Dr. Hugo Ermel Benalcazar

Listen too me! I had L4-L5 lumbar surgery by Hugo in 2017 after 3.5 hours of surgery he left the hospital. My wife never heard anything from him at all until they paged him back to the recovery room. I woke up with severe pain and 26 staples in my back. Long story short I have permanent nerve damage, scar tissue severely as well. Now I’m heading back into surgery ( NOT HIM) to get it fixed tomorrow. I have screws coming loose also. He is extremely rude and lacks integrity and should NOT BE OPERATING on anyone ever. PLEASE PLEASE do not let him operate on you.

I love Dr. Benalcazar. He saved my husband life 20 years ago. I recently found out he is at UM in Bel Air and never had a chance to thank him. My husband had a brain hemmorage with a terrible infection that set in after operation. I thought for sure my husband would not make it. Dr. Ben worked his magic with his wonderful skills, pull him through my husband is still alive at the age of 82. His bedside manner and compassion are beyond reproach. I highly recommend Dr. Ben. He’s the best! Laura Mrozek, February 2021

this place is a rip off. my husband has not seen dr. benalcazar since his original visit.he is no better after the operation, he is not even sure that he did it as he only saw his assistant jackie,she is only a p.a. he never saw dr. benalcazar and has not seen him since. all they do is sell you very, very expensive belts and bone stimulators which do nothing. the insurance company paid 1600.00 for the belt,we did not have a copay for that. the price is ridiculous and have no idea what they charged for the bone stimulator as it is almost impossible to get an itemized list of what they charge. i had to call and insist on an itemized bill which did not include the belt or bone stimulator. my husband tried to take back the stimulator but they would not take it back. he was never told he had a copay or what was charged for it. VERY UNENTHICAL BILLING. I THINK SOMEONE THERE MUST GET A COMMSION ON BILKING PEOPLE OUT OF THESE FEES OR THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY GET BILKED. AVOID THIS PLACE, RIPOFF

For years I had suffered from back pain which even affected my ability to sit. Dr. Benalcazar tried the least invasive treatments first, which unfortunately did not ease the pain. The only option left was back surgery. He performed spinal fusion of L1 through L5. The surgery was successful. I can now sit pain free. This has given me back my quality of life. Everyone at Brain & Spine Specialists are very professional and compassionate. Thank you Dr. Benalcazar for everything you have done for me. D.Z. Fallston, MD

He performed back surgery on me and I’ve been in constant pain since the surgery and that was all most 3 years ago!!!! I’ve done PT, RFA, chiropractic care and injections and I’m in more pain then before the surgery!!!!!

I highly recommend Dr. Hugo Benalcazar to anyone suffering from nerve pain or damage to the spine. I suffered with sciatic nerve pain for over five years. The MRI results showed that the only relief was an L4-L5 spinal fusion. As a neurosurgeon, Dr. Benalcazar's priority s was to get optimal free space around the nerves. In real-time CAT scan during surgery he set the rods and screws in the ideal places - something an orthopedic surgeon did not offer. When I woke up in the recovery room, my sciatic pain was gone and has not ever returned. My surgery was 6 months ago. I also used the Brain & Spine Physical Therapy Center also. The therapists worked with me, allowing me to take on as much weight that I wanted so I could leg press my own body weight, get fully restored rotation and upper body strength. I am in better shape after this surgery than I was seven years ago. Dr. Benalcazar exceeded my expectations, and I expected very good results.

I was referred to Dr Benalcazar for pain in my left shoulder and neck area. My first visit went well and he sent me for MRI. When I went back, I sat in the waiting room for over an hour. I then was taken back to the exam room where I sat for an additional 40 mins., before walking out. If you schedule an appointment, expect to make a day of it. The staff said the Dr was backed up and he would be with me soon. I got my co-pays refunded and began to look for another surgeon.Would not go back

I suffered with severe pain from my lumbar region. Pain was generating into my buttocks to my knees. He immediately scheduled an EMG and a MRI. Dr.B was able to diagnose a fracture , a problem disc and L2_L3 spinal Stenosis. The EMG revealed the source of the pain. L2-L3. Surgery was scheduled and now 3 years later. Pain free. The diagnosis and the subsequent fusion have given my life back. My gym workouts are great and again yard work is pain free. Highly recommended. Thank you,Dr.B

You will not see this physician post op until 6 week follow up. Do not participate same day surgery for spine. You will be discharged prematurely. Before you can swallow, or take steps. No pre-op home health eval. of needs. If readmission needed, you will need to go to ER. There is no direct admit or observation unit for his hospital. ER staff will tell you they have no experience in your condition. immediate 24 hr post-op pain management abysmal. MD not responsive. PA incompetent.

Arrogant, terrible bedside manner and was unable/unwilling to diagnose the neurological issue that my father had. Refused to actually explain the disease and sent the PA who was unable to provide any information. He was also disrespectful to my elderly father.

Surgery had a positive outcome but his office lost an important diagnostic test and he did not give the hospital staff written orders for care after surgery-lots of confusion-the hospital where he works Upper Chesapeake Hospital -care was awful-we filed several complaints with patient relations at the hospital. His actual physician office lost our test results; took 2 days to fill an Rx-very bad.

After a severe car accident which fractured two vertebrae along with breaking ribs and more, I was told by a spine ortho that I would heal with no problems. 6 months later no relief so I went for a second opinion to Dr. B. within 3 days I had an MRI, and an appt. Dr B came in at Charles request and spent an hour with me explains why I needed surgery. Dr B's staff was polite and very up beat unlike so many others. I have the utmost confidence in his ability and his concern was genuine.

I am 4 years post op from a neck fusion by Dr. B & couldn't be more pleased. He is an excellent surgeon. From beginning to end , he and his staff went above & beyond to ensure that I had a good outcome. I highly recommend him.

We had NO idea which Neurosurgeon to use when my son needed back surgery immediately. He is a complicated medical case and Dr.B. was suggested. Initially I was certain that I must get someone at JHH to evaluate and perform whatever procedure was needed. Iwe found the Dr B. Handles difficult cases so we checked his stats and decided to use him. We found him to be knowledgeable,professional, and caring with none of the arrogance many surgeons have. His P.A. Charles And Team are THE BEST. Thank you

I had an ACDF in March, 2017 with Dr. Benalcazar. Throughout the whole process, from the initial consultation to my follow-up care, I couldn't have been in more caring and skilled hands. He changed my life! He took away my pain. He was able to answer all my questions and reassure me about the surgery when I was scared, so I went into it with confidence. I highly recommend him and his caring staff.

Dr. Benalcazar diagnosed my problem with my SI joints immediately and he and his staff have been amazing in helping me with this problem. They have also went above and beyond dealing with my insurance company. I would highly recommend Dr. Benalcazar to anyone suffering the same problem.

My experience with Dr. Benalcazar has been exceptional. I received the best care from everyone in the office through all the attending personnel during my surgeries. My results were exactly as promised and no hidden surprises. I will not hesitate to recommend Dr. Benalcazar to anyone experiencing neck or back pain. I have been especially pleased with the time he spent with me during consultations.

I was diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction by Dr. Benalcazar. He wanted to perform the fusion surgery. I declined. 6 months later the pain was unbearable to I went to him again. Again he recommended the fusion surgery. Insurance declined it. That made me wonder. So I got a second opinion. The second doctor did a full body exam, and took x-rays - things Dr. Benalcazar never did. The x-ray showed my SI joints completely in tact with no degeneration. Please explore your options before surgery!!!!!

Dr. Hugo Benalcazar was an angel sent from Heaven. He not only saved my daughter's life once; but twice. She was born with a condition called Hydrocephalus. She required a shunt at 2 1/2 months old; in order to relieve the pressure on her brain, due to the blockage. At 10 years of age, she developed headaches. He immediately ordered the appropriate testing (CT Scan and a Shunt Series). Shunt needed to be replaced. Again, saved her life x2. Forever grateful.