Duke, Derek A, Md - Spine & Brain Institute

Bottom line, this guy saved my life, twice. The staff is great, Dan and Katie were super great to me and my wife. Had Dr. Duke and his staff not done what they did for me, my career would have ended very quickly. Thank you, guys!! You all are the greatest!!!!! Joe Candlish, USFS Helicopter Pilot more

I found Dr. Duke to be dispassionate and uninterested, and his male PA unfeeling and uncaring. He operated on me in 2010 and I am now suffering the consequences of a surgery that may not have the best one for me. I am looking at a lifetime of pain, and am told I now need a spinal fusion. While I was recovering from spinal surgery, my husband got sick with cancer, I also needed a hip replacement, lost my house due to my husband's death and inability to work ... and Dr. Duke's office sent my account to collections for $32!!! He arranged for another MRI this year, and then I was told he would not see me until my account was cleared. \r \r Do I recommend him as a surgeon? Hell no!!\r \r more

No pros or cons...He simply saved my life!! If it weren't for him I wouldn't be writing this now!! I was very,very sick when I was referred to him!! He knew exactly how to handle my condition. I was hurried off to surgery and awoke with a new lease on life!! There is no doubt in my mind the type of doctor he is...caring,compasionate,excellent in his field. Anyone who says they need a second opinion obviously hasn't seen him!! You won't be sorry trust me!! more

staff is pretty efficient; but must be really busy because there will be times when they're nice, and others when they're really impatient with you. Don't bother them with extra questions - that's when they get rude. \r BUT - Dr Duke is great. He's friendly, shows a genuine concern for your welfare, makes recommendations to you, doesn't force you to do anything but tells you upfront what your options are. He will help to answer any questions you have, and let you know the truth about something you might have read online or in a magazine. If you ask him about a certain method or technique or appliance, he'll tell you what the real story is. Also, when insurance took forever for me to get approved, my leg and back pains worsened and there was permanent nerve damage; not Duke's fault, it was health insurance wanting more answers and taking forever. Duke got upset at me for not letting him know this was happening, and letting him know my pain was increasing and making me incapacitated. Our scheduled surgery for a few weeks later was moved up to an immediate need, and he arranged for everything right away. Once I saw all this occur, I knew it wasn't his fault, and knew he really meant to do whatever he could to make me better. He pushes you to recover faster by getting up and exercising right away. \r \r He also is my friend's doctor, and she had bad back and neck problems that were much worse than mine high up in the neck area. She was in agony, but Dr Duke apparently told her it would be really dangerous to operate on the parts that were affecting her pain, since it was a really risky surgery procedure. She weighed the options of having pain for the rest of her life, or paralysis if the surgery wasn't successful and opted against surgery. So, I had another new respect for Dr. Duke when I heard this, since he really cared about my friend, and her ability to take care of her young children. Some doctors would have done the surgery anyway since she complained so much, and you think all they want is money. But I don't think that way of him because he did this.\r \r He's worth seeing if you can wait for him. Do you really want anyone who's second best, operating on your back? With all the people out there who don't know what they're doing, why take a chance? Once you get in to see him, he'll be able to tell if its an urgent need or one that can wait. If its urgent, he does everything possible. Pros: Keeps up with technology; watches out for your best interest Cons: long waits; need patience on phone; staff ok, see details more

I read another review of a complaint of having to wait to see Dr. Duke. I have 2 herniated disks, another one has ruptured and is torn anularly, I have stenosis down to 8mm in several locations, and I have facet arthropathy and degenerative endplate marrow signal changes.\r \r This is my health we are talking about here. I'm 41 with a lot of life ahead of me! 11 weeks is nothing to me so that I may see the best. And he is the best! My pain meds and no activity has allowed relative comfort during my wait.\r \r I would never want to see someone who could get me right in! more

I'm sure he is great, however, his staff is short with you on the phone. Obviously overworked and understaffed. Or perhaps, just don't care. I have not seen Dr. Duke yet. I was referred to him because he is the best in Vegas, but must wait with two herniated disks for 2 months for an appointment. As good as he is supposed to be, is it worth the 2 months of sheer agony? I will update if I can stand the pain. If not, I will try and see second best in Vegas. more

Dr. Derek Duke literaly saved my life. I was headed for death when I went to him for a second opninion after over 1 year of being treated by two other physicians. He demonstrates a serious minded, yet very high interest in the healing process of his patients. Of all the doctors I had seem, he was the only one who was totally truthful toward me, yet was equally compassionate and willing to provide all the support I would need to recover properly. He is conservative in his approach is willing to perform surgery only after all other methods have been eshausted.\r \r Dr. Duke is a genuine caring doctor who can be totally trusted in his medical knowledge and opnions. Those who take the to look up his credentials and training will quickly see that his background alone is very impressive. \r \r I am so grateful for his willingness to be truthfull about my conditioin. Several other doctors had the oportunity to do so,, but did not, which was the factor that saved my life. Pros: Superior Knowledge, care, and genuine care Cons: Wait time is not consistent, but pretty average. more