I am five weeks from having had a microdiscectomy on my back by Dr. Reich to repair a herniated disk. From the first evening following the surgery, the pain in my leg, arising from the disk pressing against my nerve, was gone. Relief. Freedom from pain. Since surgery, I am feeling great, walking over 10,000 steps a day, have lost 6 pounds and waiting my last week until I can start playing pickleball again! :-) I have been a patient of Dr. Reich's partner, David Kirschenbaum for years with a variety of hand and leg issues. Dr. Kirschenbaum is an excellent orthopaedic surgeon in his own right and had worked with me to diagnose the problem. These two doctors made certain that my surgery was successful and have been there post-op to make sure I am progressing well. I got a call the afternoon prior to surgery (a Sunday) from Dr. Reich to assure me that everything was under control. And, it so was!

Submitted Aug. 26, 2020

If you are reading this testimonial then you are probably trying to figure out who would be the right doctor to finally help you.
Someone who has the answers to all your questions.
A doctor who could finally put an end to your pain and suffering.
Basically you are looking for a miracle.
My husband and I had been on the same journey as you.
We tried everything with some relief but never complete and the pain kept getting worse.
Chiropractors, DRX 9000 machines, pain management, drugs, epidurals and Laser Spine Surgery. Nothing worked. My husband, a once vibrant man,who loved his job was bedridden. I had to use a wheelchair to get him to England for our daughter’s wedding in June 2019
We were recommended to Dr Steven Reich by a good friend who had very serious back issues. Dr. Reich was able to basically rebuild his spine. Our friend is now a physical trainer, enjoying his life, pain free.
On our very first visit in July 2019, after spending much time examining and looking at my husband’s many X rays, MRI’s and CAT scans, Dr Reich told us that he knew excactly where the problem was and that he was going to fix him.


His years of experience gave him the confidence to state that he was going to get him back to living his life.
The night before the surgery Dr. Reich called us. He just wanted to make sure that we werent nervous about the surgery. He said to me. “I reviewed all of your husband’s xrays and Cat scans again and I just want you to know that I got this. Relax, have a good nights sleep and I will see you in the morning”
On August 26th, 2019, My husband had 6 screws and 2 cages inserted in his spine. They had him up walking the next day. By the second week he was walking a half mile every day and now Nov 11th 2019, he is walking up to 3 miles a day.
Oh did I mention, my husband uses no drugs and has no more pain.
So if you are looking for a miracle for yourself or a loved one, we can say without any hesitation, look no further than Dr. Steven Reich
Sincerely,
Debbie and Allan Cleary

Submitted Nov. 16, 2019

For most of my life I had back pain. I tried every option available that might help with no success. When asking for referrals, one name continued to come up: Dr Steven Reich. I scheduled an appointment and was very surprised to feel an instant connection and completely trusted him. Dr Reich explains everything, answers all questions and most importantly listens. The entire staff at Affiliated Orthopaedic Specialists treated me like family and always made me feel comfortable.
It has been 10 years since Dr Reich and his colleagues performed scoliosis surgery and I am grateful every day for such a skilled and caring Doctor. How do you thank someone for giving you your quality of life back? Saying thank you does not seem like enough. I am honored and blessed to have Dr Reich and all associated with him in my life.
If you are considering surgery, please see Dr Reich before you move forward. You will be grateful you did… I was!

Submitted Oct. 16, 2019

32 year male who had a spinal fusion surgery by Doctor Reich. My experience was exceptional from start to finish from the receptionists welcome to the knowledge and commitment I felt from Doctor Reich. You can really tell he takes his time with every patient and gives his undivided attention. He talks to you and not at you and makes sure you understand everything that he’s telling you. You don’t feel rushed out like many other doctors. You might have to wait a little longer than expected to be seen, but he makes up for it by making you feel like his number one priority. I trusted him with a major surgery and the results were fantastic. I’m now a year post op and am so thankful for what doctor Reich has done for me.

Submitted Jan. 20, 2019

I have been suffering from horrific lower back pain for the past five years. I had no success with any prior treatments which included physical therapy, epidurals, facet injections, chiropractor, radiofrequency nerve ablation, acupuncture, and failed microdiscectomy surgery. I heard amazing reviews about Dr Reich, and suddenly I gained an ounce of hope. From the moment I met Dr Reich I could tell that he was different from any other doctor I saw. His compassion and ability to empathize with my condition was amazing. I am a practicing dentist, and it was getting very difficult to work and I was constantly in discomfort. I have a two year old son whom I couldn’t lift, all the physical responsibilities fell on my wife. Dr Reich said he felt horrible for what I’m going through, but was very confident that he could help. He ordered a discogram test to pinpoint where the pain was, it showed L4-5 was the offending disc and there was also some pain coming from L3-4. From this test, he was able to target the exact levels that were causing my pain. I had my surgery, L4-5 fusion and L3-4 L4-5 decompression two months ago. Recovery was difficult but I followed his advice precisely, walking as much as I could, staying hydrated, eating healthy / lots of protein, and I also made it a point to lose weight. At my 6 week follow up he recommended an amazing physical therapist Adam Braun, and I followed his exercises religiously, and my back is now feeling better thanks to Dr. Reich! I truly believe his hands were blessed by god. Dr Reich gave me my life back, and I am forever thankful that he was introduced to him. Dr Reich cared more than any doctor I’ve ever met. He called me the day before surgery (on a Sunday!) to answer any questions I had, spoke with me after the surgery to tell me how it went, came by again that night at 10pm after he went home to check on me, and called me on the phone for the first three days after I got home to make sure I was ok!!! Dr Reich was always available and called to check on me, and his surgery was a success. I’m only 2 months post op and healing, but I’m feeling much better and getting better each day especially with physical therapy!! I go back to work part time this week, and hope to transition back to full time in the future. I also find myself able to interact with my son a lot more because I’m not in the pain I had prior to surgery. Thank you Dr Reich, meeting you was a blessing and words can not express my gratitude towards you. To anybody suffering the way I was, I encourage you to get a consultation with Dr Reich!!!! Also his staff is amazing, Doreen and Karen are sweethearts, and facilitated throughout the entire process!!

Submitted Aug. 3, 2018

Don’t bother seeing this guy. Offers an opinion on surgery but no opinion on what to do if that isn’t the answer. Charges a lot of money. Tries to act funny but isn’t. Bigges waste of time & money!!

Submitted Jan. 3, 2018

As a health care provider (physical therapist) for 30+ years I have known of Dr. Reich’s excellent reputation on a professional level, but never as a patient until I Herniated my L3 Disc. Unable to stand, walk, or sleep without severe pain I followed the usual course of treatment of medication, physical therapy, and even trigger point injections. When my symptoms failed to improve, I went to see Dr. Reich who specialized in the treatment of the spine.
It took about 2 ½ weeks to get an appointment with Dr. Reich, but he’s worth waiting for. Not only is he an excellent doctor, but his personality and bedside manner make you feel comfortable and at ease. His evaluations are thorough, he explains in great detail his findings, carefully reviews and discusses your image studies with you (Xray, MRI, etc ), and he dictates his notes in front of you so you get to hear, once again, everything he just discussed with you. He will answer all your questions, and you never feel rushed.
Dr. Reich emphasized surgery is a last option in most cases. Conservative treatment is always best ---continuing physical therapy, the anti-inflammatory medication, epidural injections, and even acupuncture treatment if I found it helpful.
Many people avoid going to an Orthopedic Surgeon because after all, a surgeon’s job is to operate and no one wants surgery. However, if you need surgery, you certainly want to make sure you choose a good surgeon. That’s why I chose Dr. Reich.
Eight weeks after the initial onset, my back pain started to diminish, but I still was experiencing sharp groin pain and persistent weakness in my leg. I couldn’t walk around the block, go up or down stairs in a normal fashion, get in or out of a car without difficulty, not to mention return to work. Every aspect of my life was affected.
At this point Dr. Reich recommended surgery. I was still very apprehensive about having surgery. As a physical therapist, I had seen too many “failed back surgeries”. However, I certainly did not want to spend the rest of my life in this condition.
My Microdiscectomy surgery was performed at the University Surgical Center in East Brunswick. The procedure took about 1 1 /2 hours and I was released several hours later. Immediately, I noticed the groin pain was completely gone and the strength was significantly better. I was given a prescription for pain medication, but only required extra strength Tylenol on the day of surgery.
The surgical center’s personnel (office staff, nurses, anesthesiologist) were pleasant and efficient from beginning to end. They made every effort to make you comfortable and at ease. They call you the day prior to your procedure to give you instructions preoperatively and call you again on the following day to check your status.
At two weeks post-op, I am walking 10,000 steps a day. I have little to no discomfort. I still lack full strength in my leg, but it continues to improve. I am permitted to drive, swim, use an elliptical, stairmaster and bike. For six weeks, I must follow three post-operative restrictions -- No bending at the waist, No twisting, and No lifting more than 10 lbs.
The office staff at Affiliated Orthopedics are extremely efficient and pleasant to deal with. Since Dr. Reich is an “Out of Network” provider, the office explains your financial obligation prior to your initial visit, and in my case, surgery. The Staff guides you through the process. All correspondences were handled immediately. And they always call you back.
Hopefully, you won’t require surgery, but if you do, it a no brainer!

Submitted July 11, 2017

Dr. Reich is the most amazing, talented, and compassionate person and surgeon. He is also kind with a wonderful sense of humor. I suffered from severe leg pain, pins and needles, cramps, and numbness. During my first appointment, he clearly explained the MRI as well as x-rays that were taken in the office. Dr. Reich uses surgery as a last resort. The goal is to eliminate symptoms using non-invasive treatments and this was clearly explained. In my case, the treatments did not work. Dr. Reich explained the surgery in detail along with models.and I never felt pushed into it. I finally decided to have the surgery after none of the other options worked, which was 3 weeks ago.
Dr. Reich has high expectations of himself as well as those he works with. Dr. Reich and the team in the operating room are the best. His nursing team is also excellent. He has high expectations of everyone. As soon as I walked for the first time (same day as the surgery), I had absolutely no pain in my legs. It was amazing. It is now three weeks later, and my incision is healing beautifully, and I am able to walk several miles with no pain. I feel like Dr. Reich performed a miracle.
Dr. Reich cares deeply for his patients. He treats his patients as he would a family member. You will not find a more honest and fabulous doctor. He even called me before the surgery to see if I had any questions and to see how I was doing, and he called after I came home.
The staff at Affiliated Orthopedics is also very helpful, caring, and friendly. I am beyond grateful to Dr. Reich for giving me my life back. If you have any spine issues, I recommend you only see Dr. Reich. He is an expert in his field and the absolute BEST!!!

Submitted July 6, 2017

Thank goodness for Dr. Reich, without a doubt, the best of the best! I’m a 60 year old male whose problem started in early 2016. I began to have constant tingling and pain in my right arm, which got worse as time went on…like when you hit your elbow on something and you get this weird sensation for 10 seconds….but this was a constant buzzing nerve pain. To save time for the reader, here are the bullet points:
• May-Aug 2016 – 20 visits to chiropractor, twice a week, no improvement
• Sep 2016 – neurologist visit – may be arthritis in neck
• Oct 2016 – regular MRI
• Nov 2016 – EMG (nerve conduction test)
• Nov 2016 – back to neurologist – arthritis of cervical (neck)) vertebrae pressing on nerves…try in this order: PT, oral medication, local injections, surgery.
• Dec 2016-Jan 2017 – PT twice a week. Generally good experience, but pain unbearable by end of day. Only lying down or neck traction (inflatable cushion from Amazon) would relieve the ache in right arm.
• Jan 2017 – Showed another chiropractor the MRI of neck and he said “what a mess, really I don’t know if I can help you. You should probably see a surgeon.”
• Feb 1 2017, Dr. Reich appointment #1 – I selected Dr. Reich because of how he helped my wife with lower back surgery in 2011. Her surgeon selection process was exhaustive, as she would only go to the very best. She had suffered for years and was pain free immediately after her procedure. Dr. Reich was not satisfied with my regular MRI images so sent me for the 1.5 Tesla MRI (he is very precise).
• Feb 13 2017 – 1.5 Tesla MRI of cervical spine.
• Mar 1 2017, Dr. Reich appointment #2 – MRI showed things like “disc osteophyte complex encroaching subarachnoid space and severe bilateral neural foraminal stenosis.” To you and me, that means my crumbling neck bones were squeezing the nerves causing numbness, weakness and pain. After a long and very informative discussion with Dr. Reich, I selected the surgical option. I didn’t want to deal with the pain any longer and was confident that he could fix my problem.
• April 4 2017 – chest X-ray, April 5 2017 – blood work, April 10 – medical clearance from primary physician, April 24 2017 – got call from University SurgiCenter to be there the next day at 6:00 AM (ugh!).
• April 25 2017 – Arrived at 5:50 AM. People all very nice. Changed into a gown, Dr. Reich came in a cracked a few pretty funny jokes. Wheeled in operating room. About 10 people in the room, all very kind and comforting. Was chatting with someone….and then suddenly, out like a light. I had an ACDF (look it up on YouTube) on C5-C6-C7. Woke up, a little woozy (nice buzz actually), with a neck brace on. I was a little out of it but I remember my wife speaking with recovery room nurse. Dr. Reich came in to see how I was feeling and then took the time to actually walk us out to our car. Was on my way home at a little after 2:00 PM.
• Post-op – Wore the neck brace for a week or so. Went back to work 6 days post-op. (Note: Neck brace is an excellent way to get attention and sympathy from others.) Arm pain completely gone, just a little soreness in neck and back that went away over the next few weeks.
• Follow-up appointments and X-rays with Dr. Reich at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Surgery 100.00% successful.
I am so very thankful for the abilities of Dr. Reich and his staff. His surgical skills are truly phenomenal and his personality is fantastic. Dr. Reich has a wonderful bedside manner. He is very kind and funny, but you get the feeling that this guy knows exactly what he is doing….you just seem to know that you are in good hands. Letting Dr. Reich take care of me was one of those truly “life changing” experiences.
THANK YOU DR. REICH !!!!!!!

Submitted May 22, 2017

Dr. Reich is the best physician I have ever visited. He is caring, attentive, and thorough. Most of all, he was accurate in his diagnosis and treatment of my disc problem. My lower back feels better than before I became injured, and my pain has completely subsided. I appreciated the time he spent examining me and explaining all aspects of various treatments, including pros and cons of each, risks, and insurance considerations. Moreover, in an age where so many in my situation fall into prescription pain medication addiction, Dr. Reich took care to manage my prescriptions carefully. Finally, his staff is professional, caring, courteous, and responsive. I highly recommend Dr. Reich!

Submitted Nov. 25, 2016