
Ouch, I Have a Charley Horse!
By Chris Leahy, PA-C Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgery Chances are, you’ve had a sudden muscle cramp, often referred to as a...
"I treat leg and arm pain caused by pressure on the nerves within the spine caused by spinal stenosis, disc herniations, and other problems."
When he was playing sports as a child, Dr. Thomas Kesman learned that an orthopedist could be a big help in overcoming an injury and getting back on the playing field. Those visits to the doctor when he was young helped inspire him to pursue a career as an orthopedic and reconstructive surgeon.
Now as a surgeon at Reliant Medical Group, Dr. Kesman specializes in treating a variety of spinal problems. “I treat leg and arm pain caused by pressure on nerves within the spine, spinal stenosis, compression fractures and other problems,” he explains. “I like the complexity of spine work. The intricacy of the spine really takes an extra level of concentration when you are operating – I find it a very challenging, interesting, and rewarding field.”
One of the things that Dr. Kesman enjoys most about orthopedics is that he is able to use new technologies that can really benefit patients. “Spine surgeons are fortunate to have an expanding choice of different technologies to help patients. Our instrumentation is better than ever before, allowing patients to get up and move more quickly, often without any type of brace. Intraoperative spine navigation helps us place that instrumentation as safely as possible by providing real time guidance in the operating room. Cervical disc replacement is also evolving to be a useful alternative to cervical fusion for herniated discs, in a very select group of patients. All of these technologies help move science and patient care forward. “
According to Dr. Kesman, back and spine problems can be challenging to diagnose, so a thorough history, physical examination and imaging must be done before any operative intervention is recommended. The vast majority of patients start out with conservative treatments before any surgery is considered.
Dr. Kesman is a strong believer in treating patients as if they were his own family members. “I think the sense of trust between the doctor and the patient is very, very important. That’s why I strive to have a good rapport with my patients, since I believe it ultimately helps them enjoy better care when everyone works together.”
In his free time Dr. Kesman is an avid boater, including water-skiing and tubing. He and his wife Rebecca (who is an internist at Reliant) also enjoy downhill skiing, dining out, traveling, and spending as much time as possible with their young son.
Star ratings are based on patient responses to 5 questions about the care they have received from their provider. Responses are measured on a scale of 1-5 and the average score is displayed in an easy to view, 5-star format. Learn more about how we measure our patient experience.
Comments marked with an asterisk * serve as a flag to indicate when a patient has left feedback that specifically references a provider's name.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
I could not ask for a better experience, Dr. Kesman can not improve. He was perfect to deal with. Thank you very much for your consultation.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Great doctor!
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Very caring, good listener, took as much time as I needed.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Dr. Kesman is excellent at providing information regarding surgical procedure, post-op care and longer term prognosis.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Very friendly and concerned did not rush me and answered my questions
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Dr Kesman and the entire team that took care of me seem to be on top of every concern and made a difficult operation seem routine
This patient rated the doctor 4.6 out of 5 stars.
The doctor explained how he saw my situation and made very good suggestions as what he thought should be done and the steps he thought I should take, but with another doctor. Which is what I did. The doctor was very nice and helpful.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Dr Kesman had a scribe and didn't just stare at a computer screen during my visit. Most doctors don't have the time to actually look at their patient because of the regulations of completing forms with a patient. I am in medical field so I am aware of this.
This patient rated the doctor 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Great
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
He was superb!
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Excellent care, professional approach.
Orthopedic Surgery
Cervical Spine Surgery
Disc Herniations
Lumbar Spine Surgery
Spinal Stenosis
Spine Surgery
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Medical Education: Dartmouth Medical School
Internship & Residency: Mayo Clinic
Fellowship: OrthoCarolina Spine Center (Spine Surgery)
English
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