Dr. Leland Berkwits, MD

I’ve the bad reviews on dr.berkwits and I had the opposite experience. He’s knowledgeable, blunt, and super smart. I did wait a long time to see him .He did Apologize. He spoke with me at length Regarding options for my lower back pain.his assistant was super nice and explained options as well. The only thing I can say is the wait was long but it was Worth the wait .

This was my second time seeing Dr. Berkwits. The first time he kinda scared me at the crosstown campus (because he was new to the practice I'm assuming). So I wasn't sure what to expect upon my second appointment since they moved from crosstown to the main Orthosouth campus. My mind was blown. Dr. Berkwits and his staff made all my fears go away the instant I walked in the door. Dr. Berkwits is kind, compassionate, listens, and has an extremely gentle "Bedside Manner". Heck, you can even make yourself a coffee while you wait (which isn't long)! Being in the medical field myself (or was prior to everything going bad for me), I have been exposed to many doctors so I know a little about them. I hope to have a long Dr./Patient relationship with him! For someone like me that hurts 24/7 - he is a g*d-send. As are his staff. Thank you Dr Berkwits and staff for making my life tolerable again!

I had the ability to meet with Dr. Leland Berkwits and his Staff's Dr. Beckwith explained all the details about his ability to serve me Despite my pain that I was having and trying to walk with Caine. My visit with Dr. Beckwits was ten minutes and he was going to next patients.

I agree with many previous reviewers that Dr. Berkwitz is surly, arrogant, rude, and conceited. I am 68 years old, retired, and have chronic pain from failed back surgery. Before my husband and I moved here my pain doc in Ohio sent my records to Dr. Berkwitz and and he accepted me as a patient. On my first visit to him I brought my pain meds but he refused to prescribe them unless I first went to a pain psychologist plus have a series of back injections. What was I supposed to do about my pain meds? He said, "I don't know what you're gonna do!" Fortunately I went to a local internist who was recommended by a friend and she filled both prescriptions. Well, I went to the pain psychologist (who approved me for treatment) then back to Dr. Berkwitz again. This time he was all smiles and showed me photos and diagrams of back injections. He also spent a lot of time showing me chapters he wrote in some medical textbook regarding back injections and told me how he was a leading authority on pain management. Well, I got the back injections and they did absolutely nothing. After that he did write a script for one of my meds but refused to write for the other one. He told me my only other option was to have a spinal cord stimulator implanted. Now I have nothing to take for breakthrough pain and just have to suffer (needlessly) whenever it flares up. I am now looking for another pain doc, one who will treat me politely and respectfully and not try to intimidate me into agreeing to a very costly (and very lucrative for him) procedure.

Dr Berkwits was arrogant from the word GO, his staff seemed terrified of him. I spoke with him 10 minutes, as protocol, he sent me to another Dr for evaluation on whether I could be an addict, then had a second appointment, which resulted in seeing an insulting, also arrogant, unqualified P. A. She accused me of taking one of my medications for a condition I have NEVER had !!! Told me I was lying, tried to block the door when I decided to just leave rather than be humiliated further, and then a staff member was sent down the hallway after me, and she said the “Dr” had said I had to come back !!!! DON’T GO TO THIS SO CALLED SPECIALIST !!!!!!!

I wished I had read other reviews. He may know what he is doing however at 64 years old, I feel that I should a least be treated as an adult and not a child. I know there are laws covering the dispensing of opiates however just because you need them to handle pain does not mean you are a drug addict and you should not be treated as one. Also in my 64 years on earth, I have sometimes felt that my doctor was in a hurry however I have not ever been told to "cut short" my talking as he did not have time to hear it. Was told he did not have time and just listen as "my appointment was at 9:30 and it was now 11:00" We arrived at 9:00 so his being behind was his problem not mine.

100 out of 100.

Worst

The VERY WORST medical experience ever!!!!

When I first went to the pain center it was not unusual to wait 2-3 hours to be seen. It was not the fault of the physicians but the fault of the hospital. They would schedule five people for the same appointment time and there were too few physicians. I was fortunate enough to be assigned to Dr. Berkwits, a very intelligent, thorough, meticulous, and talented physiatrist. I received great care. A year after he treated me, I again needed his care. I was amazed at how prompt my care was and if I had to wait 15 minutes, an explanation was given with an apology. There are more pain doctors and someone must have changed the scheduling policy. Again, Dr. Berkwits showed his superior abilities. Also, I have heard him talking to patients through the paper thin walls, and he is very patient and spends time explaining conditions and options. I have been in the medical profession 38 years, and have learned that I want the most talented, knowledgable physicians regardless of their personality, and not the mediocre borderline physicians that tell jokes, and rely on their personality.

Dr. Berkwits was able to relieve the excruciating pain I had been experiencing for months after knee replacement. PT had only allowed me to bend my knee approximately 98 degrees because of the pain. Dr. Berkwits and the staff explained in great detail the procedure and what to expect. The day I had the first part of the nerve ablation the pain was almost gone. In the three weeks between this and the final step I gained 9 degrees of flexing. since then I'm over 120 degrees and no pain.

hubby is finally out of pain. staff was wonderful

My 97-year-old mother was in constant, excruciating knee pain. For the last 15 years, she had been receiving injections in her knee, doing exercises, physical therapy, using ibuprofen, ice, heat, etc. Her orthopedic Dr. said the only solution was for her to have a complete knee replacement. When she opted not to do that because of her age, she asked him if nerve ablation would work to relieve her pain. He said No, it would not help her. We asked for a referral, from her family Doctor, to pain management. She did not want to take pain medicine, but she was desperate to find some relief. Dr. Berkwits recommended nerve ablation. The results have been amazing! My mother is pain free for the first time in years! Dr. Berkwits took his time explaining and consulting with us. He had a wonderful bedside manner. Everyone in the Pain Management Center at Pardee was wonderful, kind and caring. Our only regret is that no one, not any of her doctors, referred us sooner.

I have never been so disappointed in a dr please avoid him if possible .

Dr. Berkwits MD is the most "Discusting" human I have experienced in a long time. He has no manners and treats his patients like dirt. I don't know why Pardee puts up with him. If he had been my employee, and I have had many in my career, I would have shown him the door, no matter how qualified he is. Either Pardee does not read the reviews, or they "don't care" Take my advice and get rid of him. He has shown he doesn't deserve being part of the "Pardee Team". Before I consider further action, I will see if Pardee has the "guts" and will do the right thing and get rid of Dr. Berkwits.

I actually saw another dr. in the practice but I think they are all the same. I was in pain management in Florida for years after a failed back surgery with no prospects to fix without further nerve damage. They were all smiles on the first visit, but when my urine test came back missing a drug I was taking they threw me out of the practice. I could understand totally if they found something that I hadn't told them about or illegal, but I did nothing wrong and they made me feel like a criminal. Plus they have a cop sitting in the lobby. Seriously? No GHS for me ever!!!

Does not care. Charged me $45 co-pay and didn't even treat me. Sent me elsewhere which will take more time and increase my suffering. Reporting to Medicare, GHS, and South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Avoid him.

Dr. Berkwits is one of the best doctors I have met to help my back pain. Not only does he explain to me what has to be done, he talks with my husband (retried- attorney) about my condition and what method he will follow. I have recommended my family and several friends to his practice.

I was referred to Dr. Berkwits after multiple spinal specialists and orthopedic physicians failed to identify a diagnosis. He is extremely knowledge and no-nonsense in his treatment plans. He spends the majority of the office visit evaluating the condition at hand. I appreciate this as I feel his time is much more valuable to me than making small talk. I am currently undergoing a prolotherapy regimen to repair soft tissue damage from a car accident several years ago and will update this review upon completion. of therapy.

I thought he seemed rushed when he came in, and I was right, His over all attitude was bad and it just got worse as the appointment progressed. Not only was he rude but the girl that assisted him could not be bothered. It was like I was taken up her time. He may be good at what he does but I would never recommend this group to anyone