I initially saw Dr. Van Pelt for occasional, but severe pain in my lower back, left buttocks, and left leg. After some initial improvement with physical therapy and steroid pills, my condition deteriorated to the point where I was in constant pain and unable to walk more than 40-50 feet at a time. After an MRI, Dr. Van Pelt's diagnosis was that I had severe spinal compression due to spinal stenosis, Spondylolesthesis, and a large synovial cyst at the base of my spine. Pretty scary news for an otherwise healthy and active 53-year guy, that travels 100+ days a year on business.

Dr. Van Pelt performed a lumbar laminectomy and a lumbar fusion for L-3/4/5, and also removed the cyst. I am now almost eight weeks post-surgery -- all the pain that I had before surgery is totally gone. I obviously had significant post-surgery pain, but that was effectively managed, and I now only occasionally take extra-strength Tylenol. I'm walking 3-5 miles a day, and pretty much working full-time at my home office (with frequent breaks). My prognosis is great, and I fully expect to resume most of the work/life activities that that I did previously.

Throughout this process, I found Dr. Van Pelt and his staff to be totally professional, and open and candid about my care and treatment options. My outcome clearly illustrates that he is a skilled surgeon. I was very impressed on several occasions when Dr. Van Pelt and/or members of his team spent quite a bit of time with my wife and me, answering questions, and generally getting us comfortable with the upcoming surgery and recovery. During my hospital stay, Dr. Van Pelt was very accessible and responsive, both for me and my family.

Without question -- I would absolutely recommend Dr. Van Pelt to a friend or family member that would require treatment similar to mine.

Submitted Oct. 5, 2014

I had been suffering for months with shoulder and arm pain and numbness in the hands. It was affecting my ability to sleep. I went to Doctor Van Pelt after exhausting other treatment options like physical therapy and subsequently having steroid injections both of which produced minimal short term results. After consulting with Doctor Van Pelt he ran down a list of options available to me and possible prognosis for each option. I choose to have an MRI followed up by another consultation with Dr Van Pelt. Since it was confirmed that I had a correctable condition I opted for Cervical Surgery. The surgery was a MAJOR SUCCESS and I am doing well. Dr. Van Pelt was patient, courteous, friendly and very professional during my office visits. Post surgery the doctor was informative as to the outcome of the surgery and very helpful with his recommendations for a road to recovery. I WOULD RECOMMEND Dr Van Pelt to any Family member, co-worker and/or friend.

Submitted Oct. 20, 2011

I was referred to Dr. Van Pelt by another physician in his office. The goal of this visit was confirm that there was not anything surgically that could be done to relieve L5/S1 Nerve Compression and we were on the right path with main management using Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections. Dr. Van Pelt came in sat down and asked me what I was doing there and wanted to know who sent me. I explained who sent me and why. He was rude, impatient, abrupt, and stated that surgery would not assist me. As I was trying to mentally process a life of steroid injections, pain management, loss of bladder control, and lower body weakness; I must have hesitated, the expression on my face not being what he thought it should be, he loudly and rudely stated, “WELL, DID YOU WANT SURGERY!!” I know there are good cops and bad cops, good doctors and bad doctors, but I have no idea why this man even wanted to become a doctor. What a waste of money and a good education.

Submitted June 22, 2011

MD is not reasuring,listens to patient but no hands on contact,I was told by this doctor that I have to live with my pain ( DORSAL SPINE PAIN) for the rest of my life and later on I found he saiod the same thing to another patient a friend of mine ....no other diagnostic tools are used by him,he does not give you a differential diagnosis on the problem,he asks what you are doung for t he pain and the problenm and he usually says keep on doing that. how medically certain is that? considering he is a orthopaedic doctor. I waas not going to write a review but ever since my friend that was also his patient has the same treatment protocol then people need to know.

Submitted June 9, 2010