Stephen P . Courtney , MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED , FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED ORTHOPEDIC SPINE SURGEON PRACTICING FOR 26 YEARS .
For board-certified , fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon
Dr . Stephen P . Courtney , patients come first . It ’ s an ethos that developed early on in his life and one that has helped guide him in his journey to earn a distinguished reputation among his professional colleagues , medical peers and , most importantly , his patients .
Dr . Courtney began his medicine career from the ground up . While a teenager , he spent summers working in a rural north Louisiana hospital . As an orderly , he was an integral part of the hospital environment . While not a glorified job , cleaning bed pans , changing bed sheets , cleaning patient rooms , helping medical practitioners , and assisting patients , offered him an invaluable glimpse into the hard work and dedication necessary to succeed in the medical field . The job also served as the catalyst for his decision to pursue medical school .
Inspired by the patients he ’ s cared for there , Dr . Courtney made education a priority . He was salutatorian of his high school class and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Northeast Louisiana University . While at Louisiana State University Medical School , he utilized his summer to perform spine biomechanical tests on human spine cadavers utilizing pedicle screws . Considered cutting edge biomechanics and technology at that time , most spine surgeons didn ’ t even know they existed yet . However , Dr . Courtney performed one of the first biomechanical tests on those implants . It was a feat that earned him the Howmedica Biomechanic Award and the Louisiana Orthopedic Association Award . He also placed fourth in the World Congress for Student Research Competition .
Dr . Courtney ’ s residency at Texas A & M University Medical Center and further specialty training through a fellowship at Florida Neck & Back Institute in Gainesville , Florida , additionally cemented his strong medical foundation . From there , he continued to gain more knowledge and insight on how to help his patients with useful tools , while recognizing there was room for much improvement in the tools at hand .
This realization inspired Dr . Courtney to design , develop , biomechanically test , complete FDA testing and oversee quality control and validation on a host of tools he created . To date , Dr . Courtney has developed nine spinal product lines and obtained nine patents and 14 trademarks on spine related products .
When he ’ s not traveling the country training other physicians on how to utilize his products , Dr . Courtney dedicates himself to the patients of his own medical practice , Advanced Spine Center .
Led by Dr . Courtney , the skilled team at Advanced Spine Center cares for patients with neck and back pain using a wide array of the most state-of-the-art tools and techniques — from conservative physical therapy and injection therapy — to advanced pain management , as well as surgical intervention . We employ the latest in minimally invasive spine surgeries , in addition to cutting-edge replacement technology . Incorporating both high tech and high touch , we get our valued patients back to their lives so they can enjoy all the activities they love .
The medical field is not the only arena in which Dr . Courtney excels . He approaches fitness with the same dedication and vigor he applies to medicine . In 2005 , Dr . Courtney was in the top 10 of his age group in mountain biking in Texas . He also completed one of the largest cycling events in the country multiple times : the “ Hotter ’ N Hell ” race . Always up for a new challenge , from there , he began training to compete in triathlons .
Dr . Courtney trains for triathlons with the same focus he uses as a surgeon . Waking up at 4 a . m . six days per week to work out in his home gym , he never waivers from the goal at hand — exceeding his personal best . After successfully completing multiple triathlons , Dr . Courtney shows no signs of slowing down . He continues to train and looks forward to competing in many more triathlons .
“ I think if you can survive a triathlon you are absolutely living well ,” he says .
Paying attention to fitness is something he encourages his patients to consider , too . “ People don ’ t have to be a tri-athlete to be healthy . I like to tell people you need to start small . Do something to be active . It can even be yard work — that ’ s a great workout too . As you get older
8 • NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022