Charbonnet Christopher, MD

He did a rhizotomy about a month ago has helped immensely. The only issue I have the follow up visit was great but when I was talking to MA I think he got upset because he called her and she came back and said he wanted the door shut and after seeing me he said I don’t need another appointment I thought this was strange sine most doctors want a follow up in like three months later asked him what if the pain comes back said matter a factly just call in and u can get another appointment in two weeks which actually takes four weeks
Instructions after rhizotomy see me in two weeks couldn’t get in for four weeks
Which means he is good Dr

The doctor is a very nice person and his staff is friendly. After my procedure I called to see if I can ask some follow up questions. They told me the doctor does not call patients back or does email, essentially unable to communicate with him. If you want a doctor that can answer your concerns post procedure this is not the doctor for you.
I am giving one star because communication with patients is paramount.
I would give him 5 stars for competency and skill.

Whenever you see a doctor get many five star reviews, and a smattering of one-​star reviews, there is always some kind of beef behind the one star peoples’ review. My spouse has used Dr. Charbonnet’s services for pain management for three years. Never ONCE have we had any personnel behave rudely, and never once has the physician been anything but intelligent, informative, and helpful. We are grateful for this man practicing in what has become a thankless, litigious, and not so profitable career path for young Americans (medicine).

Dr. Charbonnet is the best pain management doctor ever!
He spends quality time with his patients and is very informative on all his procedures that he performs. His professionalism is outstanding and he really cares for you. The staff and PA’S are all very nice too.
Thank you Dr. Charbonnet for being such a wonderful doctor!

I had chronic lower back pain on both sides for months. I was referred by my HMO group Lakeside to a «pain specialist». After finally getting an appointment and authorizations for a facet joint injection for lower back pain his office substituted a different doctor to do the procedure! OR, I could wait another couple weeks. That replacement doctor wasnt even on the approved list with my HMO! And he gave me real attitude when at the procedure (first time meeting him) he was offended that I was asking questions about his background and experience! «I’m not here to be interviewed by you» Also Dr K’s office only got authorization for one side of my spine injection. After 8 weeks they STILL could not get the authorization for the other side. Told ME to contact the insurer who wanted more information. What could I tell them that the doctor’s office couldnt? So FOUR months after the first injection and no progress on getting the authorization for the other side, I changed Groups out of Lakeside and found another pain specialist doctor who was able to get BOTH sides of my spine authorized in 3weeks.

He is very articulate re side effects of as well as keeping up on various pain medicines and certain modalities including spinal injections, if so needed, to eliminate pain. He advised me in my case my body would heal itself re protruding disc.

BEWARE: THIS OFFICE NO LONGER PROVIDES COURTESY PHONE CALLS THE DAY BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. DON’T MISS YOUR APPOINTMENT OR ELSE !
I had to find another pain doctor about 3 years ago after my other doctor of over 20 years passed away suddenly. Honestly, I never had a good feeling visiting Dr. Charbonnet or his office from Day 1. The original receptionist, who was finally let go around the first of this year, was one of the most disturbing people I had ever dealt with. She was rude on the phone and in person. Everytime I visited the office I asked his assistants why she is still employed and they would simply shake their heads and not say anything. While sitting in the waiting room, you could hear her constantly berate people on the phone and talk rudely. Patients would look at each other and shake their heads in amazement. I always wondered what doctor would keep this person on staff talking to their patients like that? But after awhile it didn’t surprize me that she was kept on staff as this seemed to be more of the norm for everyone that worked there. The doctor and all his staff are very arrogant and rude. Also, very rarely does anyone return calls, even when they tell you to your face they’ll call you back the same day. They simply do not care about you, the patient. Generally, the overall feeling I got is that I was there for them. Not the other way around.
The last time I visited this office, I had missed an appointment because I didn’t realize they stopped calling the day before to remind you. So I went in after Lunch one day as I always did when I missed an appointment, I sat in the waiting room until they could either fit me in or not. Almost always they were able to but most of the time they would never tell me. This last time the receptionist told me to sit down and she would find out if the doctor could see me. She never came back to let me know either way. I sat there for 35 minutes until an assistant asked me to come in. No communications or concern whatsoever for the patient wondering whether they are going to treat me or not. And after the doctor entered to examination room to see me, we started talking about my missed appointments and I told him I just found out why I believe it was happening because the office no longer calls the day before. The doctor’s response was «How old are you?». That was it for me! I was done. Just blatant arrogance!
I can’t comment on the doctor’s procedures because all he did for me for 3 years is refill my prescriptions. Very little conversation, lot’s of arrogance. Just in and out. I would NOT recommend this doctor or his office to anyone, unless you like to be treated like a robot.

Dr. Charbonnet is the best doctor I have ever known & I have had many doctors in my life. I have had RSD for 10 years & had come to California to stay with my girlfriend to heal up from an auto accident that resulted in several injuries including a hangmans fracture. I have not been the easiest patient through all of my difficult tribulations. Doc hung in there with me when I probably would have given up & sent me on my way. He always went the extra mile, very compassionate, extremely talented doctor. I have seen first hand that he cares about all of his patients & no mater how busy his schedule he always makes time & never makes you feel unimportant. Thanks doc you have been a life saver.
Justin

Dr. Charbonnet is what everyone should hope for, and expect from their physician. Easy going, exceptionally knowledgeable and a skilled communicator. Within a few visits, our relationship became one of friends. and while I see him for pain management, he’s open to … and offers great insight to a seemingly limitless range regarding all health concerns.
5 Stars… not nearly enough!

Excellent pain management doctor. Does procedures with skill and pain relief. Listens to patient. Has performed epidurals and rhizotomy on my back and each has been successful without complications. No hastle on refills.