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.
Asked if I could talk to a doctor about my condition and they said yes! I only waited a few minutes before being taken to a room and Dr. Goebel came in shortly thereafter. He was very knowledgeable and friendly and answered all my questions. Emerge Ortho is a very efficient and friendly place!
(5 days ago)
Sep-2026
Took time to listen. Good course of action - next steps.
(1 week ago)
Sep-2026
Dr Goebel always helps me see what’s going on, gives options, and we find the best path forward based his insight.
(1 week ago)
Sep-2026
Dr. Goebel was very professional and provided enough information concerning my L1 bulging disk which made me comfortable that he knows his stuff. He took the time to come to this determination after an Xray ruled out a fracture and the examination of my terribly painful leg and lower back. He set up an appointment for a steroid injection with a physiatrist. I'll see him again in six weeks.
(2 weeks ago)
Sep-2026
He explained everything very clearly
(3 weeks ago)
Sep-2026
This time the weight was substantial just over an hour. That sadly said, I have full and utter confidence and Dr. Goebel.
(1 month ago)
Sep-2026
No compassion, only sees things from his perspective. Unable to look at the entire patient picture. Will make you and your loved ones feel like you are just a disease and doesn’t advocate for his patients.
(1 month ago)
Sep-2026
Dr. Goebel is really cool.
(1 month ago)
Aug-2026
Dr Goebel has a conservative approach to spine surgery, “less is more” in the long run. My double lanenectomies were 100% successful with zero side effects. I recommend him to you with 100% confidence.
(1 month ago)
Aug-2026
I didn’t feel good I was hurting and he said my back wasn’t bad when I know it is I’m on pain pills and don’t like taking them but the pain is so bad it’s took over my life and left me wishing god would take me on to heaven I know that there’s something bad wrong with my back he was pushing me out the door sending me back to see Dr. hicks in a month so that’s a month of severe pain I felt Dr.Goebel didn’t take the time to hear me out why’d he have me come to see him I need help I want off the pain medication .
(1 month ago)
Aug-2026
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
Asked if I could talk to a doctor about my condition and they said yes! I only waited a few minutes before being taken to a room and Dr. Goebel came in shortly thereafter. He was very knowledgeable and friendly and answered all my questions. Emerge Ortho is a very efficient and friendly place!
Took time to listen. Good course of action - next steps.
Dr Goebel always helps me see what’s going on, gives options, and we find the best path forward based his insight.
Dr. Goebel was very professional and provided enough information concerning my L1 bulging disk which made me comfortable that he knows his stuff. He took the time to come to this determination after an Xray ruled out a fracture and the examination of my terribly painful leg and lower back. He set up an appointment for a steroid injection with a physiatrist. I'll see him again in six weeks.
He explained everything very clearly
This time the weight was substantial just over an hour. That sadly said, I have full and utter confidence and Dr. Goebel.
No compassion, only sees things from his perspective. Unable to look at the entire patient picture. Will make you and your loved ones feel like you are just a disease and doesn’t advocate for his patients.
Dr. Goebel is really cool.
Dr Goebel has a conservative approach to spine surgery, “less is more” in the long run. My double lanenectomies were 100% successful with zero side effects. I recommend him to you with 100% confidence.
I didn’t feel good I was hurting and he said my back wasn’t bad when I know it is I’m on pain pills and don’t like taking them but the pain is so bad it’s took over my life and left me wishing god would take me on to heaven I know that there’s something bad wrong with my back he was pushing me out the door sending me back to see Dr. hicks in a month so that’s a month of severe pain I felt Dr.Goebel didn’t take the time to hear me out why’d he have me come to see him I need help I want off the pain medication .