Vero Orthopaedics is proud to welcome board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon Jesse Stem, M.D., to our team of experts. With over two decades of dedicated experience treating neck and back conditions, Dr. Stem brings comprehensive surgical and conservative spine care to patients throughout Vero Beach, Sebastian, and the Treasure Coast.
Patient-Centered Treatment Philosophy
Dr. Stem’s primary goal is helping patients reduce pain, restore physical function, and return to the active lifestyle they love. Recognizing that every patient’s spine condition is unique, he takes a patient-centered, team-based approach to care.
Dr. Stem strongly emphasizes conservative, non-surgical treatments whenever appropriate, including physical therapy, medication management, and interventional spinal injections. When surgery is necessary to preserve long-term mobility or relieve severe nerve compression, Dr. Stem works closely with each patient to select the least invasive surgical procedure adapted to their condition and health goals.
Common Spine Conditions Treated
Dr. Stem provides thorough diagnostic evaluations and individualized care plans for a wide range of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions, including:
- Neck and lower-back pain
- Herniated and degenerative discs
- Spinal stenosis and pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis and adult spinal deformities
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Persistent or ongoing symptoms following prior spine surgery
Areas of Surgical Expertise
For patients requiring surgical intervention, Dr. Stem utilizes evidence-based techniques designed to promote faster recovery, reduce post-operative pain, and protect healthy tissue:
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Advanced techniques intended to reduce incision size and muscle disruption.
- Cervical & Lumbar Decompression: Microdiscectomy and laminectomy procedures to relieve pressure on compressed spinal nerves.
- Motion Preservation: Artificial disc replacement for qualifying patients seeking alternatives to traditional fusion.
- Spinal Fusion Procedures: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) as well as complex lumbar fusions (ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, and lateral approaches).
- Vertebral & Joint Restoration: Kyphoplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures and targeted SI joint fusion.
- Complex Reconstructive Surgery: Spinal deformity correction and revision spine surgery.
Education, Training & Credentials
Dr. Stem completed extensive academic and fellowship training at leading medical institutions across the nation:
- Spine Surgery Fellowship: Kenton D. Leatherman Spine Fellowship, University of Louisville (Louisville, KY)
- Orthopaedic Surgery Residency: Georgia Baptist / Atlanta Medical Center (Atlanta, GA)
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.): West Virginia University School of Medicine (Morgantown, WV)
- Bachelor of Science (Biology/Pre-Med): Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Shippensburg, PA)
Professional Certifications & Memberships
- Board-Certified: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
- Active Member: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Active Member: North American Spine Society (NASS)
