Board-Certified & Fellowship Trained
Orthopedic Surgeon
Specializing in Open and Minimally Invasive Techniques of Spinal Surgery
23 Years of
Experience
Dr. Johnson is originally from Minneapolis, MN and completed his undergraduate studies at the Revelle College of the University of California, San Diego. He graduated with a degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry finishing Magna Cum Laude and as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Subsequently, he earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, graduating at the top of his class and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He pursued an Orthopedic Surgery residency at Northwestern University and a spine surgery fellowship with Dr. Steven Garfin at U.C.S.D. He has a strong interest in minimally invasive and outpatient spine surgery.
Dr. Johnson practices all aspects of operative spine care, and treats the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
The cervical spine is called the neck. It begins at the base of the skull and is comprised of seven vertebrae numbered C1 to C7.
The thoracic spine is the central part of the spine, also called the dorsal spine, which runs from the base of the neck to the bottom of your rib cage.
The spine also called the back bone, plays a vital role in stability, smooth movement and protection of the delicate spinal cord.
Minimally invasive spinal surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is the latest technology available to perform spinal surgeries through small, less than one-inch-long incisions. It involves the use of special surgical instruments, devices and advanced imaging techniques to visualize and perform the surgery through such small incisions.
Mobi-C Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
Mobi-C is an FDA-approved artificial cervical disc from Zimmer Biomet designed to maintain neck motion. It is employed in one- and two-level cervical disc replacement from C3 to C7 and is intended to restore/maintain disc height and segmental motion and alleviate pain and loss of motion in patients with degenerative disc disease and disc herniation.