Dr. Paul J Tolentino, MD

I met Dr. Paul Tolentino about a year ago (2020) who diagnosed me with a herniated disc in the Lower L region due to ongoing back pain. The ongoing care after the successful procedure leaves me to wonder, why do people with similar condition not address their health related issues sooner? Are they afraid of the unknown? I am almost 70 yo and Dr. Tolentino not only educated me, but ensured I had full understanding moving forward with the healing process, therapy involved and answering any questions I had so I would feel comfortable. I did! I feel in order to have a successful and positive outcome with such a delicate surgery, you have to build a relationship and a partnership with your caregiver. Dr. Tolentino not only supported my well-being along the way, but after a year of healing, I feel this is a great success. My last check up with DR. Tolentino was a uplifting visit. I feel you have to listen, learn and feel good about your choices the medical profession has to offer. Dr. Tolentino and his staff are exceptional, passionate and always provide support when I needed. This is a great example of our Healthcare at work and the future of medicine working its miracles. Thanks to Regional Brain and Spine and Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau MO being there for me. Thank you Dr. Paul!

Dr. Tolentino and his staff are wonderful! Despite many complicated factors, Dr. Tolentino did a fantastic job on my husband's cervical surgery. He was phenom ally caring, attentive and meticulous. We are so lucky to have him in our area!

Dr. Tolentino and his staff are wonderful. They run the office with precision and efficiency. Dr. Tolentino and his staff are very knowledgeable, polite, and professional. Never once did I feel like I was being pressured into surgery. I was given all information and treatment options available. I would definitely recommend Dr. Tolentino to friends, family, and strangers alike! *I had a disc herniation at the L5 and S1 vertebrae. It was compressing the S1 nerve and it resulted in numbness. I tried PT, chiropractors, and a steroid injection in an attempt to not have surgery. Unfortunately I was not going to be able to get the numbness out of my foot with out surgery. I opted to have it. Dr. Tolentino took great care of me. The surgery went well. I am currently 7 weeks post op on my way to complete recovery.

My mother has been in tremendous pain for years due to arthritis in her upper back. along with pain from a previous surgery. Now, there is a way to phrase "There's nothing we can do" that doesn't involve looking at your watch and mentioning another appointment, yelling (to the point where the patient is crying), and cutting off the patient when she tries to ask questions. This doctor chose to be rude to the point of meanness, for no apparent reason.

I was having problems walking and my balance I had heard about dr Tolentino from a co worker and had looked him up on the internet and was pleased with what I had read but before I could make an appointment with dr Tolentino my problem was bad. My wife talked me in going to the emergency room at south east hospital in Cape Girardeau the dr I seen in er was concerned of problems I was having admitted me fo further tests. My luck of the draw was Dr Tolentino was on call with test and mri Dr Tolentino came in talked toy wife and I and started to telling us how bad neck and spine was and my options I went in on a Saturday night had 3hour mri on Sunday emergency surgery on Monday I couldn’t feel my feet and was numb and weak. My nerves in my spine was pinched all down my neck I had two surgeries one on front of my neck and another on the back of my neck I had no pain before or after my surgeries Dr Tolentino and his staff was great. The nurses in the hospital was great also I know that if I hadn’t met Dr Tolentino I might not be watching today. Just wanted to thank everyone for helping me

I highly recommend Dr. Tolentino. He changed my life. I’m sure he will change yours!

Excellent care. Knowledge above and beyond anyone else I consulted.

Dr. Tolentino is simply the best around. At the age of 34, I had been dealing with strong nerve pain and lower back pain for months before being referred to him. After some test and him explaining to me very clearly what could be done, I chose to have lower back fusion. I completed physical therapy not long after. Now a little over a year since surgery I'm feeling great. Prior to surgery, I honestly thought in my mind that my physical health was going down in a spiral. Dr. Tolentino and his team helped me, now 35, get back on my feet and moving again. Can not thank them enough for their time and dedication to their patients.

I had excruciating pain that kept me from walking more than about 8 steps before having to sit. Dr. Tolentino did a microdiscectomy for me and I now have no pain and am back to walking 2-3 miles several times a week. He explains your condition and what needs to be done in a way that a layman can understand. I would recommend him wholeheartedly!

A few years ago my back was a wreck. Could get no relief. Used a cane. Dr. Tolentino was recommended to me. No trouble getting in. Tests to verify my condition. The Doctor felt he could help with surgery. He and his staff were caring and professional. Post operation recovery went well. I was back on my feet in no time and felt normal. Unfortunately, about a year after the surgery, my great grandson was riding his bike and headed for a tree. Like any granpa, I ran to "save" him. Presto! All the good work of Dr. Paul and his staff was destroyed. He lectured me on why I should take care of me. He did go back in and work his magic. Now I'm good as new. I would recommended Dr. Tolentino without any reservations whatsoever.

Was referred by my chiropractor and couldn't have been more pleased. Dr. Tolentino was very forth coming with all info being it pro/con. I highly recommend him and I would definitely return if in the future I have anymore problems. He and his staff were awesome!!!

When my partner learned he had to have surgery on a bulged disc we were referred to Dr. Tolentino, and he was so great to us. He got my partner in as soon as he possibly could and the day of surgery he brought us in to talk to us and to calm our nerves. He truly cares about his patients and fixed my partner that day. From not being able to walk without excruciating pain, to getting up hours after surgery. My partner is now feeling the best he has in years and we owe it to Dr. Tolentino. Excellent doctor and wonderful nurses and staff!

From the office visit to the total care of his staff I was most impressed how I was treated as if I was the only patient under his care. Very well respected by the nursing staff at the hospital and within the surgical suite.

Dr. Tolentino was a very thorough doctor. He even went as far as drawing a picture of what was exactly wrong with my back and pin-pointed the problem. He spoke to me in a very personable manor, breaking everything down in words I could understand. I have already referred Dr. Tolentino to many people, and will continue for years to come.

Dr. Tolentino was very professional in his approach to my issues. i believe he did everything possible to avoid a very difficult and painful surgery.

All of the staff in the office were pleasant, courteous and knowledgeable. It was easy to talk with them and when I described what was going on they listened intently. Doctor Tolentino was most pleasant but yet professional. I would recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Tolentio and his staff were an example of the way a heath care office should be ran. They were prompt for all appointments, kept me informed and included me in the decision making of my care and overall were very efficient and were the consummate professionals. I would highly recommend Dr. Tolentino and his staff.

Prior to my referral to Dr. Tolentino I was nearly dysfunctional due to prior injuries to my lower back and the resulting physical disabilities and excruciating pain which I was experiencing on a daily basis, and had been for over a year. Within a few weeks of my first appointment he had diagnosed the precise locations of multiple areas of spinal damage-- the source of my pain & inability to function without pain. He first attempted to resolve my problems with lesser-invasive techniques such as therapy and medication injections. This did provide some temporary relief and lessening of pain. However, it soon became evident that such treatment would not be effective in permanently resolving my problems. As soon as he was able to diagnostically determine this, he promptly advised me that surgical intervention would be necessary if I ever expected to free of pain and physically normal again. He took the time to show me the problematic components of my spine with a visual review of my diagnostic tests (x-rays, MRI, scans, etc.). He identified and showed me the damage that existed, and explained how & why this was the source of my problems. He described and comprehensively discussed the repair that could be done, and needed to be done, as well as the surgical techniques that he would employ & utilize in an effort to effect such repair. By that point in time I had become quite confidant in Dr.Tolentino. His professional qualifications and experience were unquestionably of the highest order. Every member of his staff, from medical to administrative, was efficient & patient-care oriented. I can say the same of his Clinic in its entirety. He answered all my questions, and I was satisfied that I was as well-informed and advised as I possibly could have been. He made himself available to perform the surgery a few weeks later, and had coordinated the use of all necessary facilities & services. He had done all I could have asked for, and in a timely manner. I had only to make the decision as to whether to undergo the surgery itself... (Like anyone else in their right mind, I have never wanted to undergo surgery of any kind, especially not on or involving my back & spine. Although the likelihood of complications maybe minimal or improbable, they are inherent, and the results could be serious. I was faced, however, with a very serious need to have it done. On most days I could barely get out of bed & perform basic daily activities. My ability to continue gainful employment was in jeopardy and I was suffering from excruciating & nearly unbearable pain. If my condition was to ever improve, effective surgical repair would be necessary. Much was at stake, and there was no room for error.)... I chose to proceed, and it turned out to be one of the wisest decisions I've ever made. A few weeks later I underwent several hours of surgery. Among other things, Dr. T performed a double laminectomy, spinal cord decompression, and grafted infusion of my L-5, L-4 and S-1 vertebrae. The last painful experience that I had with my back was on the day prior to that surgery, nearly 18 months ago. With certain reasonable limitations, I am once again as nearly physically normal & active as I was prior to the onset of the spinal damage I incurred years before, and my life is pain-free! I owe this good fortune to Dr. Tolentino and his skilled expertise, his successful performance of very complicated surgical procedures, his concern for my well-being and his overall demonstration of professional care and competence. Without question he validated the trust that I placed in him, and without reservation I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a dedicated neurosurgeon and caring individual.

He is very good at what he does. He know what needs to be done and will get you in roght away if surgery is the route you need to go. He was able to meet with me one day and the very next day I was in surgery to fix my problem so I could start living a pain free life sooner.:)

When I hurt my back and my family doctor ask me which neurosurgeon do you want to see I said" I can choose my doc he said yes I said I want the best and that is Dr. Tolentino, he is caring, smart and cares about his patients.