Meet Steven Ganzel, DO, MS

Dr. Steven Ganzel is a double board-certified interventional pain physician at Aptiva Health, certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. He has one of the most unusual training pathways in the region - completing a full Orthopaedic Surgery residency, a full Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency, and a Chief Fellowship in Interventional and Chronic Pain - which gives him a deep working knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy, surgical pathology, and non-surgical pain management. Dr. Ganzel performs fluoroscopy-guided spine and joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and minimally invasive spine procedures at four Aptiva Health locations across Kentucky and Indiana.

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Quick Facts:

Specialty: Interventional Pain Management and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Title: Interventional Pain Physician, Aptiva Health

Board Certifications: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; American Board of Pain Medicine

Fellowship: Interventional and Chronic Pain Fellowship (Chief Fellow), Georgia Pain Physicians

Residencies: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Chicago / Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital; Orthopaedic Surgery, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Chief Resident)

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Master of Science: Exercise Physiology, Sports Medicine emphasis - University of Kentucky

Locations: Louisville Central, Lexington, Northern Kentucky (Hebron), and Indianapolis

Accepting New Patients: Yes

About Dr. Steven Ganzel - Aptiva Health

About Dr. Ganzel

Dr. Ganzel earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine after completing both a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Education at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology with a Sports Medicine emphasis from the University of Kentucky. He completed three separate post-graduate training programs: an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, where he served as Chief Resident; a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Chicago; and an Interventional and Chronic Pain Fellowship at Georgia Pain Physicians in Marietta, Georgia, where he was Chief Fellow.

Most interventional pain physicians complete one residency and one fellowship. Dr. Ganzel completed two full residencies plus the pain fellowship. The orthopaedic surgery training is the rare element of his pathway - it means he learned musculoskeletal anatomy, fracture care, joint pathology, and surgical decision-making at the depth required to operate, then re-trained in non-surgical pain management. This dual perspective is part of what makes him an unusually well-fit interventional pain physician for an orthopedic and sports medicine practice: he speaks the same clinical language as the surgeons in the building, and he understands when an injection is the right answer, when it is a bridge to a procedure, and when surgical referral is the better path for the patient.

Dr. Ganzel served as a medical officer in the United States Navy for over a decade, including assignments as Medical Officer and Department Head aboard USS Guam, Division Officer and Team Medical Officer for the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (SMART) Team at Naval Hospital Great Lakes, and Branch Head of the Medical Department for Surface Group Little Creek. His military service included Combat Casualty Care Certification and multiple awards including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The military background is particularly relevant for VA, TRICARE, and Humana Military patients.

Before joining Aptiva Health, Dr. Ganzel served as Assistant Medical Director of the Ambulatory Surgery Center and Staff Interventional Pain Physician at the Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass in Lexington, Kentucky (2014-2019), and as Staff Physician at Musculoskeletal Associates in Albany, Georgia (2009-2014), where he performed approximately 2,000-2,500 interventional procedures per year. He has been a Staff Physician at Aptiva Health since 2019.

Dr. Ganzel - Surgeon-Trained Pain Management Physician

The Surgeon-Trained Interventional Pain Physician

Why does the surgical training matter?

Most interventional pain physicians enter pain management from one of two pathways: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), or Anesthesiology. Both pathways produce excellent pain physicians. Almost none of those physicians have also completed a full Orthopaedic Surgery residency before re-training in pain management. That is the difference.

A surgeon-trained interventional pain physician understands musculoskeletal anatomy at the depth required to operate. He has held the tissue, identified the structures, and made the surgical decisions himself - so when he places a needle under fluoroscopy for an epidural injection, a facet joint block, or a radiofrequency ablation, he knows the three-dimensional anatomy from the perspective of someone who has worked inside it. He understands which patients are likely surgical candidates and which patients can be effectively managed without surgery. He communicates with orthopedic surgeons and spine surgeons as a peer, not just as a referring provider. And he is comfortable saying "this is a problem an injection can solve" or "this is a problem that needs a surgeon" - clearly and early - which patients consistently report as one of the most valuable parts of working with him.

This dual perspective is the foundation of how Dr. Ganzel practices interventional pain medicine at Aptiva Health. Many patients arrive having been told they need surgery, or having been told nothing can help them; Dr. Ganzel's job is to determine where each patient actually falls on that spectrum, and to deliver the right intervention - whether that is an injection, a course of physical therapy, a minimally invasive spine procedure, or a referral to one of Aptiva's spine or orthopedic surgeons.

Procedures & Treatments

Fluoroscopy-guided spine procedures

Sympathetic and peripheral nerve blocks

Joint and soft tissue interventions

Conditions Treated

Dr. Steven Ganzel's United States Navy Service

Dr. Ganzel’s United States Navy Service

Dr. Ganzel served as a medical officer in the United States Navy for more than a decade, with assignments that included orthopaedic surgical training, ship medical officer roles, and team physician responsibilities.

  • Division Officer and Team Medical Officer - Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (SMART) Team, Naval Hospital Great Lakes (2002-2005) - team physician for approximately 1,600 patients per month

  • Orthopaedic Surgery Chief Resident - Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (1998-2002)

  • Orthopaedic General Medical Officer - Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (1996-1998)

  • Medical Officer and Department Head - USS Guam (LPH-9) (1995-1996)

  • Branch Head, Medical Department - Surface Group Little Creek (1994-1996)

Selected Navy awards and recognitions include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (three awards), the National Defense Medal (two awards), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship. He earned Surface Warfare Medical Departmental Officer Qualification and the NATO Medal.

 Veterans and active-duty service members - and military families covered by TRICARE - frequently request Dr. Ganzel by name based on his military background. Aptiva Health is in-network with both the VA and Humana Military.

Certifications and Memberships

Board certifications

  • American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  • American Board of Pain Medicine

  • National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (Parts I, II, and III)

Advanced certifications

  • MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) certification

  • Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) Lead Physician Certification

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (Instructor)

  • Advanced Burn Life Support

  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support

  • Combat Casualty Care Certification

Medical licensure

  • Commonwealth of Kentucky

  • State of Georgia

  • State of Illinois

  • State of Wisconsin

  • Commonwealth of Virginia

Professional memberships

  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

  • American Board of Pain Medicine

  • American College of Sports Medicine

  • American Osteopathic Association

  • American Osteopathic Association of Sports Medicine

  • American Pain Society

  • Academy of Academic Physiatrists

  • Spinal Intervention Society

  • Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

  • Christian Medical and Dental Society

Education and Training

  • Interventional and Chronic Pain Fellowship (Chief Fellow) - Georgia Pain Physicians, Marietta, GA - 2008 to 2009

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency - Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital / University of Chicago, Chicago, IL - 2005 to 2008

  • Orthopaedic Surgery Residency (Chief Resident) - Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA - 1998 to 2002

  • Medical Internship (Family Practice) - Naval Hospital Charleston, Charleston, SC - 1993 to 1994

  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI - 1989 to 1993

  • Master of Science in Exercise Physiology (Sports Medicine emphasis) - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY - 1986 to 1988

  • Bachelor of Science in Education - Asbury University, Wilmore, KY - 1984

  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology - Asbury University, Wilmore, KY - 1982

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Steven Ganzel

How to Schedule with Dr. Ganzel

Patients see Dr. Ganzel for three main reasons. The first is chronic spine pain - cervical, thoracic, or lumbar - that has not responded to physical therapy and conservative care, where fluoroscopy-guided injections, facet blocks, radiofrequency ablation, or minimally invasive spine procedures can provide meaningful relief or buy time before considering surgery. The second is joint pain - shoulder, hip, knee, sacroiliac - where image-guided corticosteroid or PRP injections can manage symptoms and improve function without surgery. The third is post-surgical or complex pain - failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, post-herpetic neuralgia, or chronic neuropathic pain - where Dr. Ganzel's training in advanced interventional techniques including spinal cord stimulation and neurolytic blocks is most relevant.

A first visit includes a full history, a focused physical examination, review of any prior imaging, and a written treatment plan with clear next steps. Many fluoroscopy-guided procedures can be scheduled within the same week as the initial consultation. Dr. Ganzel accepts most major commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation, auto accident coverage, VA, Humana Military, and cash-pay arrangements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does Dr. Ganzel treat?

Dr. Ganzel treats chronic and acute pain conditions across the spine, joints, and peripheral nervous system. The most common are chronic low back pain, lumbar disc herniation and sciatica, cervical disc herniation and neck pain, sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, facet joint syndrome, lumbar spinal stenosis, failed back surgery syndrome, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee arthritis, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, TMJ pain, and chronic pain from work-related and sports injuries.

Where does Dr. Ganzel see patients?

Dr. Ganzel sees patients at four Aptiva Health locations: Louisville Central at 3615 Newburg Road, Lexington at 230 Fountain Court (Suite 180), Northern Kentucky at 2093 Medical Arts Drive in Hebron, and Indianapolis at 6801 Gray Road. Days and hours vary by location - call the office or schedule online to see availability.

What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management is the medical subspecialty that uses image-guided procedures - typically fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or ultrasound - to diagnose and treat the specific anatomic source of pain. Procedures include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, joint injections, nerve blocks, discography, and minimally invasive spine procedures. The goal is precision - delivering medication or treatment to the exact structure causing pain, rather than relying only on systemic medications.

What makes Dr. Ganzel's training unusual?

Most interventional pain physicians complete one residency (PM&R or Anesthesiology) and one pain fellowship. Dr. Ganzel completed two full residencies - Orthopaedic Surgery at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (where he served as Chief Resident) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital / University of Chicago - then completed an Interventional and Chronic Pain Fellowship as Chief Fellow at Georgia Pain Physicians. The orthopaedic surgery residency is the rare element: it means he has the musculoskeletal and surgical training of an orthopedic surgeon, then re-trained in non-surgical interventional pain management.

Is Dr. Ganzel board-certified?

Yes - twice. Dr. Ganzel is board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and by the American Board of Pain Medicine. He also holds Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) Lead Physician Certification and MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) certification.

Does Dr. Ganzel see veterans and active military patients?

Yes. Dr. Ganzel served as a United States Navy medical officer for more than a decade, including assignments aboard ship, in Naval orthopedic surgery training, and as team physician for the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (SMART) Team at Naval Hospital Great Lakes. Aptiva Health is in-network with both the VA and Humana Military, and many veterans and active-duty patients specifically request Dr. Ganzel based on his military background.

What is the MILD procedure?

MILD stands for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression. It is a fluoroscopy-guided outpatient procedure that treats lumbar spinal stenosis by removing small portions of thickened ligament and bone that are compressing the nerves in the spinal canal. The procedure is performed through a small incision under local anesthesia and sedation, takes about an hour, and most patients go home the same day. MILD certification is held by relatively few pain physicians; Dr. Ganzel is certified to perform it.

Does Dr. Ganzel perform fluoroscopy-guided procedures?

Yes. The large majority of Dr. Ganzel's spine and joint procedures are performed under fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance), which allows precise needle placement into structures that cannot be reliably reached without imaging. This is the standard of care for epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, and selective nerve root blocks.

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation (also called RFA or rhizotomy) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to interrupt pain signals from specific nerves - most commonly the medial branch nerves that supply the lumbar or cervical facet joints. After a diagnostic medial branch block confirms which nerves are responsible for the pain, RFA can provide 6 to 18 months of pain relief on average. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopy as an outpatient procedure.

Is Dr. Ganzel accepting new patients?

Yes. Dr. Ganzel is accepting new patients at all four of his Aptiva Health locations. Same-day and same-week appointments are often available - call the office or schedule online to see current availability.

What insurance does Dr. Ganzel accept?

Dr. Ganzel accepts most major commercial insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Kentucky Medicaid (Passport Molina, United Healthcare Medicaid, Anthem Medicaid, Aetna Better Health, CareSource), Indiana Medicaid, workers' compensation, auto accident coverage (PIP and MedPay), VA, Humana Military, and cash-pay arrangements. Aptiva Health is in-network with Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare.

Will an injection cure my pain?

Injections rarely cure pain on their own. The goal of an interventional pain procedure is to reduce pain enough that the patient can engage with physical therapy, return to daily activities, and either avoid surgery or use the relief as a bridge while a longer-term plan develops. For some conditions - facet joint pain treated with radiofrequency ablation, for example - relief can last many months. For others - acute disc herniation treated with epidural steroid injection - the injection plus time and physical therapy is often what resolves the underlying problem. Dr. Ganzel will discuss realistic expectations for any specific procedure at your consultation.

Videos of Dr. Ganzel

Dr. ganzel’s recent appearance on great day live

meet dr. steven ganzel

“Dr. Ganzel is the best! Very caring, listens and explains everything. The staff is the best too! Wish I had went to Dr. Ganzel first!”

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