Speciality: Orthopedic Spine
ORTHOPEDIC SPINE
Our orthopedic spine specialists are all fellowship trained and board certified orthopedic surgeons who treat a wide variety of spinal conditions ranging from ruptured discs and radiating leg pain to spinal fractures and scoliosis.
We have multidisciplinary teams of back and spine specialists throughout the south east and Savannah region, including specialized orthopedic surgeons, and physical and occupational therapists.
Our experts are trained in the latest techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, conditions, and injuries of the spine. Together, we determine the source of your pain and treat it as effectively as possible.
912.644.5300
JOHN McCORMICK, MD: Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
OPTIM ORTHOPEDICS SPINE SURGEONS
Our People Make The Difference
Behind every treatment or procedure is a specially trained, highly experienced professional who’s dedicated to giving you the best care possible so that you can get back to life—quickly, safely, and confidently. They’re experts at what they do, and we’re proud to have them as part of our team.
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John McCormick, MD
ORTHOPEDIC SPINE​
Board Certification American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Professional Affiliations AO Spine
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
North American Spine Society (NASS)
Medical School Medical College of Georgia (Augusta, GA)
Residency
University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
Fellowship
University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
Thomas Niemeier, MD
ORTHOPEDIC SPINE​
Residency
University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
Fellowship
Stanford University Spine Surgery (Palo Alto, CA)
Board Certification Board Eligible, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Professional Affiliations AO Spine
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
North American Spine Society (NASS)
Medical School Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
SPINE CONDITIONS
Coccydynia
Degenerative Disc Disease
Disc Herniations (ruptured disc)
Herniated Disc (Cervical)
Kyphosis
Osteoporosis
Radiating Arm & Leg Pain
Sciatica (tingling sensation)
Scoliosis
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
Spinal Fractures
Spinal Instability
Spinal Stenosis (Cervical)
Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal)
Spinal Tumors
Spondylolisthesis (forward slip of vertebra)
Spondylosis
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NON-SURGICAL SPINE PROCEDURES
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
Cervical Selective Nerve Root Block
CT Scan (Computed Tomography; CAT Scan)
Facet Joint Injections
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Lumbar Transforaminal
Epidural Steroid Injection
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Myelography (Myelogram)
Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection
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SURGICAL SPINE PROCEDURES
ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Cervical Posterior Foraminotomy
Disc Replacement, Lumbar (Maverick™)
Interlaminar Lumbar Instrumented Fusion
Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
Laminectomy
Laminectomy (Cervical) with Fusion
Lumbar Disc Microsurgery
Lumbar Inter-Body Fusion (IBF)
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
Spinal Cord Stimulation (Boston Scientific)
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
Vertebroplasty
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SPINE REHABILITATION
The unique spine care program at Optim Orthopedics features talented physical therapists working closely with a variety of physicians to obtain the best outcome for conservative treatment. Our therapists are continually enhancing their knowledge with up-to-date techniques regarding back and neck care.
Spine Care
Every patient who walks the doors at Optim Orthopedics gets a personalized education on their own back condition and the surgical options available. We have multidisciplinary teams of back and spine specialists throughout the south east and Savannah region, including specialized orthopedic surgeons, and physical and occupational therapists.
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Our experts are trained in the latest techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, conditions, and injuries of the spine. Together, we determine the source of your pain and treat it as effectively as possible.
Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spinal Surgery
Pain in these areas is generally first treated with some combination of medication and physical therapy. If the pain does not improve after some months of these treatments, surgery can become an option. Spine surgery can help a variety of back conditions, including:
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Arm and Leg Pain
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Back Pain
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Herniated Discs
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Neck Pain
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Spinal Stenosis
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Spondylolisthesis
Microscopic and Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
During minimally invasive techniques, Optim Orthopedics surgeons make a small incision and use advanced computer technology and specialized instruments to repair back and spine conditions. In microscopic surgery, we combine minimally invasive techniques with highly sensitive, cutting-edge surgical microscopes to access even the most delicate areas with precision. Minimally invasive techniques offer patients:
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Faster recovery time than traditional spinal surgery
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Reduced infection
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Reduced blood loss
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Faster return to your regular lifestyle
Motion-Sparing Spinal Surgery
Traditional fusion surgery merges the vertebrae, which relieves pain and pressure, but also restricts your ability to move. Motion-sparing spinal surgery gives you the best of both worlds—it relieves pressure on your spinal cord and preserves your range of motion. Motion-sparing techniques can be used in cervical artificial disc replacement and laminoplasty (removing spinal cord pressure from cervical spine stenosis).
Spinal Deformity Surgery
If you or your child suffers from a spinal deformity, the orthopaedic spine surgeons at Optim Orthopedics will work to correct the problem with braces and other non-surgical approaches. In most cases, we try not to treat scoliosis and other spinal deformities with surgery, but if more conservative treatments do not improve the deformity, surgery may be the best option. Optim Orthopedics orthopaedic surgeons always take time to explain the risks and benefits of any procedure and help our patients come to a decision that feels right. We also work with any other specialists involved, so treatment is multidisciplinary and comprehensive. Surgery to treat spinal deformities, including scoliosis and kyphosis, straighten the spine and/or release the pressure on spinal nerves. This often requires uniting the vertebrae using special implants to keep the spine together.
JOHN McCORMICK, MD - Orthopedic Spine
THOMAS LAWHORNE, MD - Orthopedic Spine
BRADLEY HEIGES, MD - Orthopedic Spine
THOMAS NIEMEIER, MD - Orthopedic Spine
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