Reviews of Dr. Sarah Vlach, M.D. (Doctor)

Martha Buitrago

Amazing physician and staff!

Samuel Hancock

Dr. Sarah Vlach performed a steroid injection on my lower lumbar. During the procedure she accidentally punctured my spinal cord with the needle. After being instructed to lay down for in excess of an hour while drinking caffeinated beverages, I was told that the spinal cord puncture may result in a spinal fluid leak. Dr. Vlach gave me her personal cell phone number and instructed me to call her if I started to experience a headaches. I was also instructed to continue drinking lots of fluids and taking caffeine. Two days later I developed a persistent headache. I called Dr. Vlach but she was skeptical that this was related to the spinal cord puncture she had caused even though the headache would almost immediately dissipate when I laid down. Because of her advice I did not seek medical attention. The next day I began experiencing an intense migraine headache. I texted Dr. Vlach the following message: "Dr. Vlach, sorry to trouble you so late. This is Sam Hancock. I had the spinal injection on Thursday and there was some concern about fluid leaking from my spinal cord after the procedure. Today I began having migraines this afternoon that worsen when I'm sitting and fade when I lay down. I only get migraines once a year or less and these ones are clearly exacerbated by sitting down. Since Thursday I have been drinking lots of fluids and taking caffeine pills. Today is the first day I've developed a migraine. Should I be concerned?" Sunday, October 11 2015, 10:21 PM She Replied: "That also does not sound like a spinal headache and it would be very unlikely to develop two days later but please call tomm morn and come in to see my pa Craig just to be safe I'd see you myself but I am in rexburg Thx for getting in touch" Sunday, October 11 2015, 10:28 PM Within two hours the headache was so intense that I could hardly stand nor could I speak clearly. I only managed to communicated when I was laying down. I was brought to the ER at EIRMC where a physician indicated that my symptoms were clearly the cause of a spinal fluid leak. After several hours a spinal patch was performed and in time the intensity of the symptoms reduced. I was kept overnight for observation. For the next six months I experienced headaches and migraines in conjunction with the symptoms Dr. Vlach was originally treating me for. I never received an apology. I never received any reimbursement for the extremely costly medical expenses incurred during the Emergency Room visit and the necessary blood patch. I was simply told, "I've never had this happen before." I also never received any relief from my initial symptoms.

Samantha Carey

I saw Dr. Vlach for back pain a few years ago. I had seen her a few times for acupuncture before an unfortunate incident. Acupuncture wasn’t doing much for me but that was what she was trained in and she convinced me to come back and so she could continue working on me. One of my visits started out like normal but she mentioned trying something new, I don’t know if she has been trained in dry needling but she tried it. I was optimistic because she was a doctor and I trusted her but something felt off. I wasn't sure if she just hit a nerve or what, but I was in a lot of pain. I wasn't sure exactly what was going on so I laid there with the needles in my back for 15 minutes. She came into the room, pulled all the needles out and dismissed me. I proceeded to go to class after my visit, but I was NOT feeling well. My chest was hurting, and I was having difficulty breathing. I was sure that Dr. Vlach had punctured my lung. Not just a little scratch, but a clean puncture of my left lung. I then made my way to the Health Center and after a few hours, I was admitted to the ER for a pneumothorax (air in the chest cavity due to a punctured lung). I was in the hospital for several days and I was in more pain then I had ever felt in my life. Dr. Vlach's receptionist called me to schedule a follow up appointment. No way was I going back to her. For the next week or more, someone from her office called me every day, never apologizing, just asking me to come back. Dr Vlach is a Doctor, and this was medical malpractice. To this day, I still experience pain from that injury, and I am still receiving medical bills from my time recovering from this injury. I found out later that if I hadn’t gone to the hospital when I did, I was at risk of death. I do not recommend Dr. Vlach in the slightest.

Marta Buitrago

I am a physician and I chose Dr. Vlach to take care of me. Two different issues, two very different treatments. Great results. Highly recommend her.