Patient Testimonials

I had two cervical disc replacement it was performed by Dr. Marcus Zachariah at Scripps Mercy Hospital, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the outcome.
When I woke up from surgery, the neck pain I had been living with was completely gone.
That alone felt remarkable. My only remaining discomfort has been a sore throat, which I was told to expect from the surgical approach and anesthesia.
Dr. Zachariah was professional, knowledgeable, and confident, and I felt comfortable trusting him with a very serious procedure.
The care at Scripps Mercy Hospital was also excellent, and the overall experience went smoothly.
If you are dealing with neck disc problems and considering surgery, I would absolutely recommend Dr. Marcus Zachariah he is the best!

Dr. Zachariah is a lifesaver and a game changer.
If you’re skimming reviews to find the right spinal surgeon — stop here. I’ve worked with over 40 doctors, including four spinal surgeons and five other surgeons over the past dozen years. Dr. Zachariah is a stand out. His skill, knowledge, professionalism, compassion, and clear communication makes him an incredible surgeon.
I’m a 6'4", 280-pound, very active 58-year-old. I’ve spent decades in sports, fitness, and yoga, but I’ve also battled congenital arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. In 2015, I had a successful two-level laminectomy that gave me relief for a while, but the issues came back. In 2019, I had both my hips replaced. Then in 2024, pain in my foot and leg left me unable to walk much or function. That’s when I had the good fortune to meet Dr. Zachariah.
He saw me quickly (thanks to his amazing scheduler, Shanessa), listened carefully, reviewed my imaging, and diagnosed severe compression at L5-S1. He started conservatively, recommending a one-level fusion in Nov 2024. The surgery went smoothly. Within five weeks, I was walking several miles a day and even traveled to Portugal without needing meds or a heat pad.
Unfortunately, several symptoms remained & worsened — pain, numbness, and weakness in my thigh and quad.
At my 3-month follow-up, we reviewed new imaging and Dr. Zachariah determined a more extensive fix was needed: a two-day, 360° four-level spinal fusion. I was shocked, but I trusted him completely. He consulted with others, explained every detail, and made sure I understood my situation fully.
In April 2025, I underwent the surgeries: a two-level, ALIF (front) followed by a four-level, TLIF (back), along with a four-level facetectomy. It was more than 12 hours of surgery over two days.
Recovery was tough - it took me three days to get out of bed - but by week two I was off all pain meds. By the end of week three I worked up to hit my 10,000 steps a day and maintained 10,000 daily steps for the month of May. In June, I traveled to Norway and Denmark — walking 4 to 5 miles daily.
Dr. Zachariah’s work feels like a miracle. I went from lying in pain on a heat pad all day to being fully active again — keeping up with my 7-year-old twin boys, walking daily, and finally, just this week, returning to the gym after nearly a year off. I know I still live with long-term nerve damage, but this surgery gave me my mobility, energy, and life back.
His PA, Isabella Daniels ("Izzy"), also deserves major praise — smart, kind, encouraging, and clearly trusted by Dr. Zachariah. She’s been a wonderful part of my recovery and support system.
I feel completely confident in Dr. Zachariah and if I ever need spinal surgery again, there’s no question who I’d go to.
If you’re in pain and looking for help, I hope this review encourages you to reach out.
Dr. Zachariah gave me my life back.
I also hope I was able to convey even a small fraction of my gratitude and respect for his talent & dedication to helping others, and especially for helping me. Thank you, Dr. Zachariah!