GREGORY
KOLOVICH, MD

HAND, WRIST AND ELBOW

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Medical School

Ohio State University College of Medicine (Columbus, OH)

Residency

Wexner Medical Center Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)

Fellowship

Harvard University at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)

Board Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Diplomat

ROBERT CUNNINGHAM - Physician Assistant (PA-C)

Physicians: Gregory Kolovich, MD

APPOINTMENT: 912-644.5300 - Fax: 912-629-6938

HAND CONDITIONS

Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist)
Dupuytren’s Disease
Nerve Injuries of the Hand
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Hand
Scaphoid Fractures
Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears

ELBOW CONDITIONS

Biceps Tendonitis (at the Elbow)
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Throwing Injuries of the Elbow
Triceps Tendonitis
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

ELBOW PROCEDURES

Cubital Tunnel Release at the Elbow
Medial Epicondylectomy
Radial Tunnel Release at the Elbow
Ulnar Nerve Transposition at the Elbow

SHOULDER CONDITIONS

Biceps Tendonitis
Proximal Humerus Fracture (Broken Shoulder)
Rotator Cuff Tear

SHOULDER PROCEDURES

Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Repair
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Rotator Cuff Repair
Stem Cell Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Subacromial Decompression
Biceps Tenodesis
Total Shoulder Replacement

As a board certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Gregory Kolovich, MD, specializes in hand, wrist and elbow.

Through thousands of surgeries and years of experience, Gregory Kolovich, MD has emerged as one of the region’s most gifted hand specialists – and while his reputation is one that’s well earned, the journey there didn’t always run in a straight line.

Starting out in his academic career, Kolovich pursued engineering while attending Atlanta’s Georgia Tech University with the goal of eventually working for NASA. A working student, it was a side job that ultimately set him on the path to orthopedics.

Said Kolovich, “While I was in school to make extra money for rent, I started to work for an organ and tissue procurement company. That’s how I started getting interested in anatomy, dissection, and surgery.”

He would ultimately earn his engineering degree, but only as a stepping stone to medical school at The Ohio State University. While there he studied under the renowned Michael Ruff, MD.

“Dr. Ruff was a mentor to me and he is one of those guys that can do anything,” said Kolovich. “He’s a ‘doctor’s doctor.’ I really learned a lot and liked the versatility of microsurgery.”

Following a Harvard University Fellowship, he set his sights on Georgia and found his new home at Optim Orthopedics, specializing in in treatment of fractures, carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and traumas. While Kolovich offers the latest in cutting edge surgical techniques, he first explores all non-surgical options – from physical therapy to regenerative medicine including stem cell injections.

“I actually end up spending more time talking people out of surgery,” he said with a laugh. “Unless there’s something glaring like an obvious displacement or fracture, I want to explore all treatment options before thinking about surgery.”

ROBERT CUNNINGHAM - Physician Assistant (PA-C)

Robert Cunningham is a Physician Assistant to Greg Kolovich, MD for Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. Robert received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Chatham University. He later went on to earn his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Treatment: Hand Conditions

Treatment can vary and will depend on the diagnosis and severity of the hand condition or injury. A hand doctor will often try to first treat the issue with non-surgical methods, such as hand therapy, splinting, medications, injections, and other modalities. Surgery may be recommended if non-surgical treatments fail to work successfully or if there has been significant damage to the hand that requires repair or reconstruction.

Surgical procedures can include tendon repair surgery, joint replacement and reconstruction, fracture repair surgery, nerve repair surgery, replantation of severed finger or hand, and surgical drainage for hand infections.