Testimonials

Surgery Performed: Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion L5-S1 with Micro-discectomy

The care I received by Dr. Quartararo was great throughout the entire process. I would show up with a huge list of questions and he was always accommodating. He was easy to talk to, honest and forthright when it came to answering all my questions.

Prior to my surgery I was in a tremendous amount of pain. I had a severe drop foot and a bad limp. I am a volunteer fire fighter and I couldn’t even put my foot into my boot. I had spoken to quite a few people I know who have had fusions that left them out of work for six months and with large scars from the incisions. I didn’t want this and after some research I found Dr. Quartararo.

I am happy to say that after my surgery I was back to work in three weeks. My foot went right back into my boot a week after surgery and my scars from the incision are barely noticeable. I am 100% back to normal thanks to Dr. Quartararo.

Andrew M.
Hawthorne, New Jersey


Surgery Performed: Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion

I want to start by saying that Dr. Quartararo is a sweet heart. I’ve never met a doctor before that greets someone by saying “Hi I’m Louis” to me that is very special, he really put me at ease from the very start.

Before I had my surgery I was receiving pain injections for about a year to treat my herniated discs and sciatica. Eventually the sciatica and pain in both my legs was so intense it became debilitating. The pain went all the way down to my feet. I underwent an endoscopic lumbar fusion. The procedure was performed as an outpatient procedure. Exactly, like Dr. Quartararo had said, I was home resting 20 hours after surgery in the comfort of my own home.

Dr. Quartararo and everyone at NJ Spine Institute are always available and there for me. I feel 100% better and have absolutely no pain! I am so happy I found him!

Thank you,

Deborah O.
Little Falls, New Jersey


Surgery Performed: ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion


On 9/3/06, I was in a major MVA. While driving at 7AM on the FDR south in NYC, I was hit from behind. The man that hit me was either drunk or high, and going 90 MPH. My car spun and bounced front to back against the cement dividers. He hit me so hard; the tire of his car popped off and flew into oncoming traffic on the other side of the highway. Not one window was broken in my car, and by the grace of God, I walked away. Little did I know what I was in for... I was in shock I guess, and just wandered around the road till people came to help. The guy who hit me got out of his car, covered in blood and ran away. It took a while for the NYPD and FDNY to get to me as traffic blocked both highways by this point. I was taken to Metro Hospital, and signed myself out AMA. SHOCK.

I was very confused for the first few days after the accident. I just felt numb. I went to a longtime friend and Chiro, Dr. Robert Monahan, who told me I was in big trouble. He sent me to Neurologist who sent me to Ragukonis. The day Ragukonis first saw me he told me I needed cervical surgery at the very least and lumbar surgery almost definitely. Plus a shrink for PTSD. LOL. I freaked and said NO WAY. He told me to just talk to Dr. Q. I did. From the second I met Q I trusted him. He listened to me, didn’t push the surgery thing, and told me to take it easy, think, and see him whenever I wanted. I had to get 2nd opinions and IME's and I wouldn’t let these other MD's near me. If I was going to do surgery, it was Q or no one.

So I did the pain management thing from 1/2007 till I got tossed in 1/2008. Ragukonis was getting frustrated with me. I had every non invasive procedure & none worked. I was belligerent and stubborn and didn’t realize that I was going downhill. Too many pain meds. At 40 he could not continue just writing scripts for me. It was BAD. I was either going to overdose or end up in re-hab.

So on 3/17/08, Q and I decided I would do the Anterior Cervical Discectomy. At this point, I was in such bad shape, I didn’t care what happened. Operated 4/29/2008. First couple days were uncomfortable, but by May, I was walking 4 miles to PT with the silly neck brace on. My lower back was getting worse by the second, and in July 2008 I begged Q to do my lumbar fusion. He couldn’t do it until a year had passed, but by January 2009, my neck was so great, he agreed. 2/26/2009 I had the Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion. I’m not going to lie. It was rough for the first 3 months. I was home alone. I couldn’t walk. I stayed in bed, took pain meds and cried. I weighed 85 pounds. I have at least 200 empty painkiller bottles from the entire ordeal.

I called Q and Janice EVERY day. I thought I would never walk again. My follow ups right after surgery were hideous. I had to be carried in to the office, and just laid on the floor and cried. Q had to walk out of the room sometimes; I think he felt very bad for me. But by June 2009 I was in PT. Better everyday. I started hounding Q about skiing and golf and skateboarding. 10 months after surgery I begged him to release me back to work.

Q is ROCKSTAR. I am in better, stronger and happier than I have been in my entire life. I have the flexibility of a gymnast which is shocking given the hardware in my back. I run faster than I did in HS. I train cops and make them cry. I train kids, and help the future generation start a healthy lifestyle. I’m still a horrible golfer, but I love it. I’m 44 and skateboard. What more can I say!!!! Would I recommend Q to others??? I do everyday. He got me through a horrific 4 years. He listened to me cry, understood that I had to ski, run, golf...to be happy. He really cared. The fact that he is BRILLIANT goes without saying. I am bionic and unstoppable thanks to him.

D. H.
Dumont, New Jersey


Surgery Performed: Minimally Invasive Microdiscectomy L5-S1

The care and comfort I received throughout my entire experience by Dr. Quartararo was top notch. I had been suffering from a herniated disc for the past seven weeks. If anyone has suffered from Sciatica, you can relate to the pain that is associated with it. Prior to meeting with Dr. Quartararo, I tried steroids, shots, pain medications and chiropractic care.

To no avail, from the moment met Dr. Q, I felt his calm demeanor comforting. He explained my condition and what procedures were available. He was thorough, easy to understand and made me feel the results would be a success.

From the moment I arrived at the surgical center, I was so impressed by the care of the entire staff. Everyone from the surgeons, anesthesiologist, nurses, etc, explained everything that was going to happen and asked me questions that put my mind at ease.

Before I knew it, the procedure was complete. I had minimal discomfort and was able to walk out of the surgical center. The reason I state this, is because the prior seven weeks I was hunched over and unable to perform my daily activities, work steadily without having to stop to take a break from the pain, basically, my life was on hold.

Thank you Dr. Quartararo and the entire staff, for an amazing experience, you gave me my life back!

Wendy
West Milford, NJ