Michael W. Cluck, MD, PhD

Dr. Michael W. Cluck is a professional in every sense of the word. I have seen him for 1 ½ yrs because my Insurance company kept denying my surgery. I did 3 Appeals, all denied. Dr. Cluck NEVER gave up on me, and with a 4^th appeal attempt which his Assistant Vanessa persevered with, I finally was approved. ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) Surgery was on July 30^th 2015, and as of this day, I am steadily improving and getting my life back. All due to Dr. Cluck’s expertise and skillfulness in the surgical arena. His Office Associate Candy is helpful and friendly, making a visit a very gratifying and pleasant experience, and as previously stated, Vanessa is an expert at dealing with Insurance companies and making a patient feel hopeful. These Medical Professionals are worth the time and money, if you wish to get your life back. I am most grateful to all three of them.

I originally went to see Dr. Cluck as a second opinion. I had severe back pain for several years. The pain was radiating from my gluts down the back of my legs. The original Surgeon I had been seeing had recommended a a lumbar fusion, (TLIF) This procedure would have involved cutting through my back muscles.
Dr. Cluck indicated I needed a fusion as well. However, Dr. Cluck performs an advanced fusion where there would be no need to cut through the muscle. The first part of the procedure would be going in through my side.
Most important was the delivery of the information from Dr. Cluck. He was patient and explained in laymen terms, the entire process. I felt confident from the beginning. I am 5 months post op. My surgery was a huge success. I am pain free and on my way to having my life back.

I have started having severe back pain back in 2000 after riding a banana boat at sea :-) It has gotten so bad over the years that I could barely stand a couple of minutes without feeling pain. I have seen other doctors before who recommended physical therapy. Although that provided a temporary relief, it did was not a permanent fix for a slipped vertebra, and scoliosis. In December 2014, Dr. Cluck examined me and sent me for X-​rays and MRI right away. Next time I saw him he gave me the option for surgery indicating that he could stabilize my back by using an implant to fuse two vertebrae. He took the time to explain everything, and even showed me a sample of the implant. I had my surgery on March 31, and it went very well. It lasted about 4 hours and I can’t remember a thing, as they put me under just after I arrived in the operating room. I spent the next three weeks pretty much in bed, walking only to the kitchen/​bathroom to let the back heal. I’ve had regular post-​op visits to look at X-​rays and make sure the new hardware is fusing well with my spine. As each day passed, my back felt better and better, and now I can honestly say I feel better than ever. My surgery was a success, I am very happy with the results, and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Cluck for allowing me to live my life free of back pain!