Valley Spine Care, Michael Cluck MD, PhD

I had a laminectomy of the L4 and L5. I must admit I was very nervous when I was told I needed a surgery. I was reassured the it was a simple procedure by Dr. Cluck and his staff as well. They weren’t lying when they said the healing time was quick.

Dr. Cluck is absolutely amazing. When I first saw him to talk about surgery I was unable to walk and today I was able to walk into his office for post op with no pain. Thank you Dr. Cluck and your amazing staff for helping me get life back on track.

Dr. Cluck is amazinnng! He Went in to fix a bulging disc that I have suffered with serve pain from for over 3 years, I came out a whole new person I’m completely in shock, and amazed. I Highly recommend Dr.cluck, he’s such an awesome dr. From being scared and in so much pain, to little to no more pain and it’s only been 6 weeks post op, it’s amazing! I’m just in awe. Thank you dr. Cluck for all you did! Your awesome!

Changed my life. I could not walk or sit due to severe nerve pain down my leg. My disk was ok however herniated material was into the nerve. Dr. Cluck removed the material with only about an inch scar. Nerve pain was gone, I’m about 6 weeks post surgery and doing very well.

I wish I would've never did my back it hurts worse dr cluck put screws and rods in my back and I hurt so much and in the hosiptal I hurted so much ask for pain meds and they were only giving me 2mg and I had too sign my self out and remind u that he cut me 3 times I had 3 open cuts and only 2mg of dilaudid

For those who are in need of back or neck surgery let tell you, you don't have to travel outside of Merced Valley to BIG NAME Facilities. VALLEY SPINE of Merced Dr Cluck. Is a 5 star plus facility! The staff is A1, with respons to all calls and questions.
Now for my experience, I have needed back surgery for several years and through my Physical therapist at Rascal Creek (the best) I was recommended to Dr Cluck. This ended up with a spinel fusion. Now truth is there will be Pain post surgery and the staff and Dr will work with you to adjust medication every way possible to help in your recovery.
Thank You!
Valley Spine, Dr Cluck and Staff

I cannot begin to thank Dr. Cluck enough for truly bringing my life back to me. He is not only a brilliant and extremely skilled surgeon but he is compassionate and always caring. He has a delightful sense of humor and possibly one of his most unique characteristics is that he actually listens to his patient’s concerns and input! I cannot speak more highly of him!
After a year of extreme and debilitating pain in my legs and feet, he was the first and only physician who actually cared and attempted to help me. Because I had no idea what was happening to me and I was quickly deteriorating, I scheduled appointments with or consulted with over 7 providers, including the local ER and Urgent Care, begging for an MRI. Absolutely no one helped me and one provider even stated, “Good luck with that! ” Finally someone told me about Dr. Cluck and that he had expanded his Bay Area spinal clinics to Merced. I had a referral for an MRI immediately following my
first visit with Dr. Cluck and was scheduled for 2 spinal surgeries on April 12 and April 14 quickly after that. Today I am doing great!

Each team member in Dr. Cluck’s office is a true professional and is friendly, efficient and responsible. Working with Jannielle has been a true pleasure. It is obvious that Dr. Cluck believes it is essential to select a high quality and compassionate team to serve his patients and he works to ensure that each of the professionals with whom he works meets the highest standards of care. Merced is so very fortunate to have Dr. Cluck here and I am so very grateful that he is my doctor!

Dr. Cluck is the best doctor! He explains everything with patience and caring. My son is 17 years and I was scared, but Dr. Cluck explains and did a amazing job. All the personal on his office are nice people.

I was scared to death to have this surgery done! Dr. Cluck is as Sharp and on point as he dresses to me he knows his spine, and the latest techniques, if you truely want to get help and go through the process what ever it might be for you and you situation then this is the place to be if you are looking to just get pills and get mad because you dont get them then this is not the place for you and man his incisisions sure are neat and clean and straight im almost 9 weeks out from L-4-L5 XLIF, L5-S1 ALIF, L-4-S1 PSFspinal fusion, and doing really good his staff in Merced office where i went are amazing, they get everything done for you, there surgery schedduler goes above and beyond to get the surgery packet authorized and all the drs including you and your pcp on board.min was a 2 part surgery tuesday part 1 then rest wed, thurs part 2, fri all good go home.im 55 in good heath organ wise lol, bones muscles problems, example fibromyalgia, arthritis degenerative disc disease, i have over the last 4-5 years i have had 9 surgerys with my hands shoulders hips and injections till i had just had enough my ortho surgeon Dr. Vanek who was an amazing surgeon said to me after my hip surgery listen that back is worse if i was going to let anyone do surgery on me it would be Dr. Cluck so Dr. Vanek referred me after my 1st appt i left scared to death because Dr. Cluck told me exactly what i needed to have done i left and didnt schedule the appointment, was told to think about it and give them a call later i received a call fron them wanting to no if i had any questions i needed answered, and i did and from then on i would call their surgery scheduler until i was comfortable and scheduled the appt.by the time i had the surgery i was still scared who wouldnt be but they will help you through it tell them its normal its ok

In 2007, Dr. Cluck performed one of the first artificial disc replacement surgeries in Arizona on me at level C6/7. The outcome was amazing! After many months of pain and inactivity, I was back on my bike again. Fast forward fourteen (14) years – and 2,500 miles (I now live on the Big Island) – the level above (C5/6), which was already an issue back in 2007, had been causing intense pain for nearly two (2) years. After trying the normal protocols for relief, I tracked down Dr. Cluck in Merced, CA, and flew out to meet with him.

Dr. Cluck is both experienced and skilled with advanced surgical procedures and appliances; as well as minimally invasive procedures. So, lots of options to consider if/when moving forward with surgery. Equally important is that he is appropriately conservative regarding the need for surgery. He took the time to discuss symptoms, prior therapeutic injection outcomes, and all my imaging records in detail. After doing one last diagnostic procedure, together, we decided to move forward with another artificial disc replacement at C5/6.

The surgery went really well and I felt at ease throughout, mostly because of Dr. Cluck’s confidence. I am seven (7) weeks post-op and have to say that the recovery has been a positive experience! Of course there are restrictions, but I was able to basically take care of myself from day one and go without any pain medication.

I highly recommend Dr. Cluck if you are experiencing spinal issues. His explanations are concise, but thorough; and he is an excellent surgeon who cares about his patients and treats them with the utmost regard and attention. Furthermore, his staff is exceptionally friendly, professional and organized.

Mahalo, Dr. Cluck and staff!

~Lori Johnson

I have been seeing Dr. Cluck for about 8 months now. He had preformed surgery on me at the end of September 2021. Going on 3 months now and I am feeling much better. I should be returning to work soon and back to a normal life. Thank you Dr. Cluck and your amazing staff.

My back bothered me for more than 3 years, limiting me in what I could do. The back wasn’t going to heal itself, and once I decided to pursue a surgeon, I decided to find a local person.
I had not heard of Dr Cluck, but I located him on the internet. His history caused me to make an appointment. And I am so glad I did.
X-rays showed lumbar problems, and after many tests and analysis of the condition of my blood and organs, I had surgery to fix the condition on October 12.
Recovery went very well. I would say my lumbar area is a heck of an improvement over what I lived with for 3 years.
I would advise anyone with back pain to see a rated surgeon like Dr Cluck. There are amazing things that can be accomplished.
I’m 73, with a long history of construction work, and I feel great. I have to be careful about what I do, but I realize that it was the best option for me.
My empathy for those with back pain is tremendous, and my appreciation of my results couldn’t be greater.

Everyone there is very professional, I was very comfortable every appointment I had. Thanks

On April 13,2021 after over 2 decades of living with progressive back pain I had vertebra replacement (neck) C-5) surgery performed by Dr. Michael Cluck. Upon my initial visit to Valley Spine Care my worries were significantly put to rest. The office staff is kind, courteous and professional. Dr. Cluck has excellent communication skills in that he is an empathetic listener and talks to not at his patients. I have had amazing results as I have experienced zero neck pain and have required no pain medication since I opened my eyes in recovery. Thanks Team Valley Spine Care, you ROCK!

Well my case was a very difficult the arthritis was crushing 3 vertabre I was having so many symptoms, after surgery to come out with weakness in my arms that developed after surgery it was my darkest days but through my faith in God I am whole again here I am 3 months post of using both arms I still have some recovering to do and pt but with God all things are possible Dr Cluck and staff were wonderful and my Dr didn't stop there he got to the bottom of what was going on and diagnosed my condition it was a very rough road but when I think back to how I felt before surgery I was in agony from all the side effect and symptoms of my crushed vertabre life is good Thank you Dr Cluck and a huge shout out to Maybet who was my rock God bless guys peace yall

I was having a lot of pain Dr Cluck help me out with a lot of surgery done on my back and I appreciate it and it’s not harmful is that a good thing I did it. Since surgery, 20 days ago I have not used or needed pain medication. I appreciate everyone in the clinic!

My experience with Dr. Cluck at Valley Spine Care in Merced has be an amazing experience.
I am a 41 year old active male that had been dealing with back pain for the last 10 years that continued to get worse over time and my leg would go numb after standing for only 5 min. I finally decide to get help.
I was referred by my primary doctor to Dr. Cluck. After seeing Dr. Cluck I was sent out for X-rays, Mri and CT Scan.
After Dr. Clucks review of Reports, scans and X-rays he informed me that I had Grade 2 Spondylolisthesis.
I was very very worried, but Dr. Cluck explained to me my condition in a very calming manner, he also said (we can fix that) and explained my surgical options, again in a very precise and calming manner. After listing to my options, I made the decision to move forward with spine fusion surgery. Specifically the (Alif) procedure. I was very very nervous about the surgery, but Dr Cluck and the whole team at Valley Spine Care were there for me in every way. Just 2 months after seeing Dr. Cluck I had Surgery and it was the best decision of my life.
My surgery was a success and I am now 3 months post op.
The initial pain I had was completely gone after I woke up from Surgery and I am almost completely pain free.
I am so thankful.
I would highly recommend Dr. Cluck and his team at Vally Spine Care to anyone who has spine pain and needs help.

Thank you Dr. Cluck and Valley Spine Care.

It is with great pleasure that I write this review for Dr Cluck and his complete team. I have known Dr Cluck due to my back issues since 2010. I have the very, very highest of regard for Dr Cluck’s expertise, his experience, knowledge and his personal bedside manner which are all complimented by his incredible attention to detail in every aspect of his care for me as a patient. From my pre op office visits/experience, to deciding the best course of action, to my surgery that took place on June 1st 2021, to my hospital experience and my post op appointments I cannot rate my positive experience high enough.
I actually live an hour and a half away from Dr Cluck’s office which is located in Merced, but I would honestly drive 500 or a 1000 miles to continue my personal back care with Dr Cluck. My personal back issue was very extensive and so I appreciate immensely that Dr Cluck, his office staff and operations manager took (and take) the greatest of care every step of the way with me, always able to and willing to take the time to answer any questions I have ever had!
I think the greatest think I have experienced, (my wife too) as we have gone through this process and my recent surgery is the total peace that I/we have had throughout…. And that we now continue to have in my recovery and new life after surgery which I now know is going to better than I have had in a long time.
The last thing I would say is that I so value the family aspect of Dr Cluck’s practice, in this day and age where so many things are rushed and people can feel like a number…. It is and has always been so comforting to know that Dr Cluck does what he does because they genuinely care for their patients and it shows in every aspect and every step of the way.