Dr. Merkow performed lumbar surgery about a year ago. I have been suffering from worsening pain, numbness, and balance issues for more than 14 years. The surgery transformed my life. I am completely free from pain and numbness. The balance and steadiness will take more activity on my part since I have been chair-bound and avoiding any outdoor activity for a very long time. Can’t thank enough Dr. Merkow and his team.

Dr. Merkow started as a second opinion and quickly became the expert I was looking for. Dr. Merkow carries himself in a manner that you will be so comfortable and have trust in his suggestions and execution for care. Prior to surgery, I knew I was in the best hands, and post-surgery, I was so right.

Furthermore, THE STAFF! This is one of the best-run offices you will encounter in any medical field. They are kind, caring, and run a well-organized operation.

I can go on and on, but PLEASE meet with Dr. Merkow if you need care.

Absolutely a must to recommend to anyone, we should have more doctors like this in our care system.

Had a scary situation. His minimal intervention approach worked wonders and resolved the situation. Very grateful.

Incredible knowledge by Dr. Merkow and his assistant, Taylor. They know exactly what is happening and how to address and correct the issue without promoting un-necessary treatments.

Dr. Merkow made our brain tumor experience feel personal. We never felt routine and what he did was key in extending my husbands life.

Dr.Merkow gave me a second chance of living life without any back pain. He is a very kind and considerate doctor who cares highly for his patient’s welfare.

Dr. Maxwell is great. He explains things very well and makes you feel comfortable with the diagnosis. Also, his last option is surgery, which I appreciate. My back surgery with Dr. Maxwell was a success, with a very quick recovery.

He explained everything so thoroughly and understandably. He was very present and that made me so less anxious about the procedure. I wouldn’t want anyone else operating me. He’s really special. Oh. And yes, the outcome was outstanding, above and beyond my expectations.

From the moment I met Dr. Merkow, I knew I was in good hands. He brought me into his office and showed me by marking the image on his computer to explain exactly what the surgery would entail. He treated me as an intelligent adult. (I had previously spoken to another specialist who hadn’t made me feel comfortable nor explained anything). Dr. Merkow and his staff, both in the office and in the hospital, made sure I knew what to expect and how to handle any concerns or pain.

A year ago, a close friend developed an infection in her back and neck. It was so severe, I wasn’t sure she would make it through. I was grateful that Dr Merkow was there to take care of her. I am grateful that we are both doing well. I highly recommend Dr. Merkow!

Dr. Merkow performed a Laminectomy on my back in 2023. He was attentive and excellent at follow-up. I have been without sciatica ever since.

Highly recommend! Trusting someone to open your skull is a daunting task. Dr. Merkow provided the information I needed, in the way I needed it, to understand my diagnosis and feel confident in the next steps ahead. He provided excellent care with stellar results. Having my head in his hands made all the difference. Thank you, Dr. Merkow! I still have my souvenir picture in my office.

Dr. Merkow and his team were nothing short of exceptional. Care before, during, and after my surgery was excellent. Most importantly, the surgical outcomes were great. Highly recommend this team.

His careful consideration of my case was the best. Instead of others desiring to address/solve(?) a problem with immediate surgery, his expertise led him to advise a wait-and-see approach, as I have never been in any pain from the stenosis. It is all good, and I shall return for updates on my condition. Great relief to me and our entire family.

Dr. Merkow is a brilliant surgeon and physician. He removed a golf/ball sized tumor from my brain three years ago. I have been cancer free.
He and his staff are gracious, skilled, and thorough. I cannot recommend his practice highly enough.

Dr. Merkow performed ACDF surgery on my neck in May 2025. For a year prior to surgery, I was in constant pain and unable to work or drive. Dr. Merkow, Ali, Taylor and all of their staff were friendly, compassionate, and professional from pre-op through recovery. The surgery was entirely successful, and I’m now back at work and pain-free. I will always be thankful to Dr. Merkow and his staff. I can’t recommend him strongly enough.

Early this week, I had back-to-back surgeries by Dr. Merkow – ACDF fusion on C3-C7 and Laminectomy and decompression on L4-L5. Dr. Merkow and his team have been phenomenal throughout the process and exceeded the high expectations I had given the magnitude of my surgeries. Dr. Merkow was detailed, thorough, inquisitive, and meticulous in evaluating my condition, history, and scans. He described the options available and listened to my interests and aspirations, and we easily came to a consensus on a game plan.

The surgeries were challenging, but Dr. Merkow and his team did a great job communicating throughout the process- before, during, and after procedures. I am just entering the recovery process, but my confidence is very high to returning to full recovery and meeting my pre-procedure goals. I very much appreciate the care and treatment Dr. Merkow and his team have given me.

I have had two surgeries with Dr. Maxwell Merkow. A Lumbar Laminectomy L3/4 and L4/5. In November 2023. Today, I remain pain-free and able to play golf 3 times a week. I also had surgery on my neck in February 2024. He did some fusion and added spacers between several Cervical disks. Today no nerve pain down the left side from neck to my shoulder.

Dr. Merkow and his team are first-class professionals. Dr Merkow is simply the best. I recommended him to two friends. Both had back surgery and are back playing golf.

Brilliant surgeon. I could not walk. Overnight, I was back to 90%, and within 4 weeks 100%.

Dr. Merkow was optimistic, professional and highly skilled neurosurgeon. He offered me many solutions for my cervical spine problem without rushing me. He sat with me as I went through all the options and explained the pros and cons. I had met with 4 other spine surgeons and his choice of surgery and my comfort level with him satisfied me the most. That was in 2023 and I am still thrilled. I am a family physician and have sent many patients to him and they have all had a great experience with him as well.

If I could give Dr. Merkow and his staff a 20 star rating I would. Kind, patient, efficient, thorough, and always available to help. I was in need of a lumbar fusion, scared and not sure – I knew after meeting Dr. Merkow that I was in the right hands. He gave me my life back. I cannot thank him and his staff enough. Taylor his PA is great, I highly recommend them all. Thank you a thousand times.

Dr. Merkow, the office staff, and the entire surgery team at East Bay Brain and Spine are unpretentious and have been awesome in all regards. The level of care and compassion I received, from my initial diagnosis of a cavernous malformation in my right frontal lobe, through a successful craniotomy, and stereotactic microdissection, and now including my four-month post-surgery follow up appointment with Dr. Merkow has always exceeded my highest expectations.

There are multiple examples from my recent odyssey I could provide to illustrate the high level of professionalism, without sacrificing a comforting personal touch, that I experienced with the entire team at East Bay Brain and Spine.

One of the more memorable experiences occurred as Dr. Merkow was winding his way through my extensive list of questions at my pre-op meeting in his office. Dr. Merkow paused, leaned back in his chair and obviously thought carefully in answering my question as to what action he would recommend had I been a family member. It was extremely refreshing to witness the obvious high level of empathy Dr. Merkow exhibited during this exchange.

I was also impressed with the commitment to Community that Dr. Merkow expressed in our meeting that day. This was perhaps the most important point in helping me decide to have my surgery with Dr. Merkow at the John Muir Health Walnut Creek Campus. I had also considered having my surgery performed at UCSF where I had obtained a second opinion. After weighing all the pros and cons I chose Dr. Merkow and East Bay Brain and Spine.

Looking in the rear view mirror, there is nothing I would have done differently, especially my decision to choose Dr. Merkow and the East Bay Brain and Spine Team. My experience was positive and I was completely at ease through the entire process. My health and my life could not have been in any better hands.

If God were to present me a second challenge of equal or greater consequence, I can unequivocally say that I would once again have complete confidence and trust in Dr. Merkow and his outstanding team at East Bay Brain and Spine to resolve the challenge.

Dr. Merkow provided care and guidance, working with my team of physicians to come to a diagnosis in a complicated case. The confidence I had in Dr. Merkow’s advice and human kindness helped me through a difficult time… Thanks Doc, I’m on the mend!

Dr. Merkow was professional, but approachable, kind and spent the time needed to explain about my surgery, why I needed it and what to expect. He did great work on my skull. I’m feeling better every day. I am so happy I choose him to perform my surgery. In fact a few months later my husband needed emergency surgery and Dr. Merkow was able to fit him in and now my husband is doing great. We highly endorse him.

Dr. Merkow is very pleasant and easy to talk to. He allowed time for me to ask questions. I didn’t feel rushed at all.

Both staff and Dr. Merkow were friendly and professional. My diagnosis was explained clearly and understandably. I felt valued as a patient, and adequate time was spent with my issues and the recommendations for ongoing treatment.

Dr. Merkow is the ONLY surgeon I would recommend for neurological care or surgery. He is a top-notch surgeon and displays a warming caring attitude toward his patients.

Thanks for everything! I love having my life back.

Dr. Maxwell Merkow is a magician! I was diagnosed with lumbar stenosis and suffered sever back and leg pain for more than 10 months. Finally I was referred to Dr. Merkow and he pinpointed the source of my pain was due to a Thoracic Myelopathy. It was so sever that I can be paralyzed from the waist down at any moment. Dr. Merkow scheduled and completed my operation in less than a week. He gave me the chance to have a quality life again. His office staff is efficient and professional.

Dr. Merkow came into the hospital on his Sabbath and did and urgent spinal surgery on my multi-handicapped son and was reassuring and attentive to me in describing how his spine had split due to an undetected fracture from 6 weeks prior. He was so concerned that it be done urgently because of potential damage to the spinal cord. He clearly offered me an alternative approach, but I just new they weren’t viable and too risky.

Dr. Merkow performed ACDF to relieve cervical spinal compression for me. He was very thorough in explaining the results of the scans and answering my questions. He spent the time I needed to get comfortable with a procedure I was pretty nervous about. He is a calm, reassuring, and most importantly, very competent neurosurgeon. The results of my surgery have been wonderful…I notice continuing improvements on a daily basis.