Steven Poletti, M.D.

Dr. Steven Poletti came to the Southeastern Spine Institute (SSI) more than 20 years ago as the first physician to join founder Dr. Donald R. Johnson II. Since then, SSI has grown to 18 physicians and physician assistants working together in a spine-only practice.

SSI’s three-acre independent medical campus includes two 22,000-square-foot buildings filled with state-of-the-art equipment, physical therapy facilities, a pain management department, three MRIs and South Carolina’s only accredited ambulatory surgery center (ASC) dedicated specifically to back and neck surgery.


EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Dr. Poletti graduated with honors from the University of California Medical School in 1985. He completed his internship and residency in General, Thoracic & Orthopedic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

He was selected Chief Resident in Orthopedic Surgery at Duke University in 1991. His appointment followed a fellowship with renowned spine surgeon, the late Dr. David Selby, founder of the North American Spine Society.


BOARD CERTIFICATION AND ASSOCIATIONS
Dr. Poletti has been board certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons since 1994. He has served as President of both the South Carolina Spine Society and the South Carolina Orthopedic Association. In addition, he has been active in the following organizations:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American Medical Association
- Charleston County Medical Society
- Charleston Orthopaedic Society
- North American Spine Society
- Piedmont Orthopedic Society
- South Carolina Medical Association


A LIFE IN SPINE MEDICINE
Dr. Poletti, together with Dr. Johnson, performed the first Micro Endoscopic Discectomy and the first Artificial Disc Replacement in South Carolina. The two also collaborated to develop the minimally invasive Globus Percutaneous spine fixation system. They continue to work with medical research companies to bring the latest technology and cutting-edge advancements to spine medicine and to you.

In 2012, the industry-renowned Becker’s Spine Review ranked Dr. Poletti as one of the top 200 spine surgeons in the United States — and the only one selected from South Carolina.

Dr. Poletti, his wife Manda and their four children live on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.