Dr. Hughes and his PA, Jennifer Leeman, performed a L3-S1 laminectomy and L3-L5 Spinal Fusion at INoVA Fairfax Hospital. They have been awesome. They continuously answer all my questions via MyChart and at two weeks out of surgery, I am back to walking without the pain I had been suffering from the last few years. I can’t recommend them enough. In fact, I am referring my son-in-law to them. Thank you so much to Dr. Hughes and Jennifer (PA). You given me my life back.

Submitted Sept. 26, 2023

I was recommended to see Dr. Steven Huges at the Vieanna office. I went there because I had a bad sciatic nerve pain in my left hip that eventually went down my leg.
After test results there was a synovial cyst and L4 and L5 were bulging.
The cyst was mostly the culprit of the pain.
Within 3 weeks he was able to get me in surgery. He did explain what and why he was going to do.
I did notice that he is not the talkative type Doctor that some of us are use to, but he is a damn good surgeon and I am pain free, cyst is gone and hopefully no more back issues.
Also Dr. Jennifer Leeman (PA) is his right hand woman who is very helpful and friendly and will do everything possible for you along the way of recovery.

Submitted May 15, 2019

I was referred to Dr Hughes twice by my primary then specialist within a period of 10 months but after seeing him twice I’m not sure why. He is nice enough but offered me NO help or explanation. All he said was that I wasn’t a candidate for surgery and “sorry I can’t help you”. Well was he saying someone else could help me or not??? He did say long term pain management was my only option when I asked him to level with me. I tried to ask other questions about methods to diagnose the source of my pain, but he kept saying they were questions for my pain doctor. Dr Hughes is supposed to be BRILLIANT at what he does and even tho my insurance was out of network to see him at the time I made the 2nd appt, my husband said to see him anyway because time had elapsed since the first appt during which I had been through every conceivable conservative pain management treatment, and he was familiar with Hughes positive reputation. What I don’t understand is why Dr Hughes didn’t explain anything to me regarding my MRI and correlation with my pain. While I could appreciate his “candidness”, I couldn’t understand why he did not explain anything. To me that is almost tantamount to “I don’t understand it myself”, “this is out of my area of expertise”, or in a very nice way: “I really don’t want to waste my time on you because your case is too complicated on different levels”. He does come across as cocky because he is firm and decisive about what he will/can do, but I think lurking beneath that “cocky” front is a kind and sensitive person. He’s alright, but but I need answers about the cause of my pain in order to be aware of dos and don’ts to better help myself long term. If anyone refers Dr Hughes to me again, I’m afraid I’ll involuntarily roll my eyes. Oh. Unless your case is clear cut, do not mention “auto-accident” in any other capacity if you want his unbiased care. I gave him one star on “knowledge” because he didn’t give me any information to indicate he knew what he was talking about so how do I know if he had any knowledge? Any surgeon could have given me the same responses Dr Hughes gave me so I have no basis for the high rating he probably deserves.

Submitted Sept. 18, 2018

6 months ago had discectomy with him. It failed. My post op experience is, he's evasive, vague, unconcerned and clearly more interested in liability issues than the patient. Bad Dr., stay away.

Submitted May 10, 2018

Very arrogant and always pushing surgery without knowing the exact problem. He asked me questions hoping that my answer would agree with his. When I truthfully gave him an answer to his question he became frustrated because it did not fit in with his diagnosis. For example, he asked me where the pain was coming from and I told him the exact location in my lower back. However, he gave me a BS answer about it being "reflective pain" or in other words that the pain could be originating in another area. He only said this because it did not fit into his diagnosis. Even though he did not know the exact problem or where the pain was coming from, he wanted to operate anyway. He was ready to schedule me for surgery. I never went back there. Hope this helps someone else.

Submitted May 1, 2018

Dr. Hughes and Carol make a great team. They are both rude, arrogant, and do not care about their patients. If you need anything at home and call Carol you are wasting your breath. I made a huge mistake by seeing Dr. Hughes and staff.

Submitted Dec. 29, 2016

my experience with Dr Hughes was great. thanks anks to him I,m back walking. & driving and his staff was great specially Carol.

Submitted April 7, 2016

Something crazy happened here....although Dr. Hughes is an outstanding surgeon, the office experience is horrendous. One office staff member named Carol has alot of power and uses it. God help you if you question anything.....no matter how much pain you are in, if she decides you get in, you get in....if she doesn't, oh well., grin and bear it, I guess. She is probably one of the most rude folks that we've ever encountered in a medical office (and that's saying alot considering our family's health issues) and sadly, Dr. Hughes backs her up. That's the part that is crazy....when we first met him about 15 years ago, he was nothing but kind. Nothing would have gotten between him and his patient. There are too many Top Docs listed in the Washingtonian to get treated this way.

Submitted Oct. 8, 2014

Amazing that patients are given Dr. Hughes personal cell number following a procedure; yet they choose not to phone him with related concerns....

Submitted Sept. 11, 2014

Was not happy at all with my visit. Did not get answers to my questions, felt like I was just taking his time. Definitely agree with comments about his Ego, you can feel it right away. He didn't take my concerns seriously, said I was fine, although I know I am not fine. I am in pain. Will look for answers in other places. Not going back there.

Submitted Feb. 19, 2014