Dr. Robert Green Watkins, MD

This guy is amazing! I went in to get my lower back problems checked out, and it turned out that I had a kidney stone. You're telling me a kidney made that stone? Ha. No way. Glad I got it fixed. Rob was super nice and accommodating. 10/10, would recommend.

Dr Watkins was highly recommended by another spine surgeon I work with. He explained my issues, treatment recommendation and likely outcomes. The surgery to treat lumbar stenosis and two herniated discs was a success and I am pain free. His post-op program is also great and easy to follow. He is very professional and communicates directly throughout the process. I highly recommend Dr Watkins.

Outstanding care and treatment of the patient as a person, not as an inanimate object. Most important, the medical results have closely followed Dr. Watkins original diagnosis and later surgical correction. Before there was pain. Now there is none.

I recently underwent artificial disc neck replacement surgery by Dr. Robert G. Watkins IV was the lead surgeon and Dr. Edwin Matias was my anesthesiologist at Cedar Sinai Marina Hospital. It was an understatement to say that the surgery was a complete success and performed perfectly. I was discharged the evening after the surgery and have not required prescription pain medication at all. Best of all, the pain and lack of mobility in neck, hand and fingers has been greatly reduced and I feel that I'm on the road to a much improved quality of life. Pre-and Post- operative care was top notch by his staff and Dr. Watkins is an excellent and compassionate clinician. I would highly recommend him and his team for anyone requiring spinal surgery. I've had twelve surgeries and this was the easiest of them all. Only two words explains this work AMAZING AND UNBELIEVABLE! Thank You To All.

Dr. Watkins came highly recommended...so highly recommended that we drove 2 hours for our appointments. Upon our first meeting, we knew we were in good hands. Dr. Watkins has an incredible bedside manner and does an amazing job educating his patients on their condition and treatment options. Surgery was very straightforward and recovery was exactly what we were told to expect. We felt like a partner in our healthcare team, and know that we’ve received the absolute best care available. Surgery was a success, recovery has been very good, and we wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Watkins and his staff!!!

After nearly a decade of back pain and countless doctors, epidurals, physical therapy, etc all without relief, a friend recommended Dr. Watkins. I had several visits and tests to determine the extent of my condition and best treatment options. Ultimately we decided that surgery would be my best option. Although nervous, Dr. Watkins throughly explained everything that was going to happen, what to expect, and how this would help me. I was confident in his abilities and the team surrounding him. Within just a few hours of surgery I could already tell a difference. This surgery has given me my life back. I am forever grateful for Dr. Watkins and recommend him highly!

Dr. Watkins recently performed fusion surgery on my back. It was easy to trust him from the very first appointment, and it has proved true throughout my ongoing recovery. He and his staff are easily accessible with any questions or concerns. He truly cares about his patients and will spend whatever amount time with them that they need, the same as he has done for me. His directive for post operative physical therapy is structured and well thought out; and as a result, I am doing very well. Without reservation, I highly recommend Dr. Watkins to anyone with neck or back issues.

I have been a patient of Dr. Watkins for over two years. His staff is caring, efficient and professional and they speak highly about him. Dr. W Jr has a keen ability to communicate so that I understand what’s going on in lay talk. He thorough and will listen to any question and respond accordingly. That always lessens my anxiety and says it all. He a good guy and extraordinarily accomplished. I also think his conservative approach is comforting. In my seven plus decades of life, I’m quite happy to have found an orthopedic surgeon who has people skills and patience. Leo L

The best orthopedic surgeon

Dr Watkins was recommended to me by some fellow firefighters in the LA area. He performed a spinal fusion on my lower back 4 1/2 years ago and a spinal fusion on my neck six months ago. I suffered serious injuries as a firefighter that would have left me crippled if not for the outstanding care an precision surgery he performed. He is the best orthopedic surgeon on the West coast.

After having both back pain and leg pain on an astronomical level for a couple years I met with Dr Watkins and he spent time going over my diagnosis and his recommendation for my surgery. I’ve never met a doctor (I’ve seen a lot) who takes as much time with his patients as Dr Watkins does. My surgery went smoothly and I am looking forward to being completely healed. Dr Watkins has given me hope for a pain free future. Dr Watkins is the best of the best and I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else with my surgery.

I went to Dr Watkins Jr. after seeing 3 other doctors for lower back pain. After the surgery my pain was immediately diminished. It has been 10 months and I am pain free and active thanks to Dr Watkins IV. His professionalism and skill set during this event was very comforting. The whole event was made seamless by Dr Watkins as well as his staff. I would recommend his services to anyone with ANY type of back issues. With or without surgery Dr Watkins Jr. should be the go to spine Doctor.

Dr Watkins Jr is very knowledgeable, professional, courteous and patient. Discussed what my surgery would involve and he went over my MRI and CT scan results. Also gave me his email address if I had any more questions. The entire process from front desk to Dr Watkins was very positive

I have been a patient of Dr. Watkins Jr. for over 2.5 years and have suffered from lumbar back pain for most of a decade. After trying several rounds of PT and steroid injections over the course of several years I recently went in for fusion surgery. Six months post surgery and I am happy to say I am feeling SO much better. Thank You Dr. Watkins! Great doctor and a great staff at both his office and Marina del Rey Hospital where he performed the surgery. Go see him if you suffer from back pain. You'll be in good hands!

Performed surgery on me for a herniated disk. Very successful surgery , bedside manner was excellent, and his follow up was outstanding. I had a few issues and called him on the weekend to discuss and he was very attentive and walked me thru the process. Would highly recommend .

He fixed what another Dr left and I am greatful

I went to the Marina Spine Center and saw Dr Robert Watkins IV ("junior") for my back pain. I am a die hard sports fan and knew that they were the doctors for professional athletes. I was really surprised that I was able to get an appointment so quickly. I had to wait about an hour to be seen, but actually enjoyed looking at all the sports jerseys and other collectibles that they have from famous people they have treated. Dr Watkins spent a lot of time with me, explaining my condition and treatment options. I wanted to have surgery to fix the back pain that has been bothering me for 4 years! He explained to me that surgery was not for me and my condition. While this was extremely disappointing, I realize that he is right, and I really appreciate the good advice he gave me. Despite the fact he is famous for operating on professional athletes, he spent a lot of time to explain why I should't have surgery. I trust him with my life. He referred me to a great physical therapist who I am working with now. If I ever need surgery, I am definitely going back to him

I found the Watkins clinic and Dr. Watkins IV to be outstanding. The ultimate measure is that the surgery they did on my neck went extremely well. After 3 to 4 weeks from the surgery my neck pain and arm weakness was 90% gone. I can not tell that I have lost any mobility at all in my neck movement. I used to take 2-4 hydrocodone a day to deal with the pain. I have not had to take one in the last 6 weeks. For any one with a disk issue in their neck that is causing them pain and numbness or weakness in their arms I would highly recommend Dr. Watkins and his clinic.

I thought Dr Watkins Jr was fantastic! Two other surgeons recommended surgery for me. Dr Watkins Jr spent a lot of time with me and explained my condition. He recommended we try physical therapy instead of surgery. I am still having some pain, but I am much better and think I can avoid surgery. He is a very compassionate doctor who listens to me.

I met with this Dr. in regards to a lumbar injury. I expressed my concerns about surgery and that I wanted to pursue pallative / non-surgical treatment as advertised on his web site.. He didn't seem too "enthusiastic" about this, but when the topic of $urgery (MAJOR) was discussed he was quite "jubilant" real "buddy buddy." I will go elsewhere. Think Twice!