One of the largest care centers within The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland’s (OACM) more than 200 staff members serve patients in Catonsville, Columbia and Eldersburg, Maryland. OACM’s goal is to be a one-stop orthopaedic shop, serving patients’ every musculoskeletal need across nearly every orthopaedic sub-specialty from joint replacement to spine surgery to podiatry and more.

The practice was founded in July of 1969 by Dr. Kenneth Spence and Dr. John Tansey as Tansey&Spence PA. Over the years, the practice has grown and evolved, eventually to become Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland.

Since 2006, OACM has grown about a physician a year, today employing 16 physicians as well as PAs, nurses and additional healthcare providers. Three of the original members are still with the group more than 40 years after it first opened its doors. As the practice grew in staff, demand for additional space ensued. In 2014, the practice remodeled its Columbia office and opened the doors to its state-of-the-art  Catonsville office, marking two significant expansion projects in one year. To meet patient demand, the practice is considering further expansion into a fourth medical office in the future, and is looking to bring on additional physicians in its office in Eldersburg.

Due to the large medical staff and many sub-specialties, physicians within OACM have the luxury of in-house referrals to ensure patients receive convenient, trusted care in a timely manner.  OACM most recently hired Dr. Gurtej Singh in August of 2017, rounding out the practice’s pain management clinic. OACM’s Physiatrists ensure that all patients – not just those requiring surgery – can obtain care in the community through injections and other pain management treatments. The practice also offers convenient, onsite MRI services because of its partnership with a local radiology group, which is unique in the state of Maryland.

In addition to the full-service orthopaedic team, OACM has a large physical therapy presence in the community with PT clinics in each of its offices as well as a fourth free-standing physical therapy clinic which recently opened in Ellicott City. OACM’s 18 physical therapists, two hand therapists and five physical therapy assistants provide a full range of rehabilitation services from pediatric to geriatric physical therapy. Six of OACM’s therapists are trained in dry needling as well.

Physicians at OACM are deeply involved in the community through high school sports coverage in Catonsville, Howard County and beyond. The practice participates in the annual 4th of July parade and runs a booth at the Catonsville Arts & Crafts Festival each year.

As one of the founding practices of The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics and home to CAO President Dr. Nicholas Grosso, OACM saw CAO as an opportunity to grow stronger and collaborate with leading medical peers to improve patient care, and is proud of the group’s progress over the last several years. OACM physicians are seeing the many benefits that CAO has presented and report being happier as we move forward together.