Stuart Hough, MD - Pain Management in Rockville, Maryland

“I'll be pursing a malpractice case and seeking a full investigation into this provider, and as Yale Law grad, with 2 MPH with expertise in this area, I know what I just saw and experienced--I just had another appointment with Dr Hough, this time recorded, because as I had previously reported, he was argumentative, constantly interrupted me and claimed that I "didn't trust him." (You don't get to tell me what I think or feel). I have been his patient for over 10 years, and he had previously been an excellent, kind person who listened to patients. Clearly something happened because others have reported, he does have an acerbic, aggressive bedside manner. In all my appointments, he misstated facts and talked down to me (a woman of color) repeatedly, something demonstrated in research is a real problem with women seeking pain tx. A year ago, Hough did a routine left hip injection that resulted in an unusual side effect which numbed my leg--not unusual in that it happened, unusual in the length of time. I've had the hip injected many times without issue. Hough maintained then as he does now that it had nothing to do with his injection. I've had this same hip, same area injected 8 times under ultrasound guidance, and instead of outright saying he would not do the hip injection again a yr later, he sent me on a goose chase of additional imaging, which was negative (I told him it would be negative), and additional appointments. He actually changed his records to reflect a "clinical finding of back pain," despite telling him it was my hip and that rheum + ortho confirmed HIP. But for pain management, I was willing to jump through his hoops--finding pain management isn't easy and oral steroids+opiods is terrible for long term tx.. I was and am concerned he was repeatedly twisting my words and constantly interrupting me, even after asking him to allow me to finish, but even with my husband present, he talked over me, then called ME adversarial. Disagreeing isn't adversarial, especially when he has incorrect information, and all patients should be interested in ensuring physicians have accurate information. Hough was supposed to obtain records from the 8 other injections, and failed to do so. He then stated that he was not willing to do the procedure--WHY the hoops and WHY not tell me that four appointments ago? He was unprepared for the appointment. Although he maintains his injection was no where near any nerves that would cause temporary leg numbness, the only reason he would both refuse to continue to treat, while assuring me the leg numbness wasn't his procedure, was that he in fact committed medical malpractice. He made no attempts to find out why it happened, and then blamed me for "not trusting him" when he came unprepared and with incorrect information. As such, I have reported him to my insurer, to his professional board and to the Maryland oversight agency to investigate. This provider has no care for patients anymore--I don't know what happened--but if you are a woman or person of color, you should exercise caution as this physician is dangerous and causes harm in what he did to me--gaslight, cause harm, talk over you, raise his voice, and dismiss you. I've seen other reviews consistent with my own experiences with him in 2024 and 2025. Ironically, he responds to Google reviews faster than portal messages or patient requests.”

— Edgerly Campbell

“I have been seeing Dr Hough on and off since 2012. He has always been an exceptional provider. I came in for a joint injection, a procedure that has been done a dozen times and that was confirmed as a *procedure* with Sandy. Dr Hough said the "never so that," which has not been my experience, and if I had known that, I would have requested a virtual appointment as I am bedbound and getting to appointments is extremely difficult and painful. So instead of the procedure, he flat out refused to do it, ordered an MR, and sent me on my way. What is especially frustrating was that he was so cold and unkind about it. He knows my history and that I've been a pain patient for years to an inflammatory autoimmune disease. No other treatment options were provided other than my regular opioids, which is obviously terrible long term pain *management.* What absolutely shocked me was that I was visibly upset and crying, and he literally could not care less. He was almost frazzled and frustrated, which was crazy because EYE am the one in pain and in need of a very routine injection that rheumatology has done and that he has done. It's fine to disagree, but it's never okay to dismiss a patient's pain, to be so thoughtless, uncaring and unkind. No alternatives were discussed or offered.”

— AL Campbell

“Office got me in immediately. Dr Hough was very compassionate with my pain. And worked me very quickly to get me some pain relief at first appointment. And has continued to help for weeks afterwards. He immediately answered many questions I had through patient portal. Nothing but great things to say about Dr Hough and his Staff was fantastic.”

— Jamie Shaw

“I went to see Dr Hough after having an unsuccessful back surgery that left me with the same amount of extraordinary pain if not worse. Dr. Hough had a very cold, and curt bedside manner. He ordered me to have a CT scan which three days later after the scan, I had to call his office to get the results on unfortunately. He then had his assistant call me who simply stated," The procedure I had done by the other doctor was done correctly". Dr. Hough knew how much pain I am in as he had to order a controlled substance for me to be able to lie down flat in order to take the CT scan,yet he didn't even have the decency to call me back himself and spend the time with me explaining what he saw on the scan. His assistant basically told me there was nothing he is prepared to do other than what he has done and I should see my regular physician and tell him that I have osteoporosis. I feel after this experience with Dr. Hough,that he at no time showed any care or compassion for me as a human being or his patient.”

— jonathan robinson