Dr Vaccaro is such a blessing. He actually cares about his patients. My husband had two spine surgeries both with Dr Vaccaro couldn’t have asked for better results. My husband was able to ride his Harley again just like the Dr. said God Bless You.

Submitted Feb. 7, 2024

Dr. Vaccaro is the very best spine surgeon in the world. Saying thank you does not seem enough to express my gratitude.

Submitted Jan. 31, 2024

I chose Alex Vaccaro as my surgeon after a long journey of researching spine surgeons from around the country, as well as researching the different surgical procedures and new advances and their likely outcomes. I sought the advice of learned colleagues, friends and acquaintenances in the medial field, and was directed to Dr. Vaccaro almost exclusively. I have learned that he is not only known to be the best spine surgeon in the Philadelphia Region, but one of the best in the country.

I realized this after scheduling appointments with at least 7-8 other surgeons in the Tri-state area— three from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, two from the University of Pennsylvania, and others from Lankenau and Paoli Hospitals. Dr. Vaccaro was one of the first I saw and he evaluated my MRIs, did a thorough physical exam, and recommended a discectomy with no hesitation.

I then proceeded to seek second and third opinions and met with other well-known physicians. Without exception, each one of those 7-8 surgeons recommended a spinal fusion- specifically an ALIF procedure (anterior lumbar interbody fusion), which involves a general surgeon opening up the abdomen and moving the organs and vessels out of the way so that the spine surgeon can access the disc space and insert a small cage to open up the space formerly occupied by the disc, thus giving the nerve some room and getting rid of the compression. It is a fusion from the front, and a much more extensive procedure than what was being proposed by Dr. Vaccaro.

I went back to see Dr. Vaccaro on two more occasions, questioning him on why he was recommending a surgery different than the other 7-8 surgeons I met with. He stood by his original plan, simply stating “why would you get a fusion if I can most likely fix your issues with a lesser invasive surgery?” While this made sense to me, I was looking for a solution that had the most likely chance of success and certainly did not want to have a failed procedure and then have to get a fusion anyway. I would also note that Dr. Vaccaro was not annoyed by the multiple visits and endless questions, and treated me with respect and dignity at each visit (I certainly was worried he would not be so nice).

Today, I am endlessly grateful to Dr. Vaccaro for giving me my life back. I am now about 4 1/2 months post surgery, and living a nearly pain free life. I am beginning to be more active again— I walk about 3 miles a day and I get in the pool for an hour each day and just move around. I live with a tremendous amount of gratitude, as only those who have lived through chronic pain can understand the toll in takes on a person both physically and mentally. I found that I was either talking about my pain and how awful it was, or lying about it so people would not have to hear about how all-consuming it was. I will never wish it on anyone.

But … I am. a testament to the fact that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, hope, and a solution with surgery when all else fails. That being said, I will not paint an entirely rosy picture and will be honest that the first 10 weeks post surgery were very difficult for me. I was not one of those lucky surgical patients that woke up with “no pain.”

I had nerve pain that was worse than pre-surgery, was on pain killers that basically did nothing to relieve the pain, took gabapentin and Lyrica (nerve meds) for months after, had several post-surgery epidural injections under anesthesia, and was miserable and unable to even start PT. I isolated myself from friends and family, and basically closed myself in a dark room and prayed that the hours would pass. There was definitely a feeling of despair, and a fear that the surgery did not work, and I would be facing another more complicated fusion surgery in the months ahead. That thought was devastating to say the least.

Yet, something changed around week 10, and I began to experience some relief. I think the nerve has just been so compressed and aggravated for so long and needed time to heal and regenerate. I had put off having surgery for close to 2 1/2 years and during that time my nerve was being crushed. The healing was a slow process, but it did happen. While I often felt hopeless and worried I would live with the pain forever, I was blessed to have a few people I knew who had experienced the same issues, and they were able to give me hope that time would bring healing. Bottom line, at the end of the day, if I were to ever be asked if surgery is a viable option for chronic back pain, I would say yes, and unequivocally, if asked who I would recommend as a surgeon, it would be Dr. Alex Vaccaro. I will forever be grateful for what he has done for me. THANK YOU!

Submitted Feb. 1, 2023

Doctor Alexander Vaccaro has been named the number one spinal surgeon in the world in 2021! I am a patient of his and I agree with this 100%!

I am writing this review and sharing my story to help anyone that has experienced something similar to what I went through.

I am currently 52 years old, and I was a pediatric nurse for 19 years and never had any spinal or back problems in these 19 years of nursing, like most people think all nurses do. I experienced a lumbar spinal injury caused by trauma in December of 2016, not work related.

When this injury occurred, I went to my PCP for referrals to help me. I have had X-rays, physical therapy, MRI's, a very painful EMG, was seen by chiropractors was put on anti-inflammatory medications had steroid injections under anesthesia and was seen by many spinal specialists that were rated" five stars". I was seen by neurologist, rheumatologists, name it... None of this worked! I was in such severe pain every day and felt that no one could properly diagnose me. I was actually told that medical science has not caught up to me - in my opinion that meant, they had no idea what to do with me for how to properly diagnose me. I went to the emergency room on several occasions due to my severe pain numbness and tingling in my knees, legs, feet, back and also experience swelling. People started to think that this was all in my head and I was exaggerating my pain, I still do not understand this to this day! My family and friends would say to me that I've been seen by numerous five-star doctors and had every single treatment available, maybe I need to see a therapist -this infuriated me!

I knew that one day I would find the right spinal Dr even if that meant to travel the world. I was listening to my body and nothing else, always trust your body. It's never wrong. I believe everyone's spinal injury is different. I also believe based off my experience that all of the doctors I've seen stereotyped me, refused to look outside of the box and to look at me as an individual not as all of their previous patients. Which is why I was not properly diagnosed.

During these four years of being misdiagnosed I continue to work as a nurse. I was slowly paralyzing myself. I had nerve damage in my knees, legs and feet. Doctors could stick pins on the bottom of my feet and parts of my ankles and I would not flinch I could not feel it. I lost all of my knee reflexes. Patellar reflex. It was getting worse. I started to become incontinent periodically, this was it enough was enough, I had to find the right doctor.

The only person that believed in me and supported me was my husband. We were both determined to find the right doctor to heal me. One day I sat in my yard for hours googling the best spinal surgeons in world and this is where I found Doctor Alexander Vaccaro. I could relate to so many of his patients reviews online and how he helped them. I told my husband I think I found him but I'm not sure he's in our health insurance network. He didn't care My husband picked up the phone and made an appointment immediately for me. We were scheduled for the following week, which required additional MRIs to bring to him. On the day of our appointment, within the first 2 minutes of meeting doctor Vaccaro and after he reviewed my MRIs on his computer screen, and pointing to my lumbar spine, L5 and S1 area and said," here is your issue right here"! He stated, this is the cause of your pain, how come no one has found this? My husband immediately replied because they're not as smart as you. He said that I needed to schedule surgery with him immediately and need to stop working ASAP! This can and will be fixed with a T -lift surgery, which required putting screws and plates in my lumbar spine.

I am coming up on two years' post-surgery and my only regret is not finding Doctor Alexander Vaccaro sooner. I will be forever grateful to him because if I had not found him, I would be paralyzed and, in a wheelchair! The nerve damage that I had in my knees and feet did not return but that was to be expected. I no longer cry in pain every day. I am doing much better. I will never be 100% because of the four years I was misdiagnosed.

If this review can help anyone that is going through anything similar do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call him immediately don't waste your time with other five-star doctors go to the best, Dr Vaccaro, the #1 spinal surgeon in the world.

Linda Calabrese

Submitted Aug. 21, 2022

I am speaking for my father who had a very bad experience with Dr. Vaccaro would like others to speak out if they did also so the admin can see that it wasn't just a bad day or a difficult surgery . Communication was horrible before the surgery in May 2019 about his meds until I drove 45 minutes to get an answer. Then my dad was told the surgery would relieve his pain and help his neck and give him a few years of normalcy. Instead my dad left dependent on oxygen, in 6 months the screws started popping out of his back, and was in more pain. At the follow up visit Dr was arrogant, talked over us not to us, wouldn't answer questions and made rude comments.Dad beat his cancer but after the rudeness and horrible surgery he refused any more drs. In February 2022 he gave up on the little life he had left, refused to eat, and passed away. He was a good man. He did not deserve what he went through. I believe my dad would still be alive today. Please stick together and let our voices be heard before it happens to someone else.

Submitted May 18, 2022

There aren't enough words to express my gratitude for Dr. Vaccaro! People spoke about their concerns about back surgery. My first meeting with the Dr., I had no worries. He's kind, funny and know his craft. What a gift from God. After two months, I'm totally walking and climbing steps on my own. No assistance. My incision is practically invisible. He is definitely one of Rothman's BEST!

Submitted Aug. 5, 2021

Other than running behind schedule, the time spent with Dr Vaccaro is priceless

Submitted June 23, 2021

Dr. Vaccaro and his team are truly God sent. The team was able to answer all my questions . They were very professional and extremely compassionate towards me. The speciality hospital was very clean and warm welcoming I truly hated leaving. I truly felt like a had an excellent surgeon who cared about me.

Submitted April 21, 2021

Terrific outcome on my spinal fusion surgery!!!!! Highly recommended, knowledgeable, terrific staff, and overall great experience.

Submitted March 9, 2021

I trust Dr. Vaccaro with my life. He is a brilliant surgeon and teacher as well as a humble, funny and loving, caring doctor. He’s a rock star!!!

Submitted Jan. 23, 2021