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Dr. James Bruffey, MD

Dr. James Bruffey, MD

Orthopedic Surgery*

Dr. James Bruffey, MD is an orthopedic surgeon in Encinitas, CA. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Scripps Green Hospital and Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

4.8 Star Rating
Based on 84 reviews 4.8 Star Rating (84 reviews)

Scripps Clinic Encinitas - 326 Santa Fe

326 Santa Fe Dr Encinitas, CA 92024
Telehealth available

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Dr. Bruffey's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Bruffey

4.8
84 ratings, 66 with a written review
5 star
95%
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4 star
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3 star
1%
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2 star
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Dr Bruffey performed a lumbar laminotomy on me
I am now 90 days out from my procedure. I would say it has been successful as it relieved my symptoms of pain and weakness in my left leg. I would expect to continue in my progress as time passes. The procedure went well and was easier to endure and recover than I had anticipated. Dr Bruffey and his team were excellent from beginning consultation, thru procedure and recovery. Dr Bruffey and team were reassuring through the process and very competent in their practice. I was fortunate to have them available for my procedure.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Richard Callahan – Feb 19, 2025
Hi Richard, we are so happy to hear that your... Read More
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Bill Fawell Experience with Dr. Bruffey and Staff
Dr. Bruffey is highly capable with great interpersonal skiils. He is confident in his abilities and knows what he is doing. He is very personable and exudes positive, optimisitc outlook that inspires patients. His nurse Jaime Gerza, R.N. is also very capable and responsive. I recommend him unreservedly and have only heard good things about him from past patients. He has a great reputation.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Bill Fawell – Feb 14, 2025
Hi Bill, we are happy to read such a fantastic... Read More
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High Skills, Accuracy, Clear communication and success in operation task
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jan 12, 2025
Hi there, thank you for your kind review! We will... Read More
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Dr. Bruffey is the BEST!
Dr. Bruffey and his staff are awesome. He and his staff are very professional, informative and listen. I have had 4 lumbar surgeries (which includes 2 fusions) with Dr. Bruffey over the last 15 years. Every surgery has been very successful. I have been able to return to do all my activities without any issues; surfing, prone paddling, yoga, hiking, etc. His nurse, Jamie, is always quick to respond if you have any questions or concerns. I highly recommend Dr. Bruffey!
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Yvonne Chavez – Dec 02, 2024
Hi Yvonne, thank you for your kind review! We... Read More
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Amazing Dr. Bruffey and his Team
Dr. Bruffey and his team are an amazing team of committed health care professionals. They supported me from the start of the complex surgery preparation, going through the difficult procedure, and finally supporting through outside rehab for getting back to my normal life. Dr. Bruffey and his team is an amazing health care team who takes pride in taking care of their patients.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Nov 30, 2024
Hi there, we are happy to read such a wonderful... Read More
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The very best
Dr. Bruffey and his team are top-notch. He gave detailed information about what he planned to do and why. He and his staff are very approachable and respond quickly to questions. The surgery went well, and the results are beyond expectations.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jun 02, 2024
Hi there, thank you for your kind review! We will... Read More
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Top Notch.
Dr. Bruffey performed, in part, a lumbar spinal fusion. My spine is more straight and I’ve gained back height lost with deteriorated disks being replaced. I’m astounded by his knowledge and experienced counsel of Dr. Bruffey. His entire team is top notch. I’m still having post surgery reactions with the nerves as well as sciatica, but Dr. Bruffey tells me eventually all that will go away.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Apr 30, 2024
Hi there, thank you for your kind review! We will... Read More
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Dr Bruffey and his team are amazing!
Dr Bruffey and his team are amazing! I got my L5S1 spinal fusion done two weeks ago and it went really well! Other than residual nerve and back pain which is expected I feel great! His nurse Jamie is also amazing answering my hundreds of concerns and questions via the portal! Not once did she make me feel ashamed or embarrassed for asking so many questions! Overall it was a success thanks to the knowledge and care of Dr Bruffey and his whole team! I would 100% recommend him to anyone.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jess M. – Apr 23, 2024
Hi Jess, thank you for your kind review! We will... Read More
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Oh yah. He's all that!
Want your life back from your ortho pain? See him.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Donna – Nov 25, 2023
Hi Donna, thank you for taking the time to leave... Read More
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Lumbar Spine surgery
Dr. Bruffey was a very knowledgeable and expert surgeon, compassionate, friendly, and very approachable. He did my lumbar spine fusion and it was done so perfectly. His staff were the best. I still have active status at work, so my disability paperwork were done so quickly by his nurse Jamie and when you send them email, they respond outright or in a day. I highly recommend Dr. Bruffey.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Janet Rodriguez – Nov 14, 2023
Hi Janet, thank you for recommending Dr. Bruffey!... Read More
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100% Very good experience
Dr. Bruffey and his entire staff were great! Communication and scheduling were seamless. Very obvious Dr. Bruffey cares about his patients.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Craig Truitt – Nov 03, 2023
Hi Craig, thank you for your kind review! We will... Read More
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Best Decision Ever
Fantastic bedside manner, amazing results and a seamless recovery. Dr. Bruffey listened to my concerns and made sure to explain the process and all options. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Bruffey to anyone.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jul 01, 2023
Hi there, thank you for recommending Dr. Bruffey!... Read More
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Best orthopedic surgeon for lower spine
Very personable and explained my issues thoroughly so I could make an informed decision. I agreed that surgery was best option and he took it from there and obtained necessary approval from insurance carriers. He was able to schedule my procedure within a few weeks. The communications from his office pre op and post op have been impressive. The procedure went smoothly and I was discharged the following morning. All of my interactions with his team were excellent and very professional. My recovery is progressing nicely and my pain level has been improving daily. There is not a single thing that could have been better. I highly recommend Dr Bruffey for any type of orthopedic care you may need.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jeff C – Jun 30, 2023
Hi Jeff, we are happy to read such a wonderful... Read More
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Make you feel very comfortable and at ease
He make you feel very comfortable and at ease. You know you’re in good hands
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Oct 12, 2022
Hi there, we are happy to read such a wonderful... Read More
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Professional
Dr. Bruffey is wonderful, surrounded by a terrific staff. He explained what the surgery would be, and the result matched what he said I should expect. I would highly recommend Dr. Bruffey.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Greg Powell – Oct 11, 2022
Hi Greg, we are happy to read such a wonderful... Read More
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Great Outcome/support
I went in with neck pain and finger/hand tingling numbness. I felt like my head was the heaviest thing in the world! Shoulders rounded and weak/tired. Work was a beginning to be a huge struggle for me. I am 3 months into my recovery: I have no more headaches (this was immediate for me), I have significant return of feeling in my hands/fingers! I could not be happier with results! I am getting stronger! Comments I continually hear are “you look taller”, “something’s really changed”. Yes! I am no longer in pain and I am no longer hunched with shoulders rounded! Thank you Dr Bruffey and Team!!!!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Ann Marie Araldi – Aug 24, 2022
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Honest and great surgeon
Dr Bruffey is not knife happy he makes sure you and he agree on doing surgery or not His results are wonderful.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Adele Borst – Jul 18, 2022
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Excellent
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Virginia Oakry – Jul 14, 2022
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Elite orthopedic surgeon
I am a new patient to Dr Bruffey. I have degenerative spine disease throughout my spine and have had 5 plus previous surgeries from lumbar to cervical to sacroiliac procedures performed by a different neurosurgeon. Dr Bruffey gets it- all of it -and fast. My case didn’t phase him one bit. He has such a calming confidence that I knew I was in the right place. Dr Bruffey is extremely intelligent in his craft, meticulous and kind. His bedside manner is straight to the point with a keen eye for noticing everything in minutes while listening intently to your concerns and always smiling. I am grateful and lucky to be under his care and I definitely brag that he is my surgeon. His office staff are all amazing-from his nurse to his entourage of assistants. I am also a nurse so I’m slightly picky and show up with all my anxiety, questions, and concerns. It never phases them and I feel understood and taken care of.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Bionic RN – Jun 17, 2022
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Spine surgery for herniated disc and stenosis
I was in extreme pain when Dr Bruffey diagnosed my condition from an MRI and made room for me in his operation schedule two days later. The operation took 2 hours and was 100% successful. I was beginning to recover when I re-herniated which he identified on another MRI and recommended a conservative Pain Management treatment with epidurals instead of more surgery. It worked perfectly. I'm back to normal activity after 3 months. He was very generous with his time in explaining treatments.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Tom Lovorn – Jun 16, 2022
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Know Before You Go

About Me

care philosophy

Orthopedic surgeon James Bruffey, MD, treats a variety of diseases and conditions of the musculoskeletal system and has expertise in lumbar and cervical disc herniation, adult spondylolisthesis and degenerative scoliosis, post-traumatic spinal...read more

biography

Orthopedic surgeon James Bruffey, MD, treats a variety of diseases and conditions of the musculoskeletal system and has expertise in lumbar and cervical disc herniation, adult spondylolisthesis and degenerative scoliosis, post-traumatic spinal...read more

  • Orthopedic Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Ucsd Medical Center

    Residency Hospital
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery®
- 
Orthopedic Surgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

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Locations

Scripps Clinic Encinitas - 326 Santa Fe

Scripps Clinic Encinitas - 326 Santa Fe326 Santa Fe Dr Encinitas, CA 92024
1

Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines

Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines10710 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037
2
See all Orthopedic Surgeons in Encinitas, CA