Physician Biography
"Treating spinal disorders challenges me to find
solutions that are individualized to the needs of my patients, and to provide
them with the most successful outcome." — Dr. Etminan
Dr. Etminan moved to Houston as a teenager and attended high
school here. He also spent time as a missionary in Thailand and St. Lucia in the
Caribbean. He is married and enjoys weightlifting, mountain biking, scuba diving
and snow sports.
Patient Testimonials
Thanks to Dr. Etminan,
after 5 years of chronic back pain, I am pain free. He's the best. I tell all my
old football colleagues he's the Dr. to see. Also, he's caring, dedicated, and
professional.
Elvin Bethea
Pro Football Hall of
Fame Class of 2003
Prior to having surgery to correct my 50% curve
caused by scoliosis, I was in excruciating pain every singe day. It was more
than difficult for me to sit in the bleachers and watch my son's weekly football
games. I lacked energy to do fun things with my 5 year old son and I was too
drained to truly appreciate the company of my husband. I would wake up
constantly during the night, only to be exhausted and in pain the next day.
It was a cycle that I thought could never be broken… until my mother who
lives in Houston saw Dr. Etminan on a Fox 14 News medical segment. My mother
suggested that I contact him. I viewed a clip of the medical segment on the
internet and located the RBJC website and instantly was confident that Dr.
Etminan was the person I needed to see. My family eagerly took the trip from our
home in Louisiana to Texas with me. It was apparent that Dr. Etminan was a very
caring and detail oriented doctor from the first time I met him. He took time to
explain my condition and my options. I chose surgery because I wanted a
permanent solution to the pain.
The first week after this major surgery
was challenging, but my recovery did not take long. My recovery has been
remarkable. I am now working full-time five days a week. I am participating in a
Country Line Dance class at the local university and the best thing is that I am
able to be myself again, enjoying and actively participating in the many
activities of my husband and two sons.
In addition, the staff and
Physician Assistant at RBJC were all superb. I appreciate their support and
kindness.
Tonja Johnson
Monroe, LA
5
Months Post Surgery:
Prior to the surgery I thought I was going to die or
be paralyzed. I could not move and I was emotionally drained. Now, after the
surgery I feel like a new man! I can walk and do things I use to do.
Nimesh Patel
1 Month Post Surgery:
I
was in severe pain in my left thigh and could not walk or stand for more than a
minute without leaning on something or bending over. Post surgery I am pain
free, can walk, and ride a bicycle. I can also sleep without pain. This surgery
has changed my mood from one of depression to joy!
Mickey
Altman (L3-4 Anterior and Posterior Fusion)
2 months post
surgery:
Before Dr. Etminan performed the surgery I was in excruciating
pain and could not stand or walk without shooting pains. I now can walk around
my block twice with no pain or numbness at all.
Ashley
Higgs
2 years post surgery:
Prior to surgery I had
excruciating pain in my legs and numbness in my feet. I am completely back to
normal, it's almost as though it never happened.
Laura
Yarber (Anterior Fusion)
As an employee of Richmond Bone
and Joint Clinic, I hold our group of doctors in the highest regard. Our
doctors are extremely well-qualified and approachable. They work well together
and consult one another. I have always felt comfortable bringing myself and my
family to RBJC for treatment.
On August 14, 2008, because she had back
pain, I brought my then 6-year-old daughter Emma to see Dr. Liang. He did a
physical exam, got x-rays, and consulted with Dr. Etminan, one of RBJC's spine
specialists, who recommended an MRI. Everything looked normal and pointed
toward muscle strain/sprain. Our visit could have ended there, with some
samples of anti-inflammatories and recommendation of a heating pad. But it
didn't.
Drs. Liang and Etminan went the extra mile, with Dr. Liang
asking about Emma's pain tolerance, considering her usually bubbly personality,
and assessing her coloring. STAT blood work was recommended, to be on the safe
side.
Imagine how I felt when Dr. Etminan called me at home less than
two hours later to tell me that Emma's lab work was suspicious. He insisted
that we go immediately to Texas Children's Hospital and assured me they would
admit her for a full work-up. He and his nurse helped me get all of Emma's
records together and even gave me directions to the hospital.
On August
18, 2009, Emma was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. At the
hospital, we were told how fortunate we were that her labs were drawn so early
and that Emma had only been in pain for 1 day before beginning the diagnosis
process. It is much more routine for kids to have pain or fever for weeks
before labs are finally recommended.
Drs. Liang and Etminan played a
pivotal role in getting my daughter's cancer diagnosed quickly, and with an
absolute minimum of suffering. As an employee, I am proud to be a part of
RBJC. As a patient, I have assurance that I am in considerate, capable hands.
Most importantly, as a Mommy, I am forever grateful.
Lori
Woodle, Transcription, RBJC
My mother called me yesterday
from her home in Pennsylvania and she is so thankful to Dr. Etminan for fixing
her back pain.
She is back to normal… driving... bowling… card club and
outside activities as usual. She was unable to do those things for months prior
to having the operation. She feels badly that she wasn't able to tell him
thanks in person before she left Texas.
I also want to express my
gratitude to him and the staff that handled her situation from the beginning
visits throughout the hospital and surgery. Everything could not have gone
smoother.
Bringing her here to Texas to see Dr. Etminan was a complete
success story.
Steven Yurchick
I knew I
had bad discs for 20 years, and learned how to cope with it. But this time my
discomfort flared up just before my surgery, an L2-L5 fusion. I was in pain,
unable to stand on my legs for more than 2 minutes. Since my surgery I am
completely pain free and living a normal life.
Dr. Etminan is more than
just a great surgeon. He is in touch with his profession and has that, sometimes
rare, common sense in understanding the human body. 5-6 hours after my surgery,
I got up and walked the length of the hospital, and back to my room. Ten days
after my surgery, when I went to RBJC for follow up, and one of the staff asked
my pain level from zero to ten, I answered a BIG FAT ZERO. I cannot thank Dr.
Etminan enough.
Shahab Mohades
Lateral access is a safe and reproducible
means of addressing certain spine disorders with an approach from the side of
the patient, as opposed to an approach from the back (posterior) or the front
(anterior). A lateral (side) approach is made safe with the use of nerve
monitoring technology (NeuroVision® from NuVasive,® Inc.).