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Dr. David James Smith, MD

San Diego, CA

31 Years of Experience

Accepting patients

Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital

    Who is Dr. Smith, Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist in San Diego, CA?

    Dr. David James Smith, MD is a Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist, who primarily practices in San Diego, CA with 2 additional practice locations. He has been practicing for over 31 years and is board certified. Dr. Smith graduated from Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine and completed his residency at Vet Affairs Med Ctr-W La, Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation; Vet Affairs Med Ctr-W La, Internal Medicine. Dr. Smith is fluent in English and Spanish, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Smith’s practice accepts Medicare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Smith’s office at (619) 640-5555.

    What are Areas of Expertise for Dr. Smith?

    Dr. David James Smith, MD is a highly-rated, board-certified Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist known for expertly diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array of related conditions or procedures. Utilizing the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices, Dr. Smith empowers patients to confidently navigate their health journey, specializing in Pain Management, or comprehensive wellness support. Serving the San Diego/CA community, Dr. Smith is dedicated to enhancing lives through expert, patient-centered care.

    Where did Dr. Smith go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Residency: Vet Affairs Med Ctr-W La, Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation; Vet Affairs Med Ctr-W La, Internal Medicine | U S DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

    • Medical School: Northwestern Uniiversity | Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine

    Is Dr. Smith board certified as a Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist?

    Yes, Dr. David James Smith, MD is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    What languages does Dr. Smith speak?

    Dr. Smith and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    • Spanish

    What conditions does Dr. Smith treat?

    As a Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist, Dr. Smith diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Smith. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.

    Also known as:

    • Long-Term Opioid Pain Reliever Use
    • Pain Relievers
    • Chronic opioid therapy
    • Ongoing narcotic pain medication
    • Opioid analgesic use

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z79891: Long term (current) use of opiate analgesic

    Also known as:

    • Pinched Nerve in Lower Back
    • Pinched Nerve in Neck
    • Back Pain
    • Peripheral Nerve Disorder
    • Neck Injuries and Disorder
    • Lumbar Radiculopathy
    • Lower Back Nerve Compression
    • Compressed Nerve in Lower Back
    • Cervical Radiculopathy
    • Neck Nerve Compression
    • Compressed Nerve in Neck

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5416: Radiculopathy, lumbar region
    • M5412: Radiculopathy, cervical region

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Spondylosis
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Lumbar Spondylosis
    • Lower Back Arthritis
    • Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M47816: Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Unspecified Joint Disease
    • Joint Disorder
    • Joint Condition
    • Joint Problem

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M129: Arthropathy, unspecified

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Disc Degeneration
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Degenerative Disc Disease in Lower Back
    • Worn Lumbar Discs
    • Lumbar Disc Wear and Tear

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5136: Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Spinal Stenosis with Nerve Pain in Legs
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Claudication
    • Narrowing of Lower Back Spinal Canal with Leg Pain
    • Nerve Compression in Lower Back with Walking Pain

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M48062: Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication

    What procedures does Dr. Smith perform?

    As a Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist, Dr. Smith performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Smith. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar or Sacral Epidural Injection with Imaging
    • Facet Joint Injection (Lower Back/Sacrum)
    • Epidural Steroid Injection
    • Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Injection
    • Lumbar or Sacral Epidural Injection
    • Epidural or Spinal Injection for Pain
    • Caudal Epidural Injection
    • Spinal Nerve Block
    • Pain Management Injection
    • Lumbar Facet Joint Injection
    • Sacral Facet Joint Injection
    • Paravertebral Facet Injection
    • Lower Back Pain Injection (Guided)
    • Cervical Epidural Injection
    • Thoracic Epidural Injection
    • Pain Relief Spinal Injection
    • TFESI (Lumbar)
    • Nerve Root Block (Lumbar)
    • Lower Back Nerve Injection with Imaging
    • Spinal Pain Injection
    • Lumbar Epidural Block

    CPT Codes:

    • 62323: Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (eg, anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, including needle or catheter placement, interlaminar epidural or subarachnoid, lumbar or sacral (caudal); with imaging guidance (ie, fluoroscopy or CT)
    • 64493: Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), lumbar or sacral; single level
    • 62321: Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (eg, anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, including needle or catheter placement, interlaminar epidural or subarachnoid, cervical or thoracic; with imaging guidance (ie, fluoroscopy or CT)
    • 64483: Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; transforaminal epidural, with imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), lumbar or sacral, single level
    • 62311: Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, including needle or catheter placement, includes contrast for localization when performed, epidural or subarachnoid; lumbar or sacral (caudal)
    • 62310: Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, including needle or catheter placement, includes contrast for localization when performed, epidural or subarachnoid; cervical or thoracic

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar or Sacral Facet Joint Injection
    • Lumbar/Sacral Facet Joint Nerve Destruction (Additional)
    • Facet joint block
    • Zygapophyseal joint injection
    • Lower back facet injection
    • Sacral facet injection
    • Facet Joint Nerve Ablation
    • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Spine
    • Lumbar Facet Denervation

    CPT Codes:

    • 64494: Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), lumbar or sacral; second level (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
    • 64636: Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve(s), with imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT); lumbar or sacral, each additional facet joint (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar or Sacral Facet Joint Injection (Additional Levels)
    • Sacroiliac Joint Injection
    • Guided Facet Joint Injection (Neck/Upper Back)
    • Lower Back Facet Joint Injection
    • Sacral Facet Nerve Block
    • Paravertebral Facet Injection (Lumbar/Sacral)
    • SI joint injection
    • Sacroiliac steroid injection
    • Image-guided SI joint injection
    • Sacroiliac joint block
    • Paravertebral Facet Joint Injection
    • Cervical Facet Injection
    • Thoracic Facet Injection
    • Zygapophyseal Joint Injection

    CPT Codes:

    • 64495: Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), lumbar or sacral; third and any additional level(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
    • 27096: Injection procedure for sacroiliac joint, anesthetic/steroid, with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT) including arthrography when performed
    • 64490: Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), cervical or thoracic; single level

    Also known as:

    • Facet Joint Nerve Ablation (Lumbar/Sacral)
    • Lumbar Facet Joint Denervation
    • Sacral Facet Nerve Block
    • Radiofrequency Ablation for Back Pain

    CPT Codes:

    • 64635: Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve(s), with imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT); lumbar or sacral, single facet joint

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery
    • Lumbar Laminotomy
    • Herniated Disc Decompression (Lower Back)
    • Microdiscectomy (Lumbar)

    CPT Codes:

    • 63030: Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar

    Also known as:

    • Implanted Pain Pump Management
    • Intrathecal Pump Reprogramming
    • Epidural Pump Refill
    • Pain Pump Evaluation
    • Drug Infusion Pump Management

    CPT Codes:

    • 62370: Electronic analysis of programmable, implanted pump for intrathecal or epidural drug infusion (includes evaluation of reservoir status, alarm status, drug prescription status); with reprogramming and refill (requiring skill of a physician or other qualified health care professional)

    Also known as:

    • Facet Joint Injection (Neck/Upper Back)
    • Cervical Facet Injection
    • Thoracic Facet Injection
    • Zygapophyseal Joint Injection
    • Spinal Joint Injection

    CPT Codes:

    • 64491: Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT), cervical or thoracic; second level (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Joint or Bursa Injection/Fluid Removal
    • Arthrocentesis
    • Major Joint Aspiration
    • Bursa Injection
    • Joint Fluid Removal

    CPT Codes:

    • 20610: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa); without ultrasound guidance

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar Spinal Fusion (Posterior Approach)
    • Posterior Lumbar Arthrodesis
    • Lower Back Fusion Surgery
    • Spine Fusion (Lumbar)

    CPT Codes:

    • 22612: Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single interspace; lumbar (with lateral transverse technique, when performed)

    Does Dr. Smith accept my insurance?

    Dr. Smith accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (619) 640-5555 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Smith accept in San Diego, CA?

    Dr. Smith in San Diego, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Department of Veterans Affairs

    • Medicare

    • State of Tennessee

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    Where is Dr. Smith's office located?

    Dr. David James Smith's Primary Practice

    3703 Camino del Rio S Ste 210

    San Diego, CA 92108

    (619) 640-5555

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    Dr. David James Smith's Practice 2

    1575 W Main St

    El Centro, CA 92243

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    Dr. David James Smith's Practice 3

    8930 W Sunset Rd Ste 350

    Las Vegas, NV 89148

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    What is Dr. Smith's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Smith's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1811930357.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Smith?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Smith

    What is Dr. David James Smith's specialty?

    Dr. Smith is a Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist near San Diego, CA. A physiatrist specializing in Pain Medicine evaluates and treats patients with acute or chronic pain, including pain associated with cancer, in both hospital and outpatient settings. They also collaborate with other specialists to coordinate comprehensive care tailored to the patient’s needs. Contact Dr. Smith to book an appointment today.

    Is this Dr. David James Smith affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    Yes, Dr. Smith is affiliated with Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego which is a Castle Connolly Top Hospital. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    Where can I learn more about Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist?

    Explore Pain Medicine Specialist - Physiatrist with insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is David James Smith accepting new patients in San Diego, CA?

    Yes, Dr. David James Smith is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. David James Smith offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Smith's office at (619) 640-5555 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with David James Smith?

    Please contact Dr. Smith's office at (619) 640-5555 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    Which board certifications does Dr. David James Smith have?

    Dr. David James Smith is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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