had a cadaber bone installed in my neck and fused in2015 and never even needed a pain pill. I felt awesome the day after surgery and ran a marathon in 2016 at 59 years old He is
the best surgeon i ever had

Submitted July 6, 2023

Dr Abernathy has performed a disk fusion of C5/C6 in 2005 and a decompression of a herniated disk at T1 in 2022.

I am still in recovery mode from decompression surgery but wanted to express my appreciation for his thorough diagnosis of my injury and skilled surgery/treatment of each of my spinal issues.

I am three weeks post op and the pain from the impacted nerve has slowly diminished to near normal. For those who are facing this surgery, be patient and let your body heal. There will likely be some nerve pain as the impacted nerves recover but it will pass.

Dr Abernathy is one of the best and you would be wise to request him as a referral from your physician.

I’m extremely grateful I did.

Signed Curt Henderson

Submitted Nov. 14, 2022

If you're looking for an old doctor who loves performing surgeries and isn't interested in actually listening to you or helping you, Dr. Abernathey might be right for you.

If you're looking for a doctor who is condescending and full of himself, he's definitly your guy!

If you want a doctor who offers the latest non-surgical solutions and is willing to make surgery a last resort, I recommend looking elsewhere. He just isn't into that sort of thing. Too old and set in his ways, I guess?

Submitted March 16, 2022

Excellent neurosurgeon. Would recommend him to any of my friends and family needing neck or back surgery. He was straightforward in explaining options for my situation, risks and success rates, and was able to get me into surgery for a discectomy within a week. I had immediate relief of pain and numbness.

Submitted Oct. 17, 2021

Gave a false report stating no need for treatment without an examination because he was paid by the insurance company. The next physician graded my injury at a 25% whole body loss of function 1 year post injury and the first doctor gave a 15-20% loss initially. Both were unsolicited unbiased professional opinions based on findings during an actual exam.

Submitted March 2, 2020

Great surgeon! Bedside manner of an ogre! Discriminates against the poor& elderly by not accepting Medicade or Medicare even though the website lists Medicare. I called to question this & the person answering hung up when I complained.

Submitted Oct. 7, 2018

He barely glanced at my MRI. I’ve had two cervical fusions from other surgeons in the past. The on that did a great job is no longer doing them so I went to see Abernathy. BIGGEST mistake and waste of time and money ever. He literally stood there looking down at me, did not listen to me. He did not have any good suggestions to help with my neck/head pain.
I’d highly recommend NOT wasting your time with this guy. Do yourself a favor and don’t even consider seeing him!

Submitted April 11, 2018

Dr. Abernathy has performed two cervical Discectomy and fusions on me over the past ten years, last one performed Thursday. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for the pain and numbness that has been alleviated on both occasions (the first surgery was for two fusions in my neck and the second for another fusion and removal of the plates previously inserted). This man is a Godsend to me and we should be honored to have him practice in this area. He is always very prompt and professional. I have read other reviews here that discuss his "bedside manner" that disturbs me greatly. He is tremendous professional and is to the point. What do you want, a prompt surgeon who has respect for your time and is extremely skilled or an average doctor who makes you feel warm and fuzzy? As mentioned on a recent review, he has a dry wit that I like and there is no other surgeon anywhere that I would out my trust in more than Dr. Abernathy.

Submitted May 6, 2017

Dr. Abernathy performed Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion on me in May 2015. He is amazing. The stiffness, numbness and constant pain is gone. I don't even have the glimpse of a scar on my neck. He performed my husband's back surgery and again another successful surgery. I have read the reviews about Dr. Abernathy and would have to say that when you go see him be prepared for his no frills approach. He's ranked in the top 10 neurosurgeon's in the nation. He came from Mayo and knows his stuff. He won't operate just to operate. He reviews the MRI's prior to your appointment so he tells you straight out what you are dealing with and the options. He has a dry sense of humor but is actually a funny guy. Personally, I like his approach. I don't want to be operated on if there are other options. I also don't want to spend hours having someone console me. I appreciate that he does his homework before I get there and gets everything right out in the open. He's the guy with the degree, I'm not going to tell him how to do his job. His staff as well as Mercy tells you several times that if there are complications - go to Urgent Care or the emergency room. He has always greeted myself and my husband when he walks in. He asks what's going on and then tells you what your options are. Maybe some people want more warm and fuzzies but my time is money and I prefer to lay it out and make a decision. I would recommend him to anyone and have all the confidence in the world in his abilities.

Submitted Nov. 30, 2015

He barely acknowledged me and barely glanced at my MRI. He did not examine me or ask me questions. He just said, "who sent you here? Your MRI is fine.". He didn't care and just dismissed me like trash.

Submitted Oct. 11, 2015