Yuri Falkinstein, MD

My 92-​year-​old father who was still athletic, active, and walked several miles a day, took a bad fall in March 2014, breaking his hip in the process He was taken to a hospital in Burbank. Dr. Yuri Falkinstein was apparently the surgeon on call and assigned to do the surgery on my father. Unfortunately, he chose to repair the hip instead of following protocol (for elderly patients) and do a hip replacement (this, told to me by another surgeon).
In the follow up visits to Dr Falkinstein’s office, my father was told (in my sister’s presence) that his hip was healing «just fine», but Dad was never out of pain. Walking was excruciating, but as a retired P.E. teacher, he knew how to push through. He progressed slowly from a walker full time to using only a cane for short distances.
Finally, a few weeks ago he got a second opinion, and it led to a hip replacement this week (in early July 2015). When the (wonderful) new surgeon came to talk to the family after the surgery, here’s what he told us:
The first surgery was an overlap repair (my words). In other words, instead of putting the broken ends back together and using appliances to keep them together while the bone healed, Dr. Falkinstein overlapped them and drilled screws through them to keep them together. The result was that all Dad’s weight was borne by the screws which were not capable of holding his weight; he suddenly had a leg that was an inch shorter than the other; and it was not at all healed as the people in Dr. Falkinstein’s office repeatedly claimed. (We are not sure who he saw there.)
Dad suffered inexcusable and unrelenting pain, lost 35 pounds (mostly muscle) to a low of 120, and had a hard time maintaining his usually sweet temperament.
I would NEVER recommend Dr Falkinstein to anyone. He’s just lucky it’s difficult to file any kind of complaint that would punish or censure him, because I’d be doing it.

After a poor experience at another specialists office, my doctor referred me to Dr. Falkinstein. My experience at Dr. Falkinstein’s office was exceptional, everything from the ease of scheduling, the convenient parking, the supportive staff and most importantly meeting with the doctor to go over my records. When I made my appointment I was told up front what my cost would be since my deductible hadn’t been met, I really appreciated that. With a very full waiting room, Dr. Falkinstein took his time to explain my x-​rays and MRIs. He was very patient and answered every one of my questions without rushing me out the door. Thank you Dr. Falkinstein and staff for a great experience, I would definitely recommend this office.

Dr. Falkinstein may be a brilliant Surgeon, but I’ll never know. After stalling my recoverory for months he said «I don’t know what to do» referred me to another expensive Surgron out of my network and discontinuing my Disability insurance before I could get an appointment. He requested a cervical Spine fussion without viewing my MRI films. I was uneasy because he mumbled what he was going to fuse and I asked for another meeting. Then he ordered an additional MRI and while reviewing those images, muttered «You have a bad neck. You have a really bad neck… I don’t know what to do». It was clear that the only time he looked at my tests was while I was in his office. He went from Scheduling a fusion without making it clear where, to saying he didn’t know what to do. When I said «it’s a good thing we didn’t rush into that fusuion, he said «I would never do that»… He doesn’t appear to remember his patients from one appointment to the next. While waiting for apporoval and appointments for a neurve block and to see another specialist that takes insurance, I was informed that Dr. Falkinstein was no longer treating me and would not sign off on the renewal of Disability Insurance claim.
I would have been back to work months ago if Dr. Falkinstein payed propper attention to my case from the beginning. This Dr. appears Overworked, Distracted and Mumbles important imformation, while sending you off to his surgery scheduler.
He just may be a great surgeon, but for me, but he waisted 5 months of my life, my carrer and is leaving my family in a financail crises after dropping my case, before I could find another Dr. that takes my excellent insurance.
To my IATSE Union Brothers and Sisters who will have the same Neck and Spine issues… If you want to return to work, I suggest you pick another specialist from the list.

Super knowledgeable. Very patient and caring doctor, will answer all your questions. He definitely doesn’t recommend anything you don’t need.

Unable to work, stand, sit, move or sleep due to the debilitating pain down my back and leg, three months after surgery I am PAIN FREE. My 74 years old body is happily back to the gym. Dr. Falkinstein’s expertise and caring soul gave me back my life. I just couldn’t be more grateful.

Dr. Falkinstein is my hero! He gave me my life back with no pain – I repeat: NO PAIN – after he performed spinal fusion surgery on my lower vertebrae. I suffered for years with excruciating sciatic pain because I had heard horror stories about surgery. After consulting with Dr. Falkinstein, I realized surgery was my only hope. It wasn’t fun but I am so happy I finally did it. It’s been four months since the surgery and I am back to work, normal activities, the gym, and even yoga. It feels great to be in my body again.
I will be forever grateful to Dr. Falkinstein and the wonderful staff at Orthopedic Surgery Specialists in Burbank.