Dr. Avery Michael Jackson, MD

Dr. Jackson performed 3 surgeries on me in 2021 and I was worse after every surgery. Initially I was to have a simple microdiscectomy due to herniated disc-this was not a success and he recommended a L4-S1 fusion. After the fusion I had excruciating pain which progressed to the point of me being unable to sit/stand longer than 20 minute interval. Eventually, an explorative surgery was performed only to determine there were lots of problems after the fusion (residual disc material and packing material from the cage he put in rubbing and causing compression on my nerves along with thickening of my nerves). However, I STILL continued to have excruciating pain along with loss of sensation and strength that was progressive. Although my last MRI showed significant compression/stenosis Dr Jackson reported that after he spoke with the radiologist it was determined that there is in fact no significant compression. It was at this time that I was finally able to get second-opinions at 3 different large institutions. (This was a huge challenge as many surgeons will not see you once you’ve already had back procedures). I was able to have my last MRI reread and it was quickly determined that there was in fact “severe/critical narrowing”. Others physicians at large institutions told me that they would never have completed a fusion as my spine did not show instability as I was told by Dr. Jackson. (Dr. Jackson told me there was a 6mm difference on an x-ray indicating a significant amount of instability however other doctors disagreed). They also added that there were major issues after Dr. Jackson performed the fusion which resulted in significant compression/pain. I had a 4th procedure done by an orthopedic spine surgeon out of state at a large institution. It was a truly minimal invasive technique; unlike any procedure Dr. Jackson performed. What they found was an ongoing spinal fluid leak, a completely compressed nerve, a tear in the protective covering of a nerve along with boney areas adding to the compression. Many repairs were needed. In addition to having three failed surgeries performed by Dr. Jackson, working with his office staff was nearly impossible. When I requested a second-opinion none of my information was received by the hospital. I completed all my own referrals for second-opinions. I had to call Dr. Jackson’s office MULTIPLE times to get results for MRIs, needed paperwork for work, insurance approval for tests and many other things. They wouldn’t even schedule an appointment when requested saying they needed to check with the doctor. Many phone calls were never returned and eventually they wouldn’t even answer my phone calls and pushed me to voicemail. One time, they slammed the phone down on me when requesting parts of my medical record. I was also shocked to find out that EVERY single visit both in-person and virtual were recorded without my knowledge. When the PA or Dr. Jackson enter the room pretending to be typing on a laptop they are in fact recording you. I requested a copy of my virtual visits as I knew they were recorded but was shocked when every visit was on the USB. Staff were even watching in during an in-person visit. On one recording there are 2 staff members seen listening, laughing and holding up a sign saying “stop with the faces” to the PA while I’m speaking to Dr. Jackson. Also, after my last virtual visit they continued to record me and my husband in my home without my knowledge for an additional 5 minutes once the call ended-listening/recording private conversations. I will NEVER recommend Dr. Jackson to anyone. I spent months in severe, excruciating pain. I was unable to care for my 3 young children, care for my home, drive, work or even tolerate sitting. I lost my job all while experiencing the financial strain of having 4 surgeries in just 9 months. And if you visit Dr. Jackson’s home page and see lots of generic 5-star reviews, I urge you to google Dr. Avery Jackson & Detroit Free Press and read the article dated Dec.17, 2021 and form your own opinions. Please do NOT have Dr. Jackson perform surgery or any other procedure on you or your loved ones.

Unethical and just cares about money not your health. Run

Run away as fast as you can!

A few years ago I was bucked off a horse and broke two vertebrae. Dr. Jackson repaired them with two implants. The pain was immediately gone. I'm back in the saddle again and I'm in my 60s.

He has cut my husband open 6 times and 3 years later my husbands problem was in his neck the whole time- dr Jackson missed it from the original accident date - seen a new neuro - thank god

This Dr. Is a blessing. Awesome to deal with, friendly staff. Very compassionate and explains things well. Excellent Surgeon and I've had many over the last couple years.

Every person I dealt with at Dr Jackson’s office was kind and helpful. After a six hour surgery cleaning up the mess in my back, Dr Jackson met with my family to explain exactly what he had done even though he had another surgery waiting to be performed. Thank you for giving me my active life back.

I am shocked that my reviews of Dr. A. Jackson, have been discarded. The spinal fusion operation he performed 13 years ago has caused me more pain - 9 plus than anyone should endure. His driving a screw into a nerve instead ofmy vertabrae has left me with horrible neuropathy, and as it turned out, the 5 screws he did get into my vertabrae were 1/4 " too long and did bad contact with ligaments, nerves, etc. I should have sued him for $10 million, but even that would not have been sufficient to cover pain and treatment. Never ever go to Dr. Jackson for any reason if you value your life. Richard Morrissett

I am always shocked by negative reviews but then again, people tend to complain more than they complement. I am 12 hours out of a 3 vertebrae laminectomy, sitting at my computer, almost pain free, it's maybe a 2. I thought the PA was crazy when she told me they would send me home on Tylenol. Even the pre and post op nurse questioned her. She was right! I really only need Tylenol but they did change and send me home with Ultram. Took one pill just to "stay ahead of the pain" but it wasn't needed. Dr. Jackson came highly recommended to me in 2007 when I had severe neck pain which resulted in a discectomy. Then in 2008 when I went back for my annual, he found a HUGE bone spur, looked like a viking horn, on the back of C3 so a corpectomy was scheduled. What the MRI didn't show was that the bone spur had grown through the dural sac. Therefore, my surgery went from 2 and a half hours to over 6. The NeuroICU nurses said that I was fortunate to have him for my surgeon because no one else would have been able to perform what was needed and that he was the best in the area. To address the long waits, you first must remember that you are seeing a Specialist. That means there aren't very many of them around so they are busier - many patients with fewer doctors equates to waiting longer to get in and to be seen. Second thing to remember is that Dr's don't always know how long a patient is going to take in the room so you may have to wait awhile. Remember, not everyone quickly understand what they are being told, have loads of questions, may be in need of compassion if they get bad or scary news. And then people tend to want to talk to there doctors about all of their medical conditions. Have YOU ever gone to the doctor for one thing and talked about 3, 4 or more different things? The PA is there to pre-process you and goes over ALL of your information very carefully with Dr. Jackson. He is the one who makes the decisions, the PA just asks the questions: how long, how bad, what relieves it, etc. then he can come in and get right to the meat of the matter. Do you remember the PA asking if you had any other questions? If you had she would have addressed them and then discussed them with him so that you wouldn't forget to ask him. I have always found his office staff helpful in pursuing insurance issues, proficient in processing my questions by both messages and phone calls, they have always been very friendly with me and if not, it may be because they are working on a problem for someone else at the time. If you have a problem with a staff member not being friendly it should be reported to the office manager. They won't know if you don't tell them. Dr. Jackson has always been very friendly, respectful, and kind while also being professional and to the point. And I am especially relieved that he is a Christian and asks his patients if he can pray with them before surgery. In fact, after my 2008 surgery, the biologic glue that he used to close the dural sac didn't hold ( I guess I must have moved too much) so my surgery site was leaking when I woke up. They called him in and he showed up in his suit ready to go to church. He said return to surgery and I said "how about you go to church and pray about it and then come back" He said, how about I go get the surgery room scheduled. He won! Of course! Dr. Avery Jackson is a stellar human being, one worthy of only accolades in my book! But I know that not everyone has the same opinion of doctors. We're all looking for something different, that's what makes us special. Our uniqueness and our ability to accept others opinions. Be blessed and continue on Dr Jackson.

Unreliable and unprofessional staff!

horrible ! horrible! horrible!

Dr Jackson and his staff is wonderful they are all very consider staff. I would refer him to everyone. They were very good to my mom Grace Smith my mom is 82 and they were wonderful with her. I can't say enough good thinks about everyone . Thank you all very much

The Doctor is very caring and spent a lot time explaining my back condition. The office staff have been pleasant as well. He has an extreme amount of background knowledge and I was thoroughly impressed with him.

It took at least a month to get an appointment scheduled because his staff rarely answers the phone and takes days to get back to you - that's just a minor issue. When I finally met with Dr. Jackson, he spent a few minutes examining me and concluded I needed four disks removed from my neck. He used the MRI report - which was proven to be incomplete by another neuro - to help decide. He then asked if I would bring him the MRI - WOW - should have asked us to bring it in the weeks we waited. About two weeks after the appointment they schedulued surgery for 6 weeks later - again for the four disks. Upon seeing a Detroit area neuro specialist, and having a CT Scan at the Detroit dr's request, only one disk needed to be removed - and when it was by that Detroit area neuro - the pain was gone and the numbness too. I had never seen an MRI before meeting the Detroit neuro, but he showed me plain as day all the good disks and the one bad one. Run the other way - there is a huge difference in neuros - ones that can read an MRI and make a proper decision, and one that can't and you'd suffer the rest of your life for.

It is my understanding that Dr. Jackson wants to make sure that the patients are well taken care of. He explained that the PA's are an extension of him, they are not independent of him. Therefore, the patients are getting Dr. Jackson's game plan for our care. Our care is not being pawned off onto the PA's. As far as wait times, Dr. Jackson is usually on time, but explained often times that a patient with more demands requires more attention. He tries to individualize the patient experience and sometimes that can create a long wait time for others. I felt that it was worth the wait. I had surgery by Dr. Jackson and my experience was wonderful.

I found Dr. Jackson to be a very caring and professional person. He was very conscientious about letting us know what was happening periodically throughout the surgery. I am very pleased with Dr. Jackson and the outcome of my son's spine surgery.

Dr. Jackson is an excellent doctor. Patients only have to wait about 15-20 minutes, but they are given a pager if they want to walk around. Also, if they have to wait longer, they are given a foot massager. How many doctors do that? Dr. Jackson spends quality time with his patients and I'd rather have that time, and wait to see him, than not having the quality time that he gives. Dr. Jackson is an excellent doctor.

Spent over 2 hours in waiting room, with 82 yr. old Mother who was in pain. When he finally showed up, spent no more than 5 minutes with us, gave me a website to go to to find the diagnosis & treatment, and scheduled treatment. Gave my Mother virtually no information for follow up & wasn't even there for the treatment. We are finding another doctor for follow up and will not spend any more time with this doctor whom we no longer trust, at all.