Dr. Stephen Kalhorn, MD

I had a failed Kyphosis surgery, scoliosis and a myriad of the spine problems. It was quite depressing and I had had to go the ER for steroids shots for severe lumbar & thoracic spasms biweekly. I was at my wits end, I needed help.I was referred to Dr Kalhorn by my pain management provider; PA Christina Chandler. When I first met with Dr Kalhorn, he was optimistic, yet gave me all possible outcomes from the surgery he felt could help me regain a better orthopedic stature, which I firmly believed would end the spasms. I believed he could help me and agreed to the surgery. I’m now 13 weeks out from the surgery he performed and I’m BEYOND elated! I gained 2 inches just from his correction of my orthopedic spinal vertebrae, and even though I had a few spasms, I attribute that to the healing process, I haven’t had one in over 30 days!!I HIGHLY recommend Dr Kalhorn to anyone suffering from spine issues. The hand of God is on this man and his surgical abilities.

Dr. Kalhorn and his PA are an excellent team. My surgery 3 yrs ago was highly successful and my recent visit for another issue was very direct and thoroughly explained.

Dr. Kalhorn fused C1 and C2 for me, as I had a fractured C2. He did the surgery on a Wednesday morning at MUSC and I stayed in the hospital until Saturday morning. He and his team did an excellent job on my neck. I am not in any pain or discomfort since my surgery.Every aspect of my experience at MUSC was wonderful. The nursing team that took care of me did an outstanding job and they were attentive to any of my needs.Also, I thought the food there was very good so I want to complement the cafeteria staff. I would highly recommend MUSC for any healthcare needs

My wife, also physician, had back surgery approximately 3 years ago. Her radicular pain and numbness has continued to worsen over the past 12 months. Dr Kalhorn did surgery on her June 2024, and her progress has been beyond our expectations. Thank you Dr Kalhorn!...from two triple-boarded medical doctors.

Dr. Kalhorn performed neurosurgery on me to reduce compression of my spinal cord which was causing loss of sensation from my waist down. I was advised if I didn't have the surgery I would become a paraplegic. The surgery was quite involved, but the 'smashed' disc was removed, the spinal cord decompressed and I am recovering now, able to walk with no assistive devices. I am very pleased with the outcome and his care. He is a very bright, highly skilled neurosurgeon.

dr kalhorne helped my neighbor so I came to see him at MUSC. I was told my case was too complicated to do at other places. it definitely was. I had to go through a lot, but under the hands and brains of dr. kalhorn and his team, I can't say thank you enough. they do the minimal invasive surgery but the bigger ones like I had to do for my scoliosis. thank you!

I had severe back pain. My back or lumbar MRI showed arthritis. Pain management tried injections there but I kept experiencing pain. We saw Dr. Kalhorn who diagnosed a problem with my SI joint. Thankfully, physical therapy and a couple injections got me better and I didn't even need surgery. But I would go back to see him if I did, as they have even invented new screws to help this problem. On top of the newest tech for sure.

In my ongoing cancer battle, I feel compelled to share my experience with Dr. Stephen Kalhorn's team at MUSC. His team disregarded my choices, attempting to pressure me into an unwanted procedure, even was ok with discharging me fully know I needed emergency surgery. Dr. Kalhorn's resistance to exploring newer treatments and his residents' persistent pressure raised serious concerns about patient autonomy and informed consent. Dr. Kalhorn himself further exacerbated my concerns when he stated that the procedure for removing my Chordoma had not changed in the last 20 years and would not change in the next five, despite advancements in new technologies. This statement, coming from a practitioner at a teaching hospital, raised serious questions about the institution's commitment to staying current with medical advancements and its willingness to explore alternative, less invasive options. Scary, I consider myself fortunate to have left AMA (Against Medical Advice).

dr kalhorn is a kind and caring and patient neurosurgeon

Thanks to the nurses and doctors and everyone who we encountered at MUSC who changed my life for the better!!

I was in a wheelchair in so much pain when I came to see Dr. Kalhorn and Holly. They had to get me a new MRI but they found the problem which was a slipped bone and herniated disk in my back which required a fusion surgery. Things went well. My pain is basically gone now. We gave the wheelchair away.

dr kalhorn reversed years of pain and we are so thankful we found him. spread the word!

My leg was on fire. Multiple people told me to see Dr. Kalhorn. He performed a minimally invasive microdiskectomy on me and I haven't felt this good in years.

Dr Kalhorn performed neck surgery 2 years ago on my wife’s neck and she not been able to eat a meal since. She was not offered and treatment or help since. Jefferson University ran extensive tests and determined that surgery is required. MUSC’s swallowing center did say their was an impingement which obviously was not there prior to surgery.

I was referred to Dr. Kalhorn by another spine surgeon. I’ve had multiple spine surgeries. He laid out exactly how he can help and what I would expect from surgery. His team was very direct that back surgery would not cure all of my chronic pain. I have been on narcotics for years, but this last surgeries, giving me the ability to wean down and be more functional. Very thankful I found him in the state of South Carolina.

Dr. Kalhorn's office is set up with MRI, CT, and all the people you'd need to have around you to get a diagnosis and figure out what's wrong and get a plan. He figured out what was wrong with me and got me better without having to do surgery. Other doctors I saw wanted to do surgery right away.

Dr. Kalhorn was recommended to me by another spine surgeon. Dr. Kalhorn is the best. He diagnosed and treated my problem (spinal cord compression) with the least invasive option available. He is talented and kind.

He is hard to get in to see, but now I know why. He's simply the best.

I saw Dr Kalhorn all of 5 minutes. His NP handled the majority of my appointment. She was honestly horrible and ableist. “You’re too high functioning. Why would we do anything for you?” I left the appointment crying. I had gone to see the doctor on a good day but I’ve been having mostly bad days for years. I’ve been seeking help for just as long and I don’t want it to get to the point where I can never control my bowels and bladder before anyone will help me. The fact that I can walk and I’m not incontinent shouldn’t preclude me from treatment.

A level of skill like this is just as unique as each patient’s condition. He will be truthful, and is highly professional at correcting the body’s most powerful areas. He and his team are going to break new ground in preventing spinal injuries from worsening and thank God can actually provide the very best possible surgical technologies to add life where patients like me had lost so much life and life’s precious events. If it’s possible, this team can do it and raise the bar on neurosurgery. I’m still recovering. My mind is catching up to what can be possible for me now. I have other areas of spinal pain and a 22 year old fracture but I’m going to do everything to get back into life. I’m grateful that the complexities and 22 years of constant worsening thoracic and lumbar pain and unique diseases and injuries became a contribution to what they can do in that OR. If you have a highly unique spinal trauma(s), DDD and acquired or from birth spinal disfigurement and pain, look here.