Comprehensive Spine & Pain: Ortho & Injury Centers

Dr. Puppala is an outstanding back pain doctor who provides compassionate and comprehensive care to her patients. She has an excellent bedside manner and always makes me feel at ease during our appointments.

Was very happy there until I was discharged without notice. After Calling to see what was up, I was told I "refused" a psychological for a spinal Cord stimulator. I never Refused, I was NEVER spoken to about this device and why it was recommended. I asked a Physician assistant where they wanted it and was told the cervical Area. I was about to have surgery in that area and my surgeon told me not to do it, even the physician assistant said I didn't have to have it. So I did nothing. So instead of the Dr. Puppala actually having a conversation with me about it he just discharged me. No explanation. Go at your own risk! Do not expect to Talk to the Dr. In charge you will Only see him in the procedure suite. Now, I have to see two Separate doctors. Because no other practice honors What this practice did for me! Beware you are only a payment you are not a person!

Very good first visit other than having to wait and no one ahead of us. Very nice staff!!!! Office nice but very very warm in waiting area. Exam rooms very clean and nice. PA was very through with a plan and communication with orthopedic doctor which is very comforting that they work together for solutions and not a pill factory. Highly recommend if you want solutions and willing to get back to a productive livelihood which is what we are looking for and hoping for!!!

First the good stuff: Very impressed with the staff at this place. They are incredibly knowledgeable in the areas that they normally deal with. However, to my biggest delight, they were actually aware and very competent of the pains and complications that can happen with a rarely known disorder that I have. (Elhers-danlos syndrome hypermobility type) I also found them to be kind, compassionate and most importantly, able to listen to me as a patient. Also, Dr . Puppala found something my MRI missed and got wrong! Very much appreciate the attention to detail. A++on that. **However, I have found communication to be difficult in a few ways. Literally none of the PA nurses or the doctor uses the patient portal. So, following up on my questions for the doctor from my visits with the nurses has been like pulling teeth. Also, I've had 4 PA visits per 1 "procedure" which seems excessive... And expensive! I've spoken to the doctor briefly once when I got my back injections. I'm not a typical patient. I'm complicated. I'd like more access to the actual doctor. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, I was never told about the cost of each nurse PA visit or the cost of the actual procedure outside of what would be my normal copay. Yet, the billing is shocking! They billed my insurance over $1,300 per visit with a nurse! When I hadn't even had a procedure or even spoken to a doctor yet. So I'm getting emails and texts saying I owe another $100 or so per visit beyond my $50 copay. My specialist visits for literally any other specialists are around $300 for routine visits or follow ups with no expectation outside of my copay of $50. Then, $ 33,000 billed to my insurance for steroid injections.!!?? I haven't looked or spoken to anyone else to see if that's normal. However, I seriously doubt it considering that's the cost of a complicated surgery I had a few years ago at kennestone hospital. I don't know what's going on with the billing here but it's not cool.

Dr. Puppala and his staff are amazing! So caring, patient, compassionate and kind. The magnitude of pain that I have been in has been unbearable at times. Their care and treatments have given me back my life again. I cannot thank them enough!!