Michael Goldsmith, MD

"I have worked in public health for most of my career. Dr. Goldsmith and the staff were amazing. I came to see him from another state on the recommendation of a friend because I was concerned about the quality of care I was receiving. Dr Goldsmith walked my partner and I through the MRI explaining each problem area of my lower spine and how it related to the symptoms I was having. He outlined the options clearly and what would be involved as well as the potential risk with each option. He answered our questions. In the end the decision was simple because we had the knowledge we needed to make an-informed decision. And the information so clearly match the symptoms I was dealing with. Dr Goldsmith and the team made me feel comfortable and respected. When we were leaving I told him I felt like I had gone from little league baseball to the major league all star team. Yes he is that good."

"Every part of my experience with Dr. Goldsmith and his practice was exceptional. He's thorough, thoughtful, not quick to rush to surgery, and very good at explaining the what's, why's, and how's. His staff is friendly, sympathetic, knowledgeable, and quick to respond. They checked in with me daily during my stay at the hospital and everyday after my discharge until it was clear that everything is going well. They'll be calling me next week anyway to make sure I'm still doing well. And probably best of all, they really listened when I expressed concern about my pain levels and made immediate changes -- ones that didn't involve potentially addictive meds but came to the problem from a different perspective. The new approach worked overnight. I can't praise Dr. Goldsmith and is practice enough. It was major surgery and required creativity. He aced it all! And again, because it really is important in a situation like this, his team -- PAs, nurses, and office staff -- deserve the absolute highest praise."

"We spoke with a couple of doctors about whether my sister would ever walk again, and the consistent answer was: "There's no guarantee." Dr. Michael Goldsmith saw it differently. He sent her to the ER at Sibley, monitored her for a couple of days, and told us he believed she would walk again. He operated on her spine August 2025. Five months later, she's walking independently, no assistive devices. The doctor you choose matters. We're truly grateful for Dr. Goldsmith. He cares, and that what made all the difference."

"Several months ago, I experienced severe lower back pain to the point where I could not stand upright and was unable to walk more than 20 feet at a time. The pain was debilitating and significantly affected my daily life. My initial consultation was with Dr. Wegner at OrthoVirginia. Unfortunately, I found the experience extremely frustrating. While I understand that physicians are busy, I felt that my condition was not given the level of attention or urgency it warranted by Dr. Wegner and OrthoVirginia. At that time, I was in extreme pain and increasingly concerned about my mobility. Based on my symptoms, I strongly believed surgery would ultimately be necessary. However, before insurance would authorize surgical intervention, I was required to complete six weeks of physical therapy and receive three epidural steroid injections. The epidural injections provided partial relief -- they allowed me to move from a severely bent posture (approximately 45 degrees) to nearly standing upright. That said, the improvement felt temporary and incomplete. Physical therapy, in my case, seemed to aggravate the pain rather than improve it, and attending sessions became increasingly difficult. Three weeks into therapy, I decided to seek a second opinion. Through a recommendation from a trusted source in the medical field, I scheduled a consultation with Dr. Michael Goldsmith at Summit Orthopedics. Within three days of calling, I was seen in his office. From the first visit, I found Dr. Goldsmith to be approachable, attentive, and thorough. He listened carefully to my description of symptoms and reviewed my condition with clarity and confidence. He immediately ordered in-office X-rays, which were necessary to properly document the medical necessity of an MRI. He prepared a detailed and well-supported clinical justification for the MRI, which was approved by insurance within one week. This was a notable contrast to my previous experience with OrthoVirginia, where multiple MRI requests had been denied. The difference, in my opinion, was the precision and thoroughness of Dr. Goldsmith's documentation. It was thorough. After reviewing the imaging, Dr. Goldsmith explained that he had performed this type of surgery many times and was confident in the expected outcome. He advised that within three months I would likely return to normal activity -- even skiing. While I was understandably cautious, his confidence and clarity gave me reassurance. I proceeded with surgery, which addressed both the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. The operation lasted nearly four hours and involved the placement of six screws, two spacers, and a titanium plate. The results have truly exceeded my expectations. I was able to walk the day after surgery and began regaining strength in my leg almost immediately. The majority of my pain was resolved. As I approach the three-month mark, I am able to perform most normal activities again. At my most recent follow-up, Dr. Goldsmith advised that I could discontinue wearing my brace, reflecting the stability and progress of my recovery. Equally important, throughout this entire process, Dr. Goldsmith and the Summit Orthopedics staff worked diligently to make everything as smooth and manageable as possible. From coordinating initial diagnostic testing to handling insurance approvals and guiding me through hospital admission, the team was consistently organized, responsive, and supportive. Every interaction reflected professionalism and genuine care. Navigating spine surgery is stressful enough; having a capable and compassionate staff made a meaningful difference. The postoperative imaging may look intimidating, but the execution and outcome of the procedure have been outstanding. The surgery unfolded exactly as Dr. Goldsmith described. His skill, preparation, and communication were evident throughout the process. He was thorough. In summary, I am deeply grateful for the care I received. Dr. Goldsmith is knowledgeable, confident without arrogance, and technically excellent. I strongly recommend him."

""I recently saw Dr. Goldsmith for a neck issue and was thoroughly impressed. He is a highly skilled professional with excellent credentials who immediately put me at ease. He took the time to discuss my situation clearly and made me feel confident in the next steps. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a knowledgeable and professional doctor.""

"Dr goldsmith performed at the highest possible level and achieved the results he was looking for. Couldn't be more pleased Dr totally committed to being the best he could be. Overall experience excellent"

"This center looked very professional! Also Dr. Michael Goldsmith was very attentive and listened well to my questions. He was honest in referring me to a right specialist. I will strongly recommend you to visit his office for your neck problems."

"Dr Goldsmith was the best. He took the time, didn't make me feel rushed, he explained things, and his advice felt appropriate (not overly cautious or dismissive). I'll be choosing him exclusively for follow ups."