Chad Patton, MD, MS — orthopaedic spine surgeon.
Twenty years of practice in Annapolis, focused on outpatient and minimally invasive spine surgery, adult deformity, and revision cases. Research in surgical outcomes and value-based spine care. Second opinions and PCP referrals welcome.
Clinical practice
Board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon. Twenty years of practice spanning the full range of adult spine conditions — degenerative cervical and lumbar disease, disc herniation, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, adult deformity, trauma, and revision surgery. More than 300 procedures performed annually, with roughly a third performed at an ambulatory surgery center.
Leadership
Medical Director of Spine Surgery, leading a multidisciplinary program across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and outpatient sites. Work centers on care pathway design, value-based care, and the safe expansion of spine procedures into the ambulatory setting.
Research and teaching
More than 40 peer-reviewed publications on spine surgery outcomes, value-based care, health disparities, and the use of patient-reported outcome measures including PROMIS. Active in the development and adoption of measurable, patient-centered outcome standards in spine surgery.
Recognition
Repeatedly recognized as a regional "Top Doctor," with more than 100 five-star patient reviews. Affiliated institution recognized among Healthgrades' 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery.
Where to start, by what you're feeling.
Most patients arrive at a spine surgeon by way of a symptom — not a diagnosis. The clusters below are the most common reasons patients are seen in this practice.
Neck pain radiating into the arm
Sharp or burning pain down the shoulder, arm, or hand, often with numbness, tingling, or weakness. Frequently worse with certain neck positions.
Hand clumsiness, balance changes, or gait trouble
Dropping objects, buttoning shirts becoming difficult, unsteady walking, or a sense that the legs aren't responding normally — sometimes without much pain.
Lower back pain with leg pain or numbness
Pain that travels from the back into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot — typically worse with sitting, bending, or specific movements.
Leg pain or heaviness when walking
Pain, cramping, or fatigue in one or both legs that begins after walking a distance and is relieved by sitting or leaning forward — sometimes called neurogenic claudication.
Worsening posture or visible spinal curvature
A forward-leaning stance, uneven shoulders or hips, or progressive curvature noticed in adulthood — sometimes accompanied by back pain or reduced standing tolerance.
Persistent symptoms after prior spine surgery
Recurrence of original symptoms, new symptoms in adjacent areas, or incomplete recovery after a previous procedure. Often a candidate for surgical or non-surgical revision evaluation.
Surgical procedures performed.
The following procedures are performed regularly in this practice. Procedures marked ASC-eligible are commonly performed at an ambulatory surgery center with same-day discharge, when patient and pathology are appropriate.
Independent evaluation, including the option not to operate.
Patients with a diagnosis and a proposed surgical plan are welcome — and a meaningful share of second-opinion visits end with a recommendation for continued conservative care or a different procedure than the one originally proposed. The point is to arrive at the right answer for the patient, not to confirm a plan.
A recent MRI (within 6–12 months when possible), prior imaging reports, operative notes from any prior spine surgery, and a list of conservative treatments already attempted — physical therapy, injections, medications.
A focused review of the imaging and history, a physical examination, and an explicit discussion of options — surgical, non-surgical, and "wait and reassess." If surgery is indicated, the type of procedure, setting (hospital vs. ASC), and expected recovery are reviewed in detail.
If conservative care is more appropriate, that is the recommendation given — with specific guidance on next steps, which often does not require returning to this practice. A clear "no surgery" answer is, for many patients, the most useful outcome of a second opinion.
Online scheduling is open with a recent MRI. Most second-opinion appointments are available within two to three weeks. Appointments are also accepted by physician referral.