Alexander C. Simotas, MD

After trying for 2 years to see many doctors which were convenient for me and having an unsuccessful surgery in Westchester I followed up with a surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery who referred me to see Dr. Simotas, who has helped me tremendously with managing the back pain I have suffered over the last two years. I found him to be very gentle, caring, and supportive over the last 6 months I have been seeing him. He definitely thinks outside the box and treats the whole person not just the issue at hand. I have recommended many people to him who feel the same. In addition because of his assistance I am no longer looking at having another back surgery.

I went to Dr Simotas with complaints of lower back pain for around 6 months, explaining that the pain started after I ran a 5k one morning without training with much if any running. I explained to him that I am a crossfiter at the first visit and because I had scoliosis surgery over a decade ago, he proclaimed thag crossfit was not right for me, that I should do things like run. (Again running is when this pain started and when it hurts most). He had me get an MRI just to be sure but claimed it was just inflammation.
I went back for my follow up after the MRI, where he told me nothing negative was showing in the MRI. He then proceeded to ask me what I do to work out, as if we didn’t have a very lengthy conversation the week prior about CrossFit. So again, I told him I crossfit. He then asked «what does that entail». He tells me last week to quit crossfit but this week he doesn’t know what it is?! He told me I should be strengthening so that’s good, but maybe should be swimming and biking rather than running (again last week he told me to run) He then (after never seeing my weight or seeing me on a scale) as an aside from my injury, which he said has nothing to do with this, told me I was «big» and needed to «slim down» and watch my caloric intake. Mind you, while yes I probably have 10 – 12 lbs to lose, he would never know this because I was in an oversized sweater and he never has seen my weight. This was extremely upsetting and unnecessary for him to say to me with no reason and no backing to his logic. In the end, he still doesn’t know what’s wrong with my back and told me to give it a month and come back. … I’ve already given it 6 months, thanks Dr. Simotas.