Dr. Lukas Zebala, MD

I WAS WORSE AFTER HE OPERATED ON ME. I SPENT 2 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL INSTEAD OF THE 7 DAYS THAT HE SAID I WOULD BE THERE.

He and his stuff are great. Everything was explained in detail, not rushed and I felt very comfortable with Dr. Zebala and his team.

Dr zebala is a good surgeon and takes his time pre op but you never see him post surgery. His PA in charge of post op leaves a lot to be desired. The expectation for recovery seem unrealistic. They only prescribed 6 weeks physical therapy and release to full physical labor at 6 months. I have been walking pulled muscles and pain since and the PA just blows it off refused to provide more time off work. I would not recommend dr zebala unless you have another dr handle your post operative care.

I had surgery 11-14-2019. Dr Zebala approached my situation which was complicated with confidence and exuberance. I had not met with that... ever. I needed the support. A rare find. I am now able to "look back" on LONG days of immobility and bedrest with medication and hot pads and ice packs...THANK YOU DR. ZEBALA and surgical team.

I got back surgery on March 4th. Two days later I was up and walking with no pain. Dr Zebala and entire staff was amazing. Such a wonderful doctor amazing staff.

My doctor informed me that I needed back surgery or I was wheelchair bound. I was hestitant because my sister had back surgeries failures. A family friend, Dr. Bedi, who is a fine orthopedic surgeon in Michigan told me that if he was having back surgery in St. Louis he would go to Dr. Zebala. It was great advice. On July 30, 2020 I had L4-L6 decompression surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The surgery was a tremendous success. I woke up without pain. Doctor Zebala was very attentive with post surgery visits. He clearly explaied what had been done, what I needed to do and why. The staff took great care of me. I feel so good that I enter rehab phase taking no pain medication. I want to take this opportunity to recognize the nurses and other staff who treated me like a king. Even Ed the cook made my stay pleasant. It's not just great Doctor you get, you get a great team. 5 stars doesn't seem to capture how strongly I recommend Dr. Zebala and his team.

I had L4-L5 spinal fusion surgery with Dr. Zebala at Barnes/Wash University on 4/2/19. This was after 13 years of back pain and reaching the point where my legs were going to sleep and I was starting to fall. After years of shots, exercises, chiropractic and suffering I found Dr. Zebala who immediately concluded that my problem's source was the back. He said that he could relieve most if not all of my pain. He was right on the button! I am now 17 weeks out from surgery and have no pain and the numbing has gone! The doctor was great to work with and his team was fantastic. I entered the process with hesitation because of all of the warnings against back surgery I had heard for years. However, my actual experience was very good and the surgery appears to be a complete success. I highly recommend Dr. Zebala to those in a similar situation as me. I just wish I would have found him sooner.

I had been to 3 different orthopedic physicians since August 2018. I went to 2 pain management centers. I had the lumbar back injections. Nothing worked. I have a pharmacy of pain meds and muscle relaxers that every doctor would give me. Nothing worked. I was told by all of the doctors that I had sciatica but I could not get any relief from anybody or anything I was given. Then one day I had an appointment with Dr. Zebala. He was professional and explained my problem and SHOWED me the problem from the MRI and X-ray I had taken. He gave me his recommendation, a week later I had my pre-op appointment and a week later surgery. I felt relief when I left the hospital. It’s been 2 days since surgery. I went to pick up my meds and I was able to walk without being humped over and barely able to move my feet. I haven’t felt this good in 10 months. I would recommend Dr Zebala without hesitation. HE CORRECTED WHAT NO ONE ELSE COULD!!

I had scoliosis, L4-5 collapsed and I’ve always been very active. He fused from T11 to sacrum. A year later I was able to start playing golf again. I adjusted my swing and clubs, but enjoying my social life. He is also personable, and had a great staff.

Referred to Dr. Zebala for my neck. My appointment was at 2 p.m. and I was not seen until 3:30 p.m. When he finally came in, he asked me questions but chose to talk to the other medical staff in the room and completely ignored my response. He was very condescending towards me. He basically told me my neck was psychological. Prior to this visit I had seen Pain Management and another orthopedic doctor. I am still living with my neck pain. NO HELP from Dr. Zebala! I don't recommend him at all.

Excellent surgeon, best one I have ever had. Have had several previous neck surgery's and Dr Zebala had to do revision on these surgery's. Woke up in recovery with all the shoulder blad, arm & hand pain gone. His nurse Kelli Jo was able to work me in 3 weeks earlier than planned when she had a cancellation from another patient, this was greatly appreciated as I had been in severe pain. She also helped co-ordinate appointments. Dr Zebala is definitely worth the 3 1/2 hr drive for appointments.

Personable, caring and very good!

I saw three different spine specialists before deciding Dr. Zebala should do my surgery. I'm six months out from the surgery itself. While we still don't know if the fusion has taken yet, I have been relieved of the pains in my lower back, hips, legs and feet. I wont be swinging a softball bat or snowboarding again anytime soon, but I am grateful every morning when I'm able to walk my dog before going back to work pain free and w/ out pain pills. I'll use Dr. Z again if I have complications

I am a previous patient of Dr. Daniel Riew and was very disappointed with Dr. Zebala. I had a fusion and artificial disc surgery in 2009 by Dr Riew and have had moderate pain since 2012 that has increased since then. Dr Zebala seemed as if he did not want to address the problem and put little effort into looking at the information I had brought with me. He suggested an x-ray on my mid back during visit but then sent in his unpleasant assistant and nurse to discuss following up with pain managem