Excela Health Neurosurgery: Michael J. Rutigliano, MD

Dr Rutigliano is a wonderful caring surgeon that operated on me on March 1, 2023. I had been experiencing severe nerve pain going down my right leg into my foot. He had to repair a previous surgery and do several fusions. We are so fortunate to have him in this area. I would highly recommend him.

I can't say enough good about Dr. Rutigiano. He is awesome and the best. I had pain for a year and 2 other doctors couldn't find my problem until I saw Dr. Rutigiano. He performed surgery on me and now I fell great. I'm 73 years old and felt like I was 100 because I couldn't do anything because of the pain. Now I'm back. Thanks SO MUCH.

I have had multiple back surgeries, the last in 2017…… there is NO other Doctor for back surgeries, in my opinion he is the absolute best! He will tell you exactly how it is, explains things and answers all questions!! His staff is absolutely wonderful!! During my hospital stay at Latrobe Hospital, he came to check on me several times, even coming off the golf course on his off day. Latrobe hospital was also wonderful, the nurses on the third floor just amazing!!!!!!! If you need a back surgery, he’s the one to see!!!!!

It was necessary to cancel my surgery in January. I rescheduled. Dr. Rutigliano and Pam, the Nurse Practitioner, were so good about it they had told me to come back whenever I am ready. I am rescheduled for the second week in August. I am concerned about this surgery as anyone would be, but I am not concerned about the doctor and his staff as I have had several meeting with them. They are professional and knowledgeable. There is no doubt in my mind about their ability to fix this 66 year old spine that was engaged as an RN for 45 years. All questions are answered prior to the surgery. They make sure that all problems in health which can be resolved ARE resolved before the surgery. This is an excellent team. As a nurse, I’ve seen the worst of doctors and nurses and I’ve seen the very best. This team is one of the best.

He may seem a little standoffish but deep down Dr. Rutigliano is a very sweet caring man & an excellent surgeon. He's done multiple surgeries on my son & I am so glad we found him. I highly recommend him.

I was referred to Dr Rutigliano after I went to get a nerve conduction study. I was having major trouble walking steady and had numbness and lower body weakness. I was told my mri results were serious since my cervical spinal cord was being compressed. It was so serious that after our consult he sent me in for emergency surgery the following day. He cleared his schedule and operated on me the following afternoon. It is an understatement to simply say that this man and his staff saved my life. I feel so much better now. Dr Rutigliano and Pam are amazing human beings and I cannot thank them enough.

I have been seeing Dr. Rutigiano for several years. He has been monitoring my spondylolisthesis and spondylitis. I recently had surgery on my L4 and L5 By Dr. Rutigiano and although it's only been two weeks I am healing. The surgery went well! My mother had the exact same surgery last year and she is 81 years old and doing much better. I feel he is the best in the area as I have seen many different doctors for the various health issues I have. He has excellent bedside manner and also is very professional. I have zero complaints about him or his office staff! Give him a chance you won't regret it!

I spent just shy of a year in agonizing pain. From local ER's and MRI's to chiropractic care. I went to see D Rutigliano and he looked at all of the data I brought him and told me based on the information I showed him that he suspected I had ridiculapathy. He instructed me to take it easy and contact his office if anything changed. As things got worse I found myself in then ER once again and told them about Dr Rutigliano instructions so they called him immediately. Doctor Rutiglianio immediatley called me in a myleogram and found ruptured disc. The Doc explained to me all of the options and got me.in for surgery within a week. This man gave me my life back. After Surgery I saw immediate improvement, but Dr Rutigliano was sure to tell me what my limitations were. Dr Rutigliano gave me my life back, thanks doc. Best neurosurgeon in the area hands down.

Dr Rutigliano is an amazing surgeon. He and his staff are wonderful very caring and helpful with any questions asked they explain everything and they make your feel so comfortable with the process.. I would recommend Dr Rutigliano to any of my family and friends.

This doctor saved me when I had cauda equina syndrome.He caught that I needed emergency surgery and got me in a day later . Because of this I was able to rebuild function in both of my legs which my whole lower body would have been paralyzed if not

Had two different back surgeries with him and the office staff was great and polite. Highly recommend

Thorough, attentive and compassionate. He and his staff are top notch.

I was told by this dr I needed back surgery to have a disc removed it only took three different X-rays to find out that was the problem! Ever since the surgery I had no feeling in my leg! They said it’s not there doing! I kept informing them that nothing is better I was worse! They kept telling me it wasn’t because of there surgery! Come to find out I needed a hip replacement! This man crippled me for a surgery I never needed! I’m passed the two year mark so I can’t sue! But people stay away! Don’t let this man touch you’re back! I’m 46 and have no feeling in my leg because of this man! He should lose his license! I pray nobody ever sees this man he will cripple you so if you let him operate call an attorney the next day and sue! I will live like this forever and he gets to destroy people to get rich!

I don’t know where to start. I believe in the old saying “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.” I am a nurse and I have been suffering with horrible pain shooting down my (R) leg since before COVID - 19 hit. I worked full time for two years as a Director of Nursing with elderly residents who are need a high level of care. Leaving work most days in tears and in great pain. I got an MRI in February of 22. It showed some findings in the lower lumbar but no nerve involvement. Mind you, I had been through physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, injections all at failed attempts to treat the horrific pain that had pretty much turned persistent. I made an appointment with Dr. Ritigliano who spent less than 5 minutes with me to tell me he couldn’t do anything for me and would refer me to a pain clinic. He stated that MRI reports are exaggerated and that my only hope was a pain clinic. I left in tears and felt hopeless. My family encouraged me to get a second opinion. I went to see a Dr. In Bethel Park Pittsburgh area who did an amazing assessment on me. His PA brought up all my MRI reports and X-rays and showed me exactly where my problem was coming from. They told me they would see me through this and refer me and follow me to see a specialist who deals with hips. Dr. Ritigliano would not look at anything but my most recent MRI when I took the time to have my records such as MRI’s and X-rays put on disks for the last two years. In my opinion, this man is rushed. After seeing the practice I went to for a second opinion. I now know Dr. Ritigliano does not care about a patients pain. His only concern is, is it a problem he can fix. And if it’s not then he don’t have anymore time for you. He’s more than happy to push you off to a pain clinic. He shows little to no compassion with his patients and refuses to look at the big picture and assess for other areas that could be cause for pain. I can not say much for his skill as a surgeon but I can say he is awful as a “Doctor”. He lacks compassion and empathy and does not use his vast array of resources to help anyone he can not fix. I now only have less than half of the Range of Motion I’m supposed to have in my (R) leg and I’m a fall risk and must use a cane when I am at work or out at a store. I can not thank this new practice enough for giving me hope that I will get it all back. Especially, when my needs weren’t their specialty. I’m so happy to see that there are still Doctors who care and who will direct and help you through your problems.

He would not let my wife call me during her first consultation with him to discuss a herniated disc in her neck pushing on her spinal cord despite not allowing anyone other than the patient to come to the appointment due to COVID restrictions. He presented spinal fusion as the only option without even explaining why other options would not work. A second opinion with a different neurosurgeon she was encouraged to call me for the appointment and was told that due to her age (30) that she should have a disc replacement as the fusion will most likely lead to needing more fusions at the adjacent vertebrae due to the increased risk of disc slippage above and below the fusion, especially given her age. Stay away, and if you haven't get a second opinion.