Yi Lu, MD, PhD
Not currently accepting new patients
4.714286 average rating from 154 patient reviews
Specialties
Affiliation
Mass General Brigham
Provider Locations
- Boston, MA
Dr. Lu is a spine surgeon and an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. Additionally, Dr. Lu serves as the Director of Neurosurgical Trauma at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Lu completed medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He went on to complete his training at Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and he completed his Spine Fellowship at the University of Miami Department of Neurosurgery.
Dr Lu’s clinical practice is focused on minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal deformity and scoliosis correction, spinal tumor (primary and metastasis, and spinal trauma. His research involves spinal cord injury, namely the axon regeneration and locomotion recovery after spinal cord injury. Dr. Lu is committed to putting his patients first and treating his patients as if they were his own family.
Education & Training
- Fellowship: University of Miami Department of Neurosurgery Spine, Neurosurgery/Spine, 2013
- Residency: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Neurological Surgery, 2012
- Residency: Boston Children's Hospital (Trainees), Neurosurgery, 2009
- Internship: Brigham and Women's Hospital, General Surgery, 2006
- Medical Education: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, 2005
- Medical Education: Boston University School of Medicine@, 2003
Board Certifications
- Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery
Languages Spoken
- Chinese - Mandarin
- English
Age Group Treated
- Adults
Patient Feedback
4.714286 average rating from 154 reviews
-
Yeah, I just want to say that I love Yi Lu and I think he's an awesome surgeon, awesome doctor, [redacted]
2026-07-08
-
Dr. Lu was super professional, very helpful. He listened closely to my concerns and really helped me take time, really took the time to explain my case to me in detail and helped me determine the best path forward. He was wonderful.
2026-07-08
-
Excellent care. Very satisfied.
2026-06-28
-
This has been an overall pleasant experience. Much easier triage than I've previously had at other hospitals. Doctor and PA were kind and thoughtful.
2026-06-28
-
Dr. Yi Lu and his staff were very good. They listened to me. They answered all my questions. And they explained everything and made me understand everything. And I'd recommend them to anybody and their staff.
2026-06-17
-
I'm happy with my appointment and getting some good information.
2026-06-14
-
Very pleased
2026-06-08
-
I was anxious before coming in, now I'm confident in continuing with treatment. Everyone I spoke to was working together really well.
2026-06-07
-
He was very professional, respectful a explained very well and understood step by step everything regard my surgery. I am satisfied with his services
2026-06-07
-
This provider explained my surgery procedure so that I could understand..
2026-05-24
-
Dr. Lu did a thorough exam and explained the MRI. I had all the information I needed to make a clear decision about my care and treatments.
2026-05-22
-
Thank you for patience and professionalism.
2026-05-21
-
Wonderful - highly recommend ??
2026-05-14
-
I am extremely grateful to have this provider willing to perform this rather large surgery on me.
2026-05-11
-
Great team
2026-05-04
-
Dr. Lu is very concerned and respectful of all we had to say. I would tell anyone how much I like him and how good he is.
2026-05-03
-
Great!
2026-04-28
-
Everybody was right on time and got right down to business yet very relaxed and personable
2026-04-15
-
Dr Lu listened to my concerns . I found him to be compassionate and knowledgeable. I feel very grateful to have him as my doctor. I highly recommend him.
2026-04-06
-
Hope surgery goes as well as the appointment.
2026-03-31
-
My experience with Dr. Liu, his PA [redacted], and his administrator, [redacted], was excellent. I felt very comfortable and just got off the phone and booked my surgery with them today.
2026-03-25
-
I am thoroughly pleased and with Dr. Lu. Yi Lu for being as the person who did my surgery clear concise communication between us was thorough looking over the previous ER reports he was very thorough very helpful, helpful, and his directed me to get the help I need and also provided me with the proper medical guidance of which would better benefit me and also direct me to another care provider from which those things that the previous hospital was ignored. I don't think that I can take likely the way that he proceeded because he did it in a manner that gained my most unquestionable trust as before unlike people I've seen before from which I have experienced before elsewhere that I have no trust whatsoever as I was waiting without knowing the next step to come
2026-03-09
-
I am a return patient to this provider, and this is because of the high degree of professionalism and integrity that every member of the team exhibits. I have a chronic condition and have returned for similar procedures many times over the years and the level of care that I receive never varies, always high. I respect that. I could ask for nothing more.
2026-02-16
-
Dr. Lu was very nice calm and informative. [redacted]
2026-02-14
-
I immediately felt comfortable with this provider. Calm. I felt as though I was being heard. He went through my MRI in a slow very understandable manner.
2026-02-19
-
The care provider was amazing. They explained everything really well. They took very, very good care and they took the injury very seriously and they acted appropriately and with urgency. So I'm very happy with the outcome so far.
2026-02-11
-
Dr Lu is wonderful. He saved my life with surgery in 2017 [redacted]
2026-02-09
-
DR lu was very nice and knowledgeable about the MRI results.
2026-01-26
-
Entire process was seamless. Staff I spoke with on the phone to my interactions with Dr. Lu was fantastic.
2026-01-19
-
Dr YI LU was great, he explained everything so well to myself and my wife , I didn't know what to expect but was very happy, with everything the doctor had to say His assistant, forgot her name, was excellent, as well, asked great questions and her exam of my problems were spot on Because of this I am planning on my surgery in 6 weeks ,
2026-01-18
-
Knowledgeable staff.
2026-01-18
-
Dr. Yi Lu and his physician assistant [redacted] whom I've seen for more than a year now have been very attentive, responsible and caring to my medical needs. I'm very glad that I ended up in their care, had SIJ surgery done by Dr. Lu. [redacted] I recommend to anyone in need of a neurosurgeon. Best, [redacted]
2026-01-11
-
For such a serious surgery, I am not worried. Dr Yi Lu made me feel comfortable and at ease. He knows his stuff.
2025-12-21
-
Excellent experience
2025-12-21
-
I have a history with Dr Lu and I trust his judgements for addressing my medical issues.
2025-12-14
-
I was very happy with the results they gave me compared to the doctors on hawthorn medicine
2025-12-14
-
He was nice but very brief - and immediately ruled out surgery and then really did not provide empathy or further direction. My symptoms did not seem relevant to his task and I felt unseen.
2025-12-14
-
Dr Lu and his staff were very patient and thorough.
2025-12-14
-
It was an initial appointment. I have an appointment for ct scan and will have a follow up. In very happy so far.
2025-12-02
-
Staff pleasant and helpful. Was able to check-in quickly and saw provider in timely manner.
2025-12-01
-
Doctor has full of knowledge and experience. He listen carefully what my stories and history about my condition. I am so lucky to see such a great Doctor.
2025-11-26
-
It was awesome
2025-11-17
-
He was patient,caring and extremely knowledgeable
2025-11-16
-
Dr. Lu was able to correct my back problem so I am forever grateful.
2025-10-28
-
Dr. LU and staff, fantastic, instilled confidence, feel very fortunate
2025-10-29
-
I did not see the docs much because I assume they were hard at work trying to fix my problem. The nurses passed my questions on to the docs and I got immediate answers. I asked to see a doc before I left and he answered all of my questions.
2025-10-28
-
Dr. Lu is great, he is patient and kind and understanding. He made me feel very relived about my medical prognosis.
2025-10-13
-
When I arrived at the office, they could tell that I was in a lot of pain. They took me right in. They were wonderful. The whole staff was wonderful, right from the receptionist, the nurse, the doctor, and the PA. I am so happy that I came there.
2025-10-08
-
Patient and approachable.
2025-10-06
-
The best doctor in the world as far as I am concerned. Had an emergency situation and he decided to do surgery that very afternoon. Has performed 3 difficult surgery's on me. Has given me a quality of life that I would not have otherwise.
2025-10-05
-
So I'm very confident in Dr. Lu. I'm really glad that I got in to see him. He's going to operate on me. I loved his physician's assistant. And I just think he is going to be wonderful. And I'm not nervous about the surgery because he's going to be doing it. And I think he knows what he's doing. So that's wonderful. Thank you.
2025-10-01
-
Both the PA [redacted] and Dr. Yi Lu were wonderful. Easy to converse with. I felt very comfortable.
2025-09-28
-
Not much. I think he did the best he could for not ever seeing me before.
2025-09-17
-
I was disappointed that Dr.Lu did not complete an after visit report.
2025-09-16
-
I came to Dr. Lu for a second opinion and not only did he have a plan to fix my known issue, but he saw another that could have damaged my spinal cord if left untreated.
2025-09-15
-
The care team was very focused on my medical problem. They offered a comprehensive care plan
2025-09-15
-
Dr. Lu should have listened to me a bit more closely, checked on my numbness, and explained the situation I'm in better. [redacted]
2025-09-14
-
Dr Lu and [redacted] are very responsive to my inquiries and understand my perspective.
2025-09-14
-
He had a supercilious manner, evident from the first in the tone of his voice and the expressions on his face. My partner and I found him condescending and impatient. He grimaced at our questions, and used the same metaphor in answer to those questions, repeating it again and again, though it didn't address the question. He was not listening. He was not respectful. Though I understand he has excellent credentials, his manner and attitude made it impossible for us to get the benefit of those credentials. [redacted]
2025-09-14
-
Dr Yi Lu is very attentive he always comes prepared. He explains everything
2025-09-10
-
Dr Lu was very caring and told me exactly how to handle the situation going forward. He is very warm and thoughtful
2025-09-07
-
I feel Dr Yi Lu can solve my chronic pain.
2025-09-04
-
I wanted to get a second opinion after seeing the first provider. Dr. Lu was very knowledgeable and made me feel like I made the right decision in selecting him for my surgery.
2025-09-04
-
This office is top notch!!!
2025-09-03
-
Was very thoughtful with all information n support
2025-08-25
-
Professional, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and, old-school bedside manner, whose default setting involves shared medical decision making on complex matters.
2025-08-25
-
I felt comfortable talking to the Dr. He explained the procedure clearly and gave me time to process the information. l didn't feel rushed .
2025-08-24
Accepted Insurance
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- Wellpoint
- Railroad Medicare
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Humana
- Medicaid RI
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- MassHealth
- Senior Whole Health
- Medicaid CT
- WellSense
- Medicaid ME
- United Health Care
- TriCare
- Medicare
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Multiplan
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Beech Street
- Fallon Health
- Tufts Health Plan
- Coventry
- Aetna