SURGEON-LED SPORTS MEDICINE & JOINT PRESERVATION—WITHOUT THE WAIT
Journey Orthopaedic Institute (JOI) is a modern orthopaedic sports medicine practice serving the Carolinas. We’re built around access and clarity: rapid evaluation, a precise diagnosis, and a straightforward plan—without the delays, confusion, and surprise billing that patients often experience in large health systems.
Care is led by Dr. Justin T. Smith, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports surgeon & Dr. Christie B Smith, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic manual physical therapist. JOI integrates high-level clinical decision-making with performance-minded rehab and non-operative options, including advanced injections and biologic treatments when appropriate. The goal is simple: reduce pain, restore function, and return you to sport, training, and life with confidence.
MEET OUR TEAM
Justin T. Smith, MD
Orthopaedic Sports Surgeon
Double Board Certified , Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Sports Surgeon
Christie B. Smith, DPT
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist
Doctor of Physical Therapy | Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist (OMPT)
Rebecca Tucker, ATC
Orthopaedic Sports Athletic Trainer
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) | Clinical Team Lead
COMPREHENSIVE ORTHOPAEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE
Surgeon-led diagnosis, transparent options, and a clear plan to get you back to full function.
Rapid Orthopaedic Evaluation
Get answers and a plan—fast—on site care with state of the art Mobile Medical Unit (Click for more information)
Shockwave Therapy (StemWave)
Non-invasive option for chronic tendon pain
Sports Injury & Surgical Care
ACL • Meniscus • Shoulder—when surgery is the best option
Physical Therapy & Performance Rehab
Hands-on care + return-to-sport progressions
Image-Guided Injections
Cortisone • HA • PRP • Biologics (when appropriate)
Professional Associations
Sports Injuries & Joint Pain
Lower Extremity
Surgeon-led care for the joints that keep you active. Whether it’s shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, or ankle pain, JOI delivers a precise diagnosis and a clear plan—fast. We prioritize the least invasive option that will reliably work, including targeted rehab, image-guided injections and biologics when appropriate, and surgical care when it’s the best path forward.
“Dr. Smith took the time to actually listen, explained my MRI in plain language, and gave me a clear plan. I went from daily shoulder pain to training again without feeling rushed into surgery.”
AR
“I’d been told my knee pain was ‘just arthritis.’ JOI confirmed what was going on, walked me through my options, and we chose the least invasive path that made sense. The process was straightforward and the pricing was transparent.”
ML
“From the first visit to follow-up, everything was efficient—no runaround, no surprise bills. The rehab plan was specific, and when I did need a procedure, it was coordinated quickly. I’m back to sport with confidence.”
TM
FAST DIAGNOSIS. CLEAR PLAN. BETTER OUTCOMES.
