About me
Oliver Tannous, MD, is an orthopaedic spine surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. As a spine specialist, he utilizes state-of-the-art, minimally invasive and motion preservation techniques to treat conditions of the bones, discs, and nerves of the neck and back.
His clinical focus includes disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, ranging from isolated disc herniation to complex deformities and failed surgeries. His research interests include optimizing patient outcomes after surgery and improving techniques for eliminating postoperative spinal infections.
Dr. Tannous completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience and behavioral biology at Emory University. He then received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery. Prior to joining MedStar Health, he completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of California San Diego, a leading center for minimally invasive and complex spine surgery. His early interests in mechanics and how things are built, coupled with a degree in neuroscience, fueled his decision to become an orthopaedic spine specialist.
Dr. Tannous takes a conservative approach to spine care. He emphasizes the use of non-operative treatments before considering surgery. When surgery becomes necessary, he utilizes minimally invasive techniques in order to reduce the impact of surgery. He has extensive experience in revision spine procedures as well as correcting previously failed spine surgeries.
Philosophy of Care
"Becoming involved in the care of someone's health is a privilege. I treat all of my patients in the same way that I would treat my family members - with compassion and respect. When nonoperative methods fail and surgery becomes necessary, I spend a lot of time with my patients, ensuring that they fully understand the surgical process. I follow them very closely while they are in the hospital, and guide them throughout the recovery process so they can get back to a healthier life as soon as possible. I feel proud when my patients tell me that they would recommend me to their family members for care."
Patient Story:
Clinical areas of focus
- Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
- Thigh Fracture
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdomen, Lower Back, Pelvis, And Genital Injury
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Artificial Disc Replacement
- Benign Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage
- Biomechanical Lesions
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bone Discontinuity
- Bone Disorders
- Brain Disorders
- Bursopathy
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Cervical Fracture
- Cervical Herniated Disc
- Cervicothoracic Junction Disorders
- Coccydynia
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal System
- Congenital Malformations Of Nervous System
- Congenital Malformations Of Spinal Cord
- Congenital Malformations Of Spine And Bony Thorax
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities
- Deforming Dorsopathies
- Dorsalgia
- Dorsopathies
- Epidural Hematoma
- Failed Back Syndrome
- Fractures Of The Neck
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Herniated Disc In Lower Back
- Herniated Disc In Neck
- Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
- Inflammatory Spondylopathies
- Intervertebral Disc Disorders
- Intraspinal Granuloma
- Joint Disorder
- Kyphosis
- Limb Deformity
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Myelopathy
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Lumbar Spondylosis
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Meninges
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Spinal Cord
- Meningitis
- Mononeuropathy Of Lower Limb
- Muscle Disorders
- Musculoskeletal System Complications
- Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
- Neck Sprain
- Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
- Nerve Root Disorders
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nervous System Disorders
- Paralytic Syndrome
- Presence Of Functional Implants
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Sacral Spine Fracture
- Scoliosis
- Shoulder Burns
- Skull Base Tumor
- Skull Fractures
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Cord Diseases
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Curvature
- Spinal Cyst
- Spinal Disc Herniation
- Spinal Infection
- Spinal Osteochondrosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Deformity
- Spine Osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylolysis
- Spondylopathies
- Spondylosis
- Spondylosis Of The Cervical Spine
- Thigh Fracture
- Thoracic Spine Instability
- Thumb Synovitis
- Vertebral Compression Fracture
- Vertebral Fractures
Procedures I perform
- Cervical Corpectomy
- Cervical Facet Joint Denervation
- Cervical Laminectomy
- Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
- Cervical Vertebra Reposition
- Discectomy
- Endoscopic Spinal Procedures
- Endoscopic Spine Surgery
- Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
- Fibula Osteotomy
- Flap Surgery
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminectomy
- Lumbar Laminectomy And Fusion
- Median Nerve Decompression
- Microdiscectomy
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Ostectomy
- Osteotomy
- Pedicle Screw Fixation
- Percutaneous Discectomy
- Percutaneous Kyphoplasty
- Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis Deformity Correction
- Spinal Cord Tumor Treatment
- Spinal Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Infection Treatment
- Spinal Instability Treatment
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Spinal Spondylolysis Treatment
- Spondylolysis Treatment
- Thoracic Spine Surgery
- Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- IH-PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- TRICARE East Prime
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CareFirst Administrators
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Classic 3500
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- POS OA
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- IH-POS Plus
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Medicare FFS
- HighMark
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CIGNA PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- OA Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Medicare Direct
- Choice POS II
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- IH-Open HMO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Basic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Sentara Health
- IH-POS
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- TRICARE for Life East
- United Healthcare Choice
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CIGNA EPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Optimum Choice
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- IH-Indemnity
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000
- First Health PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Choice POS
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- BlueChoice Open Access
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Network OA
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowship: University of California San Diego (2016)
Residency: University of Maryland Medical Center (2015)
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (2015)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- Cervical Disc Replacement: A Life Changer for Detective
- Neck Surgery Patient Praises New Procedure
- Podcast - Neck and Back Pain Basics: What You Need to Know
- Case Study - Alternative to Cervical Fusion: 2-Level Cervical Disc Replacement for Cervical Radiculopathy
- Blog - Keep moving to avoid and relieve back pain
- Blog - Neck surgery with shorter recovery, better range of motion
- Blog - Why does back pain persist after surgery?