Seton Brain & Spine Institute

He's the best! Words cannot describe my admiration and gratitude for Dr. Dryer . He has given me back my life several times because of his skill and talent. I have experienced several surgeries by Dr. Dryer. I suffered so much spinal nerve damage with the last episode that I used a wheel chair to get to his office for my pre-op appointment. Today I am pain free and active. I can't run but can do just about everything, including water ski. My recoveries have been complication-free and quick with virtually no residual pain. Dr. Dryer ALWAYS gave me the option to try other therapies and was honest in his appraisal of my condition. He values research and innovation and has been instrumental in developing improved medical devices for spinal surgery. That's a huge plus - he solves problems and knows what is needed to improve patient outcomes. Not many physicians can do that. The office staff are professional, efficient and happy. It's a pleasure to go for an office visit. Again-he's the best. more

Might be a good idea to reread the top post on this page from emelsom as I felt almost the same way after my visit with you today Dr. Dryer. You may be a brilliant surgeon but you lack people skills that's for sure. 9 minutes talking with you is all I got? I cancelled my MRI that I basically requested from you because you looked at two year old xrays that I brought myself and you tell me mostly everything is okay. I have been dealing with my back injury for over 23 years and all I wanted was an experienced spine specialist to give me options or treatment methods that may help. Not happy and wont be back Mr. Dryer.\r \r Regards,\r \r T. Foster more

My husband has struggled with back pain for years. He started seeing Dr. William Taylor at Central Texas Spine Institute back in 2005 and Dr. Taylor performed two back surgeries in 2005 and 2007. Following the surgeries, my husband no longer had insurance. His pain continued after surgery and he has just dealt with constant back pain every day since. He now has medicare and decided to go back to CTSI since Dr Taylor had taken such good care of him before. Well Dr. Taylor has retired so he was given an appointment with Dr. Dryer who comes highly recommended. \r Dr. Dryer comes into the room, asks my husband a few questions and while my husband is talking he actually interrupts him to say ""let me dictate"" and pulls out his recorder and starts talking to it like we are not even there. Then he says ok we need to get you scheduled for this and this procedure to see what is wrong and then you can come back. That was it. The Dr was in the room for less than 5 minutes. \r As we are walking out we ask the nurse ""what about something for pain relief until the tests are completed"". The nurse takes us back to the exam room and Dr Dryer comes back in looking all annoyed and says ""I don't prescribe pain medications until I know what is wrong...you need to go see your primary dr for that"". Well we tell him that my husbands primary dr referred us to him. He says well I can't prescribe you anything and said he felt my husband was just there to get pain medicine. He threw his hands up in the air and said ""I am not working with you anymore"". Then right in front of us he starts dictating in his recorder that my husband was getting belligerent. This Dr might be a skilled surgeon..that I don't know. But he has absolutely no bedside manner or communication skills. He did not even give my husband the time of day to explain anything in the exam room. In fact, he did not even examine him at all. Nothing, did not even touch him or barely look at him for that matter. \r \r The staff at CTSI is great by the way. The nurses are happy and friendly and the scheduling lady was so very helpful in getting the procedures scheduled. \r \r UPDATE(8/4): Dr. Dryer personally called this morning to apologize for what happened at the doctor visit yesterday and asked if my husband would please come back to see him to review test results. I am really impressed that he took the time out to personally call and set things right. more

Dr Randall Dryer is an awesome surgeon. He did such a good job on my lower back disc replacement surgery that I was out shopping for a new BBQ pit 3 days later. It's been 12 days now and my life is completely back to normal and my back pain is gone. I had no idea the surgery would go this smoothly or I would have done it years ago ! more

I had so much pain for quite a while. I had a Synovial Cyst in my Lumbar Spine. I am 42 years old and I felt like I was 65...my original doctor. He want to take the cyst out AND fuse my spine! After going for a second opinion, Dr. Dryer, he recomended to just take the cyst out and that is all. well that was all! My back quit hurting right after the surgery and six weeks later, my leg no longer hurts and I am pain free!!! If you are scared or worried about surgery.... do not be, just go see Dr. Dryer and he will fix you right up. more

SUPER skilled surgeon! He operated on my cervical, and lumbar disks. An artificial disk for cervical, and fusion in lumbar. I had pain from degenerated disk and vertebrae compressed nerves for 32 years. NOW I AM PAIN FREE!!! Kristi Adams more

I had to have back surgery and like most was scared to death! Dr. Dryer and his staff are amazing. They are all very kind, considerate and compassionate about their patients. My experience was outstanding and my end result was even better. I had only ever heard the horror stories of people having back surgery and continued to have surgery after surgery because it seemed to get worse instead of better. Mine is completely opposite. Mine is completely better. I am only 90 days in recovery and I was back to work full time after four weeks. I do not have pain running down my legs any longs and in fact I don't have any pain at all. If you're scared you owe it to yourself to go see Dr. Dryer. more

Dr. Smith has been treating me for several years - both with cervical issues and now lumbar issues. His bedside manner and way of making you feel at ease is remarkable! I have seen other surgeons that treat you as if you are just another surgery - Dr. Smith is definately not that kind of surgeon! In fact, he is not even on my insurance any longer but I wouldn't consider going to anyone else but him! Pros: Wonderful surgeon more