Douglas G. Orndorff, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Spine Surgeon
My Locations
About Me
I believe patients play a crucial role in their spine health and outcomes. I enjoy educating them about their conditions and involving them in decision-making. I prioritize non-surgical treatments and, when necessary, opt for the least invasive surgical options. My personal experience with back pain gives me great empathy for those with spine conditions. I appreciate the field's ongoing research and technological advancements. Before joining Duke Health, I practiced in a rural Colorado mountain town, becoming proficient in treating all adult spine conditions. In my free time, I enjoy golf, fishing, skiing, wine, and spending time with my family.
- Instructor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery 2024
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Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
I have studied cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy, sagittal balance/deformity, and optimizing biologics in spine fusion patients. I have participated in more than 10 clinical and FDA research trials with the goal of evaluating spine surgery techniques and procedures. I have a special interest in studying platelet rich plasma (PRP) and the effects of marijuana on pain control in spine fusion surgeries. Participating in research has allowed me to stay on the cutting edge of spine innovations and techniques.
- Mundis, Gregory M., Eric C. Olsson, Robert A. Hart, Seth K. Williams, Ryan Martyn, Douglas G. Orndorff, Anastasia L. Berg, Nicholas A. Russell, and Frank Vizesi. “Preliminary experience with a novel facet-based lateral mass drill guide for the placement of lateral mass screws compared to freehand technique: a cadaveric study.” Spine J 23, no. 6 (June 2023): 912–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2023.01.015.
- Nunley, Pierce D., Vikas V. Patel, Douglas G. Orndorff, William F. Lavelle, Jon E. Block, and Fred H. Geisler. “Interspinous Process Decompression Improves Quality of Life in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” Minim Invasive Surg 2018 (2018): 1035954. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1035954.
- Devin, Clinton J., Silky Chotai, Matthew J. McGirt, Alexander R. Vaccaro, Jim A. Youssef, Douglas G. Orndorff, Paul M. Arnold, et al. “Intrawound Vancomycin Decreases the Risk of Surgical Site Infection After Posterior Spine Surgery: A Multicenter Analysis.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 43, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 65–71. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000001371.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- Globus Medical
- NuVasive, Inc.
- Orthofix
- Stryker Orthopaedics
Fast professional friendly
Dr. Orndorff figured out what was causing my lower back pain issue on the first visit. I have been trying for over 7 years to find someone that could find out what was causing it and also willing to perform surgery.
Dr. Orndorff is a pleasure to see. He addresses all the current issues and establishes a plan of care while including me. Because of the surgery he performed, my lumbar spine is pain free giving me a greater quality of life.
The doctor was excellent. I’m in less pain and walking straight. We traveled a long way to have Dr. Orndorff do my surgery.
Dr. Orndorff is an excellent practitioner. He is easy to talk with, explains all aspects of my care, and is considerate of my input in relation to my care. My post-operative surgical journey is going very well due to his expertise.
Dr. Orndorff has an excellent bedside manner - he listens, he’s understanding, and a very skilled surgeon (all with a little, much appreciated, humor mixed in).
This provider explains in detail what my care plan will be in a very clear and concise way. He makes me feel like I'm in good hands.
Dr. Orndorff took the time to explain all my options in a way that was easy to understand.