I saw Dr. Rao for back and neck pain. It was an excellent experience with the Summit Medical Group staff at all levels. Dr. Rao was easy to converse with and was always encouraging and cheerful but realistic and factual with prognosis. When the doctor is happier than you are when you feel better, you know you've found a good doctor for your care.

Submitted April 4, 2018

I have suffered backpain and leg pain on and off for over 4 years. It started with heal pain on one foot and later on both. I had been treated by 2 different podiatrists for what they thought was plantar fasciitis. The pain got better but never went away. Last year, I suffered from excruciating pain around my buttock all the way down my side of my legs and heels on Thanksgiving night and Xmas Eve after prolong standing preparing food for family dinner. After the new year. my doctor sent me to a chiropractor, followed with physical therapy. Both treatments were only able to reduce the pain to a degree. But I was not able to walk for more than 10 min in a store without grabbing a chair. I had an X-ray on the lower back but it showed no problem. My PC finally sent me to see Dr Rao. After I described my symptoms, he reviewed my x-ray and my medical history, he sent me for a MRI. It was the MRI that reveals I have lumbar spinal stenosis. He said the narrowing of my spine is 10 years ahead of my age. He explained to me all the options to manage the pain, from oral medication, epidural injection, and back surgery. He was very honest about the effectiveness of epidural injections, which varies by patients and could have side effects. I chose to put off surgery and opted for epidural injection administered by Dr. Rao. I had 2 in 6 months. Each injection was done perfectly without any side effects and much less painful than I had expected. (In fact having a root canal is more painful.) Unfortunately the effects of the injections were short lived. He told me on my last visit that I should consider surgery because the 3rd (and the last permissible within a year) one won't be any better. Dr. Rao was thorough and very friendly. He always took his time reviewing my medical history and recommended what I should do to stay healthy and active.

Submitted Nov. 9, 2017

spends a lot of time with you. very attentive. if you need an epidural, he did a good job with that too.

Submitted Nov. 15, 2011