Certified by Rojeh Melikian, MD - Spine Surgeon • Aug 30, 2026
OrthopedicsOrthopedic SurgerySpine Surgery
Dr. Rojeh Melikian, MD is passionate about restoring your life so you can live life without experiencing pain. As an award-winning orthopedic fellowship-trained spine surgeon, Dr. Melikian performs minimally invasive surgery so that each patient experiences an accelerated recovery process. He graduated in orthopedic spine surgery from Harvard and Emory University, which is one of the most prominent and well-respected spine surgery fellowships in the country. Dr. Melikian has authored presentations, posters and numerous article's related to orthopedic surgery to further his education and expertise. His goal is for you to thrive, completely pain-free. If you're interested in learning more about how Dr. Melikian can help, contact us today!
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Certified by Rojeh Melikian, MD - Spine Surgeon • Aug 30, 2026
When I was in a state of anxiety and trying to see as many doctors as possible to get different opinions, I found Dr. Melikian at DISC. I had generally good experiences with doctors I had seen there in the past.
He is more of a spine specialist, focusing on the neck and back. When I came in, I was having issues with both my neck and shoulders.
After looking at my neck X-rays and MRIs, he noted that my shoulders were likely the bigger issue at the time. I could move my neck up and down without too much trouble, but my shoulders had difficulty rotating.
Despite that, he was able to refer me to another DISC doctor, Dr. Shore. More importantly, I never felt like I was being rushed out the door, unlike many doctors who seem to just want to get patients in and out for a paycheck.
In fact, toward the end of my appointment, he made sure I did not have any more questions before we parted. To me, that is a sign of a doctor who actually cares, which feels surprisingly rare given the number of doctors I have seen over the last several years.
While he was great, I also have to give a special shoutout to his assistant, Joanna. She might be one of the best doctor’s assistants I have seen. The assistants I have known generally get a good idea of what is going on and log your symptoms so the doctor can look at you more efficiently, but Joanna went above and beyond.
She did more than a typical assistant would by checking the multiple issues I was having, including rotator tests, hand-grip strength, shoulder rotation, and various sensitive points.
Similar to Dr. Melikian, I felt like she genuinely cared about what was going on and wanted to make sure I was receiving the right treatment. She was the first person to make me realize that I needed to focus more on my shoulder. Of course, she still told the doctor about everything just in case, but it says something when an assistant does more thorough checks than some actual MDs I have seen.
It also says something that, even though I did not receive treatment from Dr. Melikian and he ultimately referred me elsewhere, he was one of the few doctors who was very assertive about making sure I scheduled a follow-up appointment. Even when I was in a rush to leave, his assistant reached out and emailed me to schedule an appointment, making sure I was okay with it. That is the sign of a doctor who really cares.
Overall, in a weird way, I am kind of sad that my issues were not more related to my neck, since both Dr. Melikian and his assistant, Joanna, were great. Based on the reviews I have seen on Yelp and Google, many people seem to have had similarly positive experiences. If your issues are more related to your neck or back, I would consider getting an opinion from Dr. Melikian.
CT
Chris Tatum
Aug 6, 2026
5.0
Dr. Melikian is fantastic. He explains things in a very "understandable way". His bedside manner is great. Makes you feel very "taken care of". He is also easy to contact and get information over the phone, like last minute prescriptions and appointments. His medical knowledge is outstanding and practical. I highly recommned him.
EH
Erin Hagenston
Jul 24, 2026
5.0
Everything from the beginning to my double disc replacement was fabulous. Dr. Melikian and his staff are not only courteous but on top of everything. I hope I never have to go back….but if I ever do have another injury to my spine, this will be the place I go!
AB
Andrew Barrios
Jul 23, 2026
5.0
I had been dealing with 2 herniated discs that were causing significant pain down my leg, and the thought of having spine surgery honestly made me very anxious. From my first consultation, Dr. Rojeh Melikian took the time to explain exactly what was causing my pain, walked me through my MRI, and made sure I understood what the surgery involved and why it was the right option. He never made me feel rushed and always answered my questions in a way that was easy to understand, which gave me a lot of confidence going into surgery.
From the consultation, to surgery day, and through my follow-up appointments, Dr. Melikian and his entire team were kind, welcoming, and professional. They made what could have been an overwhelming experience feel much easier. I highly recommend Dr. Melikian to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, respectful, and caring surgeon.
HC
Hannah Corliss
Jul 16, 2026
5.0
Dr. Melikian has been a phenomenal doctor since day one. He cares about his patients and goes over and above to make sure we can get healthier and recover safely and get back to our normal lives. There's not enough stars to give him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rojeh Melikian, MD - Spine Surgeon
How many locations do you have?
We have three locations and serve all of Southern California. We have offices in Marina Del Rey, Newport Beach, and Los Angeles.
Why is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery more ideal for patients than open surgery?
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery has allowed us to achieve the same goals of open surgery but with smaller incisions and less disruption of surrounding tissue. This allows for faster recovery times and better long-term outcomes.
What’s the benefit of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
This technique allows for less downtime, faster recovery, and less blood loss. These techniques also allow for surgery to be done outpatient in our surgical center with a zero MRSA infection rate.
What’s Causing My Back Pain?
The most common cause of back pain tends to be from strained muscles. The pain tends to be most severe right after the injury but can gradually worsen over the first few hours. Strain in your back muscles is most often caused by asking too much of them (ie. Lifting a heavy item) or asking them to work for too long (ie. moving boxes all day long at work).
If I’m experiencing back pain, when should I see my doctor?
Most of the time, injuries such as back strain will resolve within a few weeks with rest and anti-inflammatory medications.
Warning signs which should prompt a visit to the doctor include:
• Pain which is getting worse not better
• Pain so severe that you are unable to walk or go about your activities of daily living
• Accompanying weakness, numbness, or tingling.
• Pain that occurs after a fall or accident
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• You have a history of osteoporosis or compression fracture. For more information on osteoporosis, visit this website to read, “5 Signs Your Osteoporosis May Be Worse Than You Thought. https://www.nextavenue.org/5-signs-your-osteoporosis-may-be-worse-than-you-thought/
• Pain that has not improved after 4-6 weeks of conservative treatment.
What are a few causes of neck pain?
• Poor Posture
• Excessive Cary of Purses and Back Packs
• Smoking
• Sleeping Positions
Read more from our top spine surgeon here, https://westsidetoday.com/2016/09/30/4-causes-of-neck-pain-within-your-power-to-change-right-now/
When Should I See My Doctor for neck pain?
Most of the time, injuries such as neck strain will resolve within a few weeks with rest and anti-inflammatory medications.
Warning signs which should prompt a visit to the doctor include:
• Pain which is getting worse, not better
• Pain so severe that you are unable to walk or go about your activities of daily living
• Accompanying arm or leg weakness, numbness, or tingling.
• Pain that occurs after a fall or accident
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Pain that has not improved after 4-6 weeks of conservative treatment.
• If you are experiencing these symptoms, call your doctor for an appointment so that you can be given a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
How is a herniated disc diagnosed and treated?
To make the diagnosis, your doctor will perform a history and physical exam to see if your symptoms are consistent with a ruptured disc. If appropriate, an MRI of your neck or back will show the exact location and size of the herniation.
The treatment goals are to relieve the discomfort and prevent any permanent injury to your nerves. Treatments range from medications and physical therapy to epidural steroid injections or surgery. Depending on the location and size of the disc, surgical intervention may consist of removing only the piece of the disc that has herniated or removing the entire disc.
What Are My Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease?
After a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease has been made, we will go over your treatment options specific to your particular situation. In the absence of arm or leg weakness, treatment options will always begin with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, and rest. Other options to discuss are when to add acupuncture or chiropractic treatments into your treatment regimen. Surgical treatments can be discussed if conservative treatment fails to provide relief or if you have associated nerve compression causing arm or leg weakness. Depending on the scenario, these can range from minimally invasive decompression surgery to artificial disk replacement or fusion.
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