Dr. Nicholas Theodore, MD

My back and leg pain had become debilitating , severely limiting my mobility. My local physicians wanted to perform spinal fusion surgery with a 6 to 9 month recovery period. Seeking a second opinion, 4-hours from home, was the best decision I made. Dr. Theodore said 'No ' to fusion but suggested a Laminectomy. My pain was gone and my recovery took only 4 to 6 weeks. HIs team kept us informed, answered questions, making the whole process easy for us to understand. His professionalism with a sense of humor and his expertise has given me back my mobility. My only regret is that I didn't head to Baltimore a year earlier.

I am a physician, a patient, and a patient advocate. My surgery involved three Johns Hopkins department heads - Dr. Nicholas Theodore, Dr. Christopher Lippincott, and Dr. Chad Gordon. Contrary to the accepted standard of care for hardware-associated delayed surgical site infections (C.Acnes and CoNS) with exposed occipital hardware and cervical scar dehiscence - and despite the irrefutable evidence that my dehiscing cervical wound is indeed infected according to clinical history, countless photos, and the July 2022 Cervical MRI - Dr. Theodore and Dr. Gordon opened and closed my cervical spine without obtaining cultures, without debridement, and without removal of the infected cervical hardware, then they put complex, poorly vascularized grafts over the infected area. Dr. Henry Brem responded to my 20 page complaint with platitudes,, failing to address my detailed list of egregious lapses in both the accepted standard of care and medical ethics, so I have made both documents public.

I had 3 level cervical laminectomy with fusion in Nov.2023. I have been waiting to improve since then. I had myelopathy with severe spinal stenosis, which I still have, pain going up and down my arms into my hands with severe numbness and tingling. I have pretty bad pain in my neck still which I need a cervical collar for. Since the surgery I now have pain, cramping and charlie horses every day, especially upon standing in my left leg. I had 1 follow up visit that was scheduled prior to the surgery and one more that was so unbelieving hard to get due to no one answering the phones nor returning my calls after leaving many messages!I am so sorry I got this surgery!

After my dear wife's spine surgery Dr Theodore did not come in-person as expected to the waiting room to say how things went. Oddly he telephoned the waiting room land line, he spoke very quickly and hard to understand but I thought he did not say anything went wrong. Still, I had never--never--experienced a surgeon NOT coming in-person to say how the operation went and to help allay worries of/as a loving, caring spouse.. I still do not know why he elected to communicate in what I felt then and I still feel now was a very apathetic manner. -and after my wife had been in the OR for over three hrs! Unfortunately my wife has never improved but rather has suffered progressively since she was operated on at the JH Bayview facility. It was and has been to date an awful experience for both my wife and myself ever since the operation. I still ask The Lord, 'Why did 'Dr Nick' call rather than remove his scrubs and visit me? Why did the operation totally fail?' So, so sad...

I had a major spinal surgery by Dr Nicholas Theodore and his team on the 19th of November 2021, once my anesthesia wore out i was amazingly feeling so so fine.All my multiple aches and pain,especially down both my legs had all gone.my numbness and tingling had all gone. He discharged me same day.My wife was hesitant to take me home,but eventually,we went home.To my surprise by the next morning,Dr Theodore asked me to go take a walk,and i walked a quarter of a mile. Its been almost 3 months since then and i dont have any more symptoms.I want to Thank Dr Nicholas Theodore and his team for a phenomenal Job,excellently done.

He saved my life by performing Brain Surgery on me March 20, 2006. Thank you Dr. Theodore.

I was experiencing hip, leg, and foot pain (walking, as well as standing, had become difficult for me) from lumbar stenosis when Dr. Theodore operated on me in July 2021. I had already tried physical therapy (including aquatic therapy) and three sets of corticosteroid injections without any improvement. Dr. Theodore gave me hope that I would be able to resume my active lifestyle after surgery. He performed an L4 hemilaminectomy, facetectomies, and foraminotomies to decompress my spinal cord and nerve roots. He patiently explained the procedure to me and showed great compassion and a much-welcomed sense of humor in his treatment towards me. I am now walking (at age 74) 8 miles a day and swimming 3 – 5 days a week at my local Y! Dr. Theodore and his team at Hopkins are awesome!

I was really impressed with the entire spine program at Johns Hopkins--from my first call for a consult to scheduling the surgery, from the surgery to overnight stay to follow-up. Dr. Theodore and his team really shine. Dr. T was professional, reassuring and answered all of my questions pre- and post-surgery.

I went to Dr. Theodore for a recent laminectomy. I had been having leg pain, foot numbness and lower back pain. Dr. Theodore meet with us for a consult, then performed the surgery and meet with us again for the post-op visit. He is very caring, concerned and professional. I was very pleased with the surgery. My leg and lower back pain is gone and the numbness is about 50% improved. Dr. Theodore believes I will have additional improvement in a month or two. I highly recommend Dr. Theodore and his team including Daniel and Dorothy. The staff at Johns Hopkins is amazing. I was very well cared for before and after surgery (1 night stay). Thank you, Dr. Theodore.

I saw Dr. Theodore for another opinion regarding the numbness and tingling in both hands I was experiencing after an auto accident. Previous surgeons had not picked up on the severity of one of my symptoms and had not impressed on me the need to have surgery. Dr. Theodore thoroughly answered all my questions and his office even put me in contact with a former patient who had a similar operation so I could prepare for my surgery. I felt as though I was in extremely capable hands. His office stayed in communication with me before and after surgery and promptly answered my inquires. The morning of my operation, Dr. Theodore put me at ease, and I was surprisingly calm as I went into surgery. He continues to provide exceptional care and is a compassionate physician. I highly recommend Dr. Nicholas Theodore. In my opinion, he is the BEST!!

Dr. Theodore and I met to discuss pain created by my scoliosis. He was well-prepared for our meeting having already thoroughly reviewed my MRI, was friendly and kind, and provided clear recommendations as to how to proceed. I trust Dr. Theodore implicitly and value the medical expertise he provided.

I went to Dr Theodore for lower lumbar and cervical pain. He and his staff performed cervical fusion and 6 weeks later he relieved the spinal stenosis that was causing my back pain. He was very friendly and treated me like i was a friend not a patient. The only problem I have is he left Phoenix and no longer practices here. He's a great surgeon.

Dr. Theodore did back surgery on me about 6 years ago. He is a very skilled physician. This during his time in Phoenix.

Dr. Theodore performed surgery on me this week to remove a cyst pressing against my lower spinal column. The pressure from the cyst was causing consistently severe and almost debilitating pain from my lower back through my foot. Dr. Theodore and his neurosurgical staff did an outstanding job of removing the cyst, and had me up and around within two days, and taking short walks within four days. His professionalism and demeanor gave me both confidence and comfort, going into and recovering from the operation.

Dr. Theodore has given me my life back. I visited multiple neurosurgeons, all of them considered at the top of their field yet none would touch me and all recommend I leave the tumor alone. We drove 2 days to see Dr. T looking for a miracle. He spent an hour with me and we scheduled my surgery. Long story short, he has given me my life back. 8 years of severe chronic pain COMPLETELY GONE and mobility that I had lost is back. He and his team will forever be my heroes . From his assistant, the residents, the PAs and Nurses, I could not have asked for a better experience. Highly, highly recommend!!

I went in for a hyperhidrosis surgery and woke up with a heart surgery. Nerve damage for the rest of my life. Every night i have nightmares from this guy.

Dr Theodore is an excellent surgeon and is very patient explaining all the options. He has a great manner and is kind and considerate

I was at the point where I could barely move or walk. Dr. Theodore to the rescue! His team are nothing short of super heroes! Special thanks to his P.A. and office manager for always being so considerate and going the extra mile!! What I life changer!

Dr. Theodore and his team treated me like a king. I underwent a laminectomy and experienced immediate improvement. Dr. Theodore thoroughly prepared me. I had total confidence in his skills from the very beginning. I was not disappointed. Equally important to me was how I was treated. The hospital and its staff are second to none. After surgery, Dr. Theodore made himself available to me via email and even called me personally about a question I had. I highly recommend Dr. T. He’s the best.

continue my review-I had to wait a couple of months before surgery because Dr. Theodore is in such high demand. I understood that. HE IS THE BEST. His level of expertise far exceeds other neurosurgeons. He has over 200 patents to his credit in the area of neurosurgery. Also read the article titled Mica's Miracle on the internet. As you can tell I am totally sold on Dr. Theodore. When I woke up after my surgeries I HAD NO PAIN. ASK DR THEODORE ABOUT IT.