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Home > NC Providers > Orthopedic Surgeons

Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Dr. Michael Jude Seel, MD)

(97 Ratings)

Specializes in: Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Professional interests include: musculoskeletal problems, reconstructive surgery

1771 Tate Boulevard SE Suite 101
Hickory, NC 28602

(828) 304-2527

Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD is an orthopedist in Hickory, NC specializing in orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. He graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD is affiliated with Frye Regional Medical Center and DLP FRYE MEDICAL GROUP LLC.

Office Locations

1771 Tate Boulevard SE Suite 101
Hickory, NC 28602

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1041 Morganton Boulevard SW
Lenoir, NC 28645

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1041 Morganton Boulevard SW Suite 200
Lenoir, NC 28645

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Some issues Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD can help you with:

Musculoskeletal Problems

The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

In The News

“Joint replacements are a way to treat advanced arthritis that has not responded to nonsurgical treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication and activity changes, said Michael Seel, director of...”—"Same-day delivery: Patients get a new hip, go home in less than 24 hours", Philadelphia Inquirer, July 2015

“Dr. Pifer was also joined by Dr. Michael Seel, West Penn Allegheny Health System orthopedic surgeon, to discuss orthopedic surgery and joint reconstruction.”—"Medical Frontiers: Joint Reconstruction", CBS News, November 2012

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Affordability:

spine imaging

In 2023, Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD had a list price for spine imaging that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of providers in related specialties within North Carolina. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Affordability:

spine X-ray

In 2023, Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD had a list price for spine X-ray that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within North Carolina. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Affordability:

computer-assisted orthopedic surgery

computer assisted surgery

X-rays

In 2012, Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD had a list price for computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS), computer assisted surgery (CAS), and X-rays that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of providers in related specialties within North Carolina. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2012 were X-rays, aspiration, injections and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	196
doctor visit	382
hip imaging	35
hospital care	43
injections	196
inpatient care	43
joint surgery	12
lower extremity surgery	12
musculoskeletal imaging	147
pelvic imaging	45
reconstructive surgery	12
spinal procedures	18
X-rays	210

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2013 were X-rays, injections, aspiration and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	211
doctor visit	345
hip imaging	47
hospital care	22
injections	225
inpatient care	22
joint surgery	17
lower extremity surgery	17
musculoskeletal imaging	180
pelvic imaging	52
reconstructive surgery	17
spinal procedures	20
X-rays	252

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	142

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	161
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	77
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	36
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2013

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	28
Dementia	13
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2014 were injections, aspiration, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	224
doctor visit	338
hip imaging	44
hospital care	29
injections	240
inpatient care	29
joint surgery	11
lower extremity surgery	11
musculoskeletal imaging	146
pelvic imaging	56
reconstructive surgery	11
spinal procedures	15
X-rays	217

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	78
Female	149

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	175
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	87
From 75 to 84	55
85 and over	39
Less than 65	46

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2014

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	31
Dementia	13
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2015 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	280
doctor visit	358
hip imaging	34
hospital care	37
injections	280
inpatient care	37
musculoskeletal imaging	161
pelvic imaging	54
spinal procedures	21
X-rays	236

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	160
Female	304

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	362
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	218
From 75 to 84	116
85 and over	50
Less than 65	80

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2015

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	33
Dementia	9
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2016 were injections, aspiration, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	317
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	16
doctor visit	458
hospital care	21
injections	336
inpatient care	21
joint surgery	11
lower extremity surgery	11
musculoskeletal imaging	209
pelvic imaging	15
reconstructive surgery	11
spinal procedures	22
X-rays	246

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	106
Female	179

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	232
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	153
From 75 to 84	58
85 and over	34
Less than 65	40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2016

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	28
Dementia	11
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2017 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	269
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	17
doctor visit	406
injections	269
joint surgery	19
lower extremity surgery	19
musculoskeletal imaging	118
reconstructive surgery	19
spinal procedures	24
X-rays	142

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	94
Female	163

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	213
Black	33
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	142
From 75 to 84	57
85 and over	30
Less than 65	28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2017

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	24
Dementia	9
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2018 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	358
doctor visit	524
hospital care	11
injections	358
inpatient care	11
joint surgery	16
lower extremity surgery	16
musculoskeletal imaging	45
pelvic imaging	18
reconstructive surgery	16
spinal procedures	52
X-rays	115

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	93
Female	197

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	250
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	164
From 75 to 84	76
85 and over	24
Less than 65	26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2018

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	26
Dementia	7
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2019 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	348
doctor visit	555
injections	348
musculoskeletal imaging	82
pelvic imaging	13
spinal procedures	43
X-rays	138

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	112
Female	189

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	251
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	196
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	17
Less than 65	23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2019

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	25
Dementia	5
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2020 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	286
doctor visit	333
injections	286
musculoskeletal imaging	48
spinal procedures	18
X-rays	66

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	78
Female	162

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	206
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	152
From 75 to 84	52
85 and over	22
Less than 65	14

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2020

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	23
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2021 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	321
doctor visit	407
injections	321
joint surgery	24
lower extremity surgery	24
musculoskeletal imaging	41
pelvic imaging	13
reconstructive surgery	24
spinal procedures	39
X-rays	93

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	103
Female	176

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	237
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	186
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	16
Less than 65	18

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2021

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	23
Dementia	6
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC during 2022 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	113
doctor visit	206
injections	113
musculoskeletal imaging	20
spinal procedures	16
X-rays	36

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	113

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	167
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	97
From 75 to 84	52
85 and over	18
Less than 65	16

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD in 2022

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated as an orthopedist in Hickory, NC were injections, aspiration, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

aspiration	265
computer assisted surgery (CAS)	16
doctor visit	392
hip imaging	40
hospital care	27
injections	270
inpatient care	27
joint surgery	15
lower extremity surgery	15
musculoskeletal imaging	108
pelvic imaging	33
reconstructive surgery	15
spinal procedures	26
X-rays	159

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD.

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	161

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	3
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	204
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	59
85 and over	26
Less than 65	30
65 to 74	133

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	23
Atrial Fibrillation	9
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Education & Training

Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed residency at Mayo Clinic. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Residency: Mayo Clinic

Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Frye Regional Medical Center

DLP FRYE MEDICAL GROUP LLC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 97 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Hickory, NC.

4.8

Overall Rating

(97 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Michael J. Seel, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Smith+Nephew, Inc.	$12,746 JOURNEY $2,361	NAVIO $2,300	KNEE3 Software $2,026	REDAPT $1,639	MAGNUM $1,006	Other $3,414
Smith & Nephew, Inc.	$8,468 Journey II BCS $3,115	Recon Hips $1,094	Navio Surgical System $938	VERILAST Knees $759	Recon Knees $581	Other $1,980
Stryker Corporation	$6,829 Mako $4,800	MAKOplasty $1,033	KNEES $894	ROBOTICS $75	Surg - New Product Development $27
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.	$1,727 Zilretta $1,727
Heraeus Medical, LLC.	$1,572 Palacos $1,572
Other	$5,927 AQUAMANTYS $1,511	EUFLEXXA $1,011	Hip $836	ALL $635	Durolane $405	Other $1,529

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$17,404
Food and Beverage	$10,972
Consulting Fee	$7,232
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$1,600
Education	$61

Biography

Dr. Michael Seel is a specialist in orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. Dr. Seel's clinical interests include musculoskeletal problems and reconstructive surgery. Patients rated him highly, giving him an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a graduate of Mayo Clinic's residency program. He is affiliated with Frye Regional Medical Center. According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact Dr. Seel's office in Lenoir, NC.