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I was fighting back problems for years, many surgeries. Trying to work I couldn’t take the pain no more. My girlfriend contacted Dr. Kamson for me and set the appointment up. Ever since the first appointment Dr. Kamson and staff has taken the best care of me that I have ever dealt with. I don’t know what I would do without them. I am working again and continuing on with my life. Thank you Dr. Kamson and staff for everything you’ve done for me. I recommend him to everyone I know.

-Nick Wisdom

In May of 2008 I injured my back while at work. I was initially seen by emergency room personal at a local hospital and diagnosed with a lower back injury. I was then referred to Dr. Solomon Kamson of The Spine Institute N.W. in Bothell. This is where one of my best health experiences of my life began.

When first meeting with Dr. Kamson he immediately made me feel very comfortable by explaining just what was going on with my injury and what I could expect as well as what he could do to get me back on my feet. He explained that my injury although severe, would be a time consuming process and that he didn’t want to move to fast or aggressively. From the injections I received to RF surgery he performed, I found that not only Dr Kamson but his entire staff was always very professional and courteous and that they always had my best interest a heart. I tip my hat to them all and I am forever grateful.

- Myron L. Thomas

Throughout 20 years as a Vocational Case Manager, I worked with perhaps 1,000 Industrial Insurance clients who suffered from work-related injuries. While bodily injuries ranged from head to toe, most pertained to the lumbar spine. As I progressed through my career, I became knowledgeable about diagnoses, prognoses, medications, palliative vs. curative treatment, surgical intervention, and other modalities. Also, I heard about which physicians provided the best care, had long-term outcomes and most patient satisfaction. About 10 years ago, I incurred a lumbar disc herniation from a personal injury at home. Now I could directly relate to my client’s pain complaints, how they suffered and how pain impacted their quality of life.

Over the course of several years, I had X-rays and MRIs that confirmed disc herniation and/or bulges at all lumbar vertebrae, the T12-L1 (thoracic-lumbar) vertebra, and the L5-S1 (lumbar-sacral) vertebra. In addition, I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis (narrowing of nerve canal), and severe radiculopathy that sent sharp, shooting pain that radiated down my left leg, with numbness and tingling in my foot. Consequently, chronic pain altered my quality of life due to physical limitations in lifting, carrying, bending, twisting, stooping and climbing that I endured. As I was firmly opposed to traditional open surgery, I underwent several years of conservative treatment with a highly regarded physiatrist, went to several physical therapy programs and was prescribed numerous medications. Unfortunately, therapy didn’t provide long-term relief and the medications irritated my stomach causing ulcers, which also had to be treated.

Over-the-counter medication was limited to acetaminophen and I had to continually increase the dose just for temporary relief. For about a year I went to a chiropractor 2-3 times a week and who performed spinal manipulations. Unfortunately, these also only addressed the symptoms but not the problem. Eventually, I starting going to one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the area who prescribed medications for pain relief, muscle spasms and sleep, and performed several epidural steroid and nerve root block injections over the course of several years. Initially, I gained long-term relief from the injections but, eventually, they lasted only three days. At that time, he gave me the option to either “live with the pain or undergo surgery”. I knew that surgery meant having my back sliced open 6-8 inches, that there could be post-operative complications from scar tissue, infection and a possible failed surgery, and that I may still have pain, even if of a different nature. I felt defeated. Then, a friend told me about Dr. Soloman Kamson who performed minimally-invasive surgery.

I consulted with Dr. Kamson who patiently listened to my concerns and complaints, reviewed my history, read the diagnostic reports, and listened some more. Following a complete and thorough investigation of my specific condition, he was able to pin-point the exact location and cause of the pain. Consequently, I underwent a 2-level minimally-invasive operation that consisted of a laminectomy and spinal decompression at the T12-L1 level and a laminectomy and facet fusion at the L5-S1 level to relieve pain symptoms and stabilize my back. He extracted bone cells from my hip and injected them into my spine to aid in regeneration at the fused site. The incision was about an inch long and was done in an out-patient setting whereby I was able to walk in and out after a couple of hours with little or no assistance. Today, I am three months post-operative and pain free due to Dr. Kamson’s diligence, perseverance and expertise. This is why I refer to him as “Dr. Miracle”. No other physician was able to relieve the pain as did Dr. Kamson.

I highly recommend Dr. Kamson and his wonderful, professional staff to anyone who is struggling with chronic pain and wants relief from long-term suffering.

- Julie Schnabel

I started having problems with my back over 15 yrs. ago. In May 2002 I had a Interior/Posterior fusion in my lower back. I went back to work full time in July 2003. Been doing really good till late 2011. I have had injects several times and they helped for a while. In May 2012 I had to have another single fusion just on top of the old fusion. Then in September 2012 Dr. Kamson went in and removed scar tissue that had grown over the old fusion. I was having lots of pain with every step and did not sleep well. After having the scar tissue removed I have not needed any pain medication.I went back to work the next day:). Dr.Kamson and all the Staff atThe Spine Institute Northwest have been great. I would and have recommend Dr. Kamson and his team to family and friends. Thank you.

- Linda T
Dear Dr. Kamson

I wanted to first take this opportunity and say I am very thankful for what you and your practice have done for me these past years. I also wanted to inform you that I am in my second year at SPSCC working towards my associates in business. I am really excited to see where I will go with my degree. I’ve been thinking about maybe opening my own business some day.

In other good news I also was presented with a scholarship from SPSCC it was the friends of the college scholarship for a thousand dollars. I was very thankful for that. Dr. Kamson I know I am no longer one of your patients but I wanted to show my gratitude towards you and your practices, for all that you have done especially you. I know it was nothing but God that sent me to a caring and understanding doctor that had my best interest in mind. I pray for much success in all your endeavors and may you find great joy in all that you do.

Sincerely
John Sheppard Brown

Dr. K –Thank you so much, you have wonderful patient relations skills. I m so happy to have met you and your staff. I really appreciate you taking the time with me, you make this a very pleasant surprise! Its very nice as a patient to notice that the doctor and staff enjoy working together! Take care and again Thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you!

- Stacy A.

He really helped me 110%! he helped me when no one else could. Everyone else wanted to prescribe pills, he wanted to fix it. He tries to fix you the right way. I tell everyone about how he helped my back. I can move around, it’s taken about 90% of the pain away. I don’t have enough good things to say!

- Freddie Jones

I’ve seen him 4 different times for different injuries. I’ve gotten prompt injections and they’ve all worked! He’s always listened to me and corrected what’s wrong. I’ve seen him, my wife has also, and I’ve recommended him to other friends as well. If I hadn’t seen him I probably wouldn’t be walking around nearly as well as I can now!

- Lloyd Case

I was one of the first patients that he had that we pushed through on L&I, and it worked. He did the surgery without any guarantee of payment. I fought L&I for three years to get the surgery I wanted instead of what they wanted me to get. I stumbled upon the type of surgery that worked for a man my age, and I was evaluated by Dr Kamson. There was a German surgeon who did thousands of these surgeries; he sat in on the consultation.

They both agreed that the surgery L&I was suggesting would not work. All the while my ruptured disc was getting so bad I could hardly walk. L&I wouldn’t agree to approve what Dr. Kamson was recommending, so he said, “we’ll just do the surgery, back-bill, and hope they pay - but you have to follow my instructions to a T or the treatment won’t work as it needs to.” I did exactly as he recommended, for almost a year, three times a week traveling from Olympia. Now, I very seldom have pain when I walk, and at the worst all I have to do is go home and stretch for a while. He’s a great doctor, I have complete faith in him, and I’ve steered many friends and colleagues his direction as well.

- Matthew Graham

I had a chronic back problem exacerbated by acute injury on the job. I was recommended to get an injection. My anesthesiologist gave me dr. kamson’s name. I had microsurgery and rehabilitation, and the results have been very good. Essentially I have much better mobility, and while there’s still some pain from my condition, I am able to live a much better more normal life.

- Rhoda Dear

I had a C6 and C7 disc injury, I was referred to the Spine Institute by another doctor. I had pain in my neck, shoulder, arm, I could hardly move. It was like I had trouble holding my head up - constant pain, 24/7. I was living in non-stop pain, all day, every day. I couldn’t function, work - it was horrible. When I first met Dr. Kamson, he made me feel very comfortable, as he explained the surgery. He gave me the options, there was no pressure. He was a calm type of person. I’m glad I went through with the surgery. I’m not 100%, I still have some pain from time to time, but now I can actually function. I can do all my chores; I’m getting back into my work. I was depressed but now I’m more upbeat. Ever since I had that surgery, life has really turned around for me.

- Darren Robinson

He’s the best, let me just say that right off the bat. I came in after a car accident and couldn’t walk. After 2 months he had me back on my feet and back to work. I have no pain whatsoever now, I had radio frequency treatment on my neck two times since the pain was so bad, and now I’m teaching gymnastics to little kids. I can honestly say I feel better now than even before my accident!

- Danika Shaffer

I think he’s a very good doctor, and I noticed being his patient that people came from all over to see him. I felt he did the very best he could with my situation. I have a really bad back problem, and he tried almost every module trying to get me in less pain. He reassured me that if I could wait for other modules to come out, that he could find the solution.

- Judy Lynott
(p.s. she knew Dr. Kamson would say “oh no” when he heard: she recently got in another car accident, another lady hit her from behind. the next month, she was working on a job and hurt herself on the job and had to have knee surgery…)

I was in lots of pain, my lower extremities weren’t working properly. I was limited in lots of ways - I didn’t think I was limited, but I was. I still have discomfort but I feel Dr. Kamson has made things much better. My feet don’t go numb anymore, and through the stretches he showed me it really helps. When he operated on me it made all the difference in the world. He was limited based on L&I’s requirements - they said he could only fix 1 of my discs but he actually fixed 2. I’ve recommended him to other people, I’m truly thankful for what he did for me.

- Matthew Aubuchon

I was referred to Dr. Kamson in 2004 after suffering an on-the-job injury. Two discs in my neck were herniated and I was losing the feeling in my arm. Dr. Kamson took the time to diagnose my condition and scheduled me for surgery immediately. I have been relatively pain free since the surgery. In 2006 I herniated a disc in my back. There was no question which doctor I would go to. He quickly diagnosed and fixed the problem. Not only is he a great surgeon but he is a really nice guy as well. I highly recommend anyone with a spine injury to make an appointment with him and see for yourself.

- Steve Aust

I wish I had the right words to express my gratitude to Dr. Kamson, for removing a spine tumor that was causing me a lot of pain. I’m a very active person who travels all over, and I love to enjoy life to the fullest. Dr. Kamson gave me back my life the way it was before the tumor. Thank you, Dr. Kamson. He is a wonderful, caring, sympathetic, thoughtful, knowledgeable doctor. I get carried away every time I talk about Dr. Kamson.

- Mercedes Richardson

He did a very thorough analysis, it was very logical and made a lot of sense. In the procedure of diagnosis, I had to go through some tests and then an operation in March 2003. My back’s been great ever since. I followed his protocol: he did what he said he’d do., I did what I had to do regarding the post-operation care

I’ve had a great result, I’d highly recommend him very highly regardless of what I’ve seen it say on the internet. He is a very talented and special person, and takes care of people.

- Dwayne Burnell

I have a L&I injury from the liquor control board, and I saw 4-5 doctors before Dr. Kamson. He’s been my doctor for almost 3 years now. Prior to Dr. Kamson, in my opinion, i wasn’t getting the care - the doctors weren’t listening to what my concerns and pain were. I call Dr Kamson “my god” because it didn’t matter if it took 20 minutes to explain my condition, he always had that ear open. He almost had to convince L&I to run a series of tests that had never been brought up by any of my prior doctors. It’s almost as if my prior doctors had set me at a certain level of injury, but Dr. Kamson wanted to take a closer look. I had a series of injections that were never offered to me before Dr. Kamson. There is quite a lot of nerve damage in my back, which really affects my daily living. Dr. Kamson took all of it very seriously, because of my age, my job, all those factors. He was not going to allow me to return to my job of injury doing the same heavy lifting, forklift driving, and so on. I was most impressed by Dr. Kamson’s “bedside manner”. He’s more than just a doctor, he’s almost like a friend.

4.5 years after my injury, I still have pain, but I have learned through Dr. Kamson’s work-hardening program how to move and not move. With everything combined, I’m now able to deal with it - I know what to do and what not to do. He’s left that door open for me to, in the future, return to him if I can’t handle the pain from my injury. The level of care from Dr. Kamson is 110% more than any of the 5 doctors I saw before him. He’s not about fixing the cover of the book, he went through every page, to really try and fix it. He’s awesome. In my opinion, there’s no better doctor. Quite often, people with back injuries take pain medication and get hooked - I told Dr. Kamson from Day 1, ‘I want to know the pain’. If you’re medicated, you’re not going to feel the true pain. He was fine with that, and offered a pain therapy program with no medication, but rather a psychological process to help deal with the pain without meds. Again, he left the door open for medication but he respected what I wanted. I’ve personally referred 4 or 5 people to Dr. Kamson for back injuries. Great doctors dot every I and cross every T, and that’s what Dr. Kamson did with me. I’m more than satisfied with his treatment. If I ever had to go back, it’d be Dr. Kamson.

- Darla Jackson

Before surgery, I was not able to drive school buses at my job. Now I’m back driving buses and doing great. I was very happy with the choices that Dr. Kamson gave me - he showed me the options, including surgeries, and told me what he thought the best solution was. The one we went with was perfect. I still can have some pain if I overdo it myself, but that’s my own doing and he showed me how to deal with it when it happens. Friends and family who have seen the scar from my surgery have been really impressed - they can hardly notice it, and I’ve had to really point it out since it’s so hard to find. Dr. Kamson is easy to talk to, easy to work with. I found him through my husband who has also seen him many times before. I wouldn’t have gone to anyone else. Working with Dr. Kamson is really more like talking to a friend than to a doctor.

- Joyce Gram

I really felt better after seeing Dr. Kamson. He gave me lots of options, and the injections we decided on helped me a lot. I was referred to see him, and he’s really great, very easy to talk to. I went to him four years ago for my neck. The pain was at about a 10 before I saw him, and now is down to about a 4. I can walk a lot better, that’s for sure. He’s really personable and he explains things very well. I think he’s great.

- Jennifer Case

 

-Constance Bass