Dr. Andrew Cannestra, MD

Should have written this several years ago. I was examined in Jacksonville,Fl at Baptist Hospt. By Dr Cannestra. It was the 1st time I was able to use time to remember all the back injuries I had---being a Nurse nearly 30 years then. No surgery was needed.

The bad reviews 99% are bc of the front desk staff it’s not the surgeon people are complaining about. He’s only 1 that ever helped my pain.

Best of the best! I tried everything from therapy to chiro to shots. Doc C performed surgery on Noth my lower lumbar and my cervical and I'm so much better. Can do whatever I want now. Staff when Doc was at Lyerly was horrible but I understand he is no longer at Lyerly. If the new assistants offer goid customer service you should absolutely not consider any other Neurosurgeon. He is the top of the top!

Dr. Cannestra is a very amazing, heartful, and Godsent neurosurgeon. He knows exactly my back pain issue and ordered a CT scan and other tests that took me about a year before offering me a treatment. My fusion back surgery in 2006 failed back syndrome has caused me very miserable back pain on my lumbar and a half body on my right due to my severely pinched L4-5 nerves. The pain got worse and I was difficult to walk. I had to admit to the ER and Dr. Cannestra performed a surgery to save me. Although it was right before Christmas holidays, he and his assistants were hard-working and very heartful to conduct the surgery to remove one of the screws from my previous back fusion surgery, so the nerves were released and not pinched further and my pain is relieved and I can walk again. Thank you so very much Dr. Cannestra and your assistants??

This Doctor, along with his entire staff are all useless, every single one of them. Here’s why: March 10, 2023 I was informed by staff that the doctor would review my mri images to see if I would be a candidate for surgery. Initially Was told that their office does not accept insurance and that the cost per visit would be $1000, I asked if there would be a way to have the doctor review the images without a formal visit and was told by staff that they would not charge me to have the doctor review the images, which i was grateful for. Fast forward to today, I followed up about my images and was informed by staff that I would have to indeed pay the $1000 prior to the doctor reviewing my mri images. So not only was I lied to, I was kept in limbo for over 21 days as well. I have a serious spine injury, thanks again for the fantastic service.

Dr Cannestra performed three Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) operations on my spine, and after 30 Physical Therapy sessions, I still limp, have significant pain in the lower right lumbar area and have to use a cane to support back and upright walking. Additionally, I was never contacted for follow-up consult by the surgeon; only by his PA. I agree with the many previous patients who had difficulty reaching admin contacts in Dr. Lyerly’s office. On January 24, 2023,, Dr. Lyerly left his practice at Lyerly and on the same day with no advance notification dispatched a generic letter to his patients citing he would be seeking other opportunities in the community. This left his patients with no follow up guidance or designation of a surgeon with whom his former patients could seek support. This action to leave patients with no follow up surgeon care or sufficient notification time would seem to be in contravention to the principles and commitment found in the Hippocratic Oath.

I was told that Dr. Cannestra wouldn't see me unless I had very current MRIs - cervical, thoracic AND lumbar. So, even though my previous MRIs were only about 18 months old, I went through the process (and expense!) AGAIN. Appointment was supposed to be online (Zoom or whatever they use). I did everything they asked - paperwork, MRIs, referral, and waited for my appointment. Nothing. Got a phone call a few minutes after my appointment time. NOT from the doctor. Scheduling called and said the doctor had looked at my MRIs and surgery wouldn't help me. I told them (and then emailed them), explaining I still wanted to talk with the doctor to see what WOULD help. I was ignored. Apparently he's too arrogant to bother to even deign to talk with patients after they jump through all of his hoops! TERRIBLE doctor!

Waited more than 2 weeks for a Zoom appointment set for 12:10 1/28/22. I signed in at noon. 12:19 I called office to make sure I was signed in. Was told they were running a little late. Called 1:33 would be with me in 5 minutes. Called left message at 2:17. Called 2:58 and the receiptionist tried over 4 times to get them to pick up. At 3:12 Dr. Cannestra's nurse called me to say he had left. REALLY they let me sit in pain on a chair at my computer for over 3 hours. Maybe I should bill them for a 3 hour appointment. I am sure if a patient did not show up for a visit they would be billed. Last year I had surgery 2/1/21. No one ever called that night or next day. I started calling since I was having reaction to medicine. Called Wed, Thurs, Fri again no retun calls. On Monday I called and spoke to his nurse. She was out sick all week. Dr. Cannestra is a fantastic doctor but he needs to change his staff or get more help. Extremely dissapointed.

After waiting 4 months for a telecall, on the day of the call, I waited 3 hours for the call to start. When I was told that they couldn’t open the records of MRI that I had sent them in April ( it is now July 15) When I told them I wanted to cancel everything, they offered me a call the next day at 2:45. So I agreed to try again. It is now 20 minutes beyond the appointed time and I am still waiting for the call to start. I have tried phoning the office but cannot get through to talk to anyone. So, I have told them to cancel completely. I would not go to this doctor if he were paying me! Do not waste your time. I do not ordinarily complain this way however I feel as though I was treated with so much disrespect that I would hate to have someone else go through this. Thank you.

Only get 1000 characters for the review. Not nearly enough to explain. Bottom line is, Dr. Cannestra is a great surgeon. His staff is horrible. Next to impossible to get a response (other than answering service) and MA Ward thinks it's okay to give doctorate-level medical advice over the phone without understanding the malady. The good surgery was not worth the literal and figurative pain and very real frustration from using this office. I would not recommend. There are plenty of good alternatives in North Florida.

Cannestra operated on me twice. The first time it did not work so he said I needed another spinal operation. It did not work either. He will not return my calls or give me a physical appoint to see examine my problem. He only said go back to your pain specialist. He has not done anything either that helps my pain.

I had emergency back surgery during the corona virus pandemic. I had completely lost the feeling in my leg and foot (sciatica) and was in extreme pain. Bedridden for 10 days prior, I was desperate to get this done and was worried the executive order would prevent it. Dr Cannestra came highly recommended by my doctor as well as others. I couldn't be happier with him and the job he did performing the surgery. It went better than expected and he was just a great guy all around. I wasn't even worried going into surgery. Highly recommended. He saved my back and my sanity!! His staff is great too.

I trust Dr. Cannestra completely. He is thorough, answers all questions and takes you through the process step by step, including what to expect post-op. He has performed 2 previous surgeries on me and the outcomes were outstanding. I can't say enough about him.

I like Dr Cannestra because he's straight to the point, nononsense. As a retired operating room health care employee I truly appreciate this. I've had four previous spinal surgeries prior to finding Dr Cannestra. He repaired my current problem and is going to correct some previous failed fusions. I didn't want to continue with the previous surgeon and couldn't find another that would touch me. Dr Cannestra has done a great job for me for this surgery and I will only allow him to operate on me.

Dr. Cannestra did a Chiari Malformation with syringomyelia surgery on me back in June. Dr. Cannestra was very thorough and informative. I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Cannestra and Dean and the care I received. The only complaint I would have is that Laura his medical assistant is not very prompt or thorough.

I had spinal fusion L5/S1 on 4/29/16. Dr. Cannestra was very kind, patient and thorough in answering all of our questions regarding my options, surgery, post op and life expectations. I can't say enough positive things about him, Dean and Laura who have been so helpful in every step of the way. The only negative would be how long it took for the initial appointment but that was the case with ALL neurosurgeons in Jax - especially the top notch ones like Dr. Cannestra! I'm a thankful patient!