I had a second spine surgery 4 years ago with Dr Marcotte. He came well recommended and had great ratings. His support personnel were great. He was timely and seemed to listen. Before surgery, I could still walk, although not well. He did not suggest any pre-treatment medication or therapy. He did not mention osteoporosis, or mention something (a tear in the lining around my spine) that happened during my first surgery that would make his job more difficult. After my experience with Dr Marcotte, I have never been able to walk again. Early on I thought it was just a part of my recovery, particularly following my post op visit and testing. Then he said every had come out (fine) just as he had expected.
However I didn’t get better. Soon I had to give up my large 2 bedroom apartment with many amenities and move into a a small two 2room unit in assisted living. My life changed drastically because of this unsuccessful surgery. I couldn’t drive or go outside my retirement community alone. I couldn’t travel by plane or take public transportation. Which meant I was also unable unable to visit family or go to a movie or go out to dinner independently.
About a year ago I found another imminent back surgeon online: Dr Khaled Kabiash, head of revision spine surgery at Johns Hopkins. I have seen him 3 times over the last year. His regimen of daily shots of (Prolia, then Forteo) and physical therapy, with early Dexascan scans and other tests, then repeated recently indicated that I could plan on surgery in 3 months with a 75% chance of success. I wonder now why Dr Marcotte didn’t use some of these tests, medicines and therapy, then testing before surgery?
May the patient beware. I wish I knew these things before meeting Dr Marcotte.

Submitted March 31, 2023

Had spinal fusion and multiple procedures during a five hour surgery with rods and screws December of 2021. Went in with chronic critical pain below belt under heavy pain medication. Followed aftercare to a T , strength building and stretching and tons of walking. Just returned from a 10 day sailing trip with no pain and no meds 14 months out, an amazing and unexpected outcome. Have some nueropothy from pre surgery nerve damage but manageable. Thank you to Dr. Marcotte and his Penn team, the best!
Craig E.
Quakertown , PA

Submitted Jan. 30, 2023

He did my surgery and I’m feeling better already 10 days in....

Submitted June 3, 2021

From 2017-2018, I consulted with 3 doctor/hospital groups, all with differing opinions and various energies to solve my back/rleg pain (no surgery, one level, two level, laser, minimal, laminectomy. I was offered all kinds of solutions that all have benefits/drawbacks). In December 2018, I received a 2 level fusion on L2-3-4 from Dr. Marcotte and am happy to report that I am 95% well (in that area) and the 5% could be attributable to aging...Dr. Marcotte is a very good surgeon. Alignment is excellent. BUT it is the patient's back and his job to review options and get second and third opinions. One should educate themselves and ask many questions and develop a level of comfort with their doctor(s). You only have one spine.

Submitted Sept. 17, 2020

I was the first patient he put the defected trsh rods in my back broken screws in my lumbar and I didn't give him permission we went to court he admitted under oath that he did what he wanted to do to me as I laid there under anesthesia he lost the case all the way until supreme court denied me justice so I'm living the rest of my life a victim of his abuse of his power and protection for the rich people from our crooked justice system as I can see he is still messing patients up

Submitted Oct. 30, 2018

I couldn’t walk when I saw him. Dr at Rothman said pain is no reason for surgery & unless I was bent over could do nothing. Dr Marcotte did fusion & day after surgery it was better. Still have some pain elasewhere due to arthritis. Very nice nation too. BTW I am a nurse

Submitted Aug. 17, 2018

Doctor Marcotte butchered me. He did s double fusion and lamenectomy on my lower spine- when I woke up from surgery, I could not feel or move my entire left leg, from my but down to my toes. He had to open me up again the next day and remove pieces of bone fragment that somehow had broken free during surgery and wedged itself on my nerve root. Had t go inpatient at Moss Rehab for 1 month, trying to get m left leg to function. 3 years later, my left leg only works half way. Also, just found out that my hardware was not put in straight ,making my right leg 3\8 permanently longer than my left leg. Now, that I need a knee replacement, - no surgeon wants to touch me, because of the permanently tilted pelvis I now have thanks to dr. marcotte. Run away from this jerk as fast as possible.

Submitted Dec. 22, 2017

Dr. Marcotte performed my surgery 2/3/2000. Did a great job still feeling wonderful.

Submitted Aug. 27, 2017

I was told by 3 Doctors I had problems at levels L3-4 and L4-5. He fuse only L4-5 and my first post-opt visit he said that he would go back in and decompress the nerves on the right side from L3-4 to L5 S-1 and on the left side at L2-3.The day of the surgery he came to talk me and he was in such hurry and told me that he was going De-compress the Nerves at L2-3 on the LEFT and L3-4 & L5-S1 on the RIGHT side and left in a hurry.He operated on L2-3 on the right side instead of left side. The first post-opt visit is where I found he made the mistake he made operating on the wrong side. All he said to me was I am Sorry and after that it seem like he had very little time for me. Be careful with this Dr. because he schedules to many surgeries in one day and he is always rushing and that when mistakes are made. He also spends very little time with you in his office. I since had fusions done with another top surgeon at another hospital and I am recovering fine with less pain. Be careful with this Dr. and look at how many operations he has done on the same patient. That is telling you something. He operating on me three times. WHY???

Submitted May 23, 2017

Dr Marcotte has performed the last 2 of my 5 spine surgeries. I will return to him if I need another even though I live in Alabama. He is that good. His office staff are also a pleasure to work with.

Submitted March 11, 2015