Name: Dr. Karl C. Boatright
Specialty: Orthopedics (Orthopedic Spine Surgery)
Qualification/Board Certification: Not specified
Affiliation: Hilton Head Hospital, Jeffery M Reuben, MD PA
Locations: Bluffton, South Carolina
Languages Spoken: English (assumed)
Accepting New Patients: Not specified
NPI Number: 1346325149
About the Doctor
Dr. Karl C. Boatright is a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery, practicing in Bluffton, South Carolina, with over 20 years of experience. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Washington, and pursued a fellowship in orthopedic surgery of the spine at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Boatright is affiliated with Hilton Head Hospital, which is recognized as high performing in back surgery (spinal fusion) and hip replacement. His clinical interests include the lumbar and cervical spine, and he has expertise in spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, lower back pain, and neck pain. Dr. Boatright accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, and United Healthcare.
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Harvard Medical School graduate with more than 20 years of experience
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Fellowship‑trained in orthopedic spine surgery at Emory University
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4.6/5 patient rating from 246 reviews; five patient awards including “Patients Recommend” and “Clearly Explains”
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Expertise in spinal fusion, lower back pain, neck pain, and non‑fusion spine treatments
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Affiliated with Hilton Head Hospital (High Performing in Back Surgery and Hip Replacement)
Education & Training
Medical School – Harvard Medical School
Residency – University of Washington, Orthopaedic Surgery (1994–1999)
Fellowship/Additional Training – Emory University School of Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine (1999–2000)
Medical Conditions Treated
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Spinal stenosis
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Spondylosis (degenerative spine disease)
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Spondylolisthesis
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Lower back pain
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Neck pain (cervicalgia)
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Herniated intervertebral disc
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Degenerative disc disease
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Arthritis of the spine
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Spinal fractures
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Sciatica / radiculopathy
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Scoliosis (adult)
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Spinal tumors (benign and malignant)
Medical Procedures Performed
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Spinal fusion (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
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Laminectomy and decompression
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Microdiscectomy
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Foraminotomy
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Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
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Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) / transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
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Cervical disc replacement
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Vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty
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Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS)
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Back and neck pain treatment without fusion (decompression alone)
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Epidural steroid injections (assisted)
Services Offered
Dr. Boatright provides comprehensive spine care, ranging from conservative non‑surgical management to complex reconstructive spinal surgery. He begins each patient encounter with a detailed history and neurological examination, followed by advanced imaging (MRI, CT, X‑ray) to precisely diagnose conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and instability. Whenever appropriate, he recommends non‑operative treatments including physical therapy, medication management, and interventional pain procedures. For patients requiring surgery, he performs state‑of‑the‑art spinal fusion, decompression, and disc replacement procedures, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques to reduce pain and accelerate recovery.
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Initial consultation and diagnosis – Comprehensive history, physical exam, imaging review, and patient education on treatment options.
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Non‑surgical spine care – Physical therapy referrals, medication management, lifestyle modification guidance, and epidural steroid injections.
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Surgical interventions – Spinal fusion, laminectomy, discectomy, cervical disc replacement, and minimally invasive spine surgery.
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Non‑fusion surgical treatments – Decompressive procedures for spinal stenosis and radiculopathy without instrumentation.
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Acute and chronic pain management – Post‑operative pain control and coordination with pain specialists.
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Rehabilitation coordination – Referrals to physical and occupational therapy, home exercise programs, and return‑to‑activity planning.
Accepted Insurances
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Aetna (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
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BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (PPO)
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Centene (HMO)
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Cigna (PPO)
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CMS Medicare
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Elevance (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
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Humana (Medicare, PPO)
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Regence Health Plans (PPO)
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United Healthcare (Medicaid, PPO)
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Also accepts Medicaid
Practice Locations
Address: 40 Okatie Center Blvd, Spine Suite, Bluffton, SC 29909
Phone: (843) 379-7746
Hospital Affiliations
Cardiologist
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.