Bryce Johnson, M.D President, OrthoWest Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon | 23+ Years of Experience

Dr. Bryce Johnson is a spine surgeon with more than two decades of experience helping patients find lasting relief from debilitating spine conditions – including sciatica, radiculopathy, and neck and back pain that hasn't responded to conservative treatment. He maintains offices throughout Orange County and is on staff at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, The Surgical Center at Saddleback, and Laguna Woods Surgery Center.

Dr. Johnson specializes in minimally invasive and outpatient spine surgery, meaning smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and in many cases, the ability to go home the same day. He treats the full spectrum of spinal conditions – from herniated discs and spinal stenosis to degenerative disc disease and complex deformity – across the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. His philosophy is simple: find the most minimally invasive solution that maximizes each patient's improvement and recovery. He has been actively involved in the creation and growth of the outpatient spine surgery program at The Surgical Center at Saddleback.

Dr. Johnson grew up in Minneapolis and completed his undergraduate studies at Revelle College at UC San Diego, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry/Chemistry and as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He went on to earn his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, graduating at the top of his class and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society – where he first developed his passion for orthopedic and spine surgery under world-renowned faculty. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he was elected Chief Administrative Resident, overseeing the entire residency program. He received journal club grants from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, as well as a Hark Lectureship grant. He served as a team physician for the Chicago Public Schools' athletic program – and his role as Chief Resident earned him a memorable opportunity to work with the Chicago Cubs during spring training.

While spine surgery is performed by both orthopedic and neurological surgeons, Dr. Johnson trained alongside both during his fellowship under Dr. Steven R. Garfin at UC San Diego – one of the most respected spine programs in the country – gaining firsthand experience with the full range of advanced surgical approaches to spinal disorders. He was awarded the DePuy Spine Fellowship Award.

Dr. Johnson's leadership extends well beyond the operating room. He has served as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief of Surgery at Saddleback Hospital and was selected to participate in the prestigious MemorialCare Leadership Academy. He has earned a Lean Leader Certification and is one of only a few dozen physicians nationally to have graduated from Optum's prestigious Sequoia Fellowship. He has served as the inaugural President of OrthoWest since its founding, and has lectured locally, regionally, and nationally on spinal disorders and their treatment, and has taught courses in both traditional open and advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques.

He has been recognized as a Super Doctors® Rising Star for three consecutive years, named one of America's Top Physicians, and selected to Orange Coast Magazine's Top Doctors list multiple times.

Outside of the office, Dr. Johnson is an avid skier and snowboarder and can often be found supporting his daughter's athletic pursuits or following his son's theatrical career.