Dr. Good Shares His Personal Journey to Spine Surgery with The Spine Pod

At VSI, we combine a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to spine care, delivering personalized treatments that have earned national and international recognition. Our commitment to innovative techniques and cutting-edge technology has greatly sets us apart in the field of spine care. Recently, The Spine Pod, a leading educational podcast, visited us in Reston, VA, to explore our practice and sit down with Dr. Christopher Good, VSI’s President and CEO, for an exclusive interview.

In this episode, Dr. Good sits down with hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf to discuss his unique approach to spine care. He explains how his practice integrates multiple specialties under one roof to offer comprehensive, patient-centered spine treatment. Having a multidisciplinary team — including physical therapists and pain specialists — all at the same practice, means many patients don’t have to go far for the treatment they need. 

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How the Field of Spine Surgery Chose Dr. Good

Dr. Good entered into the spine field because of a severe spinal injury that his father suffered when Dr. Good was only ten days old. Dr. Good says, “I often tell people the field of spine surgery chose me rather than the other way around.” Spine surgery was very invasive and elementary at the time, which made his father’s recovery from spine surgery very long and difficult. Dr. Good is proud of the incredible advancement that has taken place in the field of spine surgery since then. Inspired by his family experiences, Dr. Good has become a leader in the spine industry, driving innovative approaches in spine surgery, encompassing minimally invasive techniques, motion preserving implants, navigation and robotics. He discusses how these innovative technologies are playing complementary roles in the operating room and how they are coming together to enhance the future of spine care.

The Benefit of a Multidisciplinary Team 

At VSI, having a diverse team of experts working together under one roof significantly enhances patient care. Our practice brings together complex spine surgeons, pain specialists, neurology and physical therapists, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care without the need to visit multiple locations. This collaborative approach also fosters seamless communication among our doctors, which is crucial in delivering personalized treatment plans. Dr. Good highlights that this model not only benefits patients but also enriches the professional experience of our doctors. By working closely with colleagues from various specialties, our physicians continuously learn from each other, advancing their skills and the quality of care they provide.

Dr. Good also shares how he discovered the practice, formerly known as Virginia Spine Institute. Having found some great mentors in his journey of becoming a spine surgeon, Dr. Good saw even more that he could learn from VSI and its founder, Dr. Thomas Schuler. Immediately, he was inspired by the growth mindset that was present in the practice and quickly learned about nonsurgical treatments that he would have never been able to present to patients elsewhere. Having a background in complex spine surgery, Dr. Good quickly gained more expertise about rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, and motion preservation techniques that could promote healing for the patient without resorting to surgery.

Leading the Change in Spine Surgery

With a multitude of experts in one practice, VSI has been on the forefront of new technologies and techniques being successfully used in spine surgery. For example, VSI led the charge in many of the firsts in the country for using robotics in spine surgery. Our practice was able to incorporate some of these new technologies in a way that was safe for patients and eventually demonstrated that it has shown to improve patient outcomes. The growth mindset present throughout this practice drives the innovation and treatment given to patients.

Individualized and Customized Care

Dr. Good also dives into VSI’s unique approach to individualized patient care, and how important it is to customize the care for each patient. Every patient is different and having an open line of communication will help the doctor have a full picture of what each patient needs. Dr. Good says that’s when it comes down to the “values, desires, and risk tolerance,” for each patient. The model and environment where one has the time and desire to piece together patient care is essential for this individualized approach. Our goal is to ultimately get the patient back to the full and active lives they deserve.

Training, Techniques, and Technology in Spine Surgery

Dr. Good often uses a roller coaster analogy when describing the human spine, where individual cars represent the vertebrae, and cords symbolize the intricate structures that hold everything together. The sheer complexity of the spine, in comparison to other orthopedic structures, has historically made this field slower to adapt new newer technological advancements due to its unique challenges. A high level of practice and technique-building is required for spine surgeons to perform surgeries well, and this training and innovation have led him to successfully perform four-level hybrid surgeries. Given his own genetic predisposition to spinal conditions, Dr. Good has become a stronger advocate for motion preservation techniques. Dr. Good says, “Whether it’s robotics, augmented reality, or computerized planning, I believe that is a path to get better standardization of treatment.” Overall, he emphasizes the importance of surgeon specialization and proper training with new technologies to drive better long-term patient outcomes.  

Leaving a Victory Mark

Dr. Good also expands on VSI’s recent brand revitalization and what this means for the practice. This change honors the rich history and legacy of VSI (previously known as Virginia Spine Institute) while positioning the practice for broader reach beyond Virginia, as patients now travel from around the world to receive treatment here. With a patient-centric focus, the new logo, referred to as the Victory Mark – symbolizes the triumphs of VSI patients, innovations pioneered, and the compassion approach to spinal care.  

Dr. Good also shares his personal journey in health and wellness with his ‘Good Family Initiative’ (G5), which promotes excellence and quality of life in his own family outside of his practice. His own family branding is an insight into the hard work and dedication that Dr. Good puts both into his practice and his family. As a spine surgeon, Dr. Good says, “You have to love learning and evolving, and you have to keep doing that until the last day you’re in practice.” This philosophy is the foundation of the practice that Dr. Good has built.

From his early experiences with his father’s spine care journey to his current role as the CEO of VSI, Dr. Good’s lifelong dedication to patient-centered care and his vision for the future of spine surgery is laying the foundation for improved patient outcomes. Whether you’re a patient struggling with leg and back pain, an industry professional or a surgeon, Dr. Good’s insights into the future of spine care make this an episode you won’t want to miss.