Dr. Donald C. Shields

About the Doctor

Dr. Donald C. Shields is a highly regarded neurosurgeon with over 21 years of experience, practicing in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine and completed his neurological surgery residency at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center (2000-2006), followed by a fellowship in functional neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital (2006-2008). He also holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Shields is affiliated with multiple top-tier hospitals, including Spartanburg Medical Center and George Washington University Hospital. He has earned a “Patients’ Top Choice” award with a 4.9/5 patient rating from 108 reviews and seven patient awards for making time, listening attentively, explaining clearly, and thorough exams. His areas of expertise include spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and complex spine disorders.

• Over 21 years of experience in neurosurgery with fellowship training in functional neurosurgery

• Patients’ Top Choice with 4.9/5 rating from 108 reviews

• Affiliated with two U.S. News Best Hospitals (Spartanburg Medical Center and George Washington University Hospital)

• Expertise in spinal fusion, minimally invasive spine surgery, and neck/back pain treatment

• Accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, United Healthcare, and Medicaid

Education & Training

Medical School – Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Residency – UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center, Neurological Surgery (2000-2006)
Fellowship/Additional Training –

• Massachusetts General Hospital, Functional Neurosurgery (2006-2008)

• University of Tennessee, MBA in Business (2007-2008)

Medical Conditions Treated

• Spinal stenosis

• Spondylosis (degenerative spine disease)

• Spondylolisthesis

• Lower back pain

• Neck pain and cervical spine disorders

• Herniated or bulging discs

• Spinal cord tumors

• Traumatic spinal injuries

• Intracranial tumors (brain tumors)

• Movement disorders requiring functional neurosurgery (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) – given fellowship

Medical Procedures Performed

• Spinal fusion surgery (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)

• Minimally invasive spine surgery

• Back and neck pain treatment without fusion (decompression, laminectomy, discectomy)

• Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery (e.g., deep brain stimulation for movement disorders)

• Revision spine surgery

• Surgical treatment of spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis

• Craniotomy for brain tumors or lesions

• Management of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries

Services Offered

Dr. Shields provides comprehensive neurosurgical care for adults with conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. His practice emphasizes patient-centered care, including thorough diagnostic evaluations, clear communication of treatment options, and both surgical and non-surgical management. He specializes in spinal fusion and minimally invasive spine techniques to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes. He also offers advanced functional neurosurgery for movement disorders. As part of Carolina Orthopaedic And Neurosurgical Associates, he works closely with a multidisciplinary team including physical therapists, pain management specialists, and rehabilitation physicians. Preoperative and postoperative care is coordinated to ensure optimal recovery, and telemedicine consultations may be available for follow-up visits.

• Spinal surgery consultations – evaluation of back/neck pain, radiculopathy, myelopathy

• Minimally invasive spine surgery – smaller incisions, faster recovery

• Spinal fusion – for instability, deformity, or severe degenerative conditions

• Decompressive procedures – laminectomy, foraminotomy, discectomy

• Functional neurosurgery – deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s, essential tremor

• Trauma neurosurgery – management of spinal cord injury, intracranial hemorrhage

• Post-surgical rehabilitation coordination – physical therapy, pain management

• Second opinion consultations for complex spine or brain disorders

Accepted Insurances

• Aetna (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)

• Amerihealth Caritas (HMO, Medicaid)

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)

• Cigna (PPO)

• Elevance (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)

• Humana (Medicare, PPO)

• Regence Health Plans (PPO)

• United Healthcare (HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, POS, PPO)

Practice Locations

Address: 1330 Boiling Springs Rd., Suite 1600, Spartanburg, SC, 29303
Phone: (864) 582-6396

Hospital Affiliations

• Spartanburg Medical Center – Spartanburg, SC 

• George Washington University Hospital – Washington, DC (High Performing in Neurology & Neurosurgery and Stroke)

• Spartanburg Surgery Center – Spartanburg, SC (ambulatory surgery center)