Nitin Bhatia, MD

I adore Dr. Bhatia! He is one of the kindest, gentlest people one could ever meet, who goes above and beyond to help someone in need. He will not recommend surgery to someone, unless they really need it. He Is a person of integrity and an excellent surgeon. You are in good hands with this amazing physician.
Love you,
Susan M.

I was referred by my medical group (ADOC) to Dr. Bhatia as a third consult for lumbar spine problems. I’m trying to rule out the need for surgery, but if I HAVE TO have it, I want a qualified person doing it before I get any older.
I go to see Dr. Bhatia in Orange on 20 May at 2pm. Usual lengthy process of filling out forms, details, more details, etc. I bring everything to the consult except a recent MRI disc, which was to have been sent from the referring doctor (see separate post for Dr. Marc Cheng… grrrr!). I completely agree with other posts re: Dr. Bhatia’s knowledge, bedside manner, erudition, etc. I’m internally doing backflips as I think I’ll get THE answer from the gentleman, and therein lies the rub… without the MRI results, he cannot say definitively if surgery is required.
I believe that the patient is a partner in healthcare; I have to eat correctly, exercise, stop doing (or just don’t do) things that are patently bad for you (like smoking, excessive alcohol or refined sugars, all that stuff that every mom ever wagged a finger about, right?). I tell the doctor that I will go IMMEDIATELY to the imaging center that did the MRI for me and will return within the hour with a copy. Dr. Bhatia said, and I quote, «If you can do that, I will review it and get back to you quickly with a response. If you haven’t heard from me within 48 hours, then email me at my website. The email goes directly to my PA and me, and we’ll respond quickly.»
Doctors take oaths, right? Doctors are held to their words as professionals with high ethics, right?
As I write this, it is 25 JUNE, five weeks after seeing Dr. Bhatia, retrieving and dropping off the MRI disc, confirming with office staff that he received the disc, two phone calls and THREE emails to his medical practice website…
NO RESPONSE… AT ALL… FROM ANYONE ON HIS STAFF.
I called Cedar-​Sinai spine center on my own dime, fought 2 hours of LA traffic up and back, and got an answer from a ortho specialist in 90 minutes. His bedside manner was brusque at best, and he wanted to be sure I wasn’t just some pissed off injured employee trying to get a line of drugs and porking a former employer with the costs. I’m just a guy who wanted answers and an end (hell, even just a reduction!) to the pain I’ve carried for 13 years. If you’re looking for answers in a reasonable timeframe, look elsewhere. ABANDON ALL HOPE, ALL YE WHO ENTER!

I had the unfortunate need to see a spinal surgeon for a disc herniation. I saw several in town, but nobody seemed to want to spend any time with me discussing my problem, except to tell me that I needed surgery.
Finally, I was referred to Dr. Bhatia by my own doctor who had actually had spine surgery with Dr. Bhatia (the best recommendation possible). Dr. Bhatia was fantastic. He took the time to explain my problem to me and the treatment options available. After we tried a bunch of therapy and other treatments, I ended up needing surgery which Dr. Bhatia performed. The results were perfect. I’m painfree and back to my normal active lifestyle. There is no question that Dr. B is the MAN when it comes to fixing necks and backs.