Patient Stories

As a physical therapist I wanted to take the least invasive treatment approach...Throughout the entire process I felt heard by him as a person who needed to return to an active lifestyle. He was compassionate and personable while also educating me ... I have returned to surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, running, biking, basketball...and all the other things that bring me joy. I cannot express how grateful I am for finding such a kind and skilled doctor who truly cares for his patient and always has their best interest in mind. I highly recommend Dr. Makhni and his whole team!!!

There were several Dr.'s in NH that said that this could not be helped. Dr .Makhni felt that he could help me. Since this miraculous surgery was performed I have been pain free. No more tingling , no more nerve pain. This has completely , utterly changed my life . My BP is also better as I have no pain. Dr. Makhni is the rare combination of supernova brilliant and the epitome of kind . I am incredibly grateful and forever indebted to this gifted Physician .

Best doctor, best surgeon, all around great guy. My first visit with Doctor Makhni I had left the office feeling so relieved and listened to, I teared up in my car. I had been dealing with back pain for over ten months, unable to sleep, having trouble standing up or sitting down for extended periods of time. ...I was then referred to the Spine Master himself, Dr. Makhni. Our first meeting was so relaxed. I always feel so rushed with Doctors (rightfully so they are very busy), but not only was he right on time, I felt like he would have given me all day if I needed it. He explained everything so well and gave me my power back. My follow up and surgery were no different. He always checked in, bright smile, and genuinely cares. I've never been more happy with medical care. THANK YOU

I did a lot of consultations at prestigious hospitals and Dr. Makhni was the clear best choice. Impressively, the other doctors I talked to knew of Dr. Makhni and said they held his opinion and skills in extremely high regard. I don’t think it is an understatement to say that Dr. Makhni’s care changed my life and gave me back what I thought I might lose forever. I am extraordinarily grateful and do not think many other surgeons could have done what he did.

I just want to…let you know how much you mean to our family. You operated on my husband’s cervical spine. This surgery had an unbelievably positive outcome and relieved him of all o f his neck pain! What a miracle. We are forever grateful. Thank you for your dedication, kindness, and compassion. You are brilliant yet humble and completely trustworthy. The gifts that God has given you are no small thing and we have certainly been blessed by your skills and expertise…Thank you and we are unbelievably grateful that our paths crossed.

I feel very fortunate. to have him as my back surgeon. He not only relieved the extreme pain that I had in my back and legs but has gone above and beyond to listen to my concerns when I was scared…I can only hope he realizes that his actions make him a much beloved doctor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dr. Makhni is a kind, caring and highly professional surgeon. He saved me from a much more invasive operation, additional cost, and a long rehabilitation by recommending a less invasive operation which has been a blessing.

You are in another league as far as doctors go and an exceptional human being! I am very grateful to you for your skill but also the care and compassion you’ve shown me. You truly go the extra mile and make the world a better place.

I would like to thank you for the surgery you performed on my neck. Your professionalism of always making sure I understood everything and explaining things in detail, your kindness and genuine caring, made me feel so much better and trusting of you. You are a wonderful person, and that is what makes you a wonderful doctor.

Thank you for treating me…I just want you to know how much I respect you. In a different life, you would have inspired me to study medicine. You were thorough, careful, compassionate, analytical, and an amazing teacher. I wish every doctor were more like you. I had a wonderful experience at Brigham under you and your team’s care. Forever grateful.

I cannot express how grateful I am to have had you as my doctor throughout this painful experience. Not only are you an amazing spine specialist, you are kind and it is apparent you truly care…Thank you for literally everything you’ve done.

From the minute you entered my life I knew it would change for the better. You have an amazing gift. The first time you entered my hospital room I knew I was blessed by an angel. Thank you so very much…You’re the best.

Hats off!! Thank you for being empathetic in every single interaction, and for taking the extra time to do so. Thank you…for being the absolute best at what you do. You could not have been any better – both professionally and personally. Thank you for being you. Grateful our paths have crossed.

It was so refreshing to meet you…you took time to listen, you talked to me not at me, and …I feel much safer being in your care and so does my family.

I owe this Doctor my life, so Dr Makhni THANK YOU and I highly recommend him to anyone who would ever need spine surgery.

I got feedback from one of his colleagues and a senior Dr at hospital said Dr. Makhni was “meticulous”. ... I was very nervous Given the cervical spine controls everything. Dr.Makhni truly was remarkable- as a doctor I felt listened to, cared for and safe under his care. I could not have asked for a better person and medical professional. He was attentive, available, responsible and honest with me.a year later and Can’t eve see my scar. ... I can not sing dr Makhni praises enough. I am grateful for his help and highly recommend him!

Finally, I was in the hands of one of the most caring, talented and brightest hands in all my years of suffering. ... His constant attention to detail. His ability to explain in layman's terms all that we were about to go through provided immeasurable comfort. Of note is not only Dr. Makhnis' performance but his entire team! They care are responsive and very thorough. I will forever be indebted to the surgeon and team. I am getting my life back!

I highly recommend Dr. Makhni. I listened to one of his lectures and I was very impressed. He recommended a less extensive procedure which was the best treatment option for her given her age and other medical conditions. He is highly skilled, knowledgeable and an expert in his field. He has a great bedside manner, very patient with my mom and listened to all her concerns and fears. He is kind, compassionate, and attentive. ... I cannot thank him enough!

I was referred to Dr Makhni after 2 other surgeons had recommended spinal fusion. Dr Makhni took a detailed review of my images, consulted at length with me and recommended spinal decompression surgery a far less invasive and less costly operation. His courtesy, excellent description of my options - in layman's terms -and his surgical skills were exemplary. I cannot recommend him highly enough. In fact I have referred two other patients to him after an outstanding outcome. I am pain free!

The care that I received during my hospitalization was incredible. During my life time, I have had several surgeries, been admitted to several different hospitals, however, I have never received the quality of care as I did with ALL of the staff: Residents, PA, Nurses, PT, PCA, etc

I would positively recommend Dr. Makhni. The surgery he performed was miraculous and helped my life become greatly improved. He has a wonderful, kind, very empathetic manner. He saved my quality of life in many ways,

I don’t have many words to describe this very talented professional and down to earth guy!! If I ever need another surgery it’s him who I will choose Over and over again!!

His bedside manner, humbleness and of course surgical talent is something I haven't seen in years.

If I could give him 10 stars we would. What an incredible human being! So knowledgeable, so brilliant! Felt like family being in his care. After my mother had previous wrongful surgery, Dr. Makhni was OUTSTANDING! Explained every second and every movement that was going to be performed. GRATEFUL to have found him!! She’s recovering well and feeling amazing. Thank you Dr. Makhni.

I feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Makhni. I have never met a surgeon who is as patient-centered, knowledgeable, and technically skilled as Melvin Makhni. He listened thoughtfully to all of my concerns and answered all of my questions, even the medically technical ones that some physicians might not take the time to answer. He has my highest recommendation.

On December 5,2019 when I went to Patriot Place at Foxborough, MA. with my daughter she was telling her doctor how bad I was doing. I could not stop falling I was loosing the use of the right side of my body. I already had my right shoulder replaced and the pain i my neck was so bad I could hardly hold my head up. One of the NP came out and spoke to me and suggested that I get an MRI done. On December 20,2019 an MRI was done and this is when I met Dr. Melvin Makhni,.M.D. one of the best spine surgeons . When he saw the MRI we saw that the cervical has collapsed and there was no spinal fluid going down the right side of my body. On January 27, 2020 Dr. Makhni performed a laminoplasty C3, C7 also laminoplasty C4, C5, C6, foraminotomies possible C2-T1 posterior spinal decompression and instrumented fusion. I owe this Doctor my life, so Dr Makhni THANK YOU and i highly recommend him to anyone who would ever need spine surgery.

I have been suffering from neck pain and arthritis in my neck for years. ACDF surgery was recommended and I held off considering my age (late40s) after arms would go numb and pain kept awake, decided to go to Brigham for surgery. Dr. Makhni was very approachable and seemed on top of his game. Then I got feedback from one of his colleagues and a senior Dr at hospital said Dr. Makhni was “meticulous”. This is of course the best adjective one could have when working so close to spinal chord. I was very nervous Given the cervical spine controls everything. Dr.Makhni truly was remarkable- as a doctor I felt listened to, cared for and safe under his care. I could not have asked for a better person and medical professional. He was attentive, available, responsible and honest with me.a year later and Can’t eve see my scar. Whereas I’ve. ET people who’ve had ACDF elsewhere and they look like chuckle! I can not sing dr Makhni praises enough. I am grateful for his help and highly recommend him!

Dr. Makhni is both an amazing surgeon and human being. My mother was fortunate to have him as her spine surgeon for a procedure that my family and I were extreamly nervous about due to her age and health. He was able to fix the issue by performing a much simpler procedure and we were all so relieved! He is such a kind and passionate doctor. I thank God for Dr. Makhni.

He is such a good human; he thoroughly listened and told me I would get better. His admin is also of the same high caliber - the compassion for their patients is remarkable. After my MRI, I learned I have a herniated disc at L5S1 and he is confident that I am already healing. It was a miracle I found him.

The Best . The first time we met I knew it was going to be a successful experience!

Dr. Makhni is an informative, compasionate and skilled surgeon. He addressed both my physical and emotional concerns regarding my surgery. ... I wish more Doctors were like him.

I suffered with back pain for 20 years requiring 3 surgeries all with extensive instrumentation and yet found myself in Dr. Makhnis’ office looking at yet another one. Finally, I was in the hands of one of the most caring, talented and brightest hands in all my years of suffering. Dr. Makhni and his team performed a 10 hour very complicated surgery. I am doing quite well. It took 3 months of exams, imaging and consultation just to prepare me for this procedure. Dr. Makhni never let me “out of his sight”. He would call me in the evening at home just to check in! Imagine that in this day and age and I had yet to have the surgery! His constant attention to detail. His ability to explain in layman’s terms all that we were about to go through provided immeasurable comfort. Of note is not only Dr. Makhnis’ performance but his entire team! They care are responsive and very thorough. I will forever be indebted to the surgeon and team. I am getting my life back!

I highly recommend Dr. Makhni. I listened to one of his lectures and I was very impressed. He performed L3-S1 spinal decompression with non-instrument fusion surgery on my mom a few months ago and she is doing great. He recommended a less extensive procedure which was the best treatment option for her given her age and other medical conditions. He is highly skilled, knowledgeable and an expert in his field. He has a great bedside manner, very patient with my mom and listened to all her concerns and fears. He is kind, compassionate, and attentive. After surgery, he visited her multiple times while in the hospital, made sure her pain was well managed and provided support and encouragement. He followed up with me daily, kept us updated on the plan, and made sure she did not leave the hospital until ready. He made sure she received proper after care at Spaulding Rehab where she received 3 weeks of intensive physical therapy and followed up once home. I cannot thank him enough!

I will definitely recommend Dr. Makhni To anyone in my family or friends excellent doctor as such a young age super professional and a very pleasant guy to talk to. My first surgery was almost 11 hours very difficult and high-risk and I passed with flying colors I was walking the very next day, 4 months later they find a second tumor Wrapping around Mike cord, risking losing my mobility for the second time, and again he came through for me woke up from surgery nine hours later I walk the next day, so I don’t have many words to describe this very talented professional and down to earth guy!! If I ever need another surgery it’s him who I will choose Over and over again!!

Dr makhni performed a discectomy and laminectomy for my worsening back and bilateral sciatica. Sciatica in both of my legs is non existent. He was very honest with me, saying I may still have back pain for the rest of my life. Of course some days are better than others, but its getting better and my pain level is bearable. I was scared of having back surgery at 25,but I tried everything prior to surgery and nothing helped. Surgery became my only option and I’m so happy I took the risk because it changed my life. Dr makhni is very professional, honest, and he is clearly very good at what he does. I highly recommend this surgeon.

As a physical therapist I wanted to take the least invasive treatment approach…Throughout the entire process I felt heard by him as a person who needed to return to an active lifestyle. He was compassionate and personable while also educating me … I have returned to surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, running, biking, basketball…and all the other things that bring me joy. I cannot express how grateful I am for finding such a kind and skilled doctor who truly cares for his patient and always has their best interest in mind. I highly recommend Dr. Makhni and his whole team!!!

Dr Makhni is an excellent surgeon. I had emergency spinal surgery (fusion of C2 to T1) on August 4, 2020 and am recovering fine. Dr Makhni follows up personally and has an excellent team. I highly recommend Dr Makhni.

A wonderfully positive, knowledgeable and skilled surgeon who resolved my sciatica. I would highly recommend him. He listens and takes your concerns seriously.

I would positively recommend Dr. Makhni. The surgery he performed was miraculous and helped my life become greatly improved. He has a wonderful, kind, very empathetic manner. He saved my quality of life in many ways.

I had the best the best orthopedic spine surgeon anyone could ask for I am truly grateful stop all the Care that I was given during my surgery and after care God bless you all

Dr. Makhni is that rare combination of skilled surgeon-experienced, knowledgable and informed-but also able to explain complicated procedures in a clear and understandable way. He put me at ease by listening carefully and responding respectfully no matter how silly or uninformed my questions were. I would highly recommend him.

Dr. Makhni’s care and skill are outstanding. He has been very thorough in his explanations before surgery and continue in this post op phase. A long time was spent discussing treatment options and I believe I got the very best option and would not hesitate refer any one to him!

Could not ask for a better doctor

Dr. Makhni was extremely helpful and thorough. He was considerate when I asked questions and I never felt rushed as I have with other specialists in the past

I am so thankful I found Dr Makhni. I have recommended him to others