Randall W Armstrong, MD

Simply a professional in every sense of the word. Staff is fantastic. Having back problems over the last 13+ years has been challenging, but Dr. Armstrong has always gone above and beyond to see me when it crops up unexpectedly, to get me whatever help he feels I need at the time. There isn’t enough characters spaces here to describe the level of thanks to him and his staff in helping me through these issues. Highly recommend!

Dr. Armstrong is a terrific Doc. Very attentive. Listens to you. Easy to get a hold of. Office staff is cordial. He goes over test results with and explains things in plain terms.

I was assigned to This doctor via workers compensation. don’t let them assign doctor for you; pick your own you have the right too. I wish I read the Unilocal reviews prior to appointment. During the appointment he spent about 3 minutes doing rush diagnosis on me which was horrible. Was very rude and mean. Told me that I needed an X-​ray and it would be done on next visit. Well the next visit never happened. Workers compensation decided to surveillance me instead of approving my appointment due to me having to reschedule the appointment after it was booked for the last min (without consulting with me on if I can even make the appointment first). After the surveillance was completed Doctor Armstrong decided I was fraud without even properly evaluating me and would not give me the x ray I needed. He put fraudulent as a description of me on my medical records. This cause a down spiral for my workers comp case. He denied speaking with me as well. He sounds like the fraud to me. Reading all the other reviews supports that he is a fraud and pro company as well. If u want a good honest doctor to evaluate you DO NOT GO TO Dr. Armstrong. He is a medical crook working directly in favor of the company/​employer. Now I see why people who get hurt on the job avoid workers comp. the whole workers comp system is a sham made to protect employers not employees. SAVE YOURSELF THE HARDSHIP DO NOT GO TO THIS DOCTOR HE IS THE REAL FRAUD.

It’s been over 15 years since my shoulder surgery and rehab following a repeat whitewater kayaking injury, and I just wanted to report back how grateful I am for everything that Dr. Armstrong did to give me that part of my life back. There was a time I worried I’d have to give up kayaking completely; but thanks to his diagnosis, consultations and straight-​forward rehab practice my shoulder has held up well after all this time. (The rest of me may be falling apart, but the shoulder is in great shape!)
I hope I never need to see him in his office again, but if I do I’ll know exactly what to expect: friendly, warm and best-​in-​class professional care.

Dr. Armstrong is my hero. He is my go to guy when all else fails’s. I have been his patient since about 2007 and I’m sure that I would be not walking today comfortably if it weren’t for him. I might not be walking at all.
Dr. Armstrong is the only doctor that I trust 100%. If you research his education he studied medicine at the top schools in the country UCLA and UC Davis. The Pride Institute in Texas is well known for preparing doctors to carefully and accurately diagnose what’s going on to cause the patient pain. Most of all Dr. Armstrong tells the truth about what’s happening to my body and what can possibly help or not help.
Most importantly, Dr. Armstrong takes all the time that’s needed to show me my
x-​rays and scans and to explain to me what options I have. Because I’m 70 with a history of back and hip problems since I was a child I don’t always hear what I want to hear. But my responsibility is to accept my realities and thank the doctor for doing his best to help me. His consistent kindness and generosity of spirit makes me feel safe with him. I’m intensely grateful for all the help he has given me.
The bad reviews on this site, in my opinion, are from disgruntled people who were hoping to get away with more time off work on Workmen’s Comp than they deserved. I hope any of you who read this review don’t lose the chance to get help because of malingerers who don’t deserve Workmen’s Comp.
iI you look at the not recommended reviews there is one by a woman who explains how Dr. Armstrong fought for her on every level to get her what she honestly deserved and needed.
The bottom line is if you are in pain and you need help go see Dr. Armstrong and then decide for yourself if he can help you. He’s very nice, and although you’re in pain you can actually enjoy your time with him.

He’s good enough doctor if you can get used to his style. If he refers you to get x-​rays or MRI simply refuse anything written by him, his hand writing is as if some chickens randomly stepped on the paper. Ask one of his assistants to write the referral. It will cause you unnecessary frustration at the X-​ray office when they cannot read his writing.
It’s so frustrating when doctors do not value your time and inconvenience patients with bad hand writing.
When I complained to his staff they said he has a doctor’s hand writing and blamed the other office. My suggestion to them is find a way to fix the problem and quit blaming others.

Honestly don’t even think this guy deserves 1 star. Came to see him for hubby’s injury and the guy was a complete jerk! I’ve never experienced a doctor who was just blatantly rude and blatantly tried to demean my husband & I. He basically told us the other doctors didn’t know what they were talking about. Is it because my husband is covered in tattoos and this guy felt intimidated I don’t know. Just curious if we were treated the way were were because we aren’t white and questioned him for clarification.

Herniated discs. Yes, those words are as bad as they sound. This common and commonly painful affliction became my ongoing nightmare for much of three months, but thankfully Dr. Armstrong came to my rescue. A knight in a doctor’s jacket.
Let me elaborate on that nightmare I mentioned. It began with consistent sciatic pain down my left leg and butt. It kept me from sitting for too long, then standing for any length of time until I was basically bed ridden and hobbling around. Using that leg at all was like stepping on pins and needles. I couldn’t sleep more than a couple hours at a time, even with the use of drugs. I had seen a spinal surgeon at Sutter who was way too busy to take my pain seriously, even when I was writhing in agony on a bed. It all came to a head when I woke up with severe cramping one morning and couldn’t extend my leg. I had to go to the emergency room for sedatives as a result.
It was then that my mother mentioned she had seen Dr. Armstrong for back issues. I called his office, fully expecting my living hell to extend another month until his next available appointment date. To my surprise, I was in his office within three days. His bedside manor, easy-​going personality and no bullshit diagnosis were all a breathe of fresh air. Even better, he was genuinely concerned about my pain and set up an injection to reduce the swelling. That injection, performed by the doctor himself, made all the difference. While it is only temporary, it has relieved my pain by 90%. I can’t tell you how great it felt to be walking and functioning like a human being again, or to be able to pick up my newborn son without wincing.
I’ve had some minor issues with communication via his receptionists, depending on how busy they are, but they’ve always been friendly and helpful. They are great about following up. Far more than I can say about most doctor’s offices.
If you have a back, spine, neck or muscular issue, this should be your first consideration. Forget the big impersonal hospital down the street and call Dr. Armstrong!

This was his EXACT WORDS
ME: «My back is in to much pain to go back to work «
Dr. Armstrong: «you will report back to work if you want your check «
I kid you not — that day i went to radio shack on stockton blvd and bought a tape recorder for any more appointments that i were to have with this GUY
The stuff this guy does is Criminal and he should be locked up and he knows WHY —- if you have a workers comp case make sure to take a Tape recorder or turn your phone on record when you go to see this CLOWN — 2008 workers comp case and i still have NOT forgotten … what a JOKE

Dr. Armstrong really cares about his patients and what they may be going through. His persistence paid off big time for me. After five months of intense pain and headaches, I am well again. He was just as excited about it as I was. There is still some residual pain but nothing like before and he wants to address that as well. He is a great guy too. The kind of person I could break bread with and feel comfortable.

Will decide in favor of workmans comp over the patient. I found out the hard way, he was sure nice in the begining, then you see a different side when its time to put you’re case to rest. I did’t even get a examination, just a 1 min meeting to say there is nothing else he can do. I am still hurt, and got released back to full duty only to be fired 3 days later by my employer. Did not care about the patients needs, and did what was best for his pocket

Dr. Armstrong SAVED MY LIFE! He is the most amazing Dr. I have ever met and aside my husband and 3 beautiful children, he is my biggest blessing I ever received. Without him I would have no quality of life. he is beyond a hero me.
I fell running in the parking lot to my car in heels at 25 years old. I was scared. I didn’t know it would be work comp when I wen to the ER. I was terminated by my employer and they falsified docs about it. It got everything worked out and started my 3 year recovery. I was put with sutter occ health for the first year and was told I had minimal injuries, until an MRI shower I fractured T-​11 and herniated L5-​Si. Everyone just kept saying I was young and would heal. They decided to send me to a specialist. Dr Randal Armstrong. I didn’t know at that time he would become my permanent Dr. I was discouraged to go through everything with a «new» Dr in my case. One week before I was to have my first visit with him I met 3 different people who personally recommended this man to me, and to my astonishment, I was already going to him. They say 3 or more and that’s God. Dr’ Armstrong never let my age effect his decisions in my care.
I went for my first visit and every month after that. He was always compassionate and listened to my pains and aches. He was so professional and really knew what he was doing. No one could pull out a tape recorder and be that conclusive of his findings, but he was every time. He must have done about 5 MRIs on me in the course of 3 years. Wrote countless letters on my behalf, got me through two QME’s, one cortisone injection we knew wouldn’t work but had to satisfy Workers comp board, he assisted in my micro disc-​ectomy, upon my request, which he doesn’t normally do and for that I can never repay. When that surgeon said I was fine to go back to work 5 months after the first surgery,. Dr. Armstrong listened to my pain even though MRI showed iffy signs of it at that time. he went to bat for me yet again and supplied much paperwork and letters to the QME in order to send me to a nerve conduction test, as well as a CT myelogram. It all got approved based solely on his findings. The testing showed my disc was leaking fluid out onto my sciatic. The nerve conduction test showed nerve damage in my left leg which had atrophied and it was to be permanent.
At this time in my life I had 2 children 2 and 5 and I could hardly walk, I lost my job and so did my husband. I used a walker and stayed constantly medicated. It was a rough few years and tons of physical therapy and one surgery under my belt with no relief actually making the compression worse. I had a huge choice to make. Dr. Armstrong new how hard life was for me, he was always a great listener and even though I «tony Robbins» my way through it always being positive and always in the worst chronic pain of my life every single day, he was always in my corner.
He decided with me the best option was a fusion at L5-​SI and that my best outcome would be to go to Dr. Berven at UCSF. Yet again he had to go to bat for me through another QME review and because of his findings it was approved for an 80,000 surgery I would have. I knew it was risky. I was scared when I went to the «New Dr.» what if he said no or couldn’t help me? Would I be stuck like this forever? That Dr said I could get 70% improvement, looked at all of Dr. Armstrong findings as well as the discogram I had to go through which is very painful and agreed whole heartedly with Dr. Armstrong. I decided to have this surgery, not using my own hip graph which would be a guarantee I would fuse. I was one of the first few to have all titanium used in my back. They would go anterior which mean through my stomach move my guts out and remove my aorta off of my spine, scoop out my bad disc and inset a titanium cage, screwing it into my vertebra and insert a cadaver bone from a doner and for a whole year I would wait for that little bone to turn solid in that cage connecting my vertebra top to bottom. One wrong slip of the hand and I would die, have possible nerve damage or be wheel chair bound forever. Dr. Armstrong sent me to one of the very best money could buy. I had a grueling recovery, major physical therapy and I can’t begin to describe. I am today 100% cured and no nerve damage is present in my legs or feet anymore. I am not dependent on any forms of pain medication at all. Do I get tiny back pain at times, sure I do. I do take an occasional norco if I overdid it. But I have my life back. I can carry my kids. I can grocery shop. I don’t have to use a «ride on» at the store getting dirty looks from everyone who does’t understand young people get hurt too. I can walk normal, I can work out with restrictions. We were even cleared to have that baby, barring C-​section and after I fused I got pregnant right away.
I have my life back and I am healed because of Dr. Armstong and his amazing abilities as a Doctor.

I just read reviews about Dr. Armstrong and the majority are extremely favorable. There are, however, a few that go way beyond constructive criticism of his manner and professionalism. Quite frankly, attacks specifically using the terms such as dishonest, unprofessional and some that even make direct statements that he treats privately insured patients with more respect and interest than individuals who have filed worker’s compensation claims without any support beyond just a general dislike of the physician. By the nature of these unsupported statements, they are not only useless as reviews but vicious and perhaps even slanderous in nature.
Of course, I am aware and appreciative that Unilocal provides a fair and open forum and places restrictions only on posts deemed to be highly offensive or lacking substance or relevance to the topic or thread.
After all of the above, I feel compelled to summarize my doctor/​patient relationship with Dr. Armstrong that began in October 2013. I have suffered with acute episodes and chronic lumbar pain that radiates down my legs since 1995.
Since 2003, I have had four invasive surgeries including a L 4 – 5 Fusion. My diagnosis is that I suffer from spinal stenosis and degenerative disk disease.
In addition to the surgeries, I have taken meds from A-​Z and received approx a dozen epidural steroidal injections prior to the good fortune of being referred to Dr. Armstrong. Virtually only a few of these previous injections offered anything but a short lived minimal relief of pain.
Since my first visit to see him last October, I noticed a discernible difference. He appeared genuinely interested in my case and fully explained what was notable about my last two MRI’s in great detail. This was commendable enough but I had mentioned in passing during the exam that I was experiencing some hip pain, not really expecting an answer or, at best a referral to have them X Rayed on a future date. To my amazement, he immediately completed a referral slip to have them done that day and even made time that afternoon to review them with me as well! Abruptness, indifference? On the contrary in my case! Felt like a throwback to the old days when bedside manner was integral to the practice of medicine.
One final note, it was apparent that Dr. Armstrong put some serious consideration into choosing the most effective locations for two separate series of epidural injections administered by him in October 2013 and February 2014. It was obvious by listening to his reasoning that the injection sites were determined after carefully reviewing the films and my surgical history.
This turned into a much too long narrative but I felt very strongly that I should be a staunch advocate on behalf of Dr. Armstrong’s competency and commitment to his profession.

I read all the reviews for Dr Armstrong while sitting in his waiting room. They were very mixed to say the least, and ranged from very happy to down right disgusted! After reading the reviews I didn’t know if I should stay or leave. After all, the guy is going to potentially treat me for a back condition; a very serious deal! Well I stayed.
One comment was very true. I did wait for twenty minutes before anyone acknowledged that I was there. I almost got the impression that no one knew I was there, but a lady called my name with a mousy and very quiet voice. I almost didn’t catch it lol.
Once I saw the doc, he was very straight forward, and down to business! Here’s your problem, and here’s the best way to address it. Period! There was no, «Hi I’m Dr Armstrong» «How are you today» lol!
For some, I can see how this could be offensive. Some people want to use this time to get everything off their chest, and explain how their condition is affecting their lives. You may not get that chance with Dr Armstrong, so keep that in mind.
Beyond that, I thought he was professional, knowledgeable, ethical, and acting in my best interests. That’s good enough for me, so I’ll be going back.
It’s about the best parking situation you’ll find for this area of town as well.

I read these reviews of Randall W Armstrong, MD before I became his patient 2 years ago. Proof that it is always helpful to read between the lines when considering any internet review. I came across this page again when googling his number to schedule another appt., and decided it was time to share. First of all, he offers his patients respect in that he does not assume you require communication at an adolescent level. Yes, he is the medical expert however he also acknowledges that most people have done their fair share of research on such a debilitating condition and can forgo the A, B, C’s & 1,2,3’s of medicine. This is important to me. I respect his time and he respects mine. We talk about the diagnosis, the cause and the treatment. In my situation, he ordered the MRI and we studied the film together — at length. He explained that I am a surgical candidate and also gave me my options. He did not force me down a specific path. After some time deliberating, I made my decision and discussed it with him. I took the more conservative route and have been receiving epidural injections for several years. At the time, Dr. Armstrong simply said he would have made the same choice. When I see him after flare-​ups, his approach is to find out how effective the treatment remains. We both know that the permanent solution is the fusion but he respects my choice to delay the procedure as long as the shots work. We have discussed who the surgeon will be, where it will be performed and what is required for recovery. He’ll even assist on the procedure at my request. What has not been decided is ‘when’. That is in my hands. What more can you expect from a doctor? He has provided affective treatment and the option of a longer lasting resolution when my body tells me it is time. The guy has integrity. Maybe that is not what interests some of the reviewers but it is everything to me.

Dr. Armstrong accepts private and work comp insurance. Even though his practice is called Sacramento Diagnostic And Spine Center, his is simply an osteopathic doctor, not an MD and certainly NOT an orthopedic doctor, surgeon, or neurologist! His livelihood depends mostly on industrial accident case referrals from employers and work comp insurance companies – you know what that means? It takes a doctor with integrity to do what is right even though it may mean less referrals from self-​interested employers and insurance companies in the future. Make no mistake, when push comes to shove and it comes down to assisting you or his livelihood, he will 9 times out of 10 side with his bread and butter. Unless you like those odds, insist that your employer refer you to a better qualified and honest physician who will help you get better.

Not supportive of the patient’s needs when it comes to choosing between the patients health and his cash cow workers comp — also bad advice — told me to keep running and doing upper body above the shoulder weights when I should have been having physical therapy — bad mistake! Ended up having neck surgery — probably wouldn’t have been necessary under another doctor’s care

Unfortunately Unilocal does not allow a 0 star option, therefore this doctor gets one star. This is the worst doctor I have EVER encountered. He was incredibly rude, arrogant and dismissive. I’m not even sure what qualifies him to specialize in the spine since all his credentials state that he is a family practitioner. I wish I had read the reviews before I agreed to be sent to him. It seems that Dr. Armstrong has a serious problem with workers comp patients. I allowed him to perform sacral joint injections, which did not alleviate my pain. Two weeks later I had my follow-​up with him. He was incredibly late, walked in the door and asked if I was still in pain. I replied «yes» and before I could say another word he cuts me off with «well there’s nothing else I can do for you» and proceeded to fill out a form «putting me back to work» (if he had even reviewed my file he would see that I was never off of work). He then opened the door and waited for me to leave. I have been in agony the past 3 months. I’m not lying, I don’t want more drugs, I’m not looking for a free ride or a settlement. I just want to be pain free. I will be making a formal complaint to my HR department to ensure that no one else gets sent to this poor excuse of a doctor.

This doctor is beyond arrogant, sarcastic and rude. He was abrupt and actually rough during the physical exam. I’ve never encountered such an unprofessional doctor. I would strongly advise against being treated by this doctor.

Its been years since I have seen this Dr. but since I was recently referred to 2801 «K» St & the Ste# seemed familiar I figured I better check to see if this «A» hole still practiced there. I don’t want to be in arms reach of this Dr. since I don’t want to make the 5’oclock news. I had to search google & after seeing other bad ratings on other sites I figured I should throw in my 2 cents. I don’t want anyone else experiencing what I did & obviously if the address rings a bell in my mind after all this time you know it had to be pretty bad!
I orig. went to him for a W. Comp. review for neck pain from an old work injury. I had settled long prior & took future medical knowing I was going to have ongoing problems. I Will NEVER Forget what he said to me & we will get there momentarily. To be professional he has absolutely NO Bedside manner & I think he left his ethics in a trashcan somewhere. If you want «Quality of Care» find someone else. Just a note to him just in case he cares to read this (Yeah Dr. Armstrong, that was one of the things you swore to uphold in your dusty ethics manuel).
When he entered the room he actually had an Intern with him so at first I thought I was going to receive an honest opinion & I didn’t initially feel I had to be on guard (I’m a Med. Asst by the way). When he started the physical part of the exam he was VERY abrupt & in a barking manner instructed me to turn my head this way & then quickly said «now the other direction» When he instructed me to tilt my head back (which is the most painful for me) he tried PUSHING my head back beyond where it was & I couldn’t help but to tear up & wince with pain. I looked at his Intern & his eyes widened up like he was shocked. He slammed my MRI up on the screen (mind you at the time I had a C2 &C5−6 bulge along with a mild-​moderate Chiari 7 mm low lying which means your Brain stem sticks out of the protective canal some) & proceeded to try to down play my situation to his intern still in his barking-​rude tone of voice. He then turned to me & said that he didn’t think that I had a Neck Injury that needed any further treatment. I then asked «why my range of motion was so restricted & painful & why do I not only have pain when I tip my head back but get dizzy at times & see swirls of light»? HE LOOKED AT ME AS HE OPENED THE DOOR & SAID «LADY YOU HAVE A LIFE PROBLEM»! & shut the door. I could see the Intern was floored as he put his head down. He couldn’t even look at me as they left and mind you I was in tears at this point. Since then I have rec’d confirmation of my Neck problem but I’m a bit reluctant to have surgery & I have been placed on FENTANYL for my Neck & lower back issues which only masks the pain. I’m facing Fusion & I’m a bit scared.
I HIGHLY recommend a Dr. Munish Goupta (Neurosurgeon) who is located at the Spine Center off «C» St at UCD. He is VERY Professional, listens, & doesn’t cut you off when your responding to a question. He has Great Bedside manner & will admit if he doesn’t have an answer. If its non surgical he will advise you on what he thinks is the best avenue.
Do yourself a BIG favor & stay away from this guy espec. if you are Female!
I was hoping he would have Retired by now since he seemed pretty old & grouchy way back in «1998» If you don’t believe me there are a few other sites where his rating is pretty bad just google the name & type sacramento next to it.
P. S. I even had to check out at the counter & no one asked what was wrong! Guess they are use to his pts. lea