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.
We were amazed at how well he explained the options for us and his team were very polite and friendly
(6 days ago)
Jun-2026
Very kind and also direct- exactly what one hopes for from a physician
(1 week ago)
Jun-2026
Very nice doctor. Spends time asking about issues.
(1 week ago)
Jun-2026
Dr Goebel was very informative and helpful
(1 week ago)
Jun-2026
I did not see Dr. Goebel for 10 years, and again needed an Ortho with a spine specialist for a recent problem - I was happy he was still around and on my plan when I requested a referral.
As before - he was professional, kind, and clear. He has an excellent "bedside manner" with a genuine interest to get to the bottom of your problem and the brains to do it. He isn't a "surgery salesman", and if he can fix your problem non-invasively, he'll let you know he can do that.
(1 week ago)
Jun-2026
Very personable. Have total confidence in his diagnosis , treatment plan and surgical skills
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
Dr Goebel is an excellent Doctor
I was very pleased with his fine care
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
Good doctor
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
Great care and knowledge. Easy to understand and puts me at ease when Im describing my symptoms and asking questions. The spinal injections have worked very well to reduce pain and prevent surgery.
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
Great visit. Was seen in a timely manner. I got diagnosed and treated in one visit!
(2 weeks ago)
Jun-2026
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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
We were amazed at how well he explained the options for us and his team were very polite and friendly
Very kind and also direct- exactly what one hopes for from a physician
Very nice doctor. Spends time asking about issues.
Dr Goebel was very informative and helpful
I did not see Dr. Goebel for 10 years, and again needed an Ortho with a spine specialist for a recent problem - I was happy he was still around and on my plan when I requested a referral. As before - he was professional, kind, and clear. He has an excellent "bedside manner" with a genuine interest to get to the bottom of your problem and the brains to do it. He isn't a "surgery salesman", and if he can fix your problem non-invasively, he'll let you know he can do that.
Very personable. Have total confidence in his diagnosis , treatment plan and surgical skills
Dr Goebel is an excellent Doctor I was very pleased with his fine care
Good doctor
Great care and knowledge. Easy to understand and puts me at ease when Im describing my symptoms and asking questions. The spinal injections have worked very well to reduce pain and prevent surgery.
Great visit. Was seen in a timely manner. I got diagnosed and treated in one visit!