Dr. Michael Goebel, M.D. has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of many orthopedic conditions, including subspecialty training in the area of the spine- neck and back. As part of EmergeOrtho’s Blue Ridge Region Spine Team, Dr. Goebel routinely provides patients with a comprehensive analysis of their condition and appropriately advises various treatment options.
Dr. Michael Goebel, M.D. has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of many orthopedic conditions, including subspecialty training in the area of the spine- neck and back. As part of EmergeOrtho’s Blue Ridge Region Spine Team, Dr. Goebel routinely provides patients with a comprehensive analysis of their condition and appropriately advises various treatment options.
The reviews listed below were collected independently of EmergeOrtho through rater8. Each review represents an authentic and verified patient experience.
Direct and HONEST ADVICE & EVALUATION---THANK YOU!
(3 days ago)
Jul-2026
He spent a lot of time with me and answered all my questions clearly and thoroughly.
(6 days ago)
Jul-2026
Thorough evaluation of symptoms and imaging. Feel confident in his diagnosis and prescription.
(6 days ago)
Jul-2026
He did not act like he was concerned or caring about the issues I am having. Bedside manner not good.
(1 week ago)
Jul-2026
Good mannerism. Direct, but provided exactly what I needed.
(1 week ago)
Jul-2026
Great Doctor!
(2 weeks ago)
Jul-2026
The md conducted the assessment and provided a plan to find a solution.
(2 weeks ago)
Jul-2026
Friendly, attentive to my issues. Great visit. Patient portal easy to navigate.
(2 weeks ago)
Jul-2026
He has always been great.
(2 weeks ago)
Jul-2026
Was a tad dismissive of mild scoliosis, but answered all of my questions.
(2 weeks ago)
Jul-2026
Read More
Blue Ridge Region: South Asheville - Orthopedics
2585 Hendersonville Road Arden, NC 28704
Blue Ridge Region: Asheville - McDowell - Orthopedics
129 McDowell Street Asheville, NC 28801
Dr. Michael Goebel, M.D. has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of many orthopedic conditions, including subspecialty training in the area of the spine- neck and back. As part of EmergeOrtho’s Blue Ridge Region Spine Team, Dr. Goebel routinely provides patients with a comprehensive analysis of their condition and appropriately advises various treatment options.
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY: While most patients with spinal conditions can effectively be treated without surgery, for those that fail to improve, surgical intervention may be an option for their condition. However, the surgeon must choose the right procedure for the right condition on the right patient in order to have an optimal outcome.
So what is the right procedure or the right condition? To begin with, an evaluation of a neck or back condition entails a complete history and physical exam, as well as a review of any imaging studies. It is important to correlate a patient’s symptoms with their objective findings and imaging abnormalities in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Often times, there are findings on an imaging study that do not correlate with a patient’s symptoms, and therefore are considered “incidental”. These incidental findings likely do not require any specific treatment. Delineating the exact etiology of a patient’s symptoms is the most important initial step in the treatment process. Once that diagnosis is made, various treatment options can then be entertained. These options are based upon literature supported studies, indicating statistical benefit for a specific treatment. From this, we derive the right procedure for the right condition.
Who, then, is the right patient? Many patients with neck and/or back conditions can be treated non-operatively. Suggested modalities may include such things as activity modification, medications, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, etc. Persistent pain and neurologic symptoms that remain despite conservative treatment, and substantially interfere with one’s lifestyle, may be amenable to surgical intervention. Those individuals who fail to improve with non-operative treatment, and who demonstrate symptoms and signs consistent with abnormal findings present on imaging studies, then become the right patient.
EDUCATION AND EXPERTISE: Dr. Goebel attended the University of Notre Dame for his undergraduate studies, graduating with highest honors. He earned his medical degree with honors from the University of Iowa. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Florida and then completed an additional year of subspecialty training at the Maryland Spinal Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program.
Dr. Goebel is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery as well as the North Carolina Medical Board. He is a member of several professional societies, including the North American Spine Society, the North Carolina Spine Society, the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the North Carolina Orthopedic Society.
As a board certified orthopedic surgeon who has additional subspecialty training in the area of spine- neck and back, Dr. Goebel addresses a variety of orthopedic conditions and injuries including:
*bulging/protruding/herniated/ruptured discs (worn shock absorber impinging on adjacent nerves) *spinal stenosis (narrowing/crowding/pinching of the space for the nerves) *cervical or lumbar radiculopathy/sciatica (radiating nerve pain down arms and/or legs) *spondylolisthesis (spinal instability or slipped vertebrae) *scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) *spinal fractures (broken vertebrae) *degenerative discs (wear of the disc/shock absorber between vertebrae) *spondylosis (arthritis of spine)
Dr. Goebel specializes in many types of surgical procedures for the neck and back including:
*discectomies (removal of fragment of disc) *laminectomies (removal of bone spur or thickened ligament) *fusions (stabilizing unstable vertebrae, from the front and/or back) *disc replacements *vertebroplasties/kyphoplasties (bone cement augmentation of fractured vertebrae) *nerve decompressions
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: In addition to his busy clinical practice, Dr. Goebel is committed to teaching. Residents from the MAHEC program have rotated through his practice for many years, learning the specifics of spinal conditions and appropriate treatment options. He has given several talks to the community on common neck and back conditions. In addition, he has guest lectured to regional sports medicine and nursing conferences in the area of spine.
Education Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa Internship: University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida Fellowship: Maryland Spinal Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program, Baltimore, Maryland
Honors Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society
Associations North American Spine Society North Carolina Spine Society American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons North Carolina Orthopedic Society American Medical Association North Carolina Medical Society
Direct and HONEST ADVICE & EVALUATION---THANK YOU!
He spent a lot of time with me and answered all my questions clearly and thoroughly.
Thorough evaluation of symptoms and imaging. Feel confident in his diagnosis and prescription.
He did not act like he was concerned or caring about the issues I am having. Bedside manner not good.
Good mannerism. Direct, but provided exactly what I needed.
Great Doctor!
The md conducted the assessment and provided a plan to find a solution.
Friendly, attentive to my issues. Great visit. Patient portal easy to navigate.
He has always been great.
Was a tad dismissive of mild scoliosis, but answered all of my questions.