
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adults
- Geriatrics
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Harry M Lightsey
Harry Lightsey, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He specializes in the management of adult spinal disorders. Dr. Lightsey is committed to providing personalized care through both surgical and non-surgical treatments. His clinical interests include minimally invasive spine surgery, treatment of traumatic and degenerative conditions and the role of emerging technology in spine surgery.
Dr. Lightsey completed his undergraduate degree in Biophysical Chemistry at Davidson College, graduating magna cum laude. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then completed his residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. He continued his specialization in spine surgery at the world-renowned Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, where he worked with leaders in the field and trained in all aspects of spine surgery.
Dr. Lightsey is deeply involved in research focusing on enhancing patient outcomes and understanding patient-reported outcomes in spine care. He has published extensively, with numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has contributed to several significant textbook chapters. As an active member of leading spine research societies, including the North American Spine Society and the Cervical Spine Research Society, Dr. Lightsey remains at the forefront of advancements in spine surgery. Through his dedication to clinical excellence and research, he aims to advance the field and improve the quality of life for his patients.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Lightsey enjoys participating in various fitness activities. He values his time spent in co-founding the HCORP Ortho App and orthopaedic exercise spaces during residency, underscoring his commitment to promoting health and wellness. His engagement in these activities reflects his dedication to a holistic approach to health, both within and beyond his surgical practice.
Video
Locations
- Massachusetts General Orthopedics Spine Center
- 52 Second Avenue, Blue Building, Suite 1150, Waltham, MA 02451
- Get Directions
- phone: 617-724-8636
- Massachusetts General Orthopaedic Spine Center
- 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Building, 3rd Floor, Suite 3A, Boston, MA 02114
- Get Directions
- phone: 617-724-8636
- fax: 617-726-7587
- Massachusetts General Brigham and Women's Orthopedic Spine
- 159 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459
- Get Directions
- phone: 617-724-8636
- fax: 617-726-7587
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Rothman Institute @ Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, 2024
- Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2023
- Medical Education: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, 2018
Insurance
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid CT
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Senior Whole Health
- Tricare
- Tufts Health Plan
- Tufts Medicare Preferred
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
165 ratings, 31 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- Reviewed on 3/26/2026
Wonderful caring person.
- Reviewed on 3/26/2026
Very well explained all that could happen
- Reviewed on 3/24/2026
Was a very efficient appointment from xray to sitting with Dr.
- Reviewed on 3/16/2026
Awesome!!!!!?????????????
- Reviewed on 3/12/2026
First time meeting with this doctor more than adequate time to go over things and talked about healthcare for the future
- Reviewed on 3/7/2026
Wonderful experience
- Reviewed on 3/5/2026
Very knowledgeable easy to understand explained and showed my MRI and X-rays results and explained everything with a way I understood it was very helpful
- Reviewed on 3/4/2026
Hi, I just want to say Dr. Lightsey was fantastic [redacted]
- Reviewed on 2/26/2026
Dr. Lightsey spent a lot of time with me and my wife explaining what he saw and learned from the images, compared those results to historical ones. He was very professional but compassionate and caring. The ideal doctor!
- Reviewed on 2/11/2026
The Doctor was terrific. Great bed side manor. He took his time an explained everything.
- Reviewed on 2/27/2026
I've never been happier with any physician ever in my life. I would trust Dr. Lightsey with any of my relatives if they ever needed spine surgery.
- Reviewed on 2/25/2026
Excellent. The doctor explained in detail that I could understand what my spine should look like and why my pain was not located there. His suggestions for recovery have worked after weeks utter pain.
- Reviewed on 2/27/2026
Dr. Lightsey was wonderful. He listened to me, everything I had to say, he showed me my MRI, he explained everything perfectly, and then we proceeded what I should do next. I cannot say enough about Dr. Lightsey.
- Reviewed on 2/7/2026
This was a 2nd opinion. The PA seen first spent more time with me than my last 4 orthopedic appointments seen at a different facility.
- Reviewed on 2/6/2026
He was a very good communicator, put the patient at ease. We haven't had the surgery yet.
- Reviewed on 2/4/2026
Dr Lightsey is the most caring and compassionate doctor
- Reviewed on 2/4/2026
While getting an appointment with the doctor and his team took some time, quality of care was top rate
- Reviewed on 1/14/2026
I appreciate the fact he listened to my concerns about potential surgery and was very thorough in his explanations of the benefits and risks. I've only seen them once and I have not yet had surgery so my opinion may change in the future. So far, I am very comfortable with this Dr.
- Reviewed on 12/24/2025
I really liked Dr Lightsey; he spent alot of time to review and explain MRI with me.
- Reviewed on 12/24/2025
Dr. Lightsey is an extremely kind considerate professional. He makes me feel extremely comfortable and at ease explaining everything about my care and the options that are available. When I had surgery with Dr Lightsey I never felt more comfortable and confident with a surgeon.
- Reviewed on 12/24/2025
Dr. Lightsey was attentive and definitely listened to what I needed to tell him.
- Reviewed on 12/22/2025
Excellent overall experience. Took time needed to answer my questions.
- Reviewed on 12/15/2025
This was my initial experience with Dr. Lightsey. Excellent session and follow-up.
- Reviewed on 12/8/2025
I was very satisfied, with the doctor, he was very friendly, knowledgeable, direct explained himself very well.
- Reviewed on 12/8/2025
Dr Lightsey is an excellent physician and I am grateful for his care.
- Reviewed on 11/28/2025
Dr. Lightsey was amazing. He made you feel comfortable from the minute you walked in to the minute that you left. He's very knowledgeable and very helpful and feel very confident that he's going to help me with my health care.
- Reviewed on 11/27/2025
Harry is awesome! Terrific listener and provides awesome feedback! I feel he gets me!
- Reviewed on 11/19/2025
This was an exceptional Dr. he was welcoming, warm, very clear and thorough and respectful. He should be a model for other Dr.s
- Reviewed on 11/20/2025
So Dr. Lightsey was very prompt, very professional, very soft-spoken, asked me, was open to all questions, listened to what I had to say, reviewed my medical history, explained in detail any procedures that, any procedures that may have to happen sometime in the future, but handled my current questions and why I was there very thoroughly. I'm very happy.
- Reviewed on 11/13/2025
Doctor was great in that he gave us as much time as we needed, explained himself really well and answered all questions. Very impressed with him.
- Reviewed on 11/10/2025
I really enjoyed meeting Dr. Lightsey and it is clear that his goal is to help his patients alleviate pain and suffering. I look forward to working with him.