High-Volume Spine Care with a Personalized Approach
We Treat Patients — Not Just MRIs
Spine pain is personal, frustrating, and often misunderstood. We take the time to understand why you are hurting — not just what your imaging shows. Every visit includes a detailed review of your MRI, CT scan, or X-rays in clear, understandable terms. We explain why you feel what you feel, what is truly causing your symptoms, and which findings matter — and which do not.
Orthopedic Associates of Meadville has one of the highest-volume spine surgery programs in the region. This reflects our reputation, outcomes, and the trust placed in us by both patients and referring providers.
High volume means experience. Personal care means you are never just a number. You will never be rushed or left confused about your diagnosis.
Thoughtful, Honest Treatment Plans
Spine surgery is never the first answer unless it truly needs to be. We carefully review all appropriate options, including:
- Observation and activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Medications or injections
- Motion-preserving procedures
- Minimally invasive surgery when necessary
If surgery is recommended, it is because it offers the best chance at meaningful improvement, not because it is routine. We are direct, honest, and transparent about what surgery can help, what it cannot fix, expected recovery timelines, risks and benefits, and long-term goals. Patients consistently tell us they appreciate understanding their condition and feeling actively involved in their care.
Surgery Is Only Half the Job
Great spine care does not end in the operating room. Half of our job is performing surgery safely and precisely, and the other half is guiding you through recovery, answering questions, adjusting care plans, and making sure you are progressing as expected.
Our patients are followed closely after surgery, with attention to pain control, mobility, healing, and long-term success. You are not “Follow Up as Needed” once the procedure is done.
Spine Conditions and Procedures
Our providers evaluate and treat a full range of neck, mid-back, and low-back conditions. Treatment always starts with conservative options when appropriate, but surgery is recommended when symptoms persist or neurological function is at risk.
Common Spine Conditions
- Neck pain and low back pain
- Arm pain (cervical radiculopathy)
- Leg pain / sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy)
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Degenerative disc disease
- Cervical myelopathy (spinal cord compression)
- Spondylolisthesis (vertebra slipping)
- Spinal arthritis
- Compression fractures (osteoporosis or trauma related)
- Failed back or neck surgery syndrome
- Adjacent segment disease after prior fusion
- Spinal instability and deformity
- Post-traumatic spine injuries
Common Spine Procedures
- Cervical Disc Arthroplasty (Artificial Disc Replacement)
- A motion-preserving alternative to fusion for select patients with cervical disc disease. The damaged disc is replaced with an artificial disc to relieve nerve pressure while maintaining natural neck movement.
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
- A common and effective surgery for neck and arm pain caused by disc herniation or arthritis. The problematic disc is removed, nerves are decompressed, and the spine is stabilized.
- Cervical Laminoplasty (Motion-Preserving Decompression)
- A motion-preserving procedure used to treat spinal cord compression in the neck. The spinal canal is expanded without removing stability or requiring fusion in many cases.
- Minimally Invasive Microdiscectomy
- A small-incision procedure to remove herniated disc material pressing on a nerve. This often results in rapid leg pain relief with minimal tissue disruption.
- Lumbar Laminectomy (Motion-Preserving Decompression)
- A decompression procedure to relieve pressure on nerves caused by spinal stenosis. When appropriate, this is performed without fusion to preserve natural motion.
- Minimally Invasive Spine Fusion
- For patients with instability, deformity, or severe degeneration, fusion may be necessary. We utilize minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to reduce muscle damage, blood loss, and recovery time.
- Kyphoplasty
- A minimally invasive procedure to stabilize painful spinal compression fractures. This often provides rapid pain relief and restores spinal alignment.
- Neuromodulation & Chronic Pain Treatment, such as Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
- An advanced, minimally invasive treatment for chronic nerve pain when surgery is not indicated or previous surgeries have failed. Electrical stimulation is used to reduce pain signals before they reach the brain.
- Neuromodulation Therapy
- Includes modern implantable technologies to manage chronic spine-related pain and improve quality of life.
- Treatment for Osteoporosis
- Fracture care with spine specialists also includes care and treatment for osteoporosis, a condition in which there is enhanced bone fragility and an increased fracture risk.
- Complex & Revision Spine Surgery
- We routinely care for patients who:
- Have had multiple prior spine surgeries
- Were told surgery was “too risky” or “not possible”
- Have persistent pain after prior procedures
- Need second or third opinions for complex spine problems
- Revision spine surgery requires careful planning, advanced techniques, and experience. These cases are approached methodically with patient safety and realistic outcomes as the priority.
Spine Team
Orthopedic Surgeons
Michael Ghassibi, DO
Education and Training
Medical School
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Residency
Ohio University Mercy Health, Youngstown, OH
Fellowship
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Dr. Michael Ghassibi, DO: Goals with Spine Patients
Michael Ghassibi, DO
Dr. Michael C. Ghassibi is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon dedicated exclusively to the treatment of spinal disorders. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and complex spinal reconstruction, with a focus on helping patients return to active, functional lives as safely and efficiently as possible.
Dr. Ghassibi completed advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at the University of Missouri, a program recognized by AOSpine North America. His fellowship emphasized minimally invasive techniques, spinal deformity correction, and the management of complex degenerative spine conditions. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth in Ohio, where he ranked in the 98th percentile nationally on the Orthopedic In-Training Examination. He later passed both the written and oral board examinations and is fully board certified in orthopedic surgery.
He earned his medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating first in his class with highest distinction. He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Bonaventure University, graduating summa cum laude.
Dr. Ghassibi performs approximately 600 spine procedures per year, placing him among the highest-volume spine surgeons in practice today. He is known for meticulous surgical technique, precision, and a commitment to achieving excellent outcomes. His practice focuses on conditions such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spinal deformity, trauma, and complex revision spine surgery.
In addition to clinical care, Dr. Ghassibi plays an active role in advancing spine surgery nationally. He serves as a Key Opinion Leader and clinical instructor for Medtronic Spine, one of the world’s leading spine technology companies. In this role, he teaches spine surgeons across the country advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques and helps refine modern spine technologies. He is among a select group of surgeons chosen to train other physicians in these complex procedures.
Dr. Ghassibi has authored peer-reviewed research published in The Spine Journal, one of the most respected and competitive journals in spine surgery. Publication in this journal reflects a rigorous peer-review process and a strong commitment to academic excellence and evidence-based medicine.
He also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor and Spine Clinical Preceptor for the LECOM Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. He lectures medical students and orthopedic residents on adult and pediatric spine conditions and regularly presents nationally on minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal trauma, and cervical disc replacement.
Despite his national involvement, Dr. Ghassibi remains deeply committed to serving his local community. He believes in building long-term relationships with his patients and providing care that is compassionate, individualized, and centered on each patient’s goals and quality of life.
His philosophy is straightforward: recommend surgery only when necessary, use the least invasive technique possible, and prioritize safe, durable outcomes that restore quality of life.
Tzu Chuan (Annie) Yen, MD
Education and Training
Medical School
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
Residency
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Fellowship
University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR
Tzu Chuan (Annie) Yen, MD
Dr. Annie Yen holds not one, not two, but three bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arizona: a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physiology, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology! From Arizona, Dr. Yen went on to complete her residency in Missouri and a fellowship in Arkansas.
She and OAM colleague, Dr. Michael Ghassibi, met during their residencies and have previously collaborated on a number of peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
Advanced Practice Providers
Jeremy Potter, PA-C
Jeremy Potter, PA-C
Jeremy Potter received his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Duquesne University. He joined Orthopedic Associates of Meadville in 2005.
Kyle Scott, CRNP
Kyle Scott, CRNP
Kyle Scott completed his undergraduate and post-graduate studies at PennWest University. He joined Orthopedic Associates of Meadville in 2025.