Comprehensive Back & Spine Care
Georgia Neurosurgical Institute (GNI) takes an innovative approach to find the most effective, efficient treatment plan for your spine or back problem. We boast years of experience coupled with passion for being your only choice for spine and back care. At GNI, the spine procedures we offer include:
Services Offered by GNI
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
- ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
- Decompression
- Discectomy / Microdiscectomy
- Foraminotomy / Foraminectomy
- Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
- Laminectomy (Cervical)
- Laminectomy (Cervical) with Fusion
- Lumbar Disc Microsurgery
- Occipito-Cervical Fixation (OC Fusion)
- Spinal Cord Stimulation (Boston Scientific)
- Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
- TLIF – Transforamenal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Why Choose GNI?
The Neurosurgical Difference
Not all spine specialists are the same. While orthopedic spine specialists have an important role to play in caring for patients with injuries to the back’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments, they don’t have the deep experience required to diagnose, assess, and treat the hundreds of possible nerve conditions that can cause intense, debilitating back pain.
Our neurosurgeons spend seven years of residency learning the intricate details of the brain and spine, focusing specifically on these all-important parts of the nervous system. Our spine pain treatments don’t just address the symptoms, they address the root causes of the pain systematically, with the end goal of lasting back pain relief.
Using Technology to Relieve Pain Faster
Our passion for patient care inspires us to continually seek out new technologies to improve patient outcomes. One technology that is helping our surgeons deliver better care is the Mazor X Stealth™ surgical robotic guidance system. This system allows our team to visualize the patient’s anatomy and pre-plan the surgery in detail. It then provides robotic guidance for incredibly fast, remarkably precise surgical work.
The results?
Faster procedures
Less trauma to the body
Less anesthesia
Reduced post-operative pain
Meet the GNI Team
With more than sixteen decades of neurosurgical practice, and holding more than fifty patents for medical devices, the talented neurosurgeons at GNI have experience and training that’s second-to-none.
Dr. Joe Sam Robinson, Jr.
With more than 35 years of experience, training from Harvard, the University of Virginia, and rotations in hospitals around the world, Dr. Joe Sam Robinson is one of the area’s most experienced neurosurgeons. He has not only provided patients in Middle Georgia with outstanding neurosurgical care, he has shared his knowledge and experience through lectures and professorships across the US and in Thailand, Scotland, Honduras, Italy, China, Lithuania, and Peru.
Dr. Kim W. Johnston
Dr. Kim Johnston has been involved in neurosurgical patient care for over 30 years. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of spinal disease and deformities, spinal and brain tumors, and trauma. A Macon native, Dr. Johnston is a graduate of Valdosta State College. He received his medical degree in 1981 from the Medical College of Georgia. Following a general surgery internship at the Medical College in Augusta, he also completed his residency in neurosurgery there.
Dr. Hugh F. Smisson III
Dr. Hugh Smisson specializes in minimally invasive treatment of the spinal cord, including cervical, thoracic and lumbar disease. As such, he has developed techniques and created appliances for his areas of expertise including a spinal fusion device for the cervical spine as well as a minimally invasive spinal fusion device for the lumbar spine both of which are currently used throughout the United States and Europe.
Dr. Richard A. Rowe
Dr. Richard Rowe has more than 20 years of experience in neurosurgery – many of which occurred while serving as an active duty Neurosurgeon with the United States Navy; he is recognized as an expert in both complex spine disease and trauma as well as in complex tumors of the brain and skull base – skills he developed and perfected during both his naval service and as a faculty member at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
Dr. Igor De Castro
Dr. Igor DeCastro specializes in minimally invasive and microsurgical techniques for brain and spinal cord conditions and tumors. He completed neurosurgical residency programs in both his home country of Brazil and also in the United States at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). During his training he had the opportunity to work under GNI’s Dr. Richard Rowe on complex spine procedures. During his second residency, Dr. DeCastro was honored as the “Resident of the Year” three times and he became the first Resident to receive the “Chris Hackler Ethics Award.” Additionally, Dr. DeCastro obtained the highest score on the Neurosurgical Boards for the last 18 years among UAMS graduates.
Dr. Cory Adamson
Dr. Adamson comes to us with extensive fellowship training, clinical experience, and research experience in all types of brain tumors, most notably malignant gliomas. With operative skills that include endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Adamson is available for a full breadth of neurosurgical procedures in neuro-oncology, trauma, hydrocephalic conditions, the peripheral nerves, and the spine. Dr. Adamson received teaching awards during his employment at Duke Neurosurgery and service awards for his work in the VA system. Dr. Adamson has also been named a Top Doctor in Atlanta for seven years.
Hear From Our Patients
Lynn M.
“I was scared to have back surgery. With the help of doctor and staff I was able to overcome the fear. I was completely satisfied with the outcome. I highly recommend the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute for any back problems.”
Tonia E.
“I have been searching for somewhere to take my mom to have her back checked so hopefully she would be able to walk again without severe pain. Her visits here have been fantastic. They actually listened to what she had to say and didn’t make her feel like she was crazy.”
Dave J.
“Dr. Rowe did an emergency tumor removal on my spinal cord. You cannot even tell I had surgery as far as the incision goes. As soon as I woke from recovery, I had full use of my legs again. I trust him completely. His office staff and entire team were incredibly nice, professional, and knowledgeable. I am thankful for Dr. Rowe’s skill level. He answered all of my questions at follow up and is taking every step and precaution to make sure I have the best outcome.”