Dr. Oren Gottfried, MD

Dr. Gottfried is the most genuine, caring, and thorough Doctor I have ever met. He is professional in every way and goes above and beyond to help his patients understand the procedure, recovery, realistic expectations, and follows up with them. I had a situation going on back in 2020 and was at wits end about it. He was able to resolve the problem for me with minimal risks and recovery. I went to the ER on March 22, 2025 for a scary spinal problem and he was the on call Neurosurgeon. It was a joy to see him as I knew I was in good hands and would receive great care. He hooked me up with a great Neurosurgeon specializing in cervical procedures to get the cervical emergency fixed and followed up with me on my lumbar problem I had going on the next week. I am 2 days post-op now from the lumbar procedure Dr. Gottfried performed. I just sat down after making 2 laps on the floor. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Gottfried and I completely trust in his ability, integrity, and professionalism.

1) Lack of empathy, 2) Rushed visit, 3) Lack of details regarding care options, 4) After visit notes consisted of inaccurate statements and important impressions that were not shared with me, 5) Does not review questionnaire before seeing me, 6) Does not make the necessary referrals if he cannot help me and 7) Does not seem to care about me as a patient based on his demeanor and questions.

For 10 years I’ve dealt with a career ending back injury as an RN. After two prior spinal surgeries and multiple other procedures that left me worse, God led me to Dr. G. Not only did he respect me as a patient, he respected me as a nurse. After a very large back surgery, I am better! What he doesn’t realize is he only sees me, but the impact this ordeal has taken on my children, family and friends has been tremendous. His impact has been more than he realizes. My children wept with joy! We’ve missed so many important milestones as a family simply because I could not “anything”..We have 10 years of birthdays, high school and college graduations, etc.to make up for. I can’t begin to tell you how good he has been to me. His PA, Brian Burne, also is phenomenal! It’s hard to trust a provider as a nurse who knows what could (and in my case) has gone terribly wrong. I trust Dr.G wholeheartedly and would bet my nursing license on them both. In many ways I already have.

Went to Carolina SpIne took one look at my MRI found out what was wrong right then Dr Gottfried said he saw nothing wrong

This Neurosurgeon and his Physiatrist completely cured my three year struggle with chronic back pain!!! He advised spinal lumbar ablation which is a very safe and outpatient procedure. He is a brilliant neurosurgeon. Seeing him was easily one of the best decisions of my life, as he cured a crippled senior with a walker to one restored to an active and vibrant life.

Dr Gottfried is the only doctor I trust to take care of my back. He listens to me and has been completely straight forward with me since my first visit. If I have a question or concern, he responds the same day . He performed successful major back surgery in November of 2019 and I have had no problems with that part of my back since. An MRI confirmed it is good. I have had new issues in 2021 which he is addressing. He is excellent and I highly recommend him to anyone with back issues.

Great

I find him to very knowledgeable in his field, but not very companionable. During our first and second visit he was very short with me, didn't seem to care how I was effected or offer anything that would help any. I didn't feel like it was broken down to where I could understand anything. I had to come home and google everything off my printout. It was very disappointing after reading all of his outstanding reviews online, and after many years of dealing with pain. I feel like his PA spent more time in the room than he did, which he was very nice by the way. I am not sure if maybe due to the COVID-19 maybe he is under more pressure, but I did not feel like I got the same attention and care everyone else in all these reviews got. Hoping the next visit is better.

I found that Dr. Oren Gottfried,to be an honest, straight forward and genuine neurosurgeon. He will directly tell the patient what the problem is, how he can alleviate the problem,and the steps to be taken to resolve this issue. Dr. Gottfried took me into his office prior to my surgery and literally explained, what have been happening to me for the past 3 years,with my back problem. He further explained on the initial post visit,what he did. Its 6 months after my surgery, and I am pain free,thanks to Dr.Gottfred and his staff. His work is definitely phenomenal. I am living now with a sense of normalcy.

I have had back and knee pain since 1994. I was a Marine. Many treatments by different kind of doctors over the years. I needed spinal stenosis and a forminatomy/Laminectomy. I searched a read about Dr. Gottfried ultimately deciding he was my best hope. Not only am I practically pain free a few weeks out, his bedside manner, giving his personal cell for concerns, being so quick to respond to all messages all hours of the night, he is amazing. I tell everyone I can how impressed I am.

In 2010 I underwent cervical spine surgery by a physician in Wilmington, NC. In 2012 I was still having pain and sought a second opinion by Dr. Gottfried. He discovered that I had a psuedoarthrosis as well as slippage at the C7-T1. So in 2012 I had surgery by him. I found him to be most highly educated in his field as well very personable. He clearly explained the procedures to me as well the expected outcomes. I have had nothing but the upmost respect for this fine doctor and recommend him!

Dr. Gottfried is an excellent neurosurgeon! I prayed for a great Dr & God lead me to him. I met Dr. Gottfried in July of 2017 with two crushed discs & a cracked vertebrae. He said surgery was the last resort. He operated on me in Dec of 2017 at my request. Rods at L4, L5, & S1. Put a cage in through my abdomen. It's now May 2018 and I feel so much better then before. I would recommend him to my family & anyone that needs spinal surgery. It was tough at first but the results were worth it!

I would like to send this note about Dr. Oren Gottfried and his staff, the staff at Duke Hospital, and Duke-Raleigh Hospital for their stellar preparation, work, recovery, and most personal recovery and follow up after surgery. My wife Susan had a very delicate spinal fusion two years ago, with complications during recovery that resulted in a second surgery and recovery, and to this day, Dr. Gottfried still follows up with my wife and I, himself. Something uncommon in today's medical profession.

April 30, 2017, at 8:05pm My 20 year old son was hit by a truck while long boarding. He received a skull fracture, brain bleed and two contusions. He does not remember four days of his life. He had to relearn walking, feeding himself, bathing, etc. He also lost the ability to talk for weeks. Dr Gottfried was AMAZING. He shared the facts every step of the way. He was encouraging, yet honest with what the future could hold. We were blessed to have Gottfried. He saved my son's life and future.

In December 2010, Dr. Oren Gottfried performed an Exterior Cervical Infusion after I suffered a broken neck. Thanks to Dr. Gottfried I am recovering from partial paralyzes on my right side and several other conditions related to the accident I experience. I truly appreciate the excellent care provided to me by this neurosurgeon and his fine staff. I do have a very good friend that I recommend to have a procedure. We have shared our experience with each others. Thank you, Dr. Gottfried.