Melanie B. Kinchen, M.D.

I am a female in my late 50’s and had nagging lower back issues for years. I tried every other alternative including sets of epidurals, which did provide temporary relief. I absolutely did not want surgery. I went to Dr Kinchen as a 2nd opinion after another Doctor recommended surgery and I felt very nervous. After meeting with Dr.Kinchen she put me at ease and I felt confident to have her do the procedure, that was in June. While immediately after the procedure there was significant pain I have had an excellent outcome. It was worth it. I am pain free and able to walk unlimited and stand up straight with no discomfort. Dr.Kinchen has an excellent bed-side-manor and takes the time to explain everything giving you confidence in her ability and expected outcome. Every follow-up visit she shows the same care and concern regarding the recovery.
I rarely write a review, but I always read them, so because of the important decision that major back surgery is I wanted to share my experience of a successful surgery, with complete elimination of pain, and express my thanks for her skill and also her kind manor with which she treats her patients.

Interestingly, there are no malpractice suits to substantiate the negative reviews or botched surgeries noted. I am glad I sought to see Dr. Kinchen instead of allowing the reviews to deter me. Dr. Kinchen is a very caring, knowledgeable, patient and overall awesome physician. I was beyond impressed with my experience in her care with both my cervical and back surgeries. I find that many doctors usually are distracted or rushed when visiting patients, but Dr. Kinchen took her time to give a thorough exam, review my film, offer a protocol to getting better & answer any questions my family had to ensure we were at ease. If you are looking for a great spine surgeon-- you could not do better!!

I had a severely herniated disc in my spine. Therapy didn't help. Cortisone shots revealed just 25% of my pain... for a week. So, I had disc replacement surgery with Dr Kinchen. She was amazing, and I haven't had any issues in the three years since the surgery.

My friend, who had the same surgery from a different doctor three years before mine, had a VERY bad experience with his doctor. He was in constant pain after his surgery. Then I recommended he see Dr Kinchen. He was reluctant to have another surgery, but he did; and his life is dramatically better! He's off pain pills, and living a normal life again.

Dr. Kinchen is a wonderful doctor and person. She has taken care of me for years and I have had nothing but great results. She has performed three cervical fusions, an urgent lumbar microlaminectomy and now facing a two level lumbar fusion. I have had a lot of pain and she works consistently with my pain management doctor insuring the best treatment plan is in place and not rushing to surgery until it is the last option.

I first met Dr. Kinchen 4-5 years ago when I took my mother-in-law to see her. There was something about the way she talked to mom (who was 84 at the time) that always stayed with me. She truly cared about her patients, what they were going through...she listened to them. So when I finally decided it was time to do something about my scoliosis and chronic back pain I had been experiencing most of my adult life..... it was a no brainer. I started my process with Dr. Kinchen in Dec. 2015. She started by addressing the actual issues I was having, working on them one by one. She wasn't interested in getting me in the OR to get another surgery under her belt. She expressed genuine interest and compassion in me, my life, my feelings and what sort of outcome I would expect to attain.

We worked on my pain issues with other doctors and finally came to the point where my only choice was surgery. Dr. Kinchen and her staff were thorough and helpful in making all the arrangements, calling insurance and making me feel totally comfortable with our choice. I even requested the surgery be close to our house for convenience (mostly for my husband), Dr Kinchen was reluctant to giving in as she wanted me to be at the best hospital for her and the surgery. Again, I wasn't looking forward to having back surgery however I knew I wanted to have a better quality of life and this was the way to get there.

I'm now almost 3 months from my Postier Spinal Fusion T10 to S1 with decompression L3-L5. I'm not totally sure I understand the terminology and what all it entails...then again I'm not sure I want to. All I know is I don't have the constant pain I had experienced every day. Now don't get me wrong, I had pain after the surgery, when I woke up, tried to move for the first time and for a few weeks after. Its just not the same pain, it was different "surgery" pain...something I could deal with and knew it would get better. Now I'm pain free, I get uncomfortable at the end of the day, get tired easy, but I no longer have chronic pain.

Let me go back to Dr. KInchen and her staff, I'm not even sure I can tell you how amazing they are with just words. Every step of the way they met me with care and professionalism. It didn't matter how big or small my question or concern was, they got back to me immediately with an answer. Dr. Kinchen came to see me every morning and was very reassuring every step of the way. I've seen so many doctors over the years who all said "You need to exercise, do yoga or just strengthen my core as my pain was in my head". They never heard what I was saying, how I felt. Dr. Kinchen listened to me and heard what I was feeling. I have my life back already. I know its only going to get better with time and healing.

I've never written a review for a doctor however I truly felt I needed to share my wonderful experience with everyone. I know how hard it is to find someone for surgery. It's a huge decision, I hope this helps make it easier for you.

Sharon Bowdish

I have suffered with back pain for 43 years and I have been treated by MD’s, Chiropractors, and Therapist. After treatment by Dr. Kinchen I have been pain free for the first time in my life. She is an intellectual who communicates effectively with great beside manners. I would recommend Dr. Kinchen to any and everyone who is serious about getting better.

Dr Kinchen is an excellent surgeon, friendly, caring, understanding and has an equally supporting & awesome office team!!!!

On my first visit I waited 2 hours before I was taken back to talk to Dr. Kinchen. She prescribed some meds and her staff forgot to call them in. On my follow up visit, Dr. Kinchen recommended a Chiro and said her staff would set it up and would contact me. 2 days later, still in pain and nothing from Dr. Kinchen's office or her staff. I just called to follow up and they had forgotten to call the Chiro. I would not recommend this office or this doctor.

I am permanently disabled due to 2 botched Anterior Cervical Discectomy and fusion surgeries. She said I needed three levels fused. First surgery she only did one. Went to her office for follow up in extreme pain and she said she FORGOT to do the other levels. I had first surgery Nov 2011 and second Feb 2012. They strung me along for 2 years and then sent me to pain management. No neurosurgeon will TOUCH my neck now because they say it opens them up to a liability. I moved to Wyoming and saw neurosurgeon in Billings Montana who said he had never seen such poor work and said my second fusion never even took. Now I have no recourse legally because it has been over two years. I was deemed permanently DISABLED at 37!! I am now 42 and on MEDICARE that doesn't cover ANYTHING. DO NOT SEE THIS DR.

Destroyed my spine with her botched surgery
No doubt this review won't be up long
Notice none of them are old?
Edit 1/7
For Donna N. Who say there is no malpractice cases file
Have you ever tried to file in Tx?
$250k cap
Attorneys say so sorry but wont touch something with nothing in it for them

Stay away from this practice. You will have more problems if you go to this Doctor than you had before you went in.
She is only wanting money and is not concerned about your condition.
I would NOT you recommend this Doctor to anyone!!