Sang Hun Lee, MD, PhD
Spine Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Sang Hun Lee
Professional Titles
- Director, Complex Cervical Spine and Spine Tumor Surgery, Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Chief, Endoscopic Spine Surgery, Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Background
Sang Hun Lee, M.D., Ph.D, is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with expertise in complex cervical spine (neck) and spine tumor surgery. Dr. Lee specializes in the latest orthopaedic and neurosurgical techniques in cervical spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine minimally invasive procedures, cervical spine deformities, cervical spinal reconstruction, and management of spinal tumors (primary and metastatic spine tumors).
Dr. Lee is also performing endoscopic spine surgeries, which is the most technically advanced minimally invasive spine surgery for cervical and lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis using uniportal or biportal endoscopic procedures.
Dr. Lee was a Full Professor and taught numerous residents and fellows in South Korea from 1999 to 2015, and he became a renowned cervical spine expert in the Asia-Pacific region. As a founding member of Korean and Asian Pacific Cervical Spine, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Spinal Tumor Research Societies, Dr. Lee has been a key speaker and thought leader at numerous international spine meetings. He has also been invited to visit and operate with leading spine surgeons in the U.S., Japan and around the world.
Dr. Lee regularly teaches other surgeons at national and international meetings on safety and efficiency when performing cervical spine surgery, the latest techniques in the field and strategies for complication avoidance. He has been on the faculty at the Cervical Spine Research Society meetings and the instructional courses.
Dr. Lee is an international expert on diagnosis, nonsurgical and surgical treatment of cervical spine conditions and spine tumors. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and articles on diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions. His work has resulted in numerous research awards and podium presentations.
Dr. Lee completed his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees at the prestigious Kyung Hee University, School of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency and spine fellowship at Kyung Hee University hospital in Seoul, one of the most prestigious programs in Asia. Dr. Lee also pursued advanced spinal tumor and neurosurgical oncology training at the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where he worked with world-experts on complex spinal tumor reconstructive surgery.
Centers and Institutes
Videos
Selected Publications
Lee SH, Kim KT, Lee JH, Kang KC, Jang SJ, Hwang SP, Yoon KT. 540° Cervical realignment procedure for extensive cervical OPLL with kyphotic deformity. Spine 2016;41(24):1876-83
Lee SH, Park DH, Kim MH, Huh DS, Kang KC, Lee JH, Suk KS, Kim KT. Assessment of the C1 lateral mass screw trajectory and position using plain radiographs: A comparison with computed tomography. Clin Spine Surg. 2016;29(3):E112-9
Khuyagbaatar B, Kim K, Purevsuren T, Lee SH, Kim YH Biomechanical Effects on Cervical Spinal Cord and Nerve Root Following Laminoplasty for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine: A Comparison Between Open-Door and Double-Door Laminoplasty Using Finite Element Analysis. J Biomech Eng. 2018 Jul 1;140(7). doi: 10.1115/1.4039826.
Tauchi R, Lee SH, Kim JY, Kim YC, Peters C, Imagama S, Ishiguro N, Buchowski J, Riew KD. Postoperative severe headache following cervical posterior surgical fixation from C2 distally. Asian Spine J 2016;10(4):728-33
Tauchi R, Lee SH, Peters C, Imagama S, Ishiguro N, Riew KD. Cervical myeloradiculopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament with versus without diffuse idiopathic spinal hyperostosis. Global Spine J. 2016;6(4):350-6
Memberships
- North American Spine Society
- Cervical Spine Research Society
- Korean Society of Bone and Soft Tissue Transplantation
- Pacific-Asian Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Korean Society of Spine Surgery
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Suite 5009, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 410-614-1451
- Johns Hopkins Community Physicians - Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center, White Marsh
- 4924 Campbell Boulevard, Suite 130, Nottingham, MD 21236
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 443-442-2089
- Charter Professional Center
- 10700 Charter Drive, Suite 205, Columbia, MD 21044
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 443-546-1576
- Johns Hopkins Health Care Center - Odenton
- 1106 Annapolis Road, Pavilion I, Suite 280, Odenton, MD 21113
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 410-367-2071
Expertise
Education
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Spinal Surgery, 2018Kyung Hee University Graduate School
Graduate School, PhD, 2006Kyunghee University Medical Center
Fellowship, Spinal Surgery, 2002Kyunghee University Medical Center
Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1999Kyunghee University College of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1994Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.8 out of 5
137 ratings, 53 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2025
Very knowledgeable and helpful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2025
Professional informative
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/14/2025
Great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2025
Dr. Lee made me feel very comfortable about the surgery that I had and I believe that his work has helped me tremendously. He's excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/27/2024
I have positive comments about this provider, my initial intent was to have an appt with Dr [Staff].
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/27/2024
Good surgeon, professional mannerisms, soft spoken and kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2024
The services were excellent. I enjoyed the conversation and received answers to all queries I had.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2024
Thorough, knowledge, professional, personable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/6/2024
Professional, kind, caring, listens to you
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/6/2024
Dr Lee is willing to listen to patient concerns and responds truthfully! Have recommended two friends to his attention for their back issues!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2024
I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Lee. He explains everything in a clear, deliberate manner. He also provides graphics so that I can see the operation and procedure. This is very helpful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2024
Dr. Lee is an excellent caring doctor. He went above what I was expecting. Excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2024
Dr. Lee is a talented and knowledgeable surgeon. I am very impressed with the results of my surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/22/2024
Dr Lee showed concern about my injury. He got me in right away. He was very thorough with his explanations.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/19/2024
Dr. Lee is completely professional and respectful. My husband accompanies me, and Dr. Lee is respectful and patient, listening to the concerns and questions presented by both or us. As a referral and completely unknow doctor, Dr. Lee is the doctor you hope will be there when you open the door. Personal, completely engaged with you, listening patiently and giving his Insightful and expert opinion and thoughtful advice beginning with a laid-out plan of conservative treatment to potentially needed.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/19/2024
Dr. Lee has an amazing bedside manner to complement his technical surgical skills
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/15/2024
Thorough
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/11/2024
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/8/2024
Provided excellent care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2024
Very polite and professional listened and was willing to help me with my health problems
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2024
Exceptionally skilled, compassionate and informative. One of the best, ever.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2024
I really appreciate how the Dr is always on time. He respects my time, as I respect his.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/18/2024
Dr Sang Lee is wonderful-friendly and carefully explained my issues- took time to listen and provided excellent care!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/11/2024
Excellent
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2024
Dr.Lee, listened to my concerns about my injury. The address on my concerns and make sure all my questions were answered, and that I fully understood what was happening with my body as far as he could see. He referred me to someone for treatment procedures, and the consultation was expedited the very next day.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
He was very clear about what comes next and very well spoken. I felt confident in the fact that he will take good care of me when it's time for my surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/27/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2024
Dr Lee is a wonderful physician!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/6/2024
Very knowledgeable and professional, easy to talk to and understand
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/3/2024
He is excellent and very pleasant.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/23/2024
Took time to answer questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/23/2024
The medical doctor was most informative and helpful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/23/2024
Great Dr. Communicates well
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
One of the best Doctors in this work
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2024
Excellent explanation of what the problem is and how to address it
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2024
He is a very competent doctor with a very good personality. He answers all questions and doesn't rush through the visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/26/2024
Impressed with thorough exam and explanation of my treatment options. Was concerned for my pain and helped me make treatment decisions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/23/2024
Professional and kind. And explain my condition very well
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2024
Absolutely delighted with every aspect of care from Dr. Lee
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2024
Dr. Lee did a great job on the back surgery and and I am able to do things that I was not able to before the surgery
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/12/2024
Well organized, professional service
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2024
Dr. Lee was extremely professional, courteous and informative. He reviewed test results I provided as well as x-rays preformed during my visit. He patiently answered questions and discussed unidentified concerns not formally identified in the MRI I provided. He has a keen eye, attention to details and unquestionable dedication to the wellbeing of his patients. Respectfully to me he clearly identified a plan of treatment with follow up for each individual treatment. I would highly recommend Dr. Lee to family and friends
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2024
Dr. Sang Lee is simply amazing. His ability to do endoscopic spinal surgery is nothing short than miraculous.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/10/2024
Very concern
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2024
Dr. Lee was truthful concerning my health situation and ways to improve it.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/3/2024
Excellnt explanation. Recommendation was way more professional than we received at another hospital. Dr. [ ], Dr. Lee's assistant also spent a lot of time with us explaining things.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/30/2024
Very professional. Explained my situation completely
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
My mother, the patient, is very hard of hearing and has moderate dementia. I encouraged the doc to speak loudly to her. I had to repeat everything he said to her because of his accent and he simply did not speak loudly enough. Just a very MINOR point.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
He was excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/9/2024
Five star experience. Thorough. Compassionate. A doctor's doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/9/2024
Dr. Lee provides excellent care, listens patiently and explains the diagnosis in simple terms.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/19/2024
Dr Lee gave more time and attention than I expected. He was wonderful.