Doctor Profile: Spencer Smith, DO

Dr. Smith: I’m Spencer Smith. I’m an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and joint replacement surgery of the hips and knees. So I went to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for Medical School, and then I stayed in Philadelphia for my residency. Then I came down to FOI for my fellowship in adult reconstruction and I’ve been here ever since. I treat all kinds of conditions of the lower extremities. I have a special interest in hip and knee arthritis, as well as failed joint replacements of the hips and knees, and I also treat fractures and sports injuries of the lower extremities.

So the process I go through in evaluating patients is first hearing about the history and when the pain started and how it developed, whether it was an injury or whether it just gradually got worse over time. Then we do a physical exam to narrow in on what could be causing the problem and then review x-rays. Based on those three things, we make a decision as to what the problem is, how it should be treated, and if any further testing or imaging is required. I approach each patient differently because everybody has different goals and different things that they want to get back to. So treating one patient for the same condition that another patient has is not always the right thing. It’s always an individualized approach. What I like best about my job is seeing my patients come in and having a decreased quality of life, decreased functional status, and then being able to develop a plan individualized to them and returning them back to doing the things that they enjoy. So what sets Florida Orthopaedic Institute apart is that there are so many fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons working under one roof to provide the best possible care.