Dr Schwender did a neck fusion for me in 2012. Great results. Very personable too.

Submitted Aug. 2, 2018

Dr. Schwender performed a spinal fusion on my back on January 29, 2016. I am now two months out and recovering beautifully. He took me from a wheelchair/heavy narcotic (hydrocodone) patient, to 2 Tylenol 3 a day in just two months. I am so grateful to this man and to his incredible staff. Initially when I arrived home, the nerve meds were wreaking havoc on my mind. My family must have called Dr. Schwender's nurse at least 10 time within the first few days. She was ever patient and ever kind and walked us through it all. I also called her at least five more times in my recovery and she always called me back the same day, gave sound advice, and was more than patient. She was also a key in my back surgery success. Dr. Schwender had two other doctor's in the operating room monitoring my nerves and I attribute this to the success of my surgery as well. When I initially found out I needed spine surgery, my husband who is in the medical field asked his colleagues, and Dr. Schwender was always recommended as the best. I have my life back and feel stronger then ever. The doctor and staff also really make sure that you know that this surgery takes quite a long time to recover from. I have followed their advice to the letter and the payoff has been great. I am so grateful.

Submitted April 6, 2016

Staff fail! Erroneous form completion, failure to follow up requests.

Submitted Dec. 31, 2015

Submitted March 2, 2014

Dr is very knowledgable, I met him one time on murch 21 ,and is very good in making me understand what is goin on in my lower back, I trust him, to do my surgery, I feel like I'm talking to my brother, he understand my pain. But sorry to say this his nurse treated me so bad last three days, I couldn't believe what she told me in phone, (you know, don't call this number any more, you need to understand that, if your medication make forget how many times you called me, ask your wife to manage your calls), I really fell so bad, and it' discrimination against me because I'm foreigner, and my English. Actually I left two massages to explain to her how is the pain, and tell her that I spent three days in ER. Plus I want to make sure she got the fax from me, that's all. She was not nice at all. I have never treated like that before. Anyway, I still like Dr Schwender to do my surgery. But I can't call his nurse again, I really don't want to hair more bad words.

Submitted April 18, 2013

In my initial meeting, Dr. Schwender was very upbeat and indicated that the surgery was routine and would fix my pain. Nothing was mentioned about the potential that the pain could increase after the surgery. I thought I signed up for a foraminotomy but he also performed a discectomy without my knowledge or consent. After 2 surgeries, there are new, more debiliting pains in my back and leg. I am now house-bound and have great difficulty simply walking from my bedroom to the kitchen and can no longer go for walks. He may be technically a good surgeon, but he does not communicate well and does not explain the risks to allow me to make an informed decision. I am much more worse off now than prior to the surgeries.

Submitted June 22, 2012

Dr. Schwender aperated on me (2) yrs. ago. I have nothing but great things to say about him and his staff! I would recommend him to anyone with spine or back problems. Best Regards, Denny Ferris Mankato, Mn.

Submitted April 13, 2012

I had initially gone to an orthopedic surgeon where I and my father had been going for bone and musculature types of needs. They told me I needed to have a fusion and that I would be out of work for 3 months, they would go through my stomach to perform it. I then found out about the minimally invasive procedure online and asked my orthopedist if they did this type of operation and was told they did not, and didn't know of anyone in the twin cities doing it. I then found Dr. Schwender, and yes it took time to see him (he's obviously very busy). He did the minimally invasive procedure and I was back to work in just 4-1/2 weeks. I had the L5-S1 fusion with a discectomy (I believe it was the disc above the fusion area). Between vacation and sick time I didn't lose a day of pay. Later, he showed me pictures of my spine with the rods and the fusion area and my comment was that the alignment was flawless. The operation was in late 2006 and to this date I have no pain at all. Thank you Dr.

Submitted Feb. 9, 2012

Initially saw Schwender in 09 and he said a fusion would help but recommended injections. I had 4-5 PARS injections over 2 years and then a facet joint injection which totally changed the nature of my pain and basically left me bed bound with a heating pad. I finally decided in order to get my life back I would need to have the fusion, however when I saw Schwender ( after a 3 month wait for an appt!) and a 2 hr wait in his exam room, he accused me of using illicit drugs as I looked 'strung out'. My husband, a physician himself, was with me and had never witnessed such unprofessional behavior before in his life. I've been living with incredible pain and this man has the nerve to accuse me of appearing as a 'meth addict' when I was seeing him to discuss having the fusion he initially recommended so I could get my life back! NEVER see this doctor -- he deserves to be reprimanded.

Submitted Feb. 4, 2012

Dr. and staff listened closely to what I had to say. Very professional, especially showing me what they were thinking and the ramifications for my treatment.

Submitted June 8, 2011