they have as a clinic. It's a beautiful, huge clinic with lots of money invested in what apparently may just be a facade to pump up expensive unnecessary surgeries. Seems very manipulative. It's a fusion showroom floor. Complete with infomercials. Convince-Sell, Convince-Sell, Convince-Sell. Bad doctors come in an abundance in my area where I live. But where I have to draw the line is being treated less than human, like a slave. Their attitude is that they own you and you are not allowed any choices in your own health care. I have been told to do something that very well may be causing more damage to my spine and nerves without the option to even discuss it with this doctor. When I called to schedule the appointment to discuss these matters, they said they would have to talk with Dr. Z and call me back the next day. Four days later, and no call back; I called them back. I was told I was not allowed to talk to the doctor until I do as they say. (I can’t do your recommendation if I can’t discuss it with you. Especially if it is

He really did right by me.

Dr. Z is the best. I love his new office!

As a veteran my self I had surgery done on my lower back after many years of military service. Steven did an amazing job to get me up and functioning again. I highly recommend him and the services he does. 4 years after my surgery I am able to ruck march with 30 pounds on my back and am very grateful for what he did. It was truly a life changing procedure. If it wasn't for him I would not be doing the Bataan this year. Thank you mr zielinski

Outstanding Spine specialist. I highly recommend Dr. Z to anyone in need. He and his staff are extremely knowledgeable, professional and very compassionate!

Excellent Care, Very happy with treatment!!