Dr. Jonathan Stuart Citow, MD

Dr Citow has performed two surgeries on my lowered back, a lumbar fusion and removal of my coccyx. Immediately after the surgeries I had relief from the severe pain I had been suffering from for many years. The healing has been slow and steady. As soon as my Coccyx has healed I will start physical therapy and I'm looking forward to a full recovery. During my care under Dr Citow I have had the best experience I could ever had expected. I can recommend Dr Citow to anyone needing spinal surgery.

I have had an excellent experience with Dr. Citow. He performed a hemilaminectomy on my lower back two years ago and an ACDF of C5/6 and C6/7 on my neck one month ago. I received three different recommendations for treatment for my pinched nerve. Dr. Citow took the time to explain why it was clinically indicated for me to have an ADCF surgery as opposed to a Disc Replacement surgery. Dr. Citow was professional, respectful and incredibly knowledgeable and skilled. After the surgery, I was at work in two days, didn't require a collar and had much less pain and discomfort as compared to everyone else who had this procedure done by a different neurosurgeon. My recovery has been relatively easy and the pinched nerve is no longer a problem. You can barely see my scar after only one month. I recommend Dr. Citow highly. One does not need to travel to a downtown teaching hospital for neck or back surgery... when there is an expert neurosurgeon right here in Lake County, Illinois.

Dr Citow did a minimally invasive surgery on my lumbar spine for stenosis and a herniated disc. He is an extremely talented and confident surgeon who came recommended by several people with good reason. I am so glad I had surgery after PT and steroid injections didn't fully work. I never felt pressured into the surgery either. I am now pain free and was back at work 3 days later! Super easy recovery. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Citow for helping me get back to enjoying the things I love again!

Whatever positive reputation the man may have earned over the years strictly for surgical prowess in the OR, his bedside manner is--by leaps and bounds--the absolute worst I've ever encountered in all my life. No one else has ever come even remotely close. It's beyond ridiculous, and yes--he really is THAT bad. Between Johnny and his anesthesiologist (for "pain management"), I've had maybe 8-9 appointments in total over the last (approximately) 4 months. During that span of time, and while under the "care" of his team, my already crippling, preexisting spinal injuries have done nothing but become progressively worse, to the point that I now can no longer function independently day-to-day. To be perfectly blunt...EVERY single "treatment option" they have offered me, has resulted either in no change whatsoever, or has caused me significant additional injury/loss of function. Even his staff (an MRI tech) physically injured me while merely trying to take MR scans--she had absolutely no idea whatsoever as to how to safely handle a patient who can only feel one of his legs, and who can barely even walk at all (or turn his head). Needless to say, the scan never even began. Instead, her idea of 'assistance' was leaving me on the cold floor of the MRI room trying to beg anyone else within ear shot for a wheelchair after she had just effectively wrestled me to the floor and left me there crying out in pain. Long story short, broken and literally just-battered, (and after weeks of already waiting to complete these MRIs, no less), I actually ended up needing to call the POLICE just to safely get the heck out of his office. Let me say that again...I actually had to PRESS CHARGES for assault and battery (I had visible marks on my body from this tech). This place is where I was supposed to come to find answers about my health. Instead, I was wheel-chaired out of a building I had just walked into under my own power not 30 minutes prior. On top of all that, Johnny actually had the audacity to attempt to preemptively absolve himself and his staff of any wrongdoing in the matter. This guy actually went out of his way to call one of my family members, specifically to tell that person that his staff had done nothing wrong, and that I--the handicapped man writhing in pain on the floor--was clearly the person to blame. All I can say is thank goodness the police were there to photograph my injuries, and thank goodness the MR room had cameras. See you in court, Doc. Count on it. There really isn't enough space here to delve into all of the massive oversights, dumb mistakes, overall shortcomings...or perhaps most-memorably--just the sheer number of instances of plain disrespectful condescension--that have rather hilariously somehow been labeled as a "treatment plan." I admittedly had very high hopes for this provider initially; unfortunately, my personal experience with him has been positively ridiculous, and it will also be proven as criminal.

Simply the best. Don’t have back surgery w/o consulting with Dr Citow first. He operated on me for a herniated disc L5S1 through a minimally invasive procedure. Two months out and I’m doing much better. Thank you.

I am so pleased with how my pain was chronic and with one surgery Dr Citow got me out of sciatic pain that went down my leg. I have a bit of healing to do however I am slowly getting off the pain meds. Healing is going good. Thank you Dr Citow and your whole group. So glad my orthopedic dr sent me to you for a consult

I made an appointment with Dr.Citow after the recommendation of a few friends. My diagnosis was a herniated disc at L2. I had previously seen a orthopedic doctor. Dr. Citow's diagnosis and ultimate minimally invasive surgery has me back to one hundred percent. The first physician I saw wanted to do a much more invasive surgery with a longer rehab. I'm glad I went to Dr.Citow!!! It took a while to get in, but it was worth the wait!!!

Dr. Citow has worked on my back over the years. He has always been spot on in his diagnosis and has always been able to relieve the pain.

I had the procedure done on Friday and was back to work on Monday pain free!! Very attentive surgical team and follow up from the surgical center as well as the doctors office

Very talented surgeon. My chronic pain was totally eliminated.

I am a 56 year old female and have had 6 back surgeries since 2008. The first two were not performed by Dr. Citow. But the last 4 have been. Anyone who has seen him knows, he figures out what needs to be done to rid you of pain and make the quality of your life better! I believe that God gifted him with this ability to understand the spine and it’s relationship with the nerves in the back. Once he’s received the MRI, he can see exactly what needs to be done. He genuinely cares about you being pain free. Even in the Hospital, he won’t let you suffer post surgery. His staff is exceptional because he expects nothing less from them! But I know I get the absolute best care by everyone in the office. I have several spinal conditions and will probably have more surgeries in my life. My hope and prayer is that Dr. Citow continues to practice, so I can continue to get the best possible care!!

Excellent team and Doctor results.

My spine condition is extremely complicated. I have degenerative arthritis, congenital short pedicals, compressed and ruptured discs and spondylosis among other issues collected over a lifetime of sports injuries, hiking falls and other incidents. Every level of my spine from C6 to L1is effected. Dr. Citow has performed nothing short of surgical miracles on multiple occasions when I arrive as a walk in, limp in or in a wheel chair. Nope he does not waste time holding your hand and telling you what you probably won' understand anyway. He just tells you what needs to be done and if you are ready, you schedule it. After every surgical procedure we have done, I walk out of the center and ride home. Two days later I'm mobile and pain free. I'll never see another neurosurgeon except Dr. Citow, and I humbly suggest you don't either. I did once and never again. His magic allows me to do the activities I love to do, like golf, cooking, hiking and bike riding.

Dr. Citow did back surgery on me with the least invasive way possible. i woke up from the surgery and my numbness was gone. My incision healed so quickly ,not the slightest problem. I would really recommend him to anyone who is suffering with disc problems.

He saved my life,only Doctor that can read a MRI.Thank you Dr.Citow.God Bless you.

Speaking as a 73 year old male, I developed excruciating pain in my lower back and upper leg area. I sought out a qualified neurosurgeon and chose Dr. Jonathan Citow. After my surgical procedure, I walked out of the surgical center, with little discomfort. After four weeks post op, I am virtually pain free. I highly recommend Dr. Citow, based upon his professionalism and his reply time to questions and caring bedside manner.

I have seen many doctors in my life but none can compare to the skill and persona of Dr Citow. His self confidence and manner immediately makes you feel that you are under the care of someone special. Don't EVER see an ortho surgeon for anything to do with the spine!

The doctor made me pain free. Thanks Doc, you are the greatest!

The Doctor knew exactly what to do and made me pain free! Thanks Doc, you are the greatest!

I am a recently retired trial lawyer, and carry with me a problematic cynicism for THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, including Surgeons. I had a multi level cervical stenosis, with attending disc problems. I suffered from the results of this Horror for many years. Several months ago, the pain in my neck and shoulders and left arm became so bad, that I could no longer let my fears prevent me from seeking the right Surgeon. My son and family and friends went to extraordinary lengths to find the right Neurosurgeon. Simply put, after consulting with Dr. CITOW’s competitors, people he trained with at The University of Chicago and many more, I chose Dr. CITOW. He performed an Anterior Discectomy and MULTI level fusion on me about a month ago. Without going into more detail, PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY! HE IS THE BEST HE IS THE MOST SKILLED IT MEANS NOTHING THAT HE IS NOT OPERATING AT NORTHWESTERN OR U of C. DON’T LET THAT INFLUENCE YOU . CONDELL or GOOD SHEPARD ARE FABULOUS WITH HIS PATIENTS! Dr. CITOW IS AN INVENTOR, AN AUTHOR, AND THE VERY FINEST NEUROSURGEON A PERSON COULD FIND. PLEASE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM. YOU WILL GET THE BEST RESULT IMAGINABLE .